If you are looking for the Saturday Afternoon Book Club, click here.  As the decorations go up and the twinkly lights start to shine and the days of December start to dwindle, I know what you’re thinking: prezzies. [caption id="attachment_14388" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The decorations are up, the lights are shining...and now, there’s only one thing left...the prezzies![/caption] Usually it’s a mad dash to the mall for me a few days before the 25th. But not this year. I think this year, I'm thinking Canadian for all my gifts. Here, my Top 10 gift ideas for Christmas 2012. 1. A $10 bill for the parking lot attendant I used to buy chocolates for the women who are the parking lot attendants in my office building. Until I saw the boxes of chocolates piled up in a corner last year – because one of them can’t eat chocolate. This year, it’s $10, because who can't use a little money this time of year? 2. Tix to The Nutcracker ballet I love The Nutcracker ballet – the music, the dancing, the costumes, it is so rich! And so this year, I'm giving my best friend the experience of the ballet. I’ll give two! She can take me! 3. A cleaning service for my mom No, not a weekly one. I can't afford that. But I can afford one for three days in 2013. She can do all the jobs that my mom finds hard to do now that she’s older. Scrub the floors and baseboards, clean the oven and the fridge, and clean the silver. 4. An oil change for my sister My sister is not as bad as me, who once added radiator fluid to the oil tank in my car (true story). But she’s not great about car maintenance, either. So it’s a gift certificate to the garage for her. 5. For my brother, a haircut My brother likes a good haircut. And I'm going to get the name of his barber from his wife so I can pay in advance for a few haircuts for him. 6. For my coworkers, coffee cards In our office, we are a bunch of coffee addicts. Honestly, we love the stuff. And those of us that don't can put the money toward herbal tea or milk or hot chocolate or whatever hot beverage they like. 7. Snow removal service for the elderly widow next door My neighbour is 80 years old this year and she lost her husband last year. But she still lives in the house, and she has done so many kind things for me over the years, that a snow removal service is really the least I can do for her. 8. Books for my nephews, magazine subs for my nieces I know, I know – these are not the shiny, anticipated gifts under the tree. But they are the gifts that will keep on giving all year long. My nieces love getting Canadian Living in the mail, and my little nephews love picture books. 9.  Car cleaning coupons for my cousin My cousin is the greatest – he drives my aunt and my mom all over the place. And so, because I think a clean car always runs better, I’m going to get him coupons to get his car detailed for the spring and fall. 10. A warm, fuzzy scarf – for me! I always like to get a little something for me from Santa, of course. This year, I’m going to shop at my mom’s church bazaar for a new light grey scarf to go with my coat. That’s it for me! How about you? What are you getting as gifts this year?