I don't save wrapping paper. Or ribbons and bows.

It's just another difference between the male and female species.

Consider: Most women carefully open presents, ever-so-gently along the seam, as to not wrinkle or even (gasp!) tear the paper.

I'm like a grown up 7-year-old boy, tearing and ripping up the paper, just to see what's inside.

Many of us are glad that another Christmas is in the bag. For those who like to shop, they get to fight the lines and crowds to:

a) return gifts

b) hit the post-holiday sales

c) both

I'm more apt to choose:

d) none of the above

I got a taste of massive holiday shopping earlier this month, when I went with a couple of friends for a weekend in Chicago. Seeing that I hadn't been there for awhile, I thought it might be a good idea to head back and see the lights, plus enjoy some good food.

Of course, I didn't buy any Christmas presents. Everything I saw I figured "I can just buy this back home. Why would I want to lug it around?"

My two friends didn't really buy anything either. I think the visit was just to get away from things for a few days, plus to see how good we truly have it here.

I can understand why some like to shop the day after Thanksgiving and return everything the day after Christmas. They enjoy the hustle and bustle, the yelling and shoving and kids crying and standing in lines and …

No thanks.

I'm content to stay at home, do my shopping about five or six days beforehand. That's what I did this year, heading to a business just off downtown and then on to the mall. That's when most of the crowds have died down and it's still not too close to Christmas Eve. That's when it gets crazy again.

Of course, I have a whole 'nother year to sit and figure my plan of attack for the next holiday season.

And staying close to home suits me just fine.

One more thing: What is it about pickled herring?

It seems more of the older (see mature and wise) folks like herring.

I must be the exception.

A kind family from church invited me over prior to the Christmas Eve service. The spread was impressive and well done -- complete with pickled herring.

I tore into that right away, which brought confused and disturbed looks from three others in my age group.

Everyone else who indulged in the pickled herring was about my folks' age.

I asked those in my age bracket if they liked herring.

They cringed.

Gee, I wonder what they would have done if I had started eating lutefisk.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com