Tis the season to debate.

Whether or not the American public is jolly about it, the presidential candidates have chosen to give us a present -- presidential debates.

President Bush and Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton have finally agreed to three debates, also allowing political latecomer H. Ross Perot to join the fun.

Three 90-minute debates will take place before live audiences Oct. 11, 15 and 19, with a vice presidential debate on Oct. 13.

Just like opening Christmas presents you've already shaken and rattled, watching the debates may not bring any surprises. Many people think they already know what they're going to get in a presidential debate, causing apathetic TV viewers to switch the channel.

But, just as Mom and Dad used to do last-minute shopping, you can expect the candidates to bring some nice surprises with them as well.

Granted, at times debates seem to be forced formalities, with little information to be gained by the confused but dedicated American voter.

Although it may seem that little can be gleaned from these forums, the events can prove politically decisive. As shown by the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate, these events can prove to be deciding factors in close races, even if it is something as simple as Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow and disheveled appearance.

Starting in St. Louis on Sunday, voters will be able to see George, Bill and Ross exchange "gifts" with one another. They won't be able to talk through press secretaries and, who knows, maybe one of the candidates will be forced to pin down his views on a certain subject.

When the issue of who will lead the most powerful nation on the planet is on the line, it might not be such a bad idea to forget that movie you rented and tune in to the debates -- you might get just what you wanted, without the red bow, of course.