Generic Gifts for the hard to shop for Parentals

For Christmas, plasticmom has requested one purple ballpoint pen, not a box...not two...just one that's preferably retractable. Perhaps purple pens are the hottest item topping all the Mommy wishlists, but just in case your mommy wants more than a purple pen and your daddy doesn't want underwear and tube socks, a few items that toe that fine line of what Adam calls, "useless crap." Gift cards or cold hard cash are viable options as well, but may be perceived as thoughtless. As for plasticmom's purple pen...done!

11. Pocket Reference: countless hours of fun looking up random stuff like where one's social security number was issued and the proper proportions of ingredients for cement.

12. Philosophy [an upgrade from the usual Bath & Body Works fare from the mall] & Caldrea [an upgrade from Mr. Clean, Dawn & Dial]

13. Sew D'Lite: a more convenient mini-me for smaller projects