One word: BlockBuster. Seriously, you can get a ton of "thoughtful" gifts there, and you're in and out in less than an hour. Walmart's another good place. I always do one-store Christmas shopping.
i love the gathering of family and friends but hate the gift-giving aspect of x-mas. i don't like to be forced to buy things for people. the media encourages a frenzy that only serves to reinforce our materialistic society.
HAVE A PARTY! For the last couple of years I have invited over a few friends, bought some alcohol, had wifey to make nachos and the girls help decorate the inside while the guys talk trash, drink beer and help me with decorations outside. The down side is that the other couples that help us are starting to have parties of their own, and we've got to go and help. Don't hate Christmas Izzy, a lot of trouble but only once a year! Fa la la la laaaaaa la la la la...
My own research indicates that The Three Wise Men actually gave internet gift certificates. The Biblical passage about gold, frankincense, and myrrh is simply a bad translation of the original text.
BTW, I saw in the Chron that you are doing some ex-cop show. Cool! Does that mean Mike Peterson is an ex-cop now? That dude was one very cool cop in West U. We had a couple of run-ins with him. (nothing serious-mostly noise complaints and one argument with a cabbie...)
Ooooh, maybe. Get back to me when y'all are starting back up and I might be able to free up enough time to play. I think last time I tried a comeback I couldn't get into the ezboard forum and gave up.