My son wants a sink....

My son, then aged about 7, bought me a mousetrap for mother’s day! Bless him

I love all these sensible, practical presents. My DS's regularly bought me such things, such as a vacuum cleaner, breadmaker, set of 'good' saucepans, garden spade and many more which I loved.

Now I often get 'experiences' eg theatre trips, musicals, ballet etc. They usually take me on these trips and last year we all went to see Professor Brian Cox as a whole family. This year is an evening with Chris Hadfield (astronaut from the ISS, for those not in the know). I am so excited! I have taught them well!!! Oldest DS had cavity wall insulation for his extension from me!!

As a child I loved browsing the cabinet, at the local stationery shop, which had lots of large shallow trays each containing different, beautifully coloured sheets of blotting paper (for those big desk blotters). What else could I give my Mum but, the most beautiful thing in my world? I duly saved up the required, six old pennies and spent ages choosing the colour to buy. I do not recall seeing any disappointment on my Mum's face when she opened my gift but, looking back, I know that she would have had no need of blotting paper; perhaps she gave it to my Dad, who did, at least, use a fountain pen.

My MiL is well known for her “practical”gifts- a ball of elastic bands (I’ve collected these over the year from those dropped by the postman”), last years diary ( “someone gave it to me but it’s never been used”). An ashtray on a stand (“ I know you don’t smoke but you might have visitors”) it’s become a bit of a family joke about guessing what we’ll get next.

I've still got one and it is in regular use!

Tupperware water-filled rolling pin that is

Oh my word. I am having flashbacks here. That rolling pin was my favourite gadget in the 80'S . Had it for years until we got a chewy puppy

My husband bought me an electric chainsaw for my birthday. I had been complaining that we kept running out of firewood. We had 3 children under 6 at the time, and he was away from home a great deal. I did use it, a lot. We are still married.