KELLY

It's the most wonderful time of the year, at least for shop owners!

Yes, it's Christmas time again and that means loads of Christmas carols and songs, a bunch of parties and sorrel 'fi stone dawg!' It also means plenty of Benjamin Franklin and Michael Manley dollar notes will be in circulation as the gift-buying machinery gets into top gear!

Now for those who are well endowed in the pocket area, then some serious shopping is about to take place. It's simply a matter of what the significant other wants and consider it bought! Quite a few of us though aren't so monetarily gifted so it's all about doing what we can with what we've got. In true Kelly's World fashion, I have suggestions for both the gentlemen and the ladies, i.e. the buyers and the receivers.

Now I believe that birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas are the three times of the year when us guys need to be very creative with our gifts. Perhaps Christmas more than the other two because while you might forget birthdays and anniversaries, you can't exactly miss Christmas! So if you missed the other two, then you really need to make amends come the Yuletide season!

Also remember, expensive doesn't always mean better! So you buy her a Benz. Nice but if she can't drive, what's the point? And never buy her something to compete with what one of her friends is getting. That girl's boyfriend might have a lot of dough while you're still looking for the flour! Speaking of flour, don't just take her to dinner. That can be done any time and unlike the B-day and anniversary which mark a single day, I don't think she would appreciate ONE Christmas dinner for the whole season!

Don't ask for everything

Now on the other hand, ladies, don't go asking for everything you saw let's say, on page 16 of last week's Flair perhaps. Honestly, half of the things you all probably wouldn't have wanted anyway. Now there is nothing wrong with hoping for the best Christmas gift ever. Women do deserve to be pampered. But ladies don't forget the guys and then come with something lame like, "I don't know what to get for him." Don't come with that! There can be some creativity on your part as well, and if all else fails, do what we do: Ask your friends to quiz you and then tell us!

Oh and guys, whatever you decide to buy, make it personal. I mean a diamond-encrusted bracelet with the diadems spelling her name would be great but you might have to be selling that thing to buy one of those!

So there you have it. Have fun, take the little lady out and don't sweat over Christmas. New Year is another story! Later.