Holiday Gifts

A business gift of charity is a great way to show appreciation to clients with out overstepping the ethical guidelines of corporate customer relations policies. This may also be a fully tax deductible gift that is above the general $25 IRS maximum for business gifts. Be sure to check with your tax advisor on the details.

Well, in the spirit of having a grown-up Christmas list, I’ve got one wish for Christmas that has to rank near the top. Since dearest Amy already has taken care of thermonuclear war and the Israeli Palestinian problem, I don’t have to put that on my list. Instead, what tops my list is: No more 12 Days of Christmas parody songs. Please.

It was my mother who informed me that by accepting the invitation to the party, I was obligated to bring Patsy Mullins a suitable birthday gift. What did I want to bring? Huh? I was being toyed with, but on Friday night when I was getting ready to walk the two blocks to Patsy’s house, my mother handed me a gift-wrapped package the contents of which were a mystery to me. My father, who could barely contain himself. started making noises about the package containing underpants. Even at twelve, I couldn’t be caught on something like that.

I digress. In an email to me, she wrote that I could not, under any circumstances, open the present before Christmas day. But when it comes to presents, I am the most impatient person there is, both in giving and receiving. If I buy a present for someone early, I must give it to them early. Example: I bought a TiVo for the fianc� two years ago as a Christmas present. I gave it to him in October because it arrived so early. And if someone gives me something before the day I am to open it, I usually tear into it without regard for the date. No patience, I tell you.

But the custom caught on among Korean young people. Akiyama attributes this to a Korean love for special occasions, plus an existing local custom of couples celebrating the 100th day of their relationship. Over the years it became as generally accepted among Korean young people as it is among the Japanese, and in 1997 Lotte’s main Korean outlet alone sold US$560,000 worth of chocolate during the season. Thus, it took Lotte less than 20 years to invent a custom in South Korea.

but no need to worry, i just rang my dad to say hi to my parents and my dad answered the phone. I told him that there is a package in the mail for him from the USA. (because i went internet shopping on the weekend and i knew his birthday was coming up). Anyway he said thanks for the birthday gift, and i got all puzzled and just figured his birthday was sometime in the next few days. My mum got on the phone and said it was nice that i called to wish my dad a happy birthday (it was at this moment i realised it was today). I replied “yes it is...

I got him an electric guitar. It was quite expensive, but worth it. He has wanted it for a long time. My parents got him an amp. My upstairs neighbor just laughed. He’s also a law student. He asked if I knew what I got myself into. I told him I’m making Brennen a little music area in the basement. I also told Brennen no playing 2 weeks before exams while I was home. He agreed. If he does, he will no longer have a guitar. I will substantially flip out and throw it out the window. He also got alot of gift certificates and cash....

I got Settlers of Catan Card Game, so of course I had to try it. Nestori agreed to test it out with me and off we went to Catan. The card game is a two-player version of the board game, necessary because trading really doesn't work with two. As a consequence, there's little player-to-player trading in the card game. Trading happens, but with the ports, like in the game: 3-for-1, 2-for-1 in special occasions.

Those who are working and poor often can't save for emergencies or the unexpected. Debt mounts easily with no savings or excess income as a cushion.

Being unable to pay for the basics is an emergency, so many turn to credit cards. What starts as a quick solution can become an overwhelming problem.

Maria Halstead, a secretary and mother of three, started using credit cards to pay for holiday gifts and occasional groceries. She and her now-estranged husband racked up $10,000 of debt on seven credit cards, using them for nearly everything.

The debt is like an infection, spreading to other areas of her life. For instance, she can't afford to get a divorce, yet she makes too much to qualify for legal aid.

Wal-Mart moved deeper into the pet merchandise business Thursday, announcing that its low prices for pet products will be available on its Walmart.com site.

"Pet merchandise has consistently been a top search component at Walmart.com, and (we're) complementing what our Wal-mart stores already offer," said Tricia Doty, Walmart.com's director of merchandising, home and family, in a statement. "Seventy-two percent of pet owners buy their pets holiday gifts."

Looking for a “niche,” Seder said they asked themselves, “What is Berryville missing?”

“Obviously, we do like to eat and drink,” said Seder, pointing at the walls of products.

But, it couldn’t be just any foods, he said.

‘We wanted to be different from any store in Winchester,” he said.

So the couple turned to food products which promote Virginia businesses, including many in Clarke County. To be assured of quality, they wanted to concentrate on products which have won the “Virginia’s Finest” label.

The variety might surprise you.

From Clarke County comes chutney, dried tomatoes and salsa, and fruitcakes and baked goods from the Holy Cross Abbey monastery.

There are special pastas, flavored with garlic or olives, from Charlottesville; all natural cheeses, and, from Front Royal, Walden Farms’ smoked chicken, trout and salmon.

There is even some Virginia’s Finest sheep’s wool for spinning or knitting, Seder said.

I just saw the first supermarket Easter eggs on display. It was next to a shelf where they are still offering discounted Christmas cakes, and just along from the Valentine cards and candy. Also today my Chinese friends stopped by with a beautiful gift of tea, cakes and sweetmeats to honour their New Year. [I felt touched - as they said they had, on receiving our mini Christmas hamper.] But it's all a bit overwhelming. I only took down our Christmas cards yesterday - and there is still some Christmas pudding in the frig. In the meantime there have been birthdays and engagements and weddings to celebrate - all with cards, cakes, food and gifts.

The typical American spent $835 on holiday gifts last season, so save that part of your tax refund for next year. You can avoid putting those gifts on your credit card and paying for them next March.

Here's a nice story. This man's wife said she didn't want anything for Valentine's Day, but he was no fool. What's nice is that he found a gift based on a previous gift she had given him. Holiday gifts that honor a shared memory or experience enhance a relationship in a unique way.

..when your beautiful wife says not to get her anything for Valentine's Day?

Hhhhhmmmm????? I think I hear Admiral Ackbar....

"It's a TRAP! (wav file)"

Dr. Phil might say that the key to a great marriage is listening to your spouse. I disagree. Sometimes, not listening is more important.

Update 7PM EST: I'm surprised at some of you people. Of course, I already had something - from me and from the kids. Are you kidding? Mrs. Blackfive is the best thing that ever happened to me. Would I ever let her down? (Of course not.)

But this also gave me the opportunity to get some really cool Tommy Bahama martini glasses for both of us (since I wasn't supposed to get her anything). The first Valentines we spent together nine years ago, she bought me Waterford Limoges glasses and a gallon of Bombay Sapphire. I'm pretty sure that I did okay. We're all different and appreciate different displays of affection, but I do know my better half. Martini glasses are always appreciated.

This blogger has a nice story about getting a diamond ring years later when he could afford it.

When Ginny and I got married, many years ago, I could not afford to get her anything too expensive for the proposal ring, because there were too many things to pay for, like the flat, the wedding and the honeymoon. But she never complained.

So I thought this would be a good time to pick out something nice for her. It is supposed to be a surprise (so don't tell her, ok?) and I was almost caught redhanded with ...

This legal blogger has some unique suggestions for Christmas gifts for your legal beagle, one idea for each of the twelve days of Christmas. Here's the first day.

1. "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... a computer built by Judge Kozinski!"

Yes, the polymathic Judge Alex Kozinski (9th Cir.) enjoys building computers in his spare time. Other Kozinski-related gift ideas include snowboarding lessons with the #1 Male Superhottie and chickens lovingly raised by The Easy Rider and his wife, Marcy Tiffany.

A great holiday gift or gift any time is a donation. Last year's tsunami is not in the news, but relief agencies still need help. Also consider local charities and arts organizations that provide great services in your community.

I believe the best holiday gift is one you give, not buy. If you’ve ever done charitable work the notion of giving should be familiar to you. If you haven’t been caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping I have a gift idea for you: donate to the victims of south Asia tsunami. Use a support form at UNICEF and decide for yourselves how much you can donate. Crazed retailers won’t go broke if you don’t spend this money ...