| Choosing presents is like a competition. Some people | | | | what they don't already have. The keen cook may |
| are brilliant, displaying Olympian levels of ingenuity and | | | | actually enjoy chopping and slicing and not want the |
| originality. And others? Well, it's the thought that counts, | | | | process smoothed with a food processor. The |
| isn't it? But there are ways to turn yourself into a gold | | | | woman who doesn't have pierced ears may not be |
| medal present-giver, even if you're one of life's | | | | waiting for the perfect pair of earrings. And the Chanel |
| last-to-be-picked for the team when it comes to | | | | No 5 lady won't want a bottle of new scent (but might |
| present ideas. | | | | be thrilled with a scented candle). Whatever you do |
| It was all so easy in the days when a box of | | | | buy, always, always make it a treat because the best |
| chocolates or a bunch of flowers were all anyone | | | | present ideas of all are indulgent. |
| ever gave. No-one questioned your taste because | | | | If you really are stuck for present ideas then don't buy |
| 'style' had still to be invented. | | | | classics but sneak in an original twist. Instead of a |
| Nowadays there's almost too much choice. Hi-tech | | | | bunch of flowers, give a perfect pink palaeonopsis |
| gadgets, silken fripperies, lotions, potions and perfumes, | | | | orchid. Instead of ordinary chocs give a box of |
| all turn present buying into a fraught activity. Will they | | | | hand-made truffles by a cult chocolatier. Make |
| like it? Have you misjudged their taste? Have you | | | | bubblebath chic by adding a bar of heavenly scented |
| misjudged your own? Will they be impressed by your | | | | soap, a loofah and body oil, then tie up the lot in a |
| accurate assessment of their personality, or wonder | | | | hamman towel. |
| why you and they are actually friends? | | | | And don't forget that the perfect present idea may |
| So, how to avoid misfires and wow everyone with | | | | actually be an obvious one. A friend of mine loves |
| your brilliant present ideas? Rule number one is never | | | | nothing more than candles - for her, any candle is |
| to buy something just because you like it. It's their likes | | | | gratefully received, no matter how lowly its pedigree. |
| and dislikes that count. And, in order to work out what | | | | But, whatever the present, always wrap it beautifully |
| the recipient might like, there really is nothing for it but | | | | because even the humblest gift looks special tied with |
| to note down their "I wish I had that's", all year round, | | | | generous lengths of velvet ribbon. |
| keep in a safe place, and look up when necessary. | | | | They do say that it is better to give than to receive. |
| This process, by the way, doesn't just mean buying | | | | That's nonsense, of course. But it can be a lot of fun. |