Well friends, ready or not, here we go again! There are gifts to buy, drinks to share and people to meet.

Decorated with their beautiful Christmas lights, Santas and Victorian displays, Southcenter promises to fulfill our most outrageous hedonistic dreams. The place seems to be plugged directly into our vital needs and passions. Furthermore, in the last few years, it’s opened some pretty good restaurants and a couple of comfortable lounges.

But alas, I don’t care to do all my holiday shopping within the controlled climate of an enclosed mall.

As I hurry from store to store, I like to experience the outside blast of inclement weather to remind me it’s winter. (I even welcome snow over Christmas and New Year’s, but it should be limited to that week, thank you.) Moreover, this is the season for a hot buttered rum and it’s an established fact that this drink isn’t fully appreciated unless you step out of the cold into a warm lounge. Within the controlled climate of a mall, you may as well forget tradition and have a gin and tonic.

I’d rather dart from store to store in a small town, but this may limit the merchandise available. That being the case, I may go to downtown Seattle. This means I might have to deal with the protesters, who are currently raising hell, but they aren’t nearly as disruptive as the media might lead you to believe.

Christmas shopping can get a bit hectic, unless you share it with someone you love. Indeed, Christmas and romance are really inseparable.

So, let me offer my personal scenario for the holidays. Around twilight or during the early evening, bundle up in your coat, scarf and gloves, hug your most precious “significant other” and, together, soul to soul, amble around Westlake Center. You might even ride the merry-go-round. Then stroll through the dazzling lights that line First Avenue, buy a roasted chestnut from the vendor outside the Olympic Hotel (at least that’s what they used to call it and I assume most of you still do) and finally wander into the warm, secluded intimacy of some cozy little lounge and, to the strains of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” share an eggnog or two. Share a couple kisses as well.

Or you can simply gather your family in the living room, throw another log in the fireplace, settle back on the couch with your children and that “significant other” and share another reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Pass some peanut butter balls around. And don’t forget the kisses.

And let me take this opportunity to extend my warmest holiday greetings. A very merry Christmas to you all!