merry christmas.

*scene: pre-christmas, several years ago*
dana: dad, what do you want for christmas?
dad: you can't get me anything i want.

logical conclusion: deliberatly buy him stuff i know he doesn't want.

and this has generally been my christmas-shopping guideline ever since. don't spend too much money, and don't worry about finding the perfect gift. because if they want it, they'll buy it. and if you stress, you end up like other people in my family, who i love, but can't be.