There are five days left in the year. I’ve decided to do another series of a post each day, but I’m not sure what to call it. I’m open to suggestions. Maybe 2.1/36? Does that make sense? Since it’s the second year.

Tell me what you think.

This was our Christmas card this year. I hope you’ve had a Merry Christmas.

Tonight is Christmas Eve. I made dinner, I’ve prepped for brunch tomorrow, and I’ll pull the stockings with care later. And after everyone’s gone to bed, I’ll be alone to watch The Bishop’s Wife, my favorite Christmas movie. It’s a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is. Cary Grant is an angel who help David Niven and Loretta Young. You must see it.

This is the text of the Bishop’s sermon, it’s pretty wonderful.

Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear there was a child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wisemen came with birthday gifts.

We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts. But especially with gifts.

You give me a book. I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange-squeezer. And Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. But we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled.

All that is except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. A stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s His birthday we are celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that. 

It wasn’t eggnog, but I did have a couple of cosmos at the family Christmas party yesterday. They’re pink and that’s a Christmas color in my book and they’re yummy.

Don’t forget:

Here I am to save your last minute ass. If you have Amazon Prime you will get all of these by Christmas. I picked all of these myself, so trust me.

For your wife/girlfriend/teen daughter/mom: This Robe for $38. It comes in a bunch of colors and goes up to 5X. I got your back, curvy girls.

For your husband/boyfriend/teen son/dad: this record player for $75. Vinyl isn’t just for purists anymore; it’s hip. He’ll dig it if he’s a music lover

For your husband/boyfriend/teen son/dad who isn’t a music buff: this Swiss Army Knife for $38.

For any teen: this Fuji Instax camera for $112. Trust me, it’s fantastic — I have another version.

For the little kids: this Drum Kit for $36 to promote a life of loving music.

Ok, there you go — Gift Guide done!

Lenka Clayton drawings with a portable 1957 Smith-Corona Skyriter typewriter. Look her up and buy her stuff because I can’t do this and I collect typewriters.