An email from the Lovely Son has just arrived, entitled "HELL", and continuing "...LLLLLLLLP". He has trailed hither and yon through the shops, he writes, and can't find anything for my Christmas present. What would I like? Please would I just tell him and rescue him from his misery.
Familiar and entirely predictable, this missive, given the time of year, although rather earlier than usual. His shopping desperation generally becomes acute around the 22nd of December; clearly he is better prepared this year. Shop early for your Christmas despair.
So what would I like?
I have no idea. Not within his budget, anyway, although if a garden designer were to become affordable - which for him would mean in the pocket-money bracket rather than at the RHS standard - I wouldn't say no.
But I don't need anything, I don't yearn for anything, I am sick of living with too much stuff, and I don't want any more. What I really would like is for him to be here, spending time with me, and muttering his trenchantly bah-humbug views on the over-commercialised consumer society.
I've told him I need time to think.
Delaying tactics that could run to December 22nd and beyond.
Tell him you want a handmade certificate which grants the bearer one afternoon of tea with their son of choice. 8-) Then you both will have that to look forward to, and he's off the hook with shopping!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the actual bodily presence present but failing that could he give you a Crocus voucher? https://secure.crocus.co.uk/giftvouchers/ then you could choose something for the garden later.
ReplyDeleteOh bless him for asking and not just buying you something - ANYTHING! - in panic. If I was going to buy you a present I'd get you a tennis ball launcher (to throw balls miles for Flossie - utterly brilliant) or a book on DSLR photography and perhaps some catnip for the garden. I think Marcheline's right though - a few of those 'tea with son' certificates would be a fab present.
ReplyDeleteSomething waterproof for those long walks? You're in the country now!
ReplyDeleteHow about a magazine subscription ...... then when the magazine arrives every month, you have a lovely reminder of him! One of my friends got a lovely present from her son for her 50th birthday - flowers delivered once a month (I would like that one!)
ReplyDeleteBut perhaps just something simple like promising to phone/visit more often?
I'm the same with my daughter, I really don't want anything - she won't allow it to happen...
ReplyDeleteSnowdrops in the green, Pinks from Allwood, garden furniture (a seat perhaps), a lens for your swish camera, or a tripod . . .
ReplyDeleteA sixth cat ?
ReplyDelete( never too many )
fanny
ditto, ditto, ditto
ReplyDeleteWe tell our children we have all we need but they take no notice.
ReplyDeleteAn Alessi " PIP" keyring...for the cats of course!! (ps I have no connection with Alessi, but just think this item is fab,,beautifully packaged too)
ReplyDeleteyes , enjoying their company is present enough , isn't it .
ReplyDeletebut i second the magazine subscription ... and it's a present you can share , by passing it onto a friend when you've enjoyed it .
My, all those lovely suggestions! Any and all sounds great to me too! I like those carefully selected, handmade if possible, traditional presents myself so how about a box with all those in plus a certificate for 2 days of hard labour (his) to help you in your new garden this coming Spring?
ReplyDeleteJoyeux Noel!