$$$ Advantage: Women.

4. Christmas - If Christmas was any more oriented towards women, Santa would physically resemble Martha Stewart. But, don’t take my word for it, research it yourself - visit a Sears one day, walk through store, and tell me if at least two-thirds of items in there aren‘t oriented towards women? I think that’s why Sears is still hanging on in retail world. If you want to see what happens when a store tries offering a more gender balanced mix of products, visit a JCPenney's (while you still can). They’re learning hard way what it means to not openly cater to women.

$$$ Advantage: Women.

5. Easter - When I was a boy growing up, I got lots of Easter candy each year, so I’ll admit that food wise holiday is a break even between boys and girls. However, what slants this one towards women are clothes. Have you ever seen a young woman on Easter without a new dress and accompanying accessories? As for us guys, I can remember some years just being handed a new tie if I could still fit into my previous year’s stuff.

$$$ Advantage: Women.

6. Father’s Day - This is only holiday where men rake in most of loot. But, most wives, recognizing that, purchase gifts for their honey that ultimately end up benefiting them - stuff like gutter cleaners, new paint brushes, woodworking equipment, and like. And guess what - all those things end up producing goods or services that ultimately benefit woman.

$$$ Advantage: Debatable.

And there you have it - clear, non-biased proof that most gift giving holidays favor woman. I guess this is to be expected, and is just as nature intended. I’d like to discuss this topic even more, but, I have to finish up this column right now. The upstairs bathtub is clogged, and this’ll be first chance I’ve had to use that new super strength plunger I received this past Christmas. And guess who gave it to me?

* Write your own ceremony. The entire reason for having a wedding, really, is ceremony. The most important aspect of a wedding is not decorations, but vows and intentions that are stated in ceremony and that you give to each other. Research time-honored patterns to wedding ceremonies and follow this pattern in your own personal way.

* Invite meaningful guests. When you have a small number of guests, you can spend more time with them and really experience their presence. Minimum is just two of you, minister, and a witness. Invite family and friends with whom you have real relationships. Eliminate those that might be invited out of social obligation.

* Have your wedding at home, either indoors or in your garden, or in a park. Rather than spending a lot of money on floral arrangements, we put that money into tidying up our back yard and planting perennial flowers that we are still enjoying today.

Looking back on our wedding day, we are very pleased with our simple, small wedding. We were able to relax and enjoy day and experience love and support of our best friends. Best of all, we still had energy left for honeymoon...

For many more details on planning your simple, small, green wedding (including choosing flowers, rings, clothing and reciption, and photos of Debra's wedding), visit http://www.debraslist.com/wedding, and click on "You are invited to... My Simple, Small, Green Wedding". Debra is also available as a consultant to help you plan your wedding.