What do an Ad Man, a Mad Man and an Italian Man have in common? They all fell in love with a custom stamp.

It sounds strange, so let me backtrack.

Nearly four years ago, I had the great pleasure of marrying into a wonderfully eccentric family. My mother-in-law and her three sisters are artists in their own right, each marrying an equally creative gentleman— my father-in-law, the man with a band and a knack for glass etching; Clay, the advertising executive with the thirst for dirty martinis; Rocky, the fun-loving mad man with a major sweet tooth; and Giorgio, the Italian man with expertise in all things booteful.

This combination of characters has produced one large, hilarious extended family, who make every family gathering interesting. This past Christmas was no different.

Each year, I like to give the sisters a little Christmas gift, as a thank you for playing hostess to events throughout the year. So, in December, when Paper Source offered 25% off custom stamps, I ordered a return address stamp for each aunt.

Being such a large family, it’s rare that anyone notices gift opening, but this year was different. True to form, gifts were divvied out as everyone carried on with conversations, stories and dancing, while one of many Rolling Stones albums played in the background. Read the rest of this entry »