November 23, 2006

Ask The Lawyer

Holiday shopping—even for teachers—need not be stressful or expensive

This week's question:
I have a question, even though it does not involve a direct heavy legal question as such. I teach government to about 90 high school students. This is my first year in the classroom and I am trying to think of something to get them for Christmas. I have hit a brick wall. Of course, I am on a budget and most things are too expensive. Do you have any ideas?

Jennifer J.
Almaden Valley

Dear Jennifer:
I can sympathize with you, Jennifer. Our second son is a high school teacher in Santa Barbara and it is a real challenge to find something for the students that works just right, including working within a teacher's budget.

Most of my work involves cases and transaction work and I do not claim to be a professional shopper—not even close to it. In fact, the less shopping I need to do, the better.

That having been said, I think I have just the right thing for you. I have had on my office credenza for about 20 years a pocket guide copy of the United States Constitution. This could be a gift that your students would keep for the rest of their lives. At least I would hope so.

I first came across this pocket guide when our family visited the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. many years ago. It was on sale at the gift shop. Some years later, just a couple of years ago, I saw the pocket version again and purchased a few more copies.

The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence in the paperback pocket guide form costs $1.75 for each copy. If you are a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, the cost is $1.40 each.

Speaking of the Historical Society, this is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1974 devoted to expanding public awareness of the history and heritage of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Members of the Supreme Court Historical Society receive a 20 percent discount on all purchases. Regular membership starts at $50 annually. Benefits include a quarterly member-oriented newsletter with informative articles on the Court's past and timely announcements of Society activities and meetings, as well as the Journal of Supreme Court History, composed of three publications yearly.

Other information as well as an online catalog is available at the Society's homepage at: www.supremecourthistory.org. For example, if the pocket guide Constitution with Declaration of Independence doesn't quite work, many other reasonably priced items are available online. These items include everything from publications, coffee mugs, glassware, rulers, ornaments, paperweights, and other gifts. I'm sure you will find something just right for those students as well as others on your shopping list, such as parents, grandparents, friends and relatives.

If the direct link will help it is: http://shop.supremecourthistory.org/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=17.
Good luck with your holiday shopping, Jennifer. I hope you find just the right thing right from your own home with your PC. That's my kind of shopping!

Donald J. DeVries
Almaden Valley


Donald J. DeVries is an attorney practicing law in Almaden Valley. If you would like him to answer your question in his next Almaden Times column, you can reach him by e-mail at don@almadenvalleylawyers.com, fax at (408) 268-6502, telephone at (408) 268-9500, or mail at, 6475 Camden Avenue, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95120. Your matters are personal and private, so of course, he will not disclose your identity or any details about your situation. To view Almaden Times columns since 1986 visit www.almadenvalleylawyers.com. DeVries writes this column to provide you with general information about important legal matters affecting California residents—not to give you legal advice about your specific matter. No attorney-client relationship is created by these articles. The law is complex and constantly changing and varies from state to state. So you should consult an attorney before taking any action that would affect your personal or business matters.