Making a list? Checking it twice? Here are some guidelines to keep befuddled spouses, parents of teenagers and others on the right track.

*** 1/2 NIRVANA, “From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah,” DGC. A liberating and exorcising live album that captures those moments when you feel so alive that you want to kick down the door and take on the world.

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Albums and other items in the Gift Guide are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).