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Thursday, December 27, 2007
So you thought you had it tough buying gifts this holiday season?
Try buying for 12 council members.
According to D.C. Council tradition (its origins unknown), each council member purchases a present for his or her 12 colleagues. Do you buy 12 distinct gifts? Or a uniform offering of some sort? And how much do you spend? Depends on the member.
Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) said she bought everyone the same thing and thought she was supposed to stay within $10 to $20. "But then I thought it wasn't nice to give a gift that needs batteries without buying batteries, so I bought the batteries," she said.
Cheh said it would help council members "relax." Our imagination ran wild. It was a hand massager.
Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said he went with small gifts from San Salvador, which he frequently visits.
Meanwhile, council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) said he decided to give a donation to UNICEF on behalf of the council to tackle child immunization, though he also gave small gifts to the members.
Council member Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large) said no one told him about a price limit, but he wishes someone had because he's the "lowest paid." Brown earns $22,470 less than most council members because federal law prohibits those running for office from receiving a raise. Elected officials can't change their salaries while in office. Brown, by the way, was a dissenter on that pay increase.
But Brown said he "splurged" a bit. Books for the male council members and brooches for the women. Women don't read? "No, no. I just thought they would like something to wear. They loved it," he said.
Speaking of things to wear, Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) handed out shirts to men and women, monogrammed with the council member's name -- a touch Gray likes. His dress shirts are monogrammed with "Vince" on the cuffs.
Council member Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7) said she "personalized each gift."
"I didn't have a price range. I don't have a price range for Christmas," she said. "They were moderately priced. I'm a professional shopper, so I know how to get a good deal."
