MATERIALS:  Pad, pencil, mail-order catalogs, gift catalogs sent from department stores

As your children browse through these extravagant publications, they can be thinking about what they'd like to give as well as what they'd like to receive for Christmas or Hanukkah.  Keep a pad and pencil near the catalogs so readers can take notes.

Encourage your children to look past the glossy photos of items that interest them and read the descriptions carefully and critically, especially the fine print.  Is the winter sweater you want to buy for Grandpa made of an acrylic blend, or 100 percent wool?  Does the dollhouse come assembled, or do you have to build it yourself?  Does the spin-art machine come with batteries, or do you have to buy them separately?  How much does the same item cost in a different catalog?  Does the price include shipping charges?

Young children who don't know how to write can cut out pictures from the catalog and paste them on a piece of paper.  Go over this picture list with your child and discuss the choices.  Read aloud descriptions so your youngster can make comparisons and draw conclusions.

After the holidays, save the gift catalogs for a variety of classification games and art projects.