BETWEEN THE LINES: FINDING PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT REQUIRES THOUGHT

Christmas shopping always leaves me in a quandary over what gifts to buy and for whom.

In years past, I had lists from relatives and made lists of the gifts I wanted to receive that they used in shopping.

This year, Christmas sort of snuck up on me. I was busy going about my life -- doing those day-to-day things we all do but don't even think about -- when a glance at the calendar reminded me that it was DECEMBER. The month was passing quickly and shopping days were dwindling.

I talked to a college friend a few weeks ago who said she'd finished her shopping back in October and November. Now she's starting on Christmas gifts for 1999.

I hadn't even started shopping until last weekend and am nearly done -- not that there's much time left to procrastinate.

My biggest problem -- other than a lack of cash flow and cold weather motivation -- is that I want to find the perfect gift for everyone on my shopping list.

Since my college days when I didn't dare shop before the stress of finals had passed, I can't get started on my Christmas shopping until midway through December. In my college days -- which really aren't that far behind me but seem like distant memories now -- Christmas shopping was a treat. A trip to the mall with friends and a meal out was a luxury, especially on our limited budgets.

Maybe things haven't changed that much -- the budget is still tight and shopping is such a rarity that it's sort of like a treat.

Anyway, I spent a few days thinking and came up with enough ideas (thanks to a few friendly suggestions) to buy gifts for my relatives, though some are harder to buy for than others. I tried to pick out things I knew they needed or would like to receive.

After all, no one really wants to return their Christmas presents. The hassle and lines are too much to deal with.

But there was one gift that left me stumped. I knew what I wanted to buy, but finding that item for my friend proved to be a difficult task.

It required a trip to three different department stores. And while I was there, I had to rifle through the toy section to find it. What a disaster that was. The toy department's shelves looked like a war zone. While some toys were piled nearly sky high, most others had fallen to the floor and were being kicked about. It made finding the exact toy I needed just that much more difficult.

Luckily, on my third try, I found what I was looking for. It too required a search through every available toy on the shelf, but somewhere near the bottom of the bin I found it.

And once I found his gift it was hard to keep the secret until my friend and I exchanged presents. I was so excited about the purchase that I wanted to share it with him immediately.

I did refrain for a few days but he had a hint of what was to come before he actually received it.

The gift, a toy car in the model he'd requested, was sort of a joke to begin with. Though unimportant and rather inexpensive in the scheme of things, it was a gift that only he'd appreciate. After all, isn't that the reason we buy gifts -- to make other people feel good?

As I sat in a church pew Sunday listening to the choir sing about the holiday and the birth of Christ, I thought about my search for a perfect gift.

Finding such a present requires lots of consideration and some planning. And it also means sharing it with another person.

It reminded me somewhat of God's plan for Christ's birth. His plan starts with simple characters -- Mary and Joseph -- and tells a simple tale of their obedience and faith.

Amid the hustle of the holidays, it's refreshing to know that the true reason for celebration -- the birth of Christ -- is a gift that fits everyone and doesn't ever have to be returned.

Have a Merry Christmas!

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.