With Christmas around the corner and a whole new year of birthdays to consider, it might be a good time to start thinking about gifts. Whether you have a small gift budget or you can afford to splash out on something more lavish you are going to want to get it right! Here is a short gift guide to help give you some inspiration.

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For Children

Most people would assume that toys make the perfect present for children, but that is not always the case. If you are buying for your own children then this is fine. However if you are buying for a relative then you need to think more about toys. First of all speak to their parents to see what they like & if there is something they would definitely want. Also try to get an idea of what they already have. If there is a brand they love then the chances are someone else could buy them the same. Try to think outside of the box and perhaps get them a present they can get creative with or something that is educational.

For Men

Generally speaking men are the hardest people to buy for. If they have a hobby then buy them something that they can use for this. A new sports top or some fishing equipment for example. If not go for a scent that you know they like. Other than that go for a gadget that you think they might like. Something motorised or something that makes lots of noise generally goes down well.

For Women

Makeup and beauty are the first things that spring to mind when it comes to present shopping for females. This could be some cosmetics, perfume or even some clothing. Handbags and shoes are also good choices. Just make sure that you know their size before you buy, so that you don't cause too much offense. Jewellery and accessories are good too. If you can't think of anything then a voucher for a spa day or a bit of pampering is a great idea.

For Everyone

Whether you're looking for a stocking filler or something a bit bigger there are lots of choices. Chocolate as a gift works well because there are so many options. A small box of chocolates for a child or something a bit more luxurious for an adult. This could be anything from a chocolate hamper to handmade chocolates. Personalised sweets and candies with unusual flavours are good choices too.

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The main piece of advice that can be given to you is to think about who you are shopping for. You can look around to see what they usually like, what they wear or the things that they enjoy. That is the best way to get ideas of what they might like and how you can shop for a gift that they are going to love. Take loads of inspiration from gift guides online too, because they can help you think outside of the box and come up with something new.