There are times when we have to question the sanity of some of these marketing folk. Sure they can deliver interesting ideas like the coffee table footrest, but when it comes to some ideas you have to wonder, quite seriously, what were they thinking? Or drinking?

The Kitchen Table Tennis kit is one example of something that was clearly dreamed up by a man. Who lives alone. Who has never been married. And who had an absent mother who hired a nanny. How else to explain how they’d come up with the idea that sticking a table tennis table smack bang in the middle of the kitchen is going to be a good idea?

Really?

So sure, it also doubles up as a games board, for chess, checkers and other more sedate pastimes, but still. In the kitchen? You can picture the scene can’t you, as the kids and adults tussle with the knotty problem of what’s more important, finishing the game or eating that night? And let’s not talk about the tears when custard ends up smeared on the net. Nope, not a brilliant plan. Priced at $149.95.