| As the seasons blow their breezes, the cycle of | | | | your homework on cultural etiquette and social |
| life is marked by rhythms that break the | | | | connotations, including the color of the gift-wrap |
| monotony and tedium of daily routines. Holidays | | | | paper. Be extremely alert if your holiday gift is for |
| are those clarion call moments that force one to | | | | someone from Japan, the Middle East, Latin |
| take a deep breath and review life. Shake off the | | | | America or Asia. |
| weariness and refresh body and soul. | | | | For a family trip, holiday gifts must be planned |
| The calendar teems with holiday occasions the | | | | systematically, with a budget and a list drawn up. |
| world over, celebrating diverse customs and | | | | Include the number of people or households being |
| traditions. Whether a formal or religious ritual or | | | | visited and family favorites. To save suitcase |
| informal celebration, holiday gifts must be | | | | space, one sleek gift per family will suffice, |
| custom-built for the occasion. If you are familiar | | | | provided it is of substance and value. Electronic |
| with the event's background, then choosing an apt | | | | gifts, home furnishings/accessories, books that |
| gift will not be too tough on your nerves. Picking | | | | range from the latest best-sellers to timeless |
| up a few extra gifts is always be wise-you never | | | | classics or a collection of spiritual essays or |
| know who you want to toast with. | | | | lectures, talismans, gourmet chocolate, wine, |
| Business associates exchanging holiday gifts can | | | | personal care items, build-it-up kits, DVDs, jigsaws |
| inject a little lightheartedness into their gifts. You | | | | and board games for kids, can all spell leisure and |
| must of course guard against business | | | | enjoyment. |
| improprieties or negative sexual overtones in the | | | | As couples, holiday gifts can be easy, as you |
| choice of gifts. Personal care products, lingerie or | | | | know each other's idiosyncrasies and cravings. As |
| jewelry are best avoided. Scan from an array of | | | | friends, it gets easier-you just know how to |
| computer accessories, photo frames, tabletop | | | | make the good times roll. Theme parties with |
| decorations, that old-faithful coffee mug in | | | | costumes and music can be a lavish holiday gift |
| multicolor, diaries and distinctive stationery. | | | | idea that injects the maximum enthusiasm at |
| A cross-cultural holiday gift needs to be seriously | | | | holiday time. |
| researched. Your international friend or colleague | | | | If you are staying at home for the holidays, send |
| or host will not take too kindly to incongruous | | | | your cards out early. Surprise your janitor, baby |
| offerings that patronize or slight. As a holiday | | | | sitter, neighbor, nurse or mail man. Spread the |
| globetrotter, before presenting gifts to hosts, do | | | | good cheer and count your blessings. |