Books, a great favourite of mine - nothing like curling up on a rainy, dreary, damp winter day here in Bermuda with a really good book, lots of hot tea (or a toddy), a box of chocolates and cookies and a great comforter. Luxury and leisure combined.

Younger populations today, particularly, those who are under 25, read little or nothing according to most statistics. Is it because it is too much work, lack of imagination, or too slow a pace for the high-tech, low touch generation?

It is never too late to develop the reading habit. It requires neither electricity, lights, a mouse, a cord, nor any other interactive material - it just asks you to use your imagination! It is probably too late to get these in time for Christmas, but I encourage you to book the order anyway through Bermuda's bookstores. Wrap the receipt in a nice box along with a picture description from Amazon.com and accompanied by a modest bottle of wine or some great chocolates.

This is a great gift idea for men, since they all have far too many ugly ties in their collections that they cannot throw away for fear of offending Auntie Betty. Let them collect their gift as it will be in for part of the long two week holiday if you order now.

Recommendations:

Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis. One reviewer had this to say, "Liar's Poker" is a memoir of Michael Lewis' three years as a bond salesman for the investment firm Salomon Brothers, Wall Street's premier bond brokerage in the early 1980s. It follows Lewis' career from his serendipitous introduction to the firm, through his initiation as a trainee in 1985, to 1988, while recounting the history of Salomon Brothers' rise to bond dominance and subsequent fall brought on by excesses, poor management, and failure to compete in the junk bond market.

It shifts effortlessly between trading floor anecdotes and explanations of the mortgage trading department without seeming to digress. "Liar's Poker" is one of those rare Wall Street books that is immensely entertaining -and mostly true. It is also an illuminating look at how the prime and sub-prime mortgage market was initiated at Salomon by a few brilliant finance brokers, with no formal university training. Careful, though, a few bits of profanity are there.

Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner, By David Bach. This is a superb book and truly setting up a personal financial plan and learning to manage your finances. Mr. Bach has appeared on many TV shows including Oprah, CNBC, and so on. It is well worth the money and become the other bible, the financial one, in your relationship together. Everyone should own this book if they truly want to manage their finances for future financial success.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, by Burton G. Malkiel, who is an American economist and writer, most famous for his classic finance book A Random Walk Down Wall Street (now in its 9th edition, 2007). This edition has been completely updated for those who really want to understand how capital markets started and evolved. There is plenty of very good data in this book for everyone, but it requires more concentration and focus than the next book on the list which is more snapshot oriented. Mr. Malkiel, who is still alive, is a living legend in the investment industry, and is a Professor of economics at Princeton University. If you can afford it, buy his book and the Wall Street Guide below.

The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Investing, Third Edition (Paperback) by Kenneth M. Morris (Author), Virginia B. Morris. Written in an almost picture book style, this wonderful little book simplifies the concepts of investing and handling your money. It is a great beginner (and reference book) for anyone, whether an experienced investor or a complete novice. Other suggested financial gifts that require little time and can have tremendous impact on any special person in your life. A Year's subscription to the online version of the Wall Street Journal. Incredible daily finance information at an incredibly cheap price.

Other gift certificates for the necessaries in life where your intended recipient can make the purchase decisions. You never have to worry about returning unwanted items with these.

• Groceries -

• Bus / ferry tickets, very thoughtful - tremendous discount for three months worth at $155 or one month at $55. Think of the savings on gas!

• Movie theatre tickets, a friend gives an adult and a child or rental movie certificates, that way, you don't end up picking out a movie they have already seen, ditto for CDs, DVD.

Quick Thoughtful gift packages. Hurricane Happy packages - candles, butane lighters, sterno, camp stove if affordable, kerosene lamps with extra shade and wick, flashlights with good batteries, special snack foods - non spoilable, such as dried foods and fruits, meals in a can to heat over a sterno, manual can opener - especially for an elderly person, this is a welcome gift.

If you are Craft inclined: We live in such an affluent society that some local charities have stopped accepting even barely worn clothing at the present time. What to with those old towels, dresses, wool suits, polartec blankets, jackets etc?

1. Have a sewing machine? A one hour task to whip up three or four really attractive pot holders - every still needs them even in the era of microwaving.

2. Cut make a 8X8 inch square from an old favourite dress that may match the kitchen décor of the recipient.

3. Cut up towels slightly smaller or squares of wool suits.

4. Stuff into fabric square and sew shut.

5. Attach a couple of bright buttons and a loop to hang by the stove.

6. Fun for kids, and adults alike.

Everyone knows how to trace our a Santa Stocking.

l These can be made even if you don't sew, out of fabric by using glue, superglue, household, Elmers glue, etc.

l Draw your large stocking shape, and make little shapes for decoration on it, stars, suns and half moons, candy canes, beads.

l Encourage your children to help you; it is no different for them than using play dough or other craft materials.

l Takes less than an hour and brings the family together - even boys will try this, once anyway!

Lastly, use this time over the holidays, after the organised chaos is over to reflect on life's goodness, then start to make your financial plan for next year, which includes the following:

l Getting rid of old clothes, toys, books, papers, appliances, excess and clutter in your life.

l Organising your financial files.

l Reviewing last year's budget and Setting a new one.

l Finalising your 2008 goals.

l Get ready to book progress toward them by the month.

Presto, the New Year is here and you are ready! Happy Holidays!

Martha Harris Myron CPA-NH#1929 CFP®#67184 is a Senior Wealth Manager at Argus Financial Limited specialising in investment advisory services focused on capital preservation and comprehensive financial solutions for clients considering lifestyle transitions and rewarding retirements.

Confidential email can be directed to marthamyron[AT]northrock.bm or 294-5709 CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and are certification marks owned in the US by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) and outside the United States by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB). CFP Board and FPSB permit qualified individuals to use these marks to indicate that they have met CFP Board's and/or FPSB's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The article expresses the opinion of the author alone. Under no circumstances is the content of this article to be taken as specific investment, legal, tax or financial planning advice, nor as a recommendation to buy/ sell any investment product.

The Editor of the Royal Gazette has final right of approval over headlines, content, and length/brevity of article.