What Men Want (For Christmas, Apparently)

It's that time of year where all the magazines and supplements have the Christmas gift guides out, with blurb like "ten pages bursting with great ideas for Christmas for everyone in your life".
I noticed this particular example when my brother was reading it, so of course I asked him to be my hand model for blip purposes. This suggested some of the following gifts for the man in your life:

A pair (yes, just one pair!) of stripey socks for £15.00
A checked flannel robe for £70.00
A selection candles for £93.00
A "rambler" mug for £35.00
A wool blend cap for £37.00
A pair of of "canvas chef pants" (!?) for £59.00
A "leather essentials case" (nothing essential about it surely) for £120.00

And these were just some of the cheaper options. Another missive suggested a £479.00 desk clock, a £690.00 portable speaker, a £270.00 leather card holder, a £271.00 pair of sunglasses, a £425.00 backgammon set and a £2,650.00 watch.

I do love Christmas but there's something about all this pressure for conspicuous consumption at this time of year that really makes me feel uncomfortable. I know for a fact I have far too much 'stuff' already so I certainly won't be encouraging anyone I know to buy me anything remotely close to any of these items. As I've got older I'm really not that bothered about getting Christmas presents anymore - it's much more about being grateful, and lucky enough, to be able to spend quality time with friends and family and have a relaxing and enjoyable time (sorry if that comes across as a bit Scrooge). And no you won't be able to twist my arm with a pair of canvas chef pants! :-)