Fae: Help! I still need to buy a gift for my mother and I can’t seem to think of the perfect present, something that’ll really knock her socks off.
Pablo: Why don’t you just get her a gift certificate or a gift card? That way, she can pick out her own gift.
Fae: Oh, she would hate that. She would think that I didn’t put any thought into buying her a present at all, while I’ve been racking my brain to think of something she’ll like. Maybe I should buy her a car!
Pablo: Now, don’t get carried away. You get like this every year. I know you want to please your mother, but remember, it’s the thought that counts.
Fae: I wish that were true. If I get her the wrong gift, I’m afraid she’ll be disappointed, or worse, she’ll hold it against me for the rest of my life.
Pablo: It boggles my mind how you can work yourself up like this every year.
Fae: How can I not? You know my mother.
Pablo: Yes, I do, and I have one piece of advice for you: Buy her a gift she can return.