For you gift-giving types out there, Christmas is next month - and if you aren't shopping already, you're a bit behind the curve. If you know any animators or artists, you might be a bit stumped about what to get them, especially if you're anything like me: disgustingly practical and determined to choose gifts that are appealing and useful. My grandmother used to try to do that, and I'd get socks and ugly sweater-vests. My partner's trying to do it this year, and instead I'm getting a new computer to replace the one that's started crashing any time I try to do something with high-end graphics (like animate). Granny, partner, parent, or friend, though...you might find these suggestions useful when picking out a gift that your animator will love.

Also, don't forget to go vote in last week's poll. Right now the AS2ers are leading with 46%, with the AS3ers in a distinct minority. Chime in with your opinion!

Wondering how the snow was done in the Christmas tree ornament animation? It's pretty easy, just a matter of using random motion and symbol-duplication scripts in Flash to create a mild flurry, a blizzard, a pleasant evening snow - only you'll never have to shovel this snow from your sidewalk, or scrape it off your windshield.

I love seeing a Christmas tree strewn in lights, tinsel, and glittering ornaments.

I hate seeing a Christmas tree dripping needles all over my carpet. Not to mention the Christmas tree toppling when the cat decides those pretty baubles are lunch, or the Christmas tree still sitting there at the end of January growing a fine coating of mildew, or...

Well, you get the idea. One solution for that is a plastic tree. Another? A virtual tree, one you can make yourself in Flash and decorate with any ornaments you can think up and create.

It's a little ironic (or more like coincidental, Alanis) that on the weekend my partner and I went haring off on a spontaneous trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, the National Film Board of Canada contacted me asking if I'd like to review Animation Express, a veritable kaleidoscope of Canadian animation talent compiled into a single collection. I can't say I enjoyed all of the 26 shorts on the 2-disc DVD set, but it's impossible for everything to appeal with such a broad gamut of styles and stories portrayed. Talent was the universal factor across each animation, though, and many were not only unique and beautiful, but also deeply enjoyable.