I am surrounded by temptations. Before me on one side of my desk lies a Chocolate Mellow Biscuit, staring me defiantly in the face. It is begging me to eat it, but I won't give in to its sticky call. So far I have lasted half an hour. The longer I can not eat it, the less I want it. In an hour or so, I might throw it away.

On the other side of my desk lies a stack of three pristine new books. All three are Christmas presents; all three are irresistible. I have this dilemma every single Christmas time. To read or not to read? If it were me recieving a new book, I would want no-one to have read it before me. I know some others who feel the same. There's something wonderful about being the first to open the front cover, being the first to read the first few sentences on the first page. On the other hand, if I don't read them now, I may end up buying all three books again, which would be a waste.

I could solve this dilemma by not opening the books properly, i.e. not being able to read the last few words of every line for fear of creasing the spine. I would also have to wear gloves. For all I know, the people these books are going to will suspiciously inspect the cover for fingerprints.