WELL, here we are with Christmas upon us and I’m left with the usual annual male dilemma: what do I get our Ruth, and where do I get it (or rather, them) from?

Obviously I’ve had the old story trotted out: ‘I don’t want much this year, don’t go spending a lot on some rubbish!’ By rubbish I’ve ascertained that women encompass anything frilly, lacy, silky or sheer in that category, at least when they’ve been wed for a few years.

What might have raised a girly giggle and a night of passion early in the innings is now invariably scorned in favour of something that ......