Still looking for ideas for Christmas presents?

 

Well I don't know about you, but I really struggle for gift ideas, and not just for Christmas but for birthdays, engagements etc.

I'm so envious of people who just seem to magic up the 'perfect gift' that no one else has even thought of, especially when all I can usually muster up is a boring gift card.

However, I am proud to say that earlier this year I had a brilliant idea (or so I believed), which some of you may want to consider for that someone special in your life.

My son Ross's birthday was looming so I decided to scan the Argos catalogue for gift ideas.

Perhaps a game for his console? But I wasn't sure which games he liked.

An outdoor Experience Day? No, he 'experienced' loads of those days last year.

A restaurant voucher? After shave? Cookery lessons? A magazine subscription? An electric razor?

I racked my brains for weeks until suddenly I had a flash of inspiration.

"I know what I'll get him," I announced to my daughter.

"What?" she screeched when I told her. "You're having a laugh."

"Well," I said as I attempted to convince her. "He doesn't have one. He won't buy one himself. And he'll use it every single year."

I was chuffed with myself for thinking of such a wonderful and unique gift.

"And it's something that will remind him of me every time he takes it out of the box," I smiled to myself.

"But mum," Jenna said shaking he head. "A Christmas tree in April? Really?"

But, I was undeterred by her negative vibes and went straight on to Amazon to search for Christmas trees.

Finally, and after much consideration, I settled on a multi-coloured six foot fibre optic tree with flashing lights which I ordered and paid for.

And cleverly, I even remembered to send it to his work address as I knew he wouldn't be home on weekdays.

A week later I texted the birthday boy.

"Happy Birthday Ross. Have a great day. Speak to you later x."

And I heard nothing until midday when, sitting at my desk, I opened an email from the birthday boy which read: "Hi mum. Thanks for the text, but by any chance did you send something to my work for me?"

"Yes I did," I happily admitted, relieved to know he had received his present right on the very day of his birthday. "I hope you like it."

"Do you know it was a Christmas tree you sent?" came the reply.

"Of course I do."

I then attempted to enlighten him on the benefits of his gift.

"Ross, it may not seem like the perfect gift right now as it's only April. But come December, you'll be over the moon with it."

"I'm sure I will," Ross answered before adding, "It was just that I thought the receptionist was drunk when she called me and said 'Ross, there is a Christmas tree for you in reception'.

"'Aye right' I said to her. 'You're not getting me on that one'.

"'No seriously', she told me. 'There's a Christmas tree addressed to you in reception'. She was quite adamant about it before she snapped 'Please come and collect it'."

And apparently Ross, having taken his new Christmas tree up to his desk until the end of the day, received a load of relentless banter from his colleagues.

"Oh well. At least you got it on the day of your birthday," I happily emailed him again.

"Yes mum," he replied before reminding me: "But my birthday is on April Fool's Day!!! So no wonder everyone in the office thought it was a wind up.

Later that day, I was telling the story to a colleague when he laughed and said: "Janice, what I found strange about the whole thing was the fact that Ross automatically assumed it was you that had sent him that as a gift."

Which I had to admit was fair comment.

Fast forward eight months.

Ross is now delighted with his new flashing 6 ft Christmas tree.

So, if you're still struggling for ideas ...