It's Christmas time, so you know what that means: those damn commercials where one spouse gives a brand new Lexus to their mate. Oh, it's so extravagant, so nice, so...pretentious? These ads have driven me crazy (I've mentioned this here before) for years, but the new twist on the spots that are running this season infuriate me even more.

In one ad we see two wives come outside to look at a new Lexus that is parked on the street with one of those giant red bows on top. Wait a second: a husband of one of these women bought her a new Lexus, and he's leaving it outside in front of the house before it's even Christmas? And he's leaving the bow on it? I hope some vandals come by and take that bow.

The other ad shows a crowd of people sitting on the sidewalk, all bundled up to protect themselves from the cold. At first it looks like they're waiting for a parade or something, but no, they're waiting for a husband across the street to lead his blindfolded wife to the car he bought her.

What kind of neighborhood is this that would assemble for a gift giving? Is it Christmas morning? Why aren't they home with their families? And what happens after they applaud and the women gets her car? Do they all get to go for a ride in the car with her? Or do they all just say, oh, OK, that's over, I guess we go home now?

Gah!