With Christmas right around the corner there is no doubt that many of you are rushing about trying to fit in all that makes the season so great. From mulled wine to ice skating, from Christmas markets to Christmas fayres, there is no shortage of fun, Christmas-inspired things to do (and of course eat). The only difficulty is in trying to fit in work, your social life, Christmas, and then, of course, the dreaded Christmas shopping. If you aren’t prepared and on top of your shopping then it seems inevitable that one person or another is forgotten on your list, leaving you scrambling for something in the last few days before the big day.

With the right gift-giving experience and a touch of great advice, however, you can forget your Christmas gift-giving woes. Giving the best gift doesn’t need luck and for you to remember the very specific items your loved ones have mentioned over the year. Instead, you only need to know the person, and to pick any of the great gifts from this list:

For Your Parents

Your parents have been there for you through thick and thin, and chances are very used to taking care of themselves without your help. To really wow them then with a Christmas gift you need to do something unexpected. Instead of trying to find something missing in their daily lives, consider getting them something that will expand their horizons. If your mother is crafty, then get her a course nearby that will help her learn a new skill and even meet new friends. For your dad, book him that golf trip he has always wanted and go with him. However, if your dad is an expert at golf, then you can treat him to a beautiful set of golf clubs to optimise his gameplay.

In short, a great gift to give is not just an item, but an experience. If you have the time, try to go with your parents so that you can not only give them something new to learn and enjoy, but the chance to bond together as adults as well.

Alternatively, you could give them something that helps them transition better into retirement, if they are at that stage. Similar to the experience gift, you will want to try to give them new hobbies that they can take up and fill their time with. Going from 9-to-5 to doing whatever you want can seem like a dream at first, until the listlessness sets in. Give them something new to do you believe they will enjoy, and you will have given them the gift that keeps on giving.

You can also give them something sentimental, though it would take more time. Put together a photo book for them, for example, and they will likely adore it.

Great Examples

1. A Hobby Class or Course
2. Equipment for New Sport or Hobby
3. A Trip Together Somewhere
4. Something Sentimental

For Your Significant Other

You should know your significant other better than anyone, but if you need a little extra help picking this year’s Christmas gift then your goal should be one of two things: to make them laugh, or to make them melt. Use what you know about them to give them something they will delight in, for example an inside joke you two have had, or something romantic, like something you have made yourself, or a romantic getaway trip. Christmas isn’t as serious as a birthday, so be more fun or extravagant with your gift, rather than try to pick something “perfect.” Of course, when in doubt you can never go wrong by treating them to something like jewellery they would like.

Great Examples

1. Something Handmade
2. A Romantic Gesture
3. Jewellery
4. Throwback to an Inside Joke

For Your Friends

When in doubt, the best gift you can give your friends is something fun, or something tasty. Good food always goes down well, and if that isn’t an option, then a bottle of spirits can be equally as successful.

If you want to give something more substantial that will last longer, then look no further then the season you are in. You can get them beautiful, one-of-a-kind Christmas decorations within your budget that will be surely loved and enjoyed. From a Christmas ornament to a hilarious Christmas jumper, you can never go wrong with making the season merrier.

Great Examples

1. Specialty Foods or Food Baskets
2. Expensive Spirits, Beer, or Wine
3. Christmas Ornaments
4. Fun Gifts to Make Them Laugh

For Your Children

Children are often the easiest on the list. The younger they are, the less emphasis on long-term enjoyment is needed. Then, of course, you have a variety of gadgets you can wow them with that will entertain them for hours on end.

The only thing you should consider in this case is whether the gift will be appreciated – if your daughter loves to build things, then she probably won’t be as happy with a doll, for example. Another consideration you can make is how sturdy it is. If the toy won’t be of interest to your kids in a year, then the best way to go about choosing a gift is to opt for one that can be donated later on and enjoyed by another family.

For older kids, opt for gifts that will occupy as much of their time as possible. This could be a video game, or it could be some sort of crafts project or even a bike.

Great Examples

1. Sports Equipment
2. Tools to Pick Up a New Hobby
3. Electronic Games

With the power of online shopping, you are no longer limited by what you can buy. Instead, you can get the ultimate gift delivered right to your door in a matter of days. Forget buying them something they won’t use or don’t want by understanding the basics of great gift giving. If you already have the perfect gift idea for them, then, of course, choose it, but if you are struggling to think of a gift to give to any of the special people in your life, then use the suggestions in this list. Hopefully, just seeing the great options provided will give you a “light-bulb” moment, because that is when you know the gift will be a smash hit.