by Stacie84

Created on: September 29, 2010

Every year I put together my Christmas list and am filled with a sense of dread... Not because of lack of money or even not enough time but because of my best friend.

I love him dearly and know him inside out, but the past four and a half years have been an absolute nightmare when it comes to buying him gifts.My dilemma is made worse by the fact that he also has a birthday less than two weeks before Christmas too.

A thirty-something male is always a toughie to buy for, as you can't just rely on the traditional option of chocolates or flowers but my best friend is a nightmare case. He is not only particulary fussy but he is also very savvy with his cash and therfore he wants for nothing.

Ideally, this should mean that he doesn't need any gifts right? Erm.. I just couldn't be that mean.

I'm a big softy at heart and although I am not a big fan of Christmas I can't think of anythin worse than settling down to open my pressies on Christmas morning to be presented with money (that will inevitably go towards the bills) or a voucher for a shop that I never use. It just seems so boring. So I scrapped that option straight away and began racking my brain for idea's.

Initially, I relied on sentiment to save the day, we spend so much time together and have such a lot in common that personalised gifts were perfect. Photo books and collages, framed prints and an endless amount of sporting memorabilia have served me well over the years but it can also be quite costly. Even with sentimental gifts, the novelty can wear off and it definately has!

So with that option exhausted, each year I scour the shops and numerous internet sites in order to track down the perfect gadget or latest piece of technology to keep him on his toes, unfortunately though this usually results in an annual cringe-fest of novelty gifts.

He has had it all over the years, from remote control beer holders to a stick on monkey for his car and as you can imagine he is now able to fein enthusiasm at the drop of a hat. Bless him.

So this year I have decided to throw caution to the wind and whisk him away for a treat. Yes he may have it all, but that's all in his home so what better than to take him away from it all and spoil him.

Of course, it takes a lot of forward planning (and stringent saving) but it will all be worth it to see his face and spear him the embarrasment of faking enthusiasm any longer.

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