It must be time for my annual 'retail therapy' project. Each year, in the run-up to my birthday, I ask you to suggest things that I should go out and force myself to spend money on. Two years ago I put £100 at stake and you (eventually) directed me to buy two Mathmos lightbricks. Last year you suggested various London-related books I might purchase and I spent another £100 acquiring the best of them. But this year it's different.
This year, to celebrate my cough 40th birthday, I'm asking you to force me to spend £40. But not once, not twice, but several times in several categories1 over the next four weeks. Each time I announce a category you lot get to nominate2 items that I might buy in that category (with a notional price of £40)3. Nominations will close after 48 hours4, after which5 I will go and buy one of the items6 that somebody7 has nominated8. Today I'm kicking off by asking you to suggest £40 purchases in the category something for the kitchen9. Thank you for your support10.
1 Probably about five categories by the time I've finished. Or ten. I'll see how it goes. 2 Stick your suggestions in the comments box. 3 You don't have to know exactly how much your suggested item costs, but try to keep it in the right ballpark. 4 The management reserves the right to lengthen (or shorten) this deadline as appropriate. 5 Not immediately, you understand. Most shops aren't open at 7am. Sometime before my birthday though. 6 Or maybe more than one thing, so long as the £40 limit isn't breached. 7 You can nominate as many times as you like, particularly if you're of a sadistic bent. 8 A list must have a minimum of five sensible suggestions before I'll agree to buy something from it. 9 Could be a gadget, could be food, could be drink. And something appropriate please, this is supposed to be therapy after all. 10 I'm going to regret starting this, I know I am...
Retail therapy (category 1)
