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 VARIOUS ARTISTS, “Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Soundtrack,” Warner Bros. You’d think Madonna could almost play the part of Eva Peron without acting--and in fact there’s not much evidence of her acting to be found here. On record anyway, this is one flat Evita.

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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).