DR. WALLACE: I'm 12, and every year at Christmas I make a gift for my mother. She always acts excited and happy about it. This year, I painted her a picture of our cat, Cuddles, and I really think it turned out pretty well. I thought it was my best handmade gift yet and I just knew Mom was going to love it.

But then this year she told me that I was old enough to buy her a gift and that I could just "lay off" the handcrafted gifts now. This really burst my bubble because I thought she liked my "handmade" gifts and that she liked the idea that I was saving for college. I'm confused now, and I don't know what to do. What do you think I should do? — Sue, San Antonio, Tex.

SUE: Give Mom the painting! I'm positive she'll be excited to get it and will display it in an appropriate place in your home.

I don't think she was serious about her comment. Your Mom understands that the worth of a Christmas present isn't determined by the figure on the sales receipt, but by the love behind it. If for some reason she has forgotten this, I suggest that the whole family should sit down and read O. Henry's famous story, "The Gift of the Magi" together. Have a wonderful holiday with your family!

IT'S BETTER TO HAVE HER ANGRY THAN DEAD

DR. WALLACE: My best friend has been telling me lately that she wants to commit suicide because she is having a lot of parent problems and her boyfriend just dumped her for another girl. I'm not sure she is totally serious, but I want to try and help her, just in case she is. She keeps saying that she feels like a failure and that the whole world is against her. What should I do? — Nameless, San Francisco, Calif.

NAMELESS: First of all, let your friend know that you care for her very much and that you will do everything possible to help her. It's always important to take a suicide threat seriously. Too often, because of fear or uneasiness, a friend will laugh off a plea for help. According to the California Suicide Prevention and Crisis Centers, you should ask your friend if she has a plan for how she would commit suicide. Asking this question shows you are willing to take your friend's threat seriously and are not afraid of discussing anything she might be feeling. If the answer is yes, this indicates imminent danger and the need for immediate professional help.

Encourage your friend to speak with a school counselor or nurse who will know how to handle the situation. Check with her each day, and if she has not spoken to a counselor in 2 days, offer to go with her. If she still refuses, stop by and mention the situation to the counselor yourself. The counselor will know how to assess the situation in the most beneficial way.

Your friend confided in you that she might commit suicide. That's because she wants help, but just doesn't know how to ask for it any other way. Even if your friend says she doesn't want any help and becomes angry when you talk about getting assistance for her, continue to get the necessary help. It's much better to have an angry friend who is alive than one who is dead.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.