Update: I met a frau visiting from Germany who celebrated Nikolaus in early December and now joins family and friends for Christmas in the States. She explained that German children leave empty boots outside their front door hoping for St. Nicholas to fill it with gifts. If they've been good he leaves gifts. If they've been bad he leaves a tree branch.

I wish every child could receive a gift during this holiday season. A single gift could mean more to a child than anyone may know. In fact, for any age.

I brought a small get-well gift for a colleague plugged to an intravenous at the hospital's ICU. And because he was heavily medicated, the first thing he kept asking for when he gathered himself was the whereabouts of his gift. At that exact moment and many moments after — that gift meant the world to him.

Give someone a gift, Merry Christmas and I'll see you in January.

Feature Article: Die Deutsche Dame

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The Christmas Program A Child Changes Everything packed the entire house. It featured a skit and American music from various genres since the Forties. The singers, dancers and stage band were tight, saucy and smokin' hot.

When the music was movin' and groovin' two adorable girls, about 5 and 7, were dancing carefree in the aisle. They had a ball. It didn't matter no one in the audience joined them in the aisle. It only mattered that they have fun.

Sometimes I think kids are put in this world to show adults how life is done. And the most absurd thing is — they don't even charge for the lessons.

Die Deutsche Dame

Dear Associate,

It began as a nippy December morning in La Jolla, which hugs the Pacific Ocean northwest of San Diego. Black Friday had passed with a whimper and it was business as usual at the shopping mall. My goal was to buy a loaf of French bread, shop for Christmas candies and then get out before spending madness sets in and the person behind the counter says, "I'm sorry, but your credit card has maxed out."

Strolling through a lower section of this hip and trendy mall I zigged and zagged through the sourdough bakery's oven-baked aromas, a chocolate boutique's sinfully delectable indulgences, and a leading gift shoppe screaming with the cutest gifts. I was making my way back toward the parking lot when something bright caught my eye. I did a double take and made a beeline toward the store.

I stared at the front table display just past the entrance doors. There were four, magnificently shiny metallic objects begging me to cradle, fondle, and operate their simple mechanical functions. Especially the one with the satin copper finish which retails for $899 and some change. It was a commercial stand mixer for the serious home chef with a penchant for creating luxury foods. You know, the kinds of dishes that have incredibly long names.

I dreamt about all the decadent desserts and fresh pastas that could come from that mixer... sighed... and was about to leave... when SHE approached me.

Her gentle smile and warm glow engulfed the entire entrance. Her stoic demeanor and relentless determination told me she was all business. She caught me ogling at the displays and wanted to strike up a conversation. Unable to read her nametag she would be known as The German Lady.

She was in her fifties, spoke English with a noticeable German accent, and loves to bake. She has an older version of this commercial mixer, which she is happy with, but would love to trade up. If you were standing next to us you'd see that she loves this particular name brand because she compares it to precision German engineering.

I also have a bias for Made in Germany. I like German cars, my double-edged razor is produced in Deutschland, and I've always admired German Shepherds. The German Lady and I already have something in common.

"Are you a cook," she inquired.

"Oh, no, no," I replied sensing I'll need to say the right words to sound interested, but not too interested to avoid leading her on. "But I appreciate good cooks and good cooking."

"The model you're looking at is the crème de la crème," she explained. "It's designed for commercial use and can easily handle gatherings of any size. Are you buying this for yourself or for someone you know?"

Feeling cornered and needing a little breathing room I retreated, "Well I have a friend who loves to cook, but he doesn't have access to a kitchen. This would make a great addition someday. Is there a brochure for this model?"

Sensing she was losing me yet not wanting me to leave the store without making a purchase The German Lady suggested, "We're all out. Why don't you take one of our store catalogs? If you want, you can find more details from our website. In the meantime why don't you try this other mixer's smooth operation?"

Whew! That was close. I can relax now. I was able to hold my ground against The German Lady. I was no match for her charming disposition so I devised an escape route. It's always good to have an escape route. It can save you from many regrets.

Warm regards,

A holiday singalong from the creative folks at Cisco...