Gaming surface needed

[enkoda]

Up until a few weeks ago I used my Microsoft Intellimouse (still going strong, but the pads are wearing very thin!) directly on the surface of my old desk. It would glide effortlessly and then my world fell apart....I got a new desk!
OMG, not only does it scrape horrendously across the bare surface, there's masses of friction too!
My wife managed to pinch a cloth mouse mat from work, but that hasn't really helped. There's a slight decrease in the friction, but it's nowhere near how I'd like it to be and it is incredibly tiny.

So what gaming surfaces would you guys recommend?
Ideally I want to avoid cloth-type ones, and around £15-20.

 

[enkoda]

Thank you all so far for your time & input.

@Invader675
I have tried paper, cheap & plentiful! Unfortunately the mouse doesn't glide over it at all well!
I've tried numerous other improvised mouse mats, such as record sleeves, magazines (glossy & matte), chopping board, etc, but nothing has come anywhere close to matching my old, dirt cheap, black wood-effect MFI desk!

@trentlad
2 out of those 4 reviews aren't too favourable, and another states they are a novice laptop user....might skip that as I need something a bit more "hardcore gamer".

@Marine-RX179
Now that looks promising! I will look into that one a bit more, cheers.