When choosing gifts to give those you care about this holiday season, it’s always best to ask the experts! That’s why FLDemocracy asked some of Florida’s best pundits, professors, and pols for help in picking out the perfect gifts for the candidates ahead of our Jan. 31 primary.

Their suggestions were thoughtful (so nice of Chris Ingram to think of Gary Johnson), hilarious (Thanks, Mark Foley) and perfectly gift-wrapped (Sid Dinerstein composed a candidate-carol).  In honor of the holiday season, here’s what our selection of experts would give the field:

Former Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt (R): “I would give each one of the candidates a dove, representing peace, love and kindness, which is what we’re all going to need during this political season.”

Former U.S. Rep.  Tim Mahoney (D-FL):  “I would give each of the Republican Presidential candidates a copy of the ‘Wizard of Oz.’ Romney needs the courage to tell the Tea Party that leadership isn’t “your way or the highway” but it’s working with everyone, as he did as the Republican governor of a Democratic state, to get things done. Newt needs to hope that the voters don’t get a brain and realize that he is the person, who as Speaker, is most responsible for starting this era of “get nothing done” partisan fighting in Washington. The rest need to get a heart so that it can be broken by giving up their dreams of being president.”

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL):  “That in the spirit of the holidays, Romney accidentally drinks spiked egg nog and admits it. That in his new role as a Catholic, Newt Gingrich abstains from lecturing the baby Jesus that Bethlehem was an invented location. That someone tells Bachmann that Hanukkah isn’t special bread you make French toast with. That someone explains to Rick Santorum that he doesn’t actually have to pretend he lives in Iowa after the caucuses.”

GOP consultant and Bay News 9 political analyst Chris Ingram:  “For Gingrich, a Light Saber since he looks like Yoda he ought to have similar tools to battle the Dark Side – mostly his own. For Perry, a Memory Foam mattress he can sleep on nights before debates. For Santorum, a framed, autographed photo of Eddie Haskell. For Romney, season tickets to the Buffalo Bills – who similarly can’t ever win the big game. For, Gary Johnson  his neighbor’s dog. For Bachmann, induction into the ‘Katherine Harris Crazy Women in Politics’ Hall of Fame. For Ron Paul, a button that says ‘I may look and sound crazy, but I’m mostly right.’ For Huntsman, lasik surgery for all GOP voters so they can see who would have the best chance of beating Obama.”

Senate President Mike Haridopolos (R): “For the GOP candidates to be the party of better ideas.  Rather than attacking each other this holiday season, I hope the GOP candidates will inspire voters with specific policy ideas that will make the future of America brighter.”

University of South Florida professor Wayne Garcia: “I would give each candidate the courage to stop polling, which has turned from a measuring tool of where they stand to a surgical, deadly instrument that homes in on the most wedge, emotional, divisive and harmful issues, language and tone. Go with your hearts and minds instead, candidates. “

Indian River County Democratic Chair Edward White: “For a gift to all politicians I would cast a magic spell on all the candidates so they could only speak the truth and each politician would have the wisdom to discern the difference between partisan politics and the welfare of the Country.”

Lynn University professor Robert Watson: “For Huntsman, publicity in any shape or form. For Perry, a spokesperson to stand in for him in the next debate. For Gingrich, an endorsement from Nancy Reagan. For Romney, a major Newt gaffe in New Hampshire. For Bachmann, a fact book on American history. For Ron Paul, an uneventful holiday season free from the need for FEMA (or any other government agency or service). For Santorum, an ‘Evangelicals-only primary’ in one of the early states.”

Former Vero Beach mayor Kevin Sawnick: “For all candidates, A shirt that reads,’ I’m in favor of tax breaks for the rich, and all I got was record private sector profits, no middle class job creation and this stinking t-shirt not made is the USA.’”

Finally, Palm Beach County Republican Chair Sid Dinerstein went above and beyond, giving the candidates a cabinet-themed-carol:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land

Candidates were campaigning, shaking each hand

With no time for shopping and crowds at the mall

I left them these gifts for one and for all

For Senator Rick, the family man, I give HHS to fix if he can

Michele is the queen of watching our cash flow, her gift is Director – CBO

Governor Huntsman travels far and away. He’s going to run the CIA

Ron Paul will rejoice because he deserves, the most special gift, the Federal Reserve

The Governor of Texas needs wide open spaces, as Secretary of Interior, he’ll see many places

It’s Justice for Rudy and Energy for Sarah

Education for Jeb, What could be fairer

For Mitt and Newt one must not weep

One will be Prez, the other the Veep

Don’t ask to know which one is which

The public is fickle, there could be a switch

Remembering Obama should be a requirement

My gift to him: EARLY RETIREMENT!

Tags | Chris Ingram, Edward White, Gary Johnson, Jon Huntsman, Ken Pruitt, Kevin Sawnick, mark foley, Michele Bachmann, Mike Haridopolos, Mitt Romney, newt gingrich, rick perry, Rick Santorum, Robert Watson, Ron Paul, sid dinerstein, Tim Mahoney, Wayne Garcia