shiny objects

With this weekend's shopping frenzy comes the harsh realization that in a matter of weeks, you're going to have to pretend to be excited about gifts that suck.

Yeah, I said it.

Sure, you'll get a fair share of usable, even enviable, presents.

But then -- perhaps even more commonly -- there's the obviously recycled dollar store gift. The XXL nightie for your 110-pound frame. And, maybe the worst of all, the utilitarian power tool that shatters your dreams of sparkle.

You wanted "bling," but you got "blech."

Maybe it's time to take the jewelry expectation away from guys.

Delamina is an online jewelry retailer whose advertising strategy relies on the idea that women should buy jewelry -- even the pricey kind -- for themselves.

Click on the company's Web site and you'll see purchase justifications like "because the wine you opened was older than he was" and "because he is not doing it for you."

Read Salon's critique of the ad campaign here.

OK ladies: How much, if anything, would you be willing to spend on a piece of jewelry for yourself? No special occasion involved.