Xmas is the time when my wardrobe gets re-stocked. I hate buying clothes and will wear rags until they fall off my body or a council worker tries to pick me up during a bulk waste collection. We usually tell each other what we want so the money is not wasted on something that sits in the cupboard for the rest of our lives. Small surprises are allowed but any major expenditure is pretty much pre-decided. Does this take the spirit out of Xmas? I think there is a certain age as a teenager when the excitement and magic of christmas comes to an end and we recognize it for what it is; a time for family & friends to get together, drink lots of beer & eat lots of good tucker and try to make it as fun as possible for the kids who haven't yet become jaded with the whole Santa thing.

I would like a holiday JC, even if it was just laying by the pool, haven't had a weekend off all year. I would like to shout ds some yoga lessons he seems a bit tense.

I would like a national sorry for the repression of women for so many many years.... It wasn't all that long ago that women were allowed the vote. And supposedly we get equal pay. 15 years ago I worked in a very large multinational company in the pay office, and i can say absolutely women were not paid equally to men. The most stark contrast was in the sales department. The two top account managers (women) were paid far less than the male equivalent who often didn't reach their targets. Sooooooooo merging yesterday and today I want to hear a heartfelt SORRY.

And for those of you who don't realise (even though the pay department story is true) that was sarcasm.

One more for good measure.... Jeff do what our family do, we do a christmas draw and include everyone that is attending our christmas day (including any christmas orphans). We all buy for one person only and for the last 18 years or so we kept the budget to $20, which meant it became a bit of a game to get the best bargain, and the most appropriate present for that person. This year we have finally raised the limit to $30. It's actually provided a huge amount of fun on the day as the present opening time becomes almost a ceremony. Some years we have prizes. One of the best presents I received was a miniature spy camera from the 70's complete with miniature film - my Santa had found it in a 2nd hand store and knowing my artistic pursuits with a camera knew I would love it.

easy -world peace ! do i win the beauty contest now? seriously though -the one sixth that are without adquate food and water right now makes the case for waste and things not needed -undefendable? I like very much the mcquarie christian college initiative of having their 'schoolies" somewhere remote helping build facilities for the ones that really need them. These have got to be the countrys leaders of the future doing a self imposed boot camp for how to rule a nation. With our collective stupidity , idiocy and selfishness making it a task requiring the wisdom of Soloman. Christmas -it is evil hypocracy unless thought is given to a gift that is really needed and will be of true lasting benefit. Hmmm i guess that rules out 50yr old scotch, a extra new playstation and eat&drink till you cant walk any more out? i think without thoughtfullness its become a orgy of wanton waste and gluttony that makes the waste and orgies of history cowar in insignificent submission .

I want some western style bread, some Australian or New Zealand butter, some Australian or New Zealand cheese, an Australian beer, preferably VB, and a BBQ'ed steak with veges, ...now that would be a welcome Xmas present, however I don't really believe in Santa anymore..so I guess it will be the standard fare for me.

Lets organise a chrissy basket for suzhousid.

Thank for the thought "chef dude", but I am already a practitioner of yoga. Despite what may you think, I'm quite relaxed. If we are thinking of presents for other bloggers, I'd like to get "tit" a book of "known facts", some new screen names and some lessons in constructing a coherent post.

Jeff, what would be lovely for Christmas is for some nice individual to cut the propellers of the Japanese Whaling fleet! Other than that, a nice day for the Samaritans Christmas lunch in the park would be excellent. Personally I don't want for anything, but if C@O has a nice day that would be a bonus.