Daily Life - Finding the perfect present (C0178)

A:  Bill. Bill! You gotta help me!
B:  What's wrong? Slow down or you are gonna give yourself a heart attack.
A:  Tomorrow is Christmas and I haven't bought my mom anything! I'm such a bad son!
B:  Take it easy! Let's go tothe mall, window shop a little and see if there is anything she might like.
A:  That's just it! I don't know what to get her! Last year I got her a ring that was two sizes too big and a pair of shoes five sizes too small! I suck at getting presents for people.
B:  That's where you're making a big mistake! You can't just guess peoples' likes or sizes! Especially with clothes or jewelry. On top of that, I think that you should get your mom something that shows how much you love her. Atthe same time you should show her that you took the time and effort tolook for something that she would really like!
A:  Yeah you're right. When it comes down to it, I can be pretty tacky.
B:  Yeah tell me about it. I know! Your mom is trying to learn Spanish right? Why don't you get her a gift certificate for this great website I saw called SpanishPod.
A:  Now that's a great idea!

Key Vocabulary

window shopexamine the shop windows
on top ofin addition to something else
When it comes down to itwhen I look at what the whole situation amounts to
tackylooking cheap, having bad taste
tell me about itI agree; I understand

Supplementary Vocabulary

vouchera form or check indicating a credit against future purchases or expenditures
shop till you dropto shop until one is exhausted
gift carda plastic card with a certain amount of money on it used to make purchases at select stores or restaurants
last-minute shoppingshopping done just before the deadline
wrack your brainto think really hard for ideas until it feels like you have put your brain through the torture of "the rack"

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