The Queensborough Walmart was a complete zoo. The short little drive took twice as long as usual. We don't generally do any Christmas shopping. Buying gifts simply because one is supposed to seems stupid. We buy exactly what we need and want whenever we need or want it. No excuses are required. It may have been all the years in the Middle East but the increasing quantity of decorations and wrapping paper seems a bit over the top. Yet, we are planning to visit some friends on Staten Island for dinner on Christmas day. We figured it'd be wise to bring something along as most things will most likely not be open on Christmas day in Brooklyn, NY. We picked up a set of kitchen knives in one of those wooden blocks for the family. Good knives are a gift that most everyone can use. There were no blades made here much less in Germany or Japan. It really does seem that every single thing in the world is now produced in China. It's really a wonder any of us have jobs nowadays!