I've never been a big fan of birthdays although, like a bath, they can't be avoided and you are forced to take one once a year whether you need it or not.

I'm sure my feelings stem from a rather distressing incident I had after begging my parents to let me have my ears pierced as a present one year - I mean, it wasn't a lot to ask was it? A simple pair of gold studs was all I was wanting, something to show my friends how with it' and trendy' I was.

In the end, I got my way and dutifully marched into Mirfield Health Centre with a smile on my face only to leave ten minutes later sobbing with a with a white face, burning lobes and a small bottle of TCP to dab on my wounded flesh. I was six years old and already worried that when you get what, you want you don't want it.

Fast forward to last month and I knew my birthday was creeping up on me, not least because my husband Graham had left the Argos catalogue at the side of our bed one morning with a post-it note on the front saying Birthday Time'.

I should explain. Graham and I had been together for only a short time when my birthday rolled around. He wanted to impress me, bless him, but left his gift choosing until the last minute.

You have to bear in mind that in those days not many shops were open on a Sunday so when birthday morning came around and I ripped open the wrapping paper, I found around a cast-iron fondue set, a set of coasters with cat pictures on and a plastic insect-a-thingy in a box that makes chirruping sounds when the lights go out.

Trying desperately not to appear ungrateful, I smiled politely and agreed that the coasters were really invaluable when guests popped round' and yes, fondues are making a huge comeback and it's nice to be at the forefront of fashion'. When it came to the insect-a-thingy, however, I really felt I had no choice but try to lock both him and it in a very dark cupboard!

These days, things are a lot easier. Each year we hand over an Argos catalogue with an agreed limit of £30 to spend on anything we like, £30 being a nice amount which has been known to rise to £40 or even £50 on good behaviour.

It may not be the most romantic way of celebrating but it works for us. So what did I get this year? An absolutely fantastic, top of the range Dustbuster for my car. Believe me, I'm not being sarcastic when I say it has changed my life forever!

Crisps on the floor from my daughter? No problem, a quick flick of the wrist and they are history, it does struggle a bit though with Twix wrappers and the like from myself, but for £30 you can't expect miracles. My Dustbuster and I are inseparable and I've even (when stuck in a traffic jam) considered whipping it out and giving it a quick sweep around the dashboard, although quite what I would do if stopped by one of West Yorkshire's finest and I'm sat there with a Black and Decker in my hand I'm not sure?

No, this year I really enjoyed my birthday and of course I get to return the favour for Graham when he celebrates his birthday in November, I wonder if Argos sell those plastic insecta-thingies?