This year I was at a stump for what to get my family for Christmas. Fact is, everyone already has what they need and if they do ask for something it's super expensive! So I basically ignored what people might've asked because let's face it, I worked at a snow cone stand, not for Beyoncé. With that, I decided to make presents instead. During a inventive car ride with my mother, we sparked the idea of creating paintings with (most) of the "classic Ellison sayings." All of my siblings are grown, out of the house, and have their own family. With Renee two minutes away from me, Macks in North Carolina, and Zack in Texas, the distance is substantial. Yet, we all say these one liners ALL THE TIME. No matter where we are and what people we're with. I'd like to keep it that way! My siblings and their families are going to have their own sayings along the years and the original ones may be left at rest. I'm not having that. So I spray painted each canvas silver, and wrote our sayings on the personalized paintings. Each one has quotes that are more special and used by that person. For example, Macks has "okie dokie" on his canvas because he's the only one who says it. Watching my sister and brother open up these gifts was priceless. It was a gift they truly loved! Making and giving them that present was so much more rewarding than going out and buying something expensive that doesn't have any sentimental value. Only problem is, I have no idea how I'm going to top this for next year! 

Happy holidays, :) Claire.

"It's an Ellison thing, you wouldn't understand."