To continue the holiday cheer, here are a couple to consider: What is your worst holiday shopping experience? What's the longest you've procrastinated before finishing your shopping? Did you ever forget to buy something for someone important? Please explain. (When I say 'holiday" I'm referring to the holidays that take place in the December time frame to include, but not limited to, 'Christmas', 'Hannakuh', 'Kwanza', and 'Aethist kids get gifts day')

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

Answers

Our family used to have tradition of going out on the last weekend before Christmas and finishing our shopping. Inevitably, something went wrong. Five years ago, the water heater died while we were out. We came home to a nicely water-logged carpet. The year after that, someone lost their brakes at an intersection, putting us at the receiving end of a minor five-car collision. The year after that, my grandfather, a diabetic, had to go in to the hospital to have a toe amputated. After that, we all vowed to get our shopping done early from now on.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

This is probably my worst year yet as far as procrastination is concerned. I don't live at home anymore so I have even less time than I used to have. Of course, I wouldn't trade living on my own for anything. Bizarre but true -- I picked up a couple of gifts in Sept/Oct, but it made absolutely no real dent in my shopping.

This is my first year buying a gift for my boss, so I'm a bit perplexed on what to get her. She's also my friend, a mentor, and so many other things.

Best of luck to those who brave the malls this weekend.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

Oh, this is bad. I didn't even START Christmas shopping until today. TODAY, December 23rd. Two days before The Big Day. I haven't even begun to put a dent in my holiday shopping; luckily, I'm doing Christmas with my friends after the holiday. I still have time to shop for them!

-- Anonymous, December 24, 2000