I know it's Monday and I don't want to do anything to cause you even more stress on this first day back to work, but just checked the calendar to confirm what someone told me...and they're right...only 29 days until Christmas. Seriously. 29 days. Yikes, how did that happen? So if you haven't already started, I'd suggest it's gift-buying time. This whole Black Friday, and the newly added Black Thursday, makes me a little nervous so instead of braving the crowds at some of the big stores, I think I'm going to try something a little different this year and find some cool gift ideas at places like the gift shops at the Columbus Museum, National Infantry Museum, Port Columbus, Oxbow Meadow, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, and the Springer Opera House. And then there's the Visitors Center (corner of 9th Street & Front Ave) with a lot of great Columbus-branded and whitewater items. This way, I can get in and out, find really interesting and unique stuff, support local businesses and then, like magic...I'm done and can actually enjoy the holidays! Happy Shopping!