One Christmas Mycroft sends Sherlock a first-edition set of beautifully illustrated leather-bound books on human anatomy. Sherlock sends Mycroft a bookmark and a box of toothpicks.
The next year, knowing that Sherlock can't and won't be bothered to make his way through the snow to stock up on boring necessities such as food, the older Holmes brother has a Fortnum & Mason's hamper ordered in to 221B Baker Street. Sherlock ignores most of the food until it has expired, and sends his brother a WeightWatchers membership card.
The following year John is here, and firmly refuses to allow his friend to send Mycroft a packet of paperclips or a toenail clipper. He drags Sherlock out onto the streets of London to look for something that he thinks Mycroft might actually appreciate – and John will know if Sherlock deliberately picks something that his brother will hate. There is much complaining and impatience, and an air of dark resentment tinges the whole affair, but eventually Sherlock settles on a gift of his own choosing.
Mycroft receives in the post an unassuming dark blue scarf: knitted, warm, expensive. The very same scarf, in fact, that he has just bought to give to Sherlock.
What do you guys think of this one? I'm in two minds about it.
(Sorry for my lack of updates - I'm now at university and rather busy! I will still update but not quite as frequently...)