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 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, “II,” Columbia. The themes don’t sound as fresh the second time around, sapping the Presidents’ musical cartoons of some of their trademark high-flying fun.

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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).