you've heard of advent calendars and advent wreaths, but have you ever heard of advent presents?
my mother sends me 24 small, beautifully wrapped and carefully shipped, presents to open before christmas. usually they're something goofy or cool or useful.

-------- 2002 advent present documentation --------

this year's package, which also included an actual advent calendar, and far too many cookies, arrived on friday. because I'm leaving wisconsin for the east coast on december 21, I'll start unwrapping them, one a day, on thanksgiving.

this year's presents

presents in 2000