They've got this tv ad on here at the moment for Officeworks.
For those of you not blessed with such a chain store I can tell you it is about office supplies.
The thing is, they're running this ad where a succession of people in Christmas party hats unwrap their presents to find a garish tie, a pair of socks and I think a set of hankies (for the younger readers, hankies are a sort of cotton version of tissues - oh yes, you wash them and use them again!). The actors look as disappointed as only people in tv ads can when receiving less than a Rolex or a brand new Mercedes-Benz as their chrissy present.
The point of the ad (well. I'm guessing it's the point...) is that you can get a whole lot more interesting presents than hankies, ties and socks down at your local Officeworks! Being a bit pressed for time I went down there and did all my Christmas shopping.
Auntie May has got a rather nice stapler. It is plastic and contains staples.
Uncle Fred will be receiving a set of biros. It's a multipack, so there's green, blue and red pens. They have tops too. Which you can pull off.
I got the best leatherette notebook for cousin Terry. No cows died to make this incomparable gift but I'm told it took fourteen barrels of Brent Crude to fashion it - money well spent if you ask me. It cost $2.99 in the store.
My best friend Rachel will surely swoon with delight (let's hope her party hat doesn't fall over her eyes as she quivers with excitement!) when she opens her pack of multi-coloured paper clips. Some veritably glow in the dark you know.
I was a bit stuck when it came to nephews Oliver and Cornelius but the quandry was soon solved when I discovered the perfect gift. A ream of paper - recycled for Oliver. I decided on one ream each, which frankly was a bit over the budget but, well, it is only once a year.
So, all solved, and not a pair of socks in sight! Cheers, Officeworks - you've really delivered!