Do you know a romance lover but have no idea what book to get them for Christmas? Then read on as I share some of my all-time favorites. If on the other hand you have a weakness for romance novels yourself check to see if there is one you missed.

1. One Summer by Karen Robards

A classic romantic suspense novel with a bit of a supernatural touch thrown in. When the heroine’s former student is released from prison after serving time for murdering his former girlfriend she is the only one willing to help him. But what will everyone think about her budding relationship to a presumed murderer? And more important, was he really the killer?

2. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

A great book! Like almost all of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books one of my favorites. Sensible Gracie is determined to start a new life and the first step towards her goal is to escort recalcitrant ex-football player Bobby Tom Denton towards his home-town where he is slated to star in a movie. Is she out of her league? Very funny.

3. Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale

A historical romance it truly transcends the genre. The Duke of Jervaux is a well-known rake but few know that he is also a brilliant mathematician. His life changes dramatically when he suffers a stroke (yep, in a romance novel). No longer able to speak, he is sent to a lunatic asylum. Quaker friend Maddy is the only one who sees behind his bizarre behaviour and determines to help him. But can she succeed?

4. The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney

The story of four women who meet regularly in a women’s group. Best friends, they still struggle with jealousy and occasional pettiness. Then life becomes even more difficult: One of the group struggles with her inability to conceive, a second member has to finally face the true nature of her manipulative husband, a third woman falls deeply in love with a married man and the last of the friends is diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease. Will these challenges destroy them or will their friendship endure?

5. The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

The first book in the Troubleshooters Series (you know how I love series books!) tells the story of Navy SEAL Tom Paoletti who finds love while struggling to track down a terrorist. The book also tells a secondary story set during the second World War. A good book both for fans of suspense/thrillers as well as for those interested in history.

6. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

A funny and entertaining book about two sisters filming a soft porn movie in a sleepy town. One of the sisters falls in love with the town’s upstanding mayor and a dead body adds to the excitement. A bit racy and hilarious.

7. The Four Seasons by Mary Alice Monroe

The three older Season sisters have never gotten over the accident that permanently disabled their youngest sister. Now, with Merry Season’s death, they finally have to face the secrets that have been kept for over twenty years. Will they finally be able to move on?

8. Daring to Dream by Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is certainly one of the most popular and well-known romance authors and her Dreams Trilogy is one of my most favorites. In the first installment, Margo Sullivan, the housekeeper’s daughter who has made good returns to California when her world is shattered. Can she turn her life around with the help of her best friends?

9. Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krenzt

An entertaining easy read like many of Jayne Ann Krentz’s books. Desdemona Wainwright is hired to cater a businessman’s wedding but the groom is left at the altar. This turns into a piece of good luck as he then hires Desdemona to cater for his company and serve as his hostess. Soon their relationship turns into love but there are plenty of complications to keep the reader entertained.

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A while ago Shannon at Rocks in my dryer announced a themed edition of her popular Works-for-me Wednesday Blog Carnival , and I have been planning to write a long, detailed review of the best children’s toys for it. I was all set to write it for next week but just realized that I got my dates mixed up and that it is already this week - oops.
But I am nothing if not flexible (right), so I will just use this opportunity to introduce the MOST FAVORITE TOY at our house (I will still write the long, detailed review of various great toys during the next week or so - stay tuned if you are looking for more Christmas gift ideas).
Let me start out by saying that we have many toys, almost all of them good quality, pedagogically worthwhile stuff. However, my kids (especially J.) really aren’t that much into toys. But there is one item that both boys love and that also consistently gets used when other kids come over to play.
In case you are wondering what I am talking about, it is Big Blocks .

Our set is a bit smaller (just eleven pieces) and not exactly the same but I think it is close enough.

I know these blocks are VERY expensive (though after hearing about the $85 baked potato nothing should shock you any more) and they do take up a bit of space. But these are really the best toys we have ever had! My kids use them in a hundred different ways. Over the last couple of years they have built ox carts, castles, tractors, horses, tents, ships, and many other vehicles with them. We use them to play store or set up a puppet theater. They are used for obstacle courses and as weapons (unfortunately). These are truly the only toys that my kids play with constantly.

If loving grandparents, aunts, uncles etc. keep asking you what to get for the youngest member of your family and you just don’t know what to say because the play room is already bursting with Legos, Playmobil and Barbies that older siblings have accumulated over the years, then this is your answer. These blocks are great for everyone: toddlers crawl over them, little ones use it vor pretend play and they can be used to sit/lie on for older kids (I actually got them instead of a small couch for the playroom).

I can honestly say that for us they were worth every penny (which is more than I can say for some of the stuff we have). Big Blocks really work for us!

Last week I posted some ideas on books that might make good Christmas gifts for kids. So I figured I would follow it up with a post on grown-up books.
I have to admit that my reading taste runs to the fairly mundane. Don’t get me wrong, I can read a highly respected novel and do a first rate discussion on it (my English teachers loved me) but it just isn’t something I would do for pleasure. Largely, I think, because I really hate it if there is no happy-end. And the more worthwhile a book is, the less likely is it to have a truly happy end in my experience. Not sure what that says about life in general.
I am hoping that one day my taste will change to truly appreciate great literature. However, in the meantime I would choose a good romance or exciting mystery any day.
Here just a quick run-down: As you may remember if you read my post about Children’s books, I have a thing for series. The books on this list are mysteries I truly enjoyed but tastes are different so if you buy one of these and hate it: Don’t sue me! I nixed a couple of books that I love but that are not currently available. I mean, what’s the point of a Christmas gift idea that you can’t easily get?

If you are a true mystery buff there might be a book on my list that you missed. But as most of these books are fairly well-known, my recommendations will probably serve you best if mysteries are not your regular fare but you need one for a present. Instead of standing in front of rows and rows of books at your local bookstore without any idea which one to choose, you could use this list for a starting -point.

Old Favorites

1. Devil’s Waltz by Jonathan Kellerman

This is an early (though not the first) entry in the Dr. Alex Delaware series that I really enjoyed. This series features a child psychologist who gets involved in various crime investigations either through his job or through his friendship with gay police officer Milo Sturgis. In this specific book Alex is confronted by the mystery of a little girl whose constant mysterious illnesses give rise to the suspicion that they are caused on purpose. Throw in some brutal killings and various dark family secrets and you have a thrilling read.

2. The Dark Room by Minette Walters

A young woman awakens with part of her memory missing after an alleged suicide attempt. Her best friend and her fiancé have been murdered and she is the prime suspect. But did she really try to kill herself? And how can she defend herself of a murder charge if she doesn’t remember anything that happened?

3. The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham

The first book in the Albert Campion mystery series, this book is quite different from the last two books on my list. An older book set after the First World War in England, it features Albert Campion, a mild-mannered sleuth with a brilliant mind. During a weekend house party (is there anything more nostalgic British?) the host is murdered and the entire group of houseguests is held hostage by group of thugs. One of the most entertaining aspects of this book for me is the picture of a different era that it paints (yes, of course I realize that life in 1920s England wasn’t all about fancy parties, spies and daring - but still).

4. A Man to Die For by Eileen Dreyer

One of my all-time favorite mystery novels. Trauma nurse Casey McDonogh has enough personal problems of her own. So she really doesn’t need the extra stress of being the only one to realize that the adored new obstetrician working at the hospital is a real psychopath. When people start turning up dead she has no other option than to take her suspicions to the police. But can she convince them that the respected doctor is a serial killer? A great read!

5. Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh

Ngaio Marsh is one of the grande dames of mystery and I have very much enjoyed her Roderick Alleyn series. This is another book that enchants with the portrayal of society in a different age (Okay, I’ll admit I have a bit of a weakness for stories about aristocratic sleuths in the early part of the last century. And the only reason that Dorothy Sayer’s Lord Peter Wimsey didn’t make it on this list is that I figure EVERYONE has read those books.) Another plus, at least for me, is that this novel is the one where Roderick Alleyn first meets Troy, his future wife, and their courtship begins. Actually, Troy is not instantly enamored by him and the fact that one of the models in her painting studio gets murdered and Roderick is sent to investigate further complicates their relationship. A great book for anyone who enjoys old-fashioned detective novels.

6. Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag

After a shattering divorce that leaves her life in shambles, Elizabeth Stuart and her son move to a small town in Minnesota. The idyllic peace of the Amish farmlands is shattered when dead bodies start to turn up. And who would have expected the sparks that fly between Elizabeth and the local sheriff? A romantic suspence with emphasis on the love/relationship between the protagonists this is definitely a good read.

7. Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr

The first of the Anna Pigeon novels is set in the wilderness of West Texas. Anna works as a ranger for the National Park Service. On a hike through the dry canyons her enjoyment of nature is abruptly interruped when she finds a dead woman. Even worse, Anna is soon convinced that the death is only faked to look like it was caused by a mountain lion. Is there a murderer loose in the wilderness?

Books on my Wishlist

The following books I have NOT read. Still, based on reviews and my knowledge of the author I feel pretty confident in recommending them. Actually, these are all books that I am hoping to get for Christmas myself. If you are looking for a present for some mystery buff and don’t have any idea what is already on their bookshelves, it may be best to go with a new book to improve your chances of getting one they don’t yet have.
1. Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb

I have read all of the entries in J.D. Robb’s (who is even better known as romance writer Nora Roberts) Eve Dallas series and have pretty much enjoyed them all. The series is set in future day (2060) New York City and tells the story of a hard-nosed cop, her crook-turned-billionaire husband and the latest crime sprees. In this installment a business man turns up dead, apparently the victim of some kinky sex. But is that really the case or is there another motive behind the crime? While the mystery aspect of this series is generally enjoyable, it really is the relationship between Eve and her husband (as well as their interesting collection of friends) that make the book so fun.

2. Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters

Though I am a great fan of the Amelia Peabody series by this author set in historical Egypt, it is really the Vicky Bliss series that I like best. I loved “Nighttrain to Memphis” and have been waiting for the next book in the series forever (it HAS been 14 years!). Vicky is an art historian with an on-again/off-again relationship with John, a (fairly nice) art thief. Even though John has given up his life of crime, he is the prime suspect when King Tut’s mummy is stolen. I can’t wait to see what Vicky and John are up to this time and it sounds like they will once again travel to Egypt, a big bonus for me as I have always been fascinated by that country and its history.

3. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews

I actually have just started reading the books in this series and this fourth installment is next on my list (if you are looking for the newest one though, you should get Six Geese A-Slaying ). This time the heroine’s brother is suspected of murder and it is up to her to find the real culprit. What sets the Meg Langslow series apart (other than the bird theme) is that they are really funny and wacky. If you are looking for a mystery that will also make you laugh, this should be a good bet!

I hope you found a book here that sounds interesting. As I was getting the links from Amazon.com I noted that they have a special promotion where you basically get four qualifying paperbacks for the price of three. Several of the books on my list qualified (that’s how I even found out about the promotion). So if you are a voracious reader like me, that might be a promotion to check out!

Last week I promised some more recommendations for children’s books that would make good Christmas presents. It has taken me a while, since I have been very busy (attending class five mornings a week in town really takes up a large amount of my time right now), but I am finally ready to deliver on that promise.

Books for early readers

1. Dr. Seuss Books

No big surprise here. And, yes, I know my book recommendation run towards the traditional. But the fact is, that those books are so well-know for a reason. And no matter how well known, we do not always think of them when it is time to buy the presents.
By all accounts, the easiest of the Dr. Seuss books for beginning readers is
Hop on Pop Book & CD (Dr. Seuss). We do not have that one (yet) but I am thinking of getting it. J’s favorite is The Lorax however that might not be the easiest one to read. Two good choices that we enjoy a lot are Green Eggs and Ham
and The Cat in the Hat. These are all entertaining books that I think should be fairly easy to read (I think J. is almost there to read those by himself!).

2. A Fish Out of Water

Another easy-reader that we truly enjoy. It is the story of a little boy who ignores the pet store owner’s advise and feeds his fish too much (which little boy wouldn’t). To his despair, that generosity makes the fish grow and grow and grow and grow. The fish even grows too big to fit in the bathtub. Can the police and fire department help or is all lost?

3. Frog and Toad Are Friends

Gentle, easy to read stories about two friends who have various adventures. We have this book, but I have never read it to the boys because I am hoping that curiousity about the story might provide some motivation for J. to read it by himself. However, I do like the book myself and hopefully, so will he.

4. Amelia Bedelia

Okay, not only do I enjoy classic children’s books, but I also have a thing for series. Call me lazy but it is just so convenient to have a whole bunch of similar books available if you discover one you really like. There are a whole bunch of Amelia Bedelia books available (I have only seen the first one myself though) so you won’t run out of reading material if you enjoy these books. This book is easy to read and entertaining because of the literal-minded Amelia who does EXACTLY what she is told to.

Books for Kids who read well

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Probably there is no one out there who DOESN’t have this book but it is still worth a recommendation. I will pass on giving a summary as it is unlikely that you don’t know the story yet. Some of the later Harry Potter books were a bit dark and scary for me personally and I definitely wouldn’t recommend them for younger children. But the first book in the series should be fine for most kids even though it is very exciting. This is the perfect book to motivate a reluctant reader!

2. Magic Tree House

Another series par excellence that will provide reading material for the longest time. I have to admit that we do not yet have a single book of the series (They are on my to-buy-for-Christmas-list though). However, I am a frequent reader of various message boards and it seems that this series is almost universally liked.

3. The Magic School Bus Lost In The Solar System

Another series. However, we DO have many of these books and my boys LOVE them. They are some of the most popular books in our house. The wacky adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her magic school bus (that will turn into anything from a lizard to a rocket to a time machine) are loads of fun - and educational to boot. Many science topics are covered (body, dinos, space, ocean, electricity etc.) so no matter your child’s interest there should be one available to cover it. There are also several Ms. Frizzle books about history (we enjoy the castle one a lot) and chapter books (something I will have to look into). If you know a child with an interest in science you can’t go wrong with one of these books.

4. Samantha: An American Girl

I’ve read these books years ago and really enjoyed them. There are several titles available for each of a number of girls. Each girl lives at a specific time in American history and her life is (more or less) typical of that era. These books probably appeal more to girls because of the main characters, so I am not sure if I will get them for my boys. However, they are a great choice for any little girl on your Christmas list.

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Being a book worm myself, I can’t think of a better gift than books, books, books. Even if you or your kids are not quite as enamored by reading as I was (and am), a book is still a nice, not too expensive gift. So I thought I would write a couple of posts with recommendations for books. Most of these books we actually own. Some of them we might not have but have heard lots of good things about.

Let’s start with books for the little ones:

Board Books

1. Rabbit’s Nap

This is a lift-the-flap book that my little one loves! Bunny is tired, but everyone is too noisy (something my kids can identify with) to let him sleep. Will he ever find a place to take his nap in peace? This is actually part of a series, so if you like the book there are more you can get.

2. Guess How Much I Love You

Pretty much everyone knows this story of little nutbrown hare who tells big nutbrown hare how much he loves him only to learn in return that his father’s love is even greater. Still, if you do not own this book yet it is a great one to snuggle up with.

3. My First Word Board Book

A dictionary-like first word book with the crisp, brightly colored photographs you would expect from DK. This too is one in a series. There are similar books about animals, vehicles etc. Great for toddlers to look at, point at and increase their vocabulary.

4. Goodnight Moon

Another classic. I do like the rhytmic text, the rhymes and the slowing down of activity in this book. A good choice for a bedtime story.

Picture Books

1. What Do People Do All Day?

My boys are great fans of Richard Scarry’s books. I would have to say they are probably their all time favorites. I can’t tell you how often I had to read them the story of Abby Bunny’s trip to the hospital, Building a new road or Baking Bread (and no - adding oodles of yeast won’t really puff your bread up to the size of a truck - we’ve tried!).
My 3-year old is really into firefighters at the moment. Maybe because we visited the fire department’s open house recently where they (the firefighters not my kids) proceeded to lift a car over 40 feet up into the air, let it fall down with a loud caboom, dismantled it and then set fire to it, causing tremendously stinky black smoke. Anyway, we have read Huckle’s rescue by the daring firefighters many times lately.
Anyway, for those of you not familiar with the stories, Scarry depicts anthropomorphic animals (which may not be to every adult’s taste but are generally loved by kids) doing everyday jobs in fairly small detail. They are fun books, especially for little boys who are interested in how things work. Other books by the same author that are popular in our house are Busy, busy Town, Best Storybook Ever, and Day at the Airport.

2. The Quiltmaker's Gift

This book tells the story of a quiltmaker who makes the most gorgeous quilts and a greedy king who craves one of her creations. The quiltmaker does not sell her quilts though, but only gives it to those in need. What will happen when all the king’s threats do not change her mind? I love the illustrations in this book. They are very detailed and there is always something new to discover (which my boys love). I also enjoy the quilting theme as I used to do some quilting myself (before I had kids that is). One of the favorite books of my six-year old. Our copy is getting so worn that I am actually considering buying a new one.

3. Tikki Tikki Tembo

Another classic. In accordance to Chinese tradition the older boy in a family has a very long name while his brother is called Chang. But when an accident happens the long name causes great difficulties. I have to admit, the main reason I love this book is that name. What could be more fun than reading about Tikki Tikki Tembo-No Sa Rembo-Chari Bari Ruchi-Pip Peri Pembo?

4. Corduroy

Maybe it is a bit sappy, but I love this book. The little teddy baer is so cute and I love the way he braves the unknown parts of the store to look for his lost button. For me, this is just one of those “feel good” books that we all enjoy.

This post is getting a bit long (and here it is getting quite late). I will write a second post soon on Children’s Books for older kids that would make good Christmas gifts.

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I have always been fascinated with Egypt. Even as a child I really wanted to go there to see the pyramids. And let’s face it, what’s not to like about buried treasures, mysterious buildings, hidden chambers and the spooky threat of a mummy’s curse?
So when I saw the new line of Playmobil I was pretty fascinated. Sorry, the Egyptian stuff won’t be out until next year in the US, but if you want to have a peek at what it looks like you can do so here. DS was completely enthralled. He has spent hours pouring over the Playmobil catalogue, trying to figure out how everything works.
I would almost be tempted to buy some of this for Christmas if I thought the boys would actually play with it. Don’t get me wrong, I think Playmobil is great stuff and I know many children who play for hours and hours with it. Unfortunately, at least my older boy is not a “player” but a “builder”. We do have some Playmobil, but it is hardly ever used because it isn’t really a building toy and that is all we like around here. Nevertheless, I am still tempted to buy it (it is NEAT) but hopefully I will hold out and instead get something we’ll really use.
J. has pretty much accepted this (though he is still dreaming about getting the entire set). As a second best he now has built a Lego-Pyramid (complete with smaller pyramids for the queens) and a second one out of cardboard for B. They are really nice (but don’t get played with either).
Your kids (unlike mine) are “players” and you love the idea of Playmobil’s history toys but you need a Christmas present for this year and can’t wait for the Egyptian stuff? Take a look at some of the other Playmobil sets already available. If you (or your kids) are as fascinated by history as I am, you might enjoy either the Playmobil Castle or the Roman Arena pictured below.

Growing up with two languages poses special challenges, and I am always looking for good resources and interesting things to help the boys feel comfortable with both languages. Actually, I am not so concerned about German, as they have plenty of input at school, but providing enough material in English is not always easy.
When I was a teenager it was a major production to get an English book. You had to first special-order it (which was only possible if it was on a fairly narrow list) and then wait for a couple of months. It was such a long and difficult process that you basically just bought whatever the store happened to have on hand. With the advent of the internet this has gotten a lot easier.
Still, it is not always easy to find the right materials even now. One of the presents I got for my first grader’s I-am-finally-at-school cone was a subscription for a children’s magazine. I spend a fair amount of time on various parenting message boards (maybe I should clean my kitchen instead?), and have always heard great reviews of Cricket magazines. So we went ahead and ordered a subscription for Spider magazine and just received the first issue. We have really enjoyed it and my son has asked me to read some of the stories several times. He also enjoyed the cut-out (not surprising as he likes anything you can cut out and glue or stapel) and even did the children’s crossword puzzles. We are eagerly waiting for the next edition!

Most of us spend a significant amount of time planning what presents to give to our friends and loved ones. We spend a lot less effort on considering our own wishes and desires. If someone asks what we would like for Christmas, many of us mumble “oh, I don’t need anything”. It’s true enough. You may not need anything, but don’t you, too, deserve a treat? And if you don’t know (and let others know) what you would truly like, is it any wonder if you end up with a bunch of gifts you couldn’t care less about (remember that purple vase your sister-in-law got you last year?)?

If you are one of the few who already have a clear wishlist you might as well skip this post. However, if you still have no clue what to wish for, read on.  Of course I do not know what you would like for Christmas, but I will share some ideas that might help you figure it out for yourself. 

1. Learn something new

There is little more stimulating than a new interest. It not only leads to new skills, but also helps you to discover a whole new world and make new friends. You are never too old to learn a new skill or gain fresh knowledge. Have you always wanted to learn how to ski, dance or paint with water-colors? Now is a good time to start. Find a new interest. Figure out what resources, lessons, or materials you need for it. There is sure to be something affordable for anybody’s pockets.

Maybe it is time to turn into an artist

You don’t have to start big. If getting a full membership at the golf club is too expensive consider getting a book, taking a class etc. No matter whether it is playing the violin or throwing some pottery, now is your chance to get started.

2. Treat yourself to some real luxury

Everyone should feel like a queen (or a king) sometimes. Is there something you have always dreamed of owning? Now is the time for it.

Okay, okay, maybe right now that trip around the world on an ocean liner is out. And maybe even the beautiful cashmere sweater is more than your husband can afford at the moment. Never mind. Start small. Think about what it is that you crave and get at least a small taste of it now (and maybe invest in a lottery ticket for the future). If you can not afford the sumptuous cashmere sweater maybe there is a much less expensive pair of cashmere gloves with your name on it somewhere. And even if you can’t afford the smart designer suit there might be a far thriftier item (a scarf or something similar) by the same designer available.

Yes, it might seem silly to pay the same for a small scarf as you would for a whole outfit at your local discount store. But if that scarf gives you the feeling of pampered indulgence and makes you feel like a queen, it might well be worth it.

3.  Choose something that will give you daily pleasure

A luxurious vacation is great, but there is also something to be said for smaller things that give you daily pleasure. Any item that makes you feel loved, pampered or priviledged will do. This could be a beautiful set of crockery or a pair of cozy pajamas. Is there something in your home that irritates you regularly because it feels scratchy, looks junky, or doesn’t work properly? Maybe now is the chance to replace it with something that will improve your day!

4. Fulfill a childhood dream

We never outgrow our childhood. Is there something you always wanted to do but never got to experience because it was too “silly” or too expensive? Maybe now you can go for it. Often we feel too old or just forget but why not fulfill your wishes? Have you always wanted to fly a kite? There are some great models available now. Have you always dreamed of buying every imaginable kind of jelly bean at the local candy store? Why not do that now?

Who wouldn't love to try every kind?

Often, fulfilling one of these childhood dreams is neither difficult nor very expensive. It just never occurs to us. But if you try to remember, maybe one of these unfulfilled longings will come back to you. If you are one of the lucky ones who pretty much own every gadget imaginable anyway, this might be a chance for a special indulgence after all.

I have already posted a number of times about buying gifts. A bit prematurely, you might think, in August. However, things are really gearing up for Christmas now. As I found out when I was doing some research about Black Friday. Nope, that is not a day of national grief. Instead, it has traditionally been the busiest shopping day of the year (at least as far as number of shoppers in the stores is concerned).
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, will be November 28th this year. On that day, many of the large chains offer a number of outstanding deals and sales (I am talking about really good deals). However, the problem has always been that the ads do not come out until a day or two before Black Friday, which means you basically have no time to work out a shopping strategy. Strategy is essential (if you should decide to take advantage of this day that is) as many of the best deals are only available in very limited numbers. And, as you know, it is the early shopper that gets the Wii!
But fear not! A solution is at hand. It is our old friend, the world wide web, rushing to the rescue. There are a number of websites that publish Black Friday ads much earlier than they are available in print. As a matter of fact, the first of these ads for 2008 (for ACE hardware as it happens) is already up! Plenty of time to get your act together and stand in front of your chosen shopping destination with shopping list in hand at 5am (yep, you really have to be an early riser to take home the loot) on Black Friday.
The Black Friday websites also offer a variety of other features ranging from customized shopping lists over coupon codes to discussion boards. After checking out a handful of these sites I have decided on my personal favorites:

1. www.blackfriday.gottadeal.com
   • Website appears clean and professional
   • Lots of deals and coupons on offer
   • The discussion boards have a nice community feel
2. www.bfads.net
• Offers tips on shopping strategy
• Discussion forums
• Some interesting features (best/worst deals etc.)

Now remember, I chose these two websites as my favorites based solely on my personal impression. This early in the year, there aren’t enough Black Friday ads available to judge how up-to-date, correct, or extensive the websites really are.

Anyway, if you are thinking of hitting the stores on Black Friday, taking a look at one of these websites might be a good idea. And if even the idea of getting close to a store on that day gives you a rash, there is still a good reason why you should visit one of these websites: They also publish which of the Black Friday offers are available for online purchase - the ultimate solution to avoiding the shopping crowds during the holiday season.

It’s still more than four months till Christmas. So many of you are probably wondering why I am talking about Christmas presents now. A bit premature, some of you might think. Others probably wonder why I even bother mentioning it. After all, their presents not only have been bought, but are already wrapped and safely stored in a closet. 

Buying Christmas presents divides us. Some rush out at the last minute, others have already socked away the better part of their planned Christmas presents before school lets out for the summer. So where do you come in?

I have to admit to a deplorable tendency for procrastination. However, it is usually worst with unpleasant tasks (like taxes), so I haven’t been too bad as far as Christmas is concerned. No rushing out in the morning on Christmas Eve with a long list of needed gifts here. Though, come to think of it, I have been known to make a quick morning run for wrapping paper, tape or gift tags.  But presents themselves, I am usually done at least a couple days ahead of time (which isn’t too bad for a procrastinator).

But the question remains: What’s best? What are the advantages of buying early or late? Here some points I came up with. 

Why you should buy presents as early as possible

• Buying early gives you the best chance to get good deals

What better opportunity for buying Aunt Hilda (well, actually her poodle) a new purple leather leash or your girlfriend a designer scarf then the going-out-of-business sale at the local pet store or summer clearance at the new boutique. Being on the lookout and buying early really gives you the best chance to get a good deal.

• Starting early gives you plenty of time to look for that very special gift

The business trip to London in March would have been the best opportunity to stop by Harrod’s and get that perfect gift for your Anglophilic sister-in-law. And wouldn’t that nifty crocodile jigsaw puzzle you saw at the zoo last month have been a great gift for your reptile-loving nephew? Rushing out the week before Christmas to look for that one special gift will probably not work as well.   

• By buying early you can avoid disaster and humiliation

If you are one of the Early Birds you won’t be in the situation where you will have to explain to your three-year old how come Santa didn’t manage to get her a Doodlewing Doll (or whatever the year’s most coveted gift is), even though all her friends at preschool got one. Instead, you will have the lovingly wrapped Doll sitting safely in a closet while your friends still spend whole afternoons on an odyssey through the local malls, desperately hoping to avoid disaster.

• Getting gifts throughout the year will help you budget properly

We all know Christmas can be a big drain on our bank accounts. By buying stuff throughout the year, the expense gets spread more evenly, making it easier to budget. No longer will you stand in the mall in December, wishing you hadn’t splurged on that new DVD-player in October so that you wouldn’t have to max out your credit cards now.

• Avoid the crowds

Yep, here comes one of the biggies. I took the boys to a large mall near Orlando on the Saturday before Christmas (shoot me, I was so caught up in the Disney vacation spirit that I didn’t even realize it might be crowded).  It took me almost an hour even to get a parking space, and there was no hope of finding a place to sit down at the food court (great fun with two and five year old boys).
If you are finished with your Christmas shopping in September, you can avoid a trip to the mall the last week before Christmas.  Let’s face it, not everyone enjoys the experience of getting crushed by frustrated people while “Jingle Bells” drones on. And if you do enjoy a trip to the stores right before Christmas, you will be much more relaxed if it is just for look-see and not a necessity.

You may think that buying early is the only thing to do, vut lo and behold, here come some advantages to waiting a bit longer.

Why you should put off buying presents until at least early December

• Changing tastes

This is especially true for children, but can apply to anyone. A four year old who absolutely adores Dora the Explorer in February may no longer feel the same by the time Christmas comes around. What do you do if she now speaks only of getting a Doodlewing doll? Will you explain to her that, sorry, honey, but Santa already had your gift? Or are you going to grind your teeth, put Dora in the basement (or I guess you could try to sell it on Ebay) and get her the Doodlewing? Waiting a bit would have avoided that problem.

• If you buy too early you might have no money left for that perfect gift you discover on December 3

If you have all the shopping done early it might be hard to pass up on other things you see later on. If you just can’t resist you will end up with more gifts than you actually planned on. A common theme in many families (Have you taken a look at the overflowing shelves in the kids’ playroom lately?).

 

• Some people enjoy the frenzy and spontaneity of last minute shopping

Well, if you are one of those, all arguments to the contrary will be wasted. If you love the feeling of rushing through a crowded mall (yes, some do!),  then go right ahead. Far be it from me to spoil your innocent pleasure.

That’s all very fine and good, you say. But what is the best time to buy presents? As you can tell by the above, it really depends on personality and circumstances. However, here my recommendations:

1. If you are on a limited budget or have a hard time staying within your means, getting started early on your Christmas buying might help.
2. If you see something that will be absolutely perfect (or something that is an unbelievably good deal) for someone on your list, go ahead and get it now.
3. Put off buying presents for tastes that are likely to change (especially electronics and children’s toys).
4. Buy early any presents that you know (or fear) will get sold out (Doodlewing anyone?).
5. Do not get every last present before November. That way you still have a chance to take advantage of Christmas sales and can adjust for any last minute wishes.

No matter which is your style, Early Bird or Last Minute Commando, take it easy and enjoy the experience. After all, buying gifts should bring joy not only to the recipient but also be fun for you.