Thursday, 22 December 2011 13:03 Written by Emilia Rojas

Christmas is approaching quickly. It is curious how, at this time of year, consumerism drives everyone irrepressibly crazy, when the message is just the opposite: Love.

While credit card bills pile up, there are some people that don´t even have anyone to celebrate with.  Parents go crazy searching for expensive gifts for their children, and really take into account how they behaved the rest of the year. It is white Christmas, the birthday of the Messiah of Catholics, and an ultimate expression of consumerism for many.

‘Tis the season of lights, trees, cards, and dinners.  I would say that it is a moment in which it is ideal to reflect, to let ourselves think about what we want in life…WHAT DO WE WANT?

Ciu Santiago is going to give you a hand and help you figure out the answer by giving us a list of the 10 BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS of 2011!!

(Life can be hard, it can be easy, but in order to live it better; one needs a good sense of humor.)

1. - Tickets to the concert of your favorite band.
Always a great idea

2. - A good planner.
It’s always good to have a little organization in your life. Noting the compromises in a good planner (for those of us who have not entered the digitalized world completely) really makes everything easier.

3. - An afternoon in a spa
One would think that this is the gift for women, but a good friend has told me that “everyone likes to be taken care of,” and that if a man would be treated to an afternoon in a Spa, it would be the perfect excuse to go without feeling “gay” –although there’s really nothing "gay" about it except, that the machismo culture is a little close-minded.

4. - A plant.
To have living beings and natural energies around is always good, especially if that presence requires interaction and care.

5. - A weekend get-away to a cabin, hostel, hotel (whatever is affordable)
This doesn’t need much explanation; intimacy, love, and pleasure.

6. - An expensive dinner in a nice restaurant
The concept of “expensive” and ”nice” will vary according to the possibilities, but if the options do not matter, it is good to indulge. Life is short and one knows when they are going to die, so, although spending money wisely is an important, it is also good to spend on something that makes us happy and nourishes us.  It also makes for excellent memories later on.

7. - A tattoo
Obviously, this is not for everyone, but tattoos are becoming more and more common, but are not exactly cheap. This gift could mean the difference between a naked person or one that has been eternally artistically marked.

8. - The Contardo book: Siútico
I recently read it and found that it is almost fundamental to the understanding of Chile. Fun, informative, and very useful, this book comes highly recommended.

9. - For men, a night at an expensive strip club
If this is not a fiscally possible, it doesn’t matter, we are imagining and talking about ideal gifts; affordable or not.

10. - For women, a sexy stripper with complimentary service
Same as number 9. Or if you don’t have enough to hire a stripper, a sex toy could be a good option. This gift could make the difference between a woman with little sexual interaction, or a happy one.

Details:
Christmas 2011
A Commemoration of the birth of Jesus
December, 25
Traditionally celebrated in Chile the night of the 24th with a meal with family and loved-ones. Later, at midnight, gifts, which are brought by Santa Claus, are shared.

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