The Christmas day countdown has begun. Figuring out what to buy and where to buy that special gift, can be perplexing. Last minute shopping for your loved ones and friends takes a plan.

Without a plan you could get into big trouble. For instance, when I was first married, I got the wife a food processor, a large stand mixer, and a vacuum cleaner. Gentlemen, if you are contemplating any of these gifts, DON’T! It was pretty chilly Christmas morning, both outside the house and inside. Trust me on that fellas.

Now pay attention gentlemen, and you too, ladies. Here’s what I learned. First, it has to be a very personal item. It can’t be for any other purpose except for their own special enjoyment. Examples would be jewelry, probably numero UNO. Then a bottle of their favorite perfume might be second. A new car would work! After that guys, you are on your own.

And ladies you aren’t getting away without some of my special advice for you too. We don’t want neckties, we are not especially fond of aftershave lotions either. Let me tell you what works every time. TOOLS, TOOLS, TOOLS! An electric shaver might make the list, and oh yes, a new flat screen TV will have some major impact too. Now that I have given you my expert advice, let’s get back to the business at hand.

Almost all the packages left Tuesday and some went Wednesday morning. Just one box remains. We are attempting to deliver the package to the family today. Hopefully they will be home to receive it.

Here at the office we are getting the files in order. We have to make notes about the items we depleted early. We need to mention which age group needs a second look for next year. We hit a couple potholes trying to fill the boxes for the older kids this year. Then the 8-, 9- and 10-yearolds were in need of restocking shortly after. Thanks to our readers who came to our rescue, we were able to regroup and fill the boxes with additional toys.

The country’s economic picture will be a huge variable in planning next year’s buying. Do we see another 600 plus, or will it settle back down to around 500? Let’s hope it’s the latter. Let’s hope it is even less than 500. In a perfect world, we would like to see the need to totally disappear. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Bringing us back to more recent events, the mailbox contained several new donations today. Here is our list of contributors:

Mike and Katie Eastman donated $50. Ray and Shannon Browning donated $50. Robbie and David Millett of Bath donated $100. Geoffrey and Sharon Hole donated $100. Ronald L. Bison sent us $50. Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Lawrence J. Arnold and Shirley Arnold mailed us $25. Johnson Fenwick has donated

$100.

An anonymous donation of $25 in memory of “Bill Doherty” arrived today. Marc and Suzanne Theberge donated $100 in memory of Remy and Simone Bernier and Ernest and Lucienne Theberge. The second shift MSA Ship Fitters from Bath Iron Works donated $80. C.V. Noyes and Elizabeth S. Noyes donated $25.

Thank you everybody for your kindness and generosity. The total amount received today is $705. That brings us to a grand total of $36,595.74. That is so unexpected. Thank you for all your support.

I’ll be reporting to you from the road for the next few days, but I will relay some interesting sights and sounds of the season as we travel. Good night and look for more updates tomorrow.