With the Christmas countdown closing in on the panic mode, selective shopping has taken a back seat for me.
My last-minute shopping strategy is "See it, buy it, wrap it and let them return it."
It's taken me many years to arrive at this new plateau of gift-giving insensitivity.
In the past, I'd joke about buying desperation gifts -- Chia pets or Clappers -- for the whole gang. I never really got that desperate. I moan and groan about the shopping, but I'd get through it.
In the best of my Miss Manners days, I gave careful consideration to the interests, likes and dislikes of my family and friends and shopped accordingly. Secure and smug in my successes, I was not ready for the abrupt change in my children's tastes. Toy stores were out. Cash machines were in, not to mention a new set of wheels and a private telephone line.
Santa may fill every wish, but not this Santa.
But you know, I really have to admit those practical Clappers are looking better to me every minute. I wonder if there's a discount for buying in bulk?
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Shoppers looking for last-minute gifts and home decorator items can visit the Sunset Elementary School PTA's craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow at the school on Fort Smallwood Road.
Merchandise will include ceramics, jewelry, painted sweat shirts, baskets, dolls, dried flowers, stuffed animals, small Christmas items and gifts for teachers.
Artisans can still rent space for $25.
To reserve a spot, or for more details, call Robin Woodward, 437-9419.
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Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Christmas season at severa events in the Pasadena area.
* The combined choirs of Community United Methodist and Glen Burnie United Methodist churches will perform a Christmas cantata, "Kingdom," at 7:30 p.m. tonight and during the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services on Sunday.
The performance will be in the sanctuary of Community UMC, 8680 Fort Smallwood Road.
The cantata, written by David Clydesdale, features drama, music and handbells.
The community is invited to attend.
For more details, call the church, 255-1506.
* The children's choir of Lake Shore Baptist Church will present "The Mall and the Night Visitor" at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church, 4613 Mountain Road.
"The program is about an angel sent from heaven to investigate what happens at shopping malls around the holidays," said Gloria Krause, church spokeswoman. "The true spirit of Christmas is sadly lacking until he happens to meet a little girl who helps to restore his hope."
The program is free and open to the community.
For more details, call the church, 255-5413.
* Pasadena United Methodist Church, 61 Ritchie Highway, will continue a Christmas tradition next week when its live nativity scene will be open to visitors.
Families will be welcomed from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Three church-sponsored groups are involved in the event this year. Members of Boy Scout Troop 346 will portray the biblical characters on Wednesday evening, Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 346 will take over Thursday, and members of the youth fellowship group will be featured on Friday evening.
For more details, call the church office, 647-3090.
If you have information for the Pasadena neighbors column, call Peg Adamarczyk, 437-6343.