What do you get for the woman who wants nothing?

It's my mothers birthday next week. She's notoriously difficult to choose presents for, since she has virtually everything she needs and has little fondness for excess or frippery. Last year my various siblings and I combined our resources to get a digital camera (an Ixus) which not only was much appreciated, but also simplified the whole present buying process greatly.

This year we've left each other to our own devices again, which means that I'll need to find something suitable on my own. I usually put a lot of effort into choosing the right presents for people, but every year I struggle when it comes to my mother. We're always slightly at odds, she and I, about such matters. In my mind she's a resolutely practical woman, not easily given to flights of fancy. Oh, we share a lot of common ground, as all family members must to some degree, but our world views differ quite radically. As a result, I'm never entirely sure what she'd like. She has the same problem when it comes to me too, of course, so there's an odd sort of karma at play.

I may yet take the cowards way out, and simply ask her what I should get - but only as a last resort. I've said before, I like surprises, both being surprised and surprising others. To give someone a gift they were expecting just doesn't feel right to me. But then it's better than the alternative of giving something that's unwanted.

I should look on the bright side - even if I get it wrong this time, there's always Christmas to make up for it...