The True Meaning of Christmas

Dear Dr. Sadie,

Christmas is a very big deal in my family. We always exchange elaborate gifts, and people often try to one-up each other with expensive and unnecessary things. This year, I'd like to suggest that we only give gifts that are more meaningful - handmade gifts, the gift of one's time or services, or a donation to a charity in someone's name. I'm afraid that my family will think I'm being a cheapskate and that they won't see the good in this idea. Any thoughts?

- Not the Grinch

You should give good gifts to people you like and people you love. You could give a chariot. You could think of a really great present, but the Christmas trees are already gone.

Your family might be disappointed with the pictures. They would like pictures of the wall. They would like pictures of a magazine. They would like pictures of a horse.

You should go away to your family. You're not nice to them. You think like the Grinch. The Grinch thinks Christmas is bad and so do you. I think your family really wants chocolate and scooters for Christmas.

To Date or Not to Date

Dear Dr. Sadie,

There's a boy in my class, "Joey," who's very cute. I've had a crush on him for months. This week he asked me to the winter dance, but my mother won't let me go. She says that 12 is too young to date. What can I do to convince her that this was meant to be?

- Juliet

You should get another boy. This one is the wrong boy. Get another boy who didn't ask you out. They you won't go, and your mother will be happy.