More wisdom for the times

How much heartache would be prevented if only more people would remember this magic solution: "small package to follow." Just write this in the Christmas card or the birthday card unaccompanied by a timely present and then make good on the promise before it outlaws. In some families, there's no longer any need to expend unnecessary effort in writing out the entire phrase. "SPTF" does the trick. The promise of "small package to follow" is especially helpful in families or social circles in which all the birthdays and commemorations of significant life events fall on major holidays. And Hallowe'en is a Major Holiday, at least in Austin.