I pondered my situation for a long time (years), and finally I knew what I had to do. My mission was to transform myself into sort of magician who could produce great gift ideas and fabulous gifts at drop of a hat. It's been a long and painful journey, but I'm happy to report a measure of success. Finally, I can look a gift-giving occasion straight in eye and say, "Hah!! You're not so tough!"

My two most formidable weapons are my "gift closet" and my "little black book". The gift closet is stocked with a variety of gift boxes, gift bags, wrapping paper, tissue paper, and colorful ribbons and bows. There are plenty of little gift cards, as well as greeting cards ranging from Holiday themes to Sympathy to New Baby. Additionally, I've amassed quite an assortment of gifts-for-any-occasion. Some are purchased with people in mind and others because I know they'd be perfect for something.

The "little black book" is just what it sounds like, only it's not filled with phone numbers. Instead I jot down brief notes based on what I learn about people. If someone mentions a hobby or collection, it goes in black book. If they hint at something they're just dying to have, it goes in book. If I notice a fondness for a certain type of jewelry or style of dress, I'll make a note of it. Sometimes I even ask leading questions, waiting for a moment when future "giftee" is distracted, and therefore unsuspecting. I might even ply giftee's friends for information, admitting only that "I'm curious". All of this has turned me into a bit of a detective -- a secret agent, if you will. And it's actually kind of fun.

In fact, I think I've found a whole new kind of Easter Egg hunt. The hidden treasures are now little pearls of wisdom I pick up by spying on experts, and tidbits I gather on "giftees" during my covert operations. Once I've gathered enough "eggs", I'm armed and ready. I know exactly where to go and what to do. So now, when everyone else around me is in a panic over gift ideas for coming holiday season -- or for tomorrow's office party-- I'm one of smug ones. It's a wonderful feeling. And it sure beats running in that little wheel.

Try these foods to dye your eggs:

Red - Pink -- lots of red onion skins, cranberry juice, or frozen raspberries.

Orange -- Yellow onion skins

Brown -- Red beet skins or grape juice (produces a beautiful sparkling tan), coffee.

Yellow -- Saffron, tumeric or cumin, orange or lemon peels, or celery seed.

Green -- spinach, or carrot tops and peels from Yellow Delicious apples for a yellow-green.

Blue -- Red cabbage leaves make most incredible robin's-egg blue.

Deep Purple -- Red wine makes a beautiful burgundy color

Tips for successful results:

* Use filtered or distilled water. Chlorine and other chemicals will work against dye, making it less intense. Buy distilled water or use your own filtered water. * For deeper colors, use more dyestuff or let eggs soak longer. * For even coverage, cook eggs in a pot large enough to hold enough water and dyestuff to completely cover eggs, even after some of liquid has evaporated during 15 minute of boiling. * Again, for even coverage, if you continue to soak eggs in refrigerator after cooking, make sure eggs are completely covered with dye liquid. * Blot eggs dry or allow them to air dry, as for some colors dye will rub off while still wet. On other hand, if you wish to make a white pattern on egg, you can rub off some of dye for some colors immediately after cooking. * Make sure eggs of different colors are completely dry before piling them up in a bowl together, as wet dye from one egg can transfer to another.

Read more about natural dyes for Easter eggs at http://www.debraslist.com/food/aboutcoloringeggs.html.