Brattleboro has a very high proportion of "sensitive" men - guys who are comfortable with and accepting of their feminine side. So there may not be many troglodytes like me out on Main St. at the last minute desperately searching for inspiration and a perfect gift.

If you do find yourself in this predicament for the first time or are just caught off guard let me offer a default list of gift suggestions to consider:

SAFE, BUT BORING

- Wool socks. Smart wool is actually highly prized around here and not as boring.
- Soap. We mostly give this to family members far away.
- Skin lotions. Lotsa dry skin this time of year.

RELATIVELY SAFE, NOT BORING

- Cash. (need I say more?)
- Chocolate, fair trade. Know your recipient - not everybody is a chocoholic (gasp!). The Food COOP has a good selection, but they do get bought out as Dec. 25 approaches.
- Clothing store gift certificate. Only if you know where your recipient likes to shop. In my family Sam's is a safe bet.
- Record store g.c. Not everybody listens to music (gasp #2!), but it is really hard to pick music for somebody else. If you know they've been pining for a certain Elvis picture disc in pink vinyl, then go for it! Otherwise, without inside insight, the g.c. is a very nice gift (personal experience on both ends).
- Brown & Roberts g.c. If your recipient is at all handy or cooks, B & R has something they want. The place is a treasure trove and a g.c. is a great excuse to go in there with nothing particular in mind.
- ditto for Twice Upon a Time.

A BIT RISKY

- Silk scarves. I can't recall where in Brattleboro I've found these, but they're well received if you get the colors right. That's the risky part. You have to know a little bit about what colors the recipient will wear and what goes well with them. Broad example: a metallic silvery scarf for someone who wears earth tones is probably not going to fly.
- Flannel nighties. Available at Sam's the last time I looked. Always welcomed this time of year.
- Book store g.c. For political lefties an Everyone's Books g.c. is a great gift. So is Brattleboro Books across the way - I love going in there (hint-hint!).

If I think of more later in the day I'll add them in the comments below. happy shopping!