I thought I would share this simple holiday drinking and gift strategy from my bachelor days.

Middle of December, purchase a case of really nice wine or liquor. Something you would love to drink yourself, and that most people who drink would also like. A great Cabernet, a single malt scotch, Crown Royal, Bailey's Irish cream, whatever. Also purchase a little bag of Christmas bows, the kind you stick on packages. Keep these items in the trunk of your car.

You're basically done. If anyone should hand you a gift during the holiday season, you can graciously thank them and say, "Wait here, I have your gift in the car". Go outside, open the trunk, stick a bow on a bottle, then walk in triumphantly. With any luck you'll even get to swig some of your elegant gift before the night is over.

So then New Years Eve rolls around and guess what? You've still got 3 or 4 bottles in the car. You're all set.

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