Call for patterns

What is your favourite sock pattern?  The bread-and-butter one you always use and the fancier one for special occasions?  Favourite heels and toes? Because I need some help.  As soon as the KnitPicks yarn gets here, I'll be starting on my five pair sock marathon.  First up is a pair for my mother-in-law using variegated yarn.  I want these socks to look good.  Cables or lace, a plain rib pattern or a fancy rib?  I don't want to knit five identical pairs of socks.  Help me out, please!

The yarn was ordered the night of Friday 13th January, with free shipping.  My Addi sock needle is waiting, empty.  I'm knitting for mother-in-law, father-in-law, husband, mother, and me, in that order.  Mine will be a plain foot and a 2x2 rib cuff to show off the Opal Owl yarn, but that's months away.