presents

I'm personally grateful that there are last-minute gift ideas that always seem to be well-received by most people and are truly thoughtful gifts. Ready?

Science says there's something about the sound and feel of slicing through the paper. Some say it's almost sensual. (Oh my.) It "causes a sort of low-grade euphoria."

I had a total meltdown and created an awkward situation for my family, who were no doubt as embarrassed of me as I am of myself in my adult years.

So, yeah--we need some practical things, too. However, if you really want to delight someone you love--get them something FUN!

So, yeah--we need some practical things, too. However, if you really want to delight someone you love--get them something FUN!

Let's face it - what looks like a "Phase 2 Christmas" is quickly approaching.  We're most likely not going to join our loved ones (at least the non-immediate ones) for the annual Yuletide celebration.  That means a smaller holiday at home, reaching out to family through technology like web-conferencing services like ZOOM, and lots of shipping...

I asked my 8-year-old daughter, Willow, when we should open Christmas presents this year and what she wants for Christmas.

Lucky for you, I'm not "most Americans."

It seems like an easy question to answer, but it can be complicated!

Well, Christmas has come and gone. All of the egg nog is gone, the Christmas dinner is just left overs, and all of the presents are unwrapped. So, how did it go for you? Did you get everything that you wanted?

It's a tradition that dates back to your parents and it's handed down from generation to generation and can change over time too but not everyone does the same thing when it comes to opening Christmas presents. The question came up at a party over the weekend and some people were quite rigid in their Christmas routine.

There they are, the gifts, they're all wrapped up in pretty paper and just sitting there under the tree, all alone and just waiting for someone to rip off the paper to reveal the secret that's contained. But is it really a secret, if you've stolen a little peek? NO!