Great looking sweater and I love your gifting philosophy. You learned a lot of neat things, like cabling without a cable needle.
I don't mind seed stitch and it looks so neat, but I hear you on the cable crosses being at the same time. Makes it a lot easier. Sometimes I suppose doing them out of sync can't be avoided but if it can it makes life easier. I did a couple of hats that had one pattern that was 4 rounds and another that was supposed to be 7 or 9 (can't remember) but I made it 8. Much better...
and no one will be the wiser.