What is the ideal gift for...? ARIES Jonathan's Thought for the Day Thursday November 25th MANY people born under Aries have lately been having a trying time. In the process, they have been 'wrestling with their resources'; stretching their imagination, their faith... and their budget. Soon though, they will reap big rewards for all this effort. It is therefore, apt to pick them Christmas presents which convey a sense of celebration. Be a little frivolous in your choice. Think 'new and different'. Envisage your Aries friend as someone who is keen to read up on unusual topics, to acquire additional skills, to dress less conventionally... or to explore new ways to have fun. TAURUS Jonathan's Thought for the Day Friday November 26th FEW Taureans are feeling content or relaxed right now. Their outlook for the year 2,000 is better than they can possibly imagine but those positive changes are still some way off. So, show some sensitivity to their need for re-assurance in your choice of Christmas present. Get a book of comforting thoughts or better still, given the famous Taurean tendency to take comfort in the world of the physical, some special, luxurious item of food or drink. Items, lotions, potions or other formulas intended to soothe away stress or to keep Taureans feeling warm and snug may also be an apt choice. GEMINI Jonathan's Thought for the Day Monday November 29th GEMINIS will be putting down more roots in the year 2,000. They will be taking on more responsibilities and commitments. That may sound like a somewhat scary proposition but for most born under this sign, the change can't come soon enough. They currently don't feel involved enough with their environment or the people in their world - or they do - but in the wrong way. An apt Christmas present could be official membership of a club or society... or a subscription to a favourite publication... or some token item that somehow says 'THIS' is part of what you 'belong' to. CANCER Jonathan's Thought for the Day Tuesday November 30th CANCERIANS don't much care what they get for Christmas. Any token gesture will do. All they can think about, at this time of year are the various sensitive people that they feel responsible for - and the numerous needy causes that they want to assist. Unless then, you are determined to acknowledge this generosity of spirit by picking some wild luxury item to which they might never treat themselves, the key issue is not so much what to get them - as where to get it from. Purchase their present from a charitable concern or from a company whose ethos they happen to have empathy for. LEO Jonathan's Thought for the Day Wednesday December 1st MOST Leos are due to be 'emotionally embroiled' in the period between now and Christmas. They are caught up in some interpersonal drama which the forthcoming festive season seems to be complicating rather than simplifying. Suitable presents for people born under this sign should take the form of 'reminders' of their own individual worth and merit. Don't get them something practical for the house, the family or the workplace. Aim your gift directly at the person - not the situation that the person now happens to be in... and then go for something small, significant and stylish. VIRGO Jonathan's Thought for the Day Thursday December 2nd ONE way or another, most Virgos are now battling against injustice. With some justification, they feel hard done by. The situation will improve early in the new year but meanwhile, if you want to pick a present for your Virgo friend, get one that somehow says 'I understand - and I am on your side'. If you know what they are up against, it should be easy to find such a token but as Virgos are not given to complaining, you may not know the specific details. In which case, offer something traditionally associated with celebration... as an expression of faith that soon, it will be called for. LIBRA Jonathan's Thought for the Day Friday December 3rd NEVER ask a Libran what they want for Christmas. You'll either get a list as long as your arm or a shrug of the shoulders. Librans are never quite sure what they want - though they are usually pretty clear about what they don't want. At the moment though, all they 'don't want' is a continuation of some drama that has been dragging on too long. Presents that somehow suggest the fresh start that they will soon be making could well be apt. Remembering though, that Librans enjoy making long, slow choices, gift tokens are more appropriate for this sign than they are for any other! SCORPIO Jonathan's Thought for the Day Monday December 6th THE outlook for Scorpio is bright - and it is soon due to get even brighter. If you know someone born under this sign you will no doubt be relieved to hear about this much needed change in the cosmic weather. It means that you won't need to be quite as supportive in the future - and it also means you can safely think about frivolous Christmas presents. Scorpios have a great sense of humour - but only when they are in one of their lighter moods. This year, while Venus is in Scorpio, you can be as jokey, as suggestive, as outrageous or as deliberately 'tasteless' as you choose. SAGGITARIUS Jonathan's Thought for the Day Tuesday December 7th WHAT do Sagittarians want to be given for Christmas? A break, that's what. People born under this sign are always busy doing something. They thrive on stress and pressure; so much so that if none exists, they create some just for the sake of having something to pit themselves against. Lately though, Sagittarians have been experiencing more drama that even they can comfortably cope with. Don't give them something that's even remotely work-related. Go to the toyshop. Get them something simple, silly, distracting and deliberately childlike. Something that says 'relax... and have some fun'. CAPRICORN Jonathan's Thought for the Day Wednesday December 8th CAPRICORNS love to make themselves useful. One reason why all born under this sign are not quite as happy as they might be at the moment, is that they are not sure if they are being useful enough. They are struggling with factors that they don't fully know how to deal with. The best thing you can give a Capricorn for Christmas is re-assurance. The next best thing is something familiar. A game they already know how to play, a tool they already know how to use or a decorative item they don't have to think about. Or try a replacement (or a spare) for something they already have - and prize. AQUARIUS Jonathan's Thought for the Day Thursday December 9th AQUARIANS are having a very busy time at the moment. Mars is racing through their sign. They seem to be trying to cram a whole century's worth of activity into the last remaining days of December. I have to say, I am slightly concerned about how they will handle the festive season. They're not going to be in much of a mood to put their feet up. So perhaps the most apt Christmas gift for someone born under this sign is 'something to organize'. Get them something to make, cook, grow, build or experiment with. Or a book of party games that they can read and teach to everyone else. PISCES Jonathan's Thought for the Day Friday December 10th PISCEANS are currently in the midst of an adaptation process. Many factors in their world have altered lately. Many more seem set to change soon - yet there is, as yet, little certainty about how - or when. Even though people born under this sign have inherently flexible characters, that capacity to adjust is being stretched to its limits. Apt Christmas presents therefore, include items that offer a sense of familiarity and re-assurance. Don't try to be innovative. Choose music, food, books, clothes or perfumes that they already know. Get them more of what they already HAVE! If you have missed any of the previous astrological gift recommendations, you will find a complete listing under the Letters & Questions section. Click here to go back