As I stare in disbelief at my calendar I find it almost shocking that another year has passed. Where has the time gone? More dismaying, why am I not nearly as prepared as I should be for the Christmas Holiday! Why, oh why, can't I just have a few more weeks to get my act together?

My lamenting may make it sound like I do not enjoy the holiday season. Far from it! I love Christmas and all of the fun and excitement it brings. Truth be told, I really enjoy shopping for gifts, although I am not brave enough to venture out into the retail sales realm we've come to know as "Black Friday."

I find immense pleasure in matching the perfect gift to its future owner and the anticipation building up to the moment when they open the package. I do have a rule of thumb that I follow faithfully: the gift must be what the ABOVE, IGMA Fellow Lyn Trenary created this 1:12 bunny recipient wants, not what the giver feels should be appropriate. Of course, one's available cash is an important part of the final decision, but beyond that there are no other rules. If someone wants a gold-plated paperclip, then I'm looking for a gold-plated paperclip. It's that simple. It's what they want and will enjoy, not me.