With expectations running high, holidays are notoriously a challenge for many. But for me, I received the most spectacular gift this year. It was from my 3 children…and their 2 significant others…and one of the significant other’s sister…and my significant other… and who knows who else my kids roped into the plan since there is much yet to be revealed as it’s only January 9th.

Christmas morning I was presented with not only the largest package under the tree, but the largest oddly shaped package I think I’ve ever received. This filled me with the anticipation of a 6 year old in the days before Christmas. What I unwrapped was a well planned demonstration of my children’s collective creativity, imagination, generosity, thoughtfulness, and hard work.

I received a bulletin board whose shape had been disguised with mounds of cardboard. Now, I sorely needed a bulletin board for my office (picture sticky notes taped up on the wall) since I hadn’t gotten around to purchasing one, but giving their mother something practical is not what this board is about. It is so much more. They turned it into a calendar for the month of January, with each day marked with large squares of different sized squares and colors. But, that’s not what this gift was about either. That’s just too simplistic for these guys. The real gift, or rather gifts, are revealed on a daily basis inside the pockets they made.

Here’s what I’ve uncovered so far this month:

1. A rhyme by my witty 13 year old daughter that I should say on the first day of the new year for good luck
2. An hour massage from one of the significant other’s sister, who is a massage therapist (and is fantastic!)
3. A day of dishes by my 13 year old
4. A love letter from my very insightful 21 year old daughter
5. A new music CD of an artist my 21 year old and her boyfriend were sure I’d love (they know me so well!)
6. A breakfast of ‘Toad in the Hole’ made by my own significant other (he does it so much better than I do)
7. A gift card to my favorite local coffee shop
8. A love letter from my 18 year old son, who has recently left the nest, with an invitation to meet downtown for a Jamba Juice - his treat; while he’ll come for dinner with his adorable girlfriend, he never brings his laundry home
9. An incredibly sweet note from my daughter’s boyfriend’s sister(’s neighbor’s aunt’s friend…)

I incorrectly referred to these 9 wonderful items as being the ‘real gifts’, but we all know that the true ‘real gift’ is the loving relationship I share with these beautiful people. Thanks guys, for reminding me each day in January how blessed I am.

Now, what was your favorite gift or moment?