Dear Ann Landers,
t's that time of the year, and once again I am going nuts with Christmas shopping. Every year, I promise myself, "This is the last time ..." But here I am, doing the same stupid thing. Please, Ann, tell me how to get out of this miserable rat race. My husband, George, and I both come from large families. We have four children and they each have three children-that's 20 gifts right there (including husbands and wives). My mother is still living and so is George's. That makes 22.1 always get George a gift, and he gets me one. That's 24. I see no way to cut that list, and I don't want to. It's the other 40 peo-ple I'd like to skip. I am not exaggerating, Ann-last year, we sent 64 gifts. Somehow, we've become involved with sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and even second cousins. I can't recall if they started it or if we did, but it's been going on for years, and I am worn out, not to mention broke. If you can come up with a solution, you're a genius. -Financially Embarrassed

Dear Embarrassed,
There is a solution, but it is not for the timid or the faint of heart. Starting with that 25th name, drop a line or make a phone call to each and every person on your old list. Ask them not to send you a gift this year. Explain that you are cutting back on gift giving and you hope they will do the same. Some will send a gift regardless. Your response will determine the success or failure of the entire plan. If you rush out and buy them a gift in return, you are hooked for next year. It may take three years to get your list down to where you want it, but eventually, you'll succeed if you have courage and fortitude. Back in the early sixties, no threat was more frightening or seemed as immi-nent as nuclear war. My mail, as usual, reflected the fears of my readers. In retrospect, my advice seems almost paranoid, but at the time, it seemed per-fectly reasonable. You can decide for yourselves. Here's a letter from 1961: