| Thanksgiving is over and now comes the mad rush | | | | mystery fan I would suggest any of Donna |
| of shopping for the holidays. For me it’s | | | | Andrews’ Meg Langslow series, Murder With |
| Christmas but it is also a time of giving for many | | | | Peacocks being the first in the series. Rita Mae Brown |
| faiths and cultures. If Christmas isn’t your holiday | | | | combines murder and fox hunting in her Sister Jane |
| just fill in the name of the one that you celebrate | | | | series which will please the horse and hound person. |
| The important thing is to celebrate and pass on not | | | | If “one of your hard to buy for people” is a |
| only the gifts but the real meaning of the | | | | Tea drinker I recommend that you check out and |
| celebrations. | | | | Native American Tea has some very interesting |
| I love Christmas, especially buying toys. However | | | | blends for the herbal tea drinker. |
| once the kids are taken care off I get stuck for | | | | For the sports fans in your life you can’t get a |
| what to buy the adults. This year I decided to look | | | | better buy then Minor League Baseball tickets. Most |
| at what has worked well in the past and help others | | | | teams sell packages for just about any pocketbook. |
| who have the same problem by writing this article. If | | | | You get to see the up and coming players, good |
| you have someone on your list who is hard to buy | | | | baseball and it’s one of the few places left |
| for then I hope that this article will be of some help. | | | | where you can take kids and let them yell and |
| If you are looking for a gift for a comedy fan I | | | | scream all they want. Double A and Short Season |
| suggest you check out the British Sitcoms on either | | | | teams are great teams to take younger children to. |
| or My personal favorites are The Last of the | | | | Prices are low and the stadiums small enough to keep |
| Summer Wine, ‘allo ‘allo, Red Dwarf, Are | | | | an eye on them if they run off after the mascot. |
| You Being Served and the two Rowan Atkinson | | | | The food is also cheaper (but less variety) which |
| series Black Adder and The Thin Blue Line. If you | | | | with kids will be the most expensive part of the day. |
| have a police officer on your list he or she will get a | | | | Some relatively inexpensive gift ideas: a DVD and a |
| kick out of The Thin Blue Line. | | | | package of microwave popcorn, a box of candy, |
| If you are looking for something unique try This is an | | | | boxer shorts with cartoon characters on them, a |
| online marketplace for hand made items. You can find | | | | package of their favorite coffee, or lottery tickets. |
| an incredible array of handmade and vintage products | | | | Don’t forget your local food cupboards and |
| for everyone on your list including pets. Prices are | | | | animal shelters. You don’t have to make a large |
| very reasonable and you can find one of a kind items | | | | donation, a small bag of canned goods or a bag of |
| without breaking your budget. You may want to set | | | | cat or dog food will be much appreciated. |
| aside a healthy block of time for checking out this | | | | The greatest gift that you can give is your time. If |
| site because I have to warn you it is addictive. My | | | | you have a friend or relative in a nursing home, |
| favorite shops are IVFor4 (jewelry), ThePlayRoom | | | | hospital, or assisted living make the time to visit. If |
| (ceramic), and Madart (paintings). | | | | not go and make friends with someone who |
| For the Science Fiction readers on your list you | | | | doesn’t get any visitors (ask at the desk |
| can’t do better then one of Scott | | | | they’ll be thrilled to introduce you) and you may |
| Washburn’s books. War Among The Ruins, | | | | end up getting more out of it then you expect. |
| Pathfinder and Fires of Memory are self published | | | | Volunteer one afternoon at your local soup kitchen. If |
| books that can be purchased on Since these books | | | | you have teenage children take them with you and |
| are self published they can not be found in book | | | | teach them the value of giving. We all complain about |
| stores and therefore will be unique. They are well | | | | what we don’t have, this Christmas take a good |
| written, exciting and either of the three would make | | | | look around at how many people have a lot less and |
| a great gift for the Science Fiction fan. For the | | | | do something to help out. It will make you feel good. |