Comedian Erin Conroy: Lights, Please

Christmas season has pushed itself on top of us, like so many drunken frat guys at a kegger. But unlike the drunken frat guys, Christmas doesn't just want to puke in your hair and promise to call - Christmas wants your money, too. All of your money.

I decided to try and get some of my shopping done this past weekend. But I wanted to shop in a really festive environment - surrounded by no less than 2,000 people pushing and sneezing and talking extra-loud on their cell phones. So naturally I headed to the Macy's in Herald Square. After a couple of hours of shopping, I hadn't gotten a lot of the things I needed, but I had reached my breaking point. It was either leave immediately, or bludgeon the woman in front of me on the escalator - who wouldn't shut up about "the way slacks are made these days" in between her wet hacking coughs - with the "Dora the Explorer" doll she had tucked into her arm-fat-fold.

Mmmmm....the Holidays.

Buying presents for all the people on your list can be really stressful. Will they like this gift? Do they already have that one? Will giving him this violate his parole?, etc. So in order to lighten the load, here are a few examples of past presents I've received that really knocked my socks off. (Fell free to use these gift ideas for family, friends, stalkees.)

A beer helmet. This bad boy is an awesome conversation starter when you're pulled over on the side of the road and a State Trooper is approaching your car.

Rollerskates. Rollerskates are just awesome. It's a fact. Look it up on Wikipedia, jerk.

One glorious birthday, I got hot dogs. But not regular hot dogs - those hot dogs filled with cheese. Don't be so jealous - it doesn't become you.

And just in case any of you were wondering what to get the girl who already owns a beer helmet and roller skates, here are some gifts I would love to receive this year (Hint! Hint!):

Giggles cookies. Are they still as delicious as they were in 1984? Let's find out come Christmas morn!!