Today's the biggest shopping day of the year because Christmas and Santa soon will be here! When gifts are bad, sparks can fly. Sparks can fly as the result of good gift-giving, too. Want to experience a chilly Christmas mood? Just give your wife or girlfriend something practical like a broom or dust mop for Christmas; then watch the sparks fly. On the other hand, ladies, when shopping for a handyman, practical is good and things like tools often are a smart choice. If you're short on gift ideas this holiday season, check the hardware store or home center. A cordless drill? A laser gadget? Did he ever say, "I've got to have one?" A thoughtful tool can be really cool; give him a grinder and watch the (good) sparks fly! And that's the On The House tip for today.