Pamper Guests - The Parklander Magazine

LAUGHWorst ChristmasGifts for WomenCORNERSTONE CHRISTIANRememberthe TrueMeaning ofChristmasEven though Jesus wasmost likely born inSeptember or October,Christians around the worldwill celebrate His birthday thismonth. There will be countlesstypes of celebrations by manydifferent races.For many in the world, therewill probably be just a few daysor hours when talk of war andlife’s tragedies will cease. Peaceon Earth and goodwill towardmen through the exchanging ofgifts will last all too briefly.Yet some will mourn therecent loss of loved ones and thisfirst Christmas will be difficultwithout them. Still othersaround them will offer up theircomplaints of how much theydread Christmas. Perhaps theyare too busy spending money?I would encourage everyoneto not allow this Christmas seasonto become overwhelming.BY REV. GEORGE FARAGILASTChristmas is God’s reminder toall of us that we are not alone orisolated. God has come downfrom heaven to tell us He lovesus! So while you’re stringing thelights and decorating the tree,consider Christmastime is whenGod brought into the world theOne who is the “light of theworld.” We can be assured in themidst of every trial, tribulation,persecution, and temptation,Jesus Christ is here.Jesus was born into theworld to give us hope, forgiveour sins, give us a new song,impart faith, and heal us physically,spiritually, and emotionally,if only we will let him. Themessage remains unchanged formore than 2,000 years.Christmas reminds us thatGod is with us and He willnever leave nor forsake us. If youare lonely, feeling overwhelmed,and possibly even isolated thisChristmas, welcome Christ (theAnointed One) into your heartand life. Pray for God’s gracethat you might be able to reachout and touch someone else thisChristmas who is equally overwhelmed.God bless everyoneand may His light shine in yourlives this Christmas season!when Don Barnettbought his wife amop as a gift, hethought he wasdoing the right thing.“It was anexpensive mop, $80, with allthese attachments,” he saiddefensively.Lost to him was the fact thata mop has implications of housewiferyand drudgery that predatethe feminist era. Anythingto do with cleaning that is prettilywrapped in a package andtopped with a bow isn’t a gift fora woman. It’s an urgent messageto get busy scrubbing, scouringand perfecting the house toplease her man.The fact is that manymen don’t know whatgifts to get for thewomen in their lives.While their perpetualcluelessness manifeststhroughout theyear, includingMother’s Day andbirthdays, it isespecially clear atChristmas, whengifts are oftenopened in front ofother family members andfriends.The potentialfor the recipient’sembarrassment is underscoredwhen a crowd gathersaround the tree. No man in hisright mind wants to make a mistakein gift-giving on this specialday.Guys, please also refrain frombuying vacuum cleaners, carpetshampooers, and even seeminglyinnocuous aprons for specialladies in your lives. Also verbotenis a breadmaking machine (if youwant foccaccia with rosemary andblack olives, go to an artisanalbakery).Sexy lingerie is a less thanwelcome gift for key reasons. If aman steps into the pitfall of gettinga woman’s size wrong, thereis her humiliation of opening thepresent of a peignoir that is toobig or too small.Then there arethe mine fields of color and styleto successfully navigate by usuallyshopping-phobic, easily overwhelmedmen. If a man prefersblack underwear on his lady, shewill inevitably favor pink whenleft to her own purchasing.He maythink that redlace is sexy,while she leanstoward man-tailorednightshirtsin gray flannel.Another clothingno-no is a holidaysweater.Though nothingbespeaks the seasonmore thanSanta, sparklesand sleighs, it’sbetter to keep thatstuff off your partner’s chest.Recommended insteadare gifts of luxury, indulgenceand romance such asa weekend getaway to Naples, aday-long spa retreat, a garden ofher favorite flowers planted by alandscaper, or a reservation at anexpensive, critically praisedrestaurant she always wanted totry. Or simply write one paragraphon a card about why shemeans so much to you.—CandiceRussell, Editor110 DECEMBER 2010