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the remainder of the gifts for lesser friends and general gifts for the people around me, I do not go to such trouble.

In fact this is where I tend to cut corners and to compromise. I look for items that are on special or are very good value for money. I then buy several of the same items and have all of them wrapped in a general Christmas wrap bought in bulk or supplied by the store where I made the purchase.

I do not include personal cards but simply use a stick-on label and write the person's name on it. I do not attach anything extra.

For the smaller, more generalized gifts that I may keep for unplanned events, I purchase a selection of chocolate and biscuit assortments. I keep a roll of Christmas wrap unopened and only use it if I need to. Otherwise it is kept for the following year.

When I reach the end of my Christmas budget, I stop buying. I make do. Often this means going back into the cupboard and reallocating items that I did not intend using as gifts. I find left-over pieces of wrapping paper and if I cannot find any I improvise.

A piece of newspaper sprayed with a silver or gold coating looks as good as anything bought and even plain brown wrap with a spray of color is serviceable.

Having done the very best that I can, bearing in mind time and financial limitations, I then proceed to sort and prepare gifts into packages ready for the car as I am leaving for whichever function it happens to be.

Many years ago, I watched a billionairess do her Christmas shopping. This grand lady whose family owned several airlines had a budget that would have made my annual income times ten look paltry.

Like me, she had a shopping list. Upon it were the names of those most dear to her and also the many minions to whom she felt a gift needed to be given.

Unlike me she unashamedly badgered the salesperson to supply her with a variety of small gifts for under a dollar a piece.

When she noticed me staring she felt obliged to comment which she did thus:

"Nobody I know actually needs anything. They all have more than enough of everything. I dare not give them anything of substance in case they take offence. They may think that I believe they are short of something. So I always buy the smallest, most inconsequential gift that I can. Apart from the fact that it causes endless comment and amusement, it is the thought that counts and the fact that they are not obliged to reciprocate or if they feel they are, it is with something equally silly and inexpensive."

With her purchases and protestations still echoing in my ears, I always give my gifts with panache and pride, after all they are far superior to those given by a billionairess!

I

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