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Hey Dad,

All is well at the Wilson house. We put up the Christmas tree, decorated the house, cleaned up the mess, and even turned our flagpole into the world's largest Christmas tree …well, Milford's largest.

Tonight, we're having our first advent night. We started the tradition a few years ago to help us focus on the birth of Christ. We'll light some candles, read the Bible, sing a few songs, do a craft, have a fun snack, and read a Christmas story. The kids love advent nights and say they're their favorite part of the season.

Now it's time to turn my attention to even bigger matters …picking out a Christmas gift for my wife. The problem is, I'm just not satisfied with some lame gift card. Sure, it's an okay gift, and she'd use it, but I want to pick out something that will show her how much I love her, need her, and appreciate her.

I feel like Elmer Fudd stalking the perfect gift, "Be vewy, vewy quiet; I'm hunting wabbits."

Here's my plan:

I'll spend a few minutes thinking and brainstorming. 1) What gift have I gotten her in the past that scored big time? …Mental note—stay away from anything that comes in a 3-pack. 2) What kinds of gifts does she like to buy others? Often, what our wives buy others is what they'd like themselves. 3) If nothing comes up in the brainstorming, call her sister or friend and ask them to do a little covert Christmas gift probing.

I know it sounds like a lot of work and effort for one little gift. But believe me, your wife can tell how much time you spent picking out her gift. When you present her with a coupon for a gift of her choice, a gift card, or simply say, "Honey, I didn't have time" …it communicates that you don't care about her. But when you've made something special, had something engraved with a loving message, or gone to great lengths to get that something special, it sings, "I think you're worth it!!"

Now, before you even say, "My wife and I decided not to exchange gifts this year," hear my answer: "So! That's a promise you'll just have to break." It doesn't have to be expensive …just extravagant.

Enough said. Strap on your Elmer Fudd hat and get hunting! No excuses!

You 'da Dad! [Elmer]

©Copyright Todd Wilson, 2004. Used by permission.

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