My mother is very old, though in quite good health. My plan was to visit her for a forthcoming birthday and this has turned into a family pub lunch with my two brothers, my sister-in-law, my sister-in-law's Dad etc. Her previous year's birthday was a milestone one - though at her age every birthday is significant.
I'm on quite a low wage, so tend to buy gifts that are relatively modest. My older brother is better paid. We also have a very different relationship with my mother. Essentially she likes her two sons more than she likes me. Often my gifts to her are commented on rather unfavourably, or are seen as surplus to requirements. They will take up too much space or are too much like gifts that I have already given her. (Another X or Y or Z. But you gave me one last year!) On the other hand doing something different is risky. She said she would give a book about the foreign city she was born in to a friend. The friend might like it.
Anyway, I thought I'd solve the issue this year by getting her a rather nice scarf. Yes, I've given her these in previous years, but they don't take up too much room. And I'd give her a cactus. She likes them and doesn't kill them like she kills other houseplants. (It's extremely hot in her flat.)
Anyway my older brother rang last night and we were discussing arrangements for the day. He said he was getting her an iPad. (She has a desktop PC and a Kindle already) I felt like giving up.
Which is, I suppose, okay.
Because in the competition for her love, I will always lose... But I still can't stop myself from wanting to compete.