lights, camera, auction

Do dogs live in the present or do presents live in the dog? This week’s video, sent to us by a viewer who simply identified herself as “Crooky,” not only answers that question, it also offers a smart, fun, stress-free approach to holiday gift giving.

How does your family exchange holiday gifts? If you do something special or unique, please share it with our viewers–either through our “comment” section below or on our blog Ampolotalk (which we revive this week after a period of dormancy).

As you can see, sending us a video does not require Academy Award winning cinematography skills–a good idea and clever way to present it are more than sufficient. And, if you have an idea, but don’t want to send us a video? An emailed description will do just fine.

In the Chicago Tribune of Sunday, November 25, the excellent columnist Mary Schmich offers a more radical holiday gift giving idea. Mary is tired of accumulating and giving "stuff." So, this year she will be giving a different kid of present. Here's her link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-schmich_bd25nov25,0,5800710.column

Three years ago our family changed our holiday gift giving ways. Instead of buying presents for all family members, we are each responsible for gifting only one person. At Thanksgiving we put everyone's name into a hat and then draw our giftee. We don't reveal the results...until the opening of the gift(s). This year we have set a $75 maximum. You can do a lot for that amount of money. Everyone in our family agrees that this allows them to be much more thoughtful about choosing the right present. It has worked out very well.

We're Back, Baby

After an extended absence--for which I had a permission note--I have returned. Ampolotalk comments on each new episode will begin again the week of November 19.