Barbara Ortagus »

My aunt and uncle are extremely busy this time of year.  For as long as I can remember they are have been making their own Christmas crafts and selling them at the various fairs they have around the city.

They have a special “family viewing” night that they turn into a bit of an event for all of us.  Last Monday I bundled up the kids and headed over to their place to look over their wares.  They have some old tried and true favorites that they bring out every year, but I most look forward to the brand new things they have created from ideas in magazines and what not.

I started a new tradition with the kids where we buy a new Christmas tree ornament for each of them every year.  That way they can reflect on how there tastes have changed over the years and have a little memento to hang onto of something that was unique to that specific year.

This year they each chose to buy an ornament from my aunt and uncle so that was a real treat.

Since I have started working again I offered to take a sampling to the office and see if I could drum up a little business for them.  My Uncle Stu says:  “That’s an interesting offer; what does that net u?”

I said my usual consignment rate is 35%, but for family I would settle for an extra batch of my aunt’s special shortbread.  We all laughed and agreed that it was a deal.