The hottest gifts for her

I was reading the news just now, and I stumbled upon the article "The hottest gifts for her." Being holiday season, it is not surprising. Everybody is looking for the perfect gift. Only this article listed the lamest things. Or at least they appeared so to me. Here are some of their suggestions:

- 5 types of jewelry (I am not much of a jewerly person)
- Perfume (I already have more than enough)
- Some technology stuff, like iPod (I hate new gismos)
- 3 types of slippers (one pair is quite enough for me)
- Some clothing (I hate when people give me clothes. They are never my style)

When you are buying a present, it helps if you put some thought into it and actually find out what a person may like. Don't buy it just because it's on "The hottest gifts this season" list. For example, clothes are almost always a bad idea because even if you are someone's best friend or partner finding the perfect fit (in size and in style) is almost impossible. Same goes for jewelry and perfume. If you fancy your gift to be a piece of clothing, get a gift card to a clothing store. Things like books, music, and techno gadgets will only be appreciated if you know a person's taste in them. And don't forget to get a gift receipt, just in case (afterall, a person may already have a copy of that book). Kitchen appliances are not my style of gifts, although a luxury item like an espresso machine or some fancy wine glasses may be a good idea. Frying pans and vegetable steamers are not (those take away "holiday" from a holiday gift). And remember, a gift does not have to be an actual thing.

Here is my suggestion of gifts that no woman will frown upon:

1. Breakfast in bed
2. A few hours of uninterrupted shopping
3. A few hours away from the kids to do what she pleases
4. A few hours with kids playing her favorite family game or doing her favorite family activity
5. A day in a spa
6. A warm scarf
7. A bottle of her favorite wine
8. A romantic dinner (in a restaurant or at home prepared by her sweetheart)
9. A gift card from a shoe store
10. A CD of her favorite singer or band, or her favorite music mix

Happy shopping and happy holiday season to all!

You have a teenage boy if

1. His room looks like your city just suffered a massive earthquake.

2. Nobody cares if he goes to a birthday party wearing a dirty shirt and sweatpants.

3. Whatever his friends are listening to / watching / reading / wearing / eating must be immediately listened to / watched / read / worn / eaten by him.

4. He will be scarred for life if he is the last one of his friends to get a cell phone, iPad, e-mail, and facebook.

5. He will be scarred for life if you approach him while he is socializing with his friends.

6. The younger sibling(s) is ruining his life and must be sent to a foster home.

7. Homework is done at the last possible moment, preferably 10 minutes before he leaves for school on a day it's due.

8. He would rather have a spider crawling down his skin than accept a sign of affection from you.

9. If a suggestion, solution, or advice is coming from you, it must be so lame it's embarrassing to even listen.

10. You do not and cannot possibly understand what his generation is going through because obviously you have never been a teen, or most likely you are simply too dumb.