For many people Christmas has deep religious significance; for others, it's simply a time to relax and enjoy a few days off work.

But for almost everyone, this time of year has traditionally become one of celebration.

Throughout so many societies it is commonplace to exchange gifts or simply "season's greetings", and to express sentiments of peace and goodwill.

However, it seems, sometimes there is much more emphasis on the gifts than the goodwill; with more expensive and sophisticated gadgets being amongst the fancied gift suggestions again this year.

Mobile phones will be, without doubt, at the top of many shopping lists. These days, they can do just about anything but the washing up. They double as a camera, a calculator and an alarm clock as well as an almost instant and sometimes silent means of communication.

In London recently three gamblers were acquitted of any illegal activity having fleeced the Ritz Casino of over £1 million by using a laser device to predict where the ball would drop on a roulette wheel. Only one guess where this laser generating gadget and micro-computer were concealed. Yes, it was in their mobile phone.

The purchase of such a product might be out of your price range; and in any event the courts here might not be so lenient if used for the same purpose. Nevertheless, there are some useful options that could offer benefits in health rather than wealth.

If a gentle squeeze is what your desire, home-use blood pressure measuring machines (called shygmomanometers by the medicos) are available in a variety of models. Easy to use and with an easy-to-read digital display, these simple devices might be just what the doctor ordered to help monitor and manage hypertension.

Electronics have also entered the oral hygiene department. Oscillating, rotating, pulsating and vibrating electric toothbrushes have been around for some time. Now there are battery-operated toothpicks. There could be no better way to finish off that Christmas dinner.

If jewellery is on your shopping list this Christmas, you might consider something that will not only last a lifetime, but might save a life as well - a Medic Alert bracelet or necklet.

Medic Alert is much more than a piece of jewellery. It's the ultimate in patient protection in emergency situations or unforeseen adverse events.

The Medic Alert service begins with a wrist or a neck emblem individually engraved with critical medical facts and a 24 hour hot-line telephone number. Doctors, paramedics, hospital staff or other emergency responders can work quickly and confidently in the case of an accident or other emergency. They can also call the Medic Alert centre at any time from anywhere in the world for additional medical details - information that can help avoid life-threatening complications.

Just about anyone will benefit from the gift of a Medic Alert bracelet or necklet; but it will be especially helpful for those people with food, drug, chemical or insect allergies; people with an implant such as a pacemaker; people with conditions such as Alzheimer's, Crohn's or Parkinson's disease; or people with special needs or on special medication (such as warfarin).

Ask the staff at Castletown Chemist for more information about Medic Alert. You could be giving a gift of peace of mind this Christmas.

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