By Merlin Lessler —<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a little early for Christmas for most people, but not for old coots. If we can get our \u201cbetter half\u201d to get on board, I like that \u201cbetter half,\u201d but out of date term. It covers all forms of relationships between two people. It used to only be used by men who had been scolded for referring to their wives as \u201cmy old lady.\u201d Smart ones switched to \u201cbetter half.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyhow, if the two of you can agree, now is the time to start shopping for Christmas, with an old coot twist. You buy your own present, not your mate\u2019s. Just think of the pressure that would be eliminated. You don\u2019t have to fry your brain to come up with something thoughtful and appreciated, something that most old coots fail to accomplish. We often put it off until Dec. 24. Talk about pressure.<\/p>\n
Buy yourself a nice gift, something you can wear or a tool you\u2019ve always wanted. Buy it, wrap it, stick it in the back of your closet, and do this by Labor Day. By the time Dec. 25 rolls around, you will have forgotten what\u2019s in the box. You won\u2019t have to fake surprise and delight when you open it.<\/p>\n
It takes all the agony out of the holidays, and for once, your \u201cold lady\u201d will get something nice, and you won\u2019t get tickets to the opera.<\/p>\n