The Christmas shopping season has finally arrived. For those of you who shop early you don’t know what the shopping season is. A rough definition of the Christmas shopping season is any time after December 20. Any time before December 20 is basically Thanksgiving shopping.

Now there are basically two types of Christmas season gifts. The first is the thoughtful gift. This is a gift that perfectly suites the recipient. The thoughtful gift is preceded by much thought, (who would have guessed) planning and effort. These gifts usually receive excited reactions when opened on Christmas morning because the one who receives the gift has had their hearts desire fulfilled. The second type of gift is the panic gift. This gift is bought in a rush with the hope that some how some way the one who receives it might have possibly wanted it or will be kind enough to act as if they did. Panic gifts are greeted with a wide variety of responses on Christmas morning, anything from tears to laughter. If I have to choose one of the responses I’ll take tears because that means the healing has begun. Laughter is usually followed by where’s my real gift and then your in real trouble. To be perfectly honest violence can also be a reaction to a panic gift.

There is one more type of gift that I haven’t tried giving yet, but I am considering this year. This is the rare but useful give her what you want gift. After being married for 25 years my wife and I know each other very well. We have become more alike over the years. Our taste, likes and dislikes are very similar now. It only stands to reason we would enjoy many of the same gifts. If careful crafted and done in the proper atmosphere I think my wife would love a first rate fishing rod and reel.

So I’m off to shop for my bride. If something happens to me don’t forget that violence thing I talked about.