A tried-and-tested approach to gift-giving is to go practical: buy them something you know they already use and enjoy, such as a favourite perfume or beauty product.

“Practical gifts are always a safe option,” says Tijana, “and while they aren’t particularly creative, they do demonstrate that you know the person’s everyday needs and desires.”

“It’s a particularly good approach if you’re buying for somebody who’s pragmatic – they’ll really appreciate a gift that makes their life a little easier.”

For practical gift inspiration, shop below…

Some 57% of people surveyed said that seeing the person’s face when opening their present is their favourite part of gifting.

If you can surprise them with something they genuinely won’t be expecting, all the the better, right?

Well yes, but according to Tijana, you might want to think about how your recipient deals with being put on the spot.

“Some receivers will react positively to the excitement and thoughtfulness of the giver,” she explains, “but it can be a gamble.”

“Some people are orderly and like predictability – they might feel uncomfortable about being expected to react in a certain way purely because of the surprise element.”

“Surprise gifts will work best for your more creative, fun-loving and excitable friends.”

Basically, don’t go completely rogue with somebody that finds the whole gifting thing a bit awkward, and you should be fine.

For surprising gift inspiration, shop below…

It’s the dreaded situation: an office Secret Santa where you’ve drawn somebody you hardly know.

According to Tijana, don’t worry too much about going deep cover to suss out all their likes and dislikes – pick something novelty and you can’t really go wrong.

“Something fun and novel shows you were willing to take a risk in order to get closer to the receiver, even at the cost of making a mistake.”

“This kind of gift can be a great ice-breaker for us, and a good way to bond with someone we’d like to become closer with.”

For Secret Santa gift inspiration, shop below…

When all else fails, going for something particularly luxurious is usually a fail-safe crowd-pleaser.

Whether it’s a meal at a Michelin-star restaurant or a gift set of luxury beauty products, treating somebody to something they wouldn’t necessarily splash out on for themselves is a great way to make them feel special.

The only thing you might want to consider is whether the person on the receiving end will be on the same page as you are…

“You want to avoid the possibility of making someone feel inferior if the gift is something they wouldn’t be in a position to afford for themselves.”

A good way to avoid this would be to tap back into the play-it-safe approach.

Maybe your giftee has a liking for a certain luxury brand that they only use very occasionally? Now’s the perfect time to treat them to a top-up.

“In that way, we take the focus away from the financial aspect of the gift, and shift it to its non-material value,” explains Tijana. Problem solved.

For indulgent gift inspiration, shop below…