Meryl's Notes Blog

The catalogs are pouring in and filling up my mailbox. Stores have posted holiday decorations. Some places have Christmas lights up. One question: Did we forget about Thanksgiving?

It’s the time of year when some of us suffer from shopper’s anxiety. What do I get? How much should I spend?

First, I was going to do a complete guide in one posting and found I was spending too much time trying to do everything. So I’m breaking up the guide by item type. Here are books and board games.

For my family, it’s not just the holidays, but also the birthdays and anniversaries that come immediately before and after the holidays. This year is a special year as my parents celebrate their 50th anniversary on Thanksgiving. I had something in mind from them, but the lady who makes them is not returning my calls. There is no place else to go.

2006 kicks off with a biggie. Paul celebrates his 40th birthday in January. Here are ideas and suggestions for gifts. Old-fashioned gifts (Read: no batteries required!)

Books are almost always a winner. You can check my reviews on Amazon to see what I liked and didn’t like. Or just go through the book reviews here. A little self-promotion here, but my story is only one of 100 stories in Stories of Strength — I don’t get a penny as all of the proceeds go to charity. My favorite books for this year:

• The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life: My favorite book for 2005. Great for the book lover.

• Buzzmarketing: If you know someone passionate about marketing, this should be a pleaser.

• Get Clients Now!: May be a good gift for someone who just started her own business. Don’t think it is insulting to give this book.

• The Holy Man: This would make a wonderful gift.

• Why Business People Speak Like Idiots: Giving this as a gift might insult the receiver.

• Don’t Make Me Think 2nd Edition: For those involved with any aspect of Web design even if they’re in a marketing role. I don’t think giving this would be an insult.

• Sudoku books at Amazon: So technically these aren’t book books, but they’re great for travel.

Games are responsible for many fond memories when I was a kid and they continue to make memories in adulthood. I never get tired of Scrabble, Pictionary, and plain old cards.

I like to play these occasionally or my family does: Tri-Ominos, Cribbage, and Life. We play many others. It’s unbelievable how many games are getting a make over with cartoon characters. Operation with Homer Simpson (though this needs batteries, I’d say it’s a classic), Dora the Explorer Candy Land (my son’s favorite cartoon), and Clue with Disney’s Haunted Mansion. You get the idea.

Newer games worth checking out: 20 Questions Handheld Game (Okay, so it needs batteries, but it’s an old-fashioned game that allows you to play by yourself), Carcassonne (we have this, but have yet to play it), Settlers of Catan Board Game (ditto), and Fib or Not? (we’ve played this one and it’s a blast).