Appropriate Christmas Gifts for the Dysfunctional Characters in Your Family

If you're wondering whether this article is for you, here's a quick checklist:

1. Ever had to warn your prospective spouse about certain family members, noting particular habits or quirks?

2. Is there someone who is notorious for being "difficult" or "eccentric" during the holidays?

3. No matter how hard you try, do you have one or more family members who are sure to return whatever you bought, even if they asked for that specific item?

4. Does someone usually break into tears at Christmas dinner or shout or act in ways that make people wince? Is it the same someone every year?

I think you get the idea. This Christmas list isn't guaranteed to please the difficult people in your life (what would?) but at least you'll tip the odds in your favor.

Here's the list:

1. For the overly stressed:

Dr. Freud's Therapy Ball - If you remember Magic 8 Balls, this works the same way. Basically, it is a round black ball with a drawing of Freud on the front. Shake the ball, turn it over and you get a therapist's response to your concerns, with a Freudian twist. Examples of answers include: "Go to your happy place"...."Tell me about your mother"....."Umm....hmmm.." ...or "How did that make you feel?". There are 20 phrases in all, enough to cover nearly every situation.

In a totally unscientific survey I conducted, a random group of friends found it eerily accurate. Some even call regularly to see what advice it has for them (consider yourself warned). You can find it at: www.officeplayground.com/drftherapyball.html

Bonus: Until you give it, you can use it, for a lot less than the typical charge for therapy. Makes a nice paperweight, too, or a gift for the right therapist, one with a solid sense of humor.

2. For the person with no taste: