Been a long time...Don't be sad readers. Your blogging bicycle buddy is always here for you. The question is, what type of rant, rave, rendering will you find after such a long abscense? I believe the topic of discussion today will be Christmas presents.

To give or not to give? That is a significant question in these troubling economic times. Are we poorer than last year? Those of us squarely in the middle class are feeling the burns, but we are also still creative, self sufficient beings prepared to throw down for a good gift for a good friend/sibling/parent/boss/deserving postal worker.

Does one family member get to decide for the group whether or not presents are given? It is a theme that is most comfortable only if adhered to by all members of the group. If a gift is given to one it stands to reason a gift will be given to all. Hasn't this been the standard to which all family events have been heald to since the dawn of time in some families? If there is a concern for cost, put a cap on the amount that can be spent. Decide on a number, contribute it and buy a group gift. Or if all else fails...don't give a gift to the person requesting the no gift Christmas, if they don't want them they don't get them. They also don't give of course, but it's one less person to shop for.

We as a nation under a great and mighty failing economy should be preparing for a sparse, but still joyful Christmas. Let's be realistic, how much more crap do any of us really need? That doesn't change the fact that I still want a damn garlic press for Christmas.