Rolled Out On: 12/21/2004 6:14 PM

Nathan - aka "mr. helpful" - ought to be worrying about what'll be in his stocking this year. I suggest a "do-it-yourself diamond-making kit" by Ronco. ;)

Rolled Out On: 12/21/2004 11:22 AM

Toss a good book or magazine in there, an aromatherapy candle and some bath salts. Add a nice thick towel or bathrobe under the tree. She'll kiss you. And if you want to be especially kissable, make her a passle of gift certificates good for one back rub and/or foot rub.

Rolled Out On: 12/21/2004 2:43 PM

okay, here's something that babblefish thing can't provide that may save your hide:

include a significant amount of the same sweets as always. even if she doesn't like them now, they taste like Christmas Past. and you don't want to come across as stingy AND insensitive, do you? I thought not.

next: some cool stuff, like a CD, a book she will like but might not have bought for herself (make it a classic from any genre she likes and you're in -- paperback should be okay, unless she's a hardcore bibliophile, but you'd know that better than me. just sayin'.) maybe a gift certificate at a decent salon for a pedicure, and a manicure if she likes that sort of thing. everyone likes pedicures, though. or, if you two are into that sort of thing, make it a certificate for you to give her a pedicure. and don't ever tell me about it.

also go for some salty things: nuts, caviar, pickles and pickl-ey things she'd like in small jars.

top it all off with some pretty oranges. maybe small mandarines would be better, less acid for a sensitive, crowded tummy. or kumquats, even.

Rolled Out On: 12/21/2004 4:25 PM

I'm thinking a thighmaster or stairstepper just to let her know how much you appreciate how she used to look will help her feel happier, thinking of the past.