Let’s face it holiday giving can be a major unpleasant task. For me, it depends who I am buying for.

The worst of course is the Picky Persimmon (think of the face you’d make if you taste an unripe fruit). Nothing you get these folks puts a smile on their face. They are humorless and judgmental and basically have learned to navigate life by expecting the worst. These are the people who hold up a 2 yr old’s drawing and announce it does NOT look like a ducky. And when you look at them in horror, they defend themselves by announcing it is high time the infant learn about reality. So I say get the Grinch-Scrooge-Cruellas a sampler box of chocolates and give them twenty three choices to complain about.

Grateful people are fun to buy for, fun to be around. In fact, if you so choose to except the assignment (Mr. Phelps) of being thankful for the small stuff it will make life happier and perhaps healthier for you.

According to Dr. Robert Emmons at UC Davis a study he conducted showed that grateful people get more sleep, have less anxiety and depression, have fewer illnesses and are more likely to help other people. Now there’s food for thought. So everybody, right now, think of 3 (persons, places or) things you are glad you have in your life. Repeat as needed.

Back to the gift giving. The BOOMER BOUTIQUE has an entire array of BOOKS for your gift list and the best part is they can be paid for and shipped online! I’m talking about shopping whilst hanging out in your grungy soft sweats…the one’s with the mega cocoa stain on the front!

8-12+ Harry Potter meets Narnia in The Knights of the Red Feather Labyrinth. A tale of 4 children who have to use integrity and courage to wipe out the bad guys and escape to freedom. Great to read to children.

20-40+ Monster Lies (says it’s for women, but it is for anyone who is trying to make better decisions in life) an award winning motivational book filled with workbook exercises so the reader can practice their new decision-making techniques for a positive future while they read along.

40+ The Baby Boomers Guide to Menopause is a hilarious collection of rants that spoof the medical guides that would suggest that there really is a way to go through this passage without screaming. Yes, boys and girls it’s the “other” puberty, the one when all your hormones fire in reverse. The best cure for hot flashes is a sense of humor.

Also, check out the Dreambox Jewelry.Com site for custom handmade pieces that include a locket to keep your inner most wishes, dreams and prayers close to your heart.

Remember, love the grumpy ones because they need compassion, but spend time with people who make you laugh and love to laugh with you.

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