Monochromatic Birthday Presents

I bought Mum her birthday present today. I CD, "The Definitive Monkees". It's not that I think that she won't like it but it does call into question the purpose of a present. Is it more about the enjoyment gained from the present or from the knowledge that someone was thinking about you?

I found the CD while looking for myself, the new Libertines CD, but the cover caught my eye. My first thought was that it would be a great CD for me but the Monkees reminded me of Mum, as she was a huge fan when she was a kid, and I remembered her birthday next week. That isn't to say that I won't use the CD, as I type it is uploading on to my trusty iPod.

So I know that Mum will enjoy both the thought that went into the gift (the knowledge that she liked the Monkees) and the use. My problem is in the gift of a CD.

A CD is a generic gift. It is the easiest present to buy someone if you know what they like, aside from a gift voucher from the CD shop. The price is also perfect, at about $30 it expresses the optimum amount of love for just about anyone you would bother buying a present for.

What are some other monochromatic gifts that we could give to our most treasured persons?

• Socks and ties. Perfect for Fathers Day only and then only as a gift from young children.
• Chocolates. Always enjoyed, unless you buy the wrong brand. Some brands say 'Thank you' others say 'I love you' and others say 'Your tops Dad'. So giving your new girlfriend a box of chocolate ginger might be the wrong move.
• Books. Can be good if a good book is purchased but avoid the little gift books with titles such as "What Men Need to Know About Success" as you would avoid a motivational speech by a sugar soaked, pink vested life councilor.
• Snow globes, fridge magnets, tea towels and tea spoons. A good novelty item to give someone on return from a holiday but keep it there unless you know that the person collects them.
• Appliances and kitchen utensils. For weddings only. To a girlfriend, wife or mother they send a strong message. If they are asked for, unless it is a large appliance such as a fridge or washing machine, politely forget the request and buy bath product instead.

So maybe the CD isn't such a bad pressie. Maybe I'll drop buy the shops tomorrow and buy some bath bombs and smelly stuff to go with it. Maybe Mum will love the present until she reads my blog (Hi Mum!) then will burn down the neighborhood in a fit of rage...

... maybe not.