Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for December 18, 2011

Actually, Brad’s request should be the easiest, because he actually specified exactly what he wanted. A tool store that handles mechanics tools should have what he’s looking for.

We’re coming down to the last lap now …

True, but Luann’s imagination is better. I want one of those, please.

Being poor is not only an actual fact…it’s also a frame of mind. You could be dirt poor and still come up with a creative gift for everyone. Pioneers did it during the original depression…and so can we today…if we can get past that ‘have to have the latest electronic gadget’ mindset. Just go to someone’s yardsale and help them out by buying a great item they are forced to part with and which will perhaps fill Brad’s list and mom’s and dad’s.

Luann’s just showing how stores create bafflegab to confuse us into buying something that isn’t really what we want in the first place. Kudoes to her for trying to get items her family members really want…or need.

Uh, since when is 50% of the population of fthis country living at the poverty line?

Just get them something nice and cut through all the marketing crap, Luann! And what about Bernice—what is she buying?

I do love your misspelling (? – paging Dr. Freud…) of “mal”. This time of year I consider “maul” to be more applicable, but I like yours better!

When we exchange gifts it usually involves sending a link to the item on a website. I am surviving in my “golden” years but all my savings are greatly diminished. One of my 4 kids is doing great (financially and otherwise) and one is not. The other 2 are doing well.

50% of the people in this country receive below median income. It’s also true in every country in the world. Something must be done!!!

(Paraphrasing an old “Dilbert” here.)

Is it my imagination, or is Luann a little taller and a little more filled out. Growing up, is she?

@oh-oh, It could be a lot worse. I was a child in the real depression (1930s).

break down in an east-african village, with no electricity, running water, etc, where even the elders don’t know what the local currency looks like. do you have a cell phone, electricity, money? there’s little to no poverty in This country. not REAL poverty.

Ahhh, but, Jesus is the Reason for the Season! :-)

Actually, Bernice is right, consider the reason for the season.

Two WORDS, Luann: “GIFT CARDS”.

The PERFECT Gift for THOSE that have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE as to what THEY want.

I just want what Herman Cain got the last 10 Christmases…

@JosieSeriously now, yes…:D)

I’m sure the hundreds of millions of people in the world who live in little more than shacks, who are slowly starving to death or dying of simple diseases are just weeping for the tens of millions of Americans who are SO poor that they can’t afford a giant flat screen tv or an expensive car or a big house.

Well, if Brad wants a ‘hex set’, then he clearly wants to dabble in WITCHCRAFT!

I have lived for years at a time among people who make less than $700 per year. In fact, this is what most of the world lives on. Americans are such spoiled whiners. It would be a real eye-opener for Luann to go the Philippines or Africa and find out what genuine poverty is.

Luann needs Bernice to bring her back to reality.

Put a sock in it, Bernice. Luann is thinking of someone besides herself for a change. It’s nice. Now be a GOOD friend and help her pick out some stuff.

They say poor or “near poor” so the Noo Yawkers and the Washington Elite can define anyone not wealthy by normal American standards as “near poor.” It’s a typical dishonest trick they use to make us think it’s okay to give them all our money so they can give a little of it to all the “needy.”

If they ACTUALLY gave it all to people who were ACTUALLY needy , there would be little grounds to complain, but since most of it ends up mysteriously in the coffers of companies run by their campaign contributors…

I don’t know what it’s like in the rest of the country, but here we are told that we have the highest unemployment rate in the country (we have to be number one in something) but I see little kids with cell phones, people who make way less than we do with two luxury type cars that we wouldn’t dream of ever owning even one so expensive. Huge houses (A/C here is really expensive in the summer), etc., etc., etc. And they all whine constantly. Ashburn Stadium, keep the faith and keep trying to get honest work. Everybody have a Merry Christmas.

It is easier to get $10 from a poor man than a penny from an rich one.

Geez, I knew Luann was incredibly self-centered like Tiffany, I didn’t know she was THAT much of an airhead as well..

Being poor often IS a matter of attitude. Multitudes of people in third world countries die every day – that’s true poverty. Sam Levinson wrote a book about living in the Depression called “We Had Everything But Money”.Interestingly, he has a number of other insights, some of which I’ll include to show his perspective..“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.  For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.  For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.  For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.  For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.  People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.  As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” ― Sam Levenson

@ Night gaunt, I know that things are harder now (for me too). Some might see me in my fur coat that I bought in the good years when that was bought on sale after paying a car loan from my dad (all from my biggest Christmas bonus). And some of the commenters here are not reading Stone Soup where the grandma is working in 3rd world Habitat projects (one of my sons puts together teams here in this country).

@ Imbaldeagle, very touching!

99% I saw it on TV.

lol! I love the gifts Luann is imagining!

Christmas time is here, by golly,Disapproval would be folly,Deck the halls with hunks of holly,Fill the cup and don’t say “when.”Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens,Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens,Even though the prospect sickens,Brother, here we go again.

On Christmas Day you can’t get sore,Your fellow man you must adore,There’s time to rob him all the moreThe other three hundred and sixty-four.

Relations, sparing no expense’llSend some useless old utensil,Or a matching pen and pencil.“Just the thing I need! How nice!”It doesn’t matter how sincere itIs, nor how heartfelt the spirit,Sentiment will not endear it,What’s important is the price.

Hark the Herald Tribune sings,Advertising wondrous things.God rest ye merry, merchants,May you make the Yuletide pay.Angels we have heard on highTell us to go out and buy!

So let the raucous sleigh bells jingle,Hail our dear old friend Kris Kringle,Driving his reindeer across the sky.Don’t stand underneath when they fly by.