[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As Christmas festivities draw near, chances are you have already dedicated a fair amount of time and energy to finding the perfect presents for your loved ones.

If you are lucky and well-organised, you may even have completed this task already, in which case you will probably be cruising through the rest of December making everyone else slightly envious of not having to deal with crazy shoppers or in certain cases, plain panic – as some of us don’t even have a clue where to start.

Common courtesy suggests that a smile, a ‘thank you’ and expressing nothing but delight will be the immediate reward upon the opening of any present, especially at Christmas. In theory, this is the ideal scenario, but at times you just know that your present wasn’t up to the receiver’s expectations.

At the end of the day, as the giver you also want the receiver of the present to be genuinely happy and hopefully even impressed by the level of thought you would have put into finding his or her present.

As a starting point, these are the essential questions you should ask yourself:

• What did I get this person last year?

Ideally you would want to introduce some variety into your gifting habits – getting the same or similar present three years in a row might end up being a tad repetitive.

• Has this person dropped any hints about what they would like this year?

This is probably the best scenario, but make sure you coordinate with others in case the hint in question was shared with multiple potential givers.

• What are their interests, tastes and/or preferences?

What you need to remember is that the present is meant to please the receiver and not yourself, so ensure you remain focused on them.

• What is their lifestyle like?

Try putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and be pragmatic. For instance, if you know they don’t have a lot of space at home then a huge kitchen clock or bulky ornament might not be the best option.

If the above questions fail to provide any inspiration, you may resort to the plethora of catalogues and savvy Christmas guides out there.

But if you are in the mood to ‘wow’ a certain someone you care about on Christmas day – perhaps even surprise them with a present that is totally unexpected and memorable – then look no further than Debrett’s curated Christmas presents list, featuring special discounts and exclusive offers.

For Her

Jewellery: no surprises there, most women will be genuinely delighted to find a beautiful piece of jewellery under the tree.

• For a sister or best friend: a timeless piece of costume jewellery that will stand the test of time. Halcyon Days has an extensive collection of beautiful hinged bangles – we love the striking  contemporary Maya design in black and gold – the perfect graphic chic accessory that will complement any outfit. (To claim a 10% discount, enter DEBRETTS10 – offer ends Dec 15th)

• For a young woman in her twenties or thirties: the perfect piece blending tradition and modernity. We love the fashionable double ring, the earrings and pendants from Garrard’s emblematic Wings 10^th Anniversary collection. A £500 gift certificate exclusive to Debrett’s is redeemable for any purchase over £ 3,000. Download and print it here.

• For women of any age, mothers or wives who like to wear diamonds the casual way: a pair of diamond earrings that can be worn day or night. Astley Clarke has us lusting over the ‘Icon Aura’ earrings in gold and denim blue pavé diamonds. (Voucher code for 20% discount DEBRETTS20 – Offer ends December 18th)

• For the ‘high maintenance’ girlfriend who expects and deserves to be spoiled with a spectacular present this year, look for one-of-a-kind pieces. We are in love with Knightsbridge Rocks’ hand-picked selection. This unique serpent cuff in pavé sapphires and diamonds will no doubt leave her speechless! Knightsbridge Rocks offers 10% discount to Debrett’s readers.

• And for those fabulous women who love jewellery but are not so good at keeping their collection organised, we love The White Company’s chic and sleek jewellery box! Voucher code for 15% discount – automatically embedded in click-through offer ends December 13th

Pampering: most women will enjoy downtime and spa treatments, especially if they live a very hectic life or if they find themselves run down at the end of the year. Why not opt for a special gift voucher from the Rocco Forte Spa at the Brown’s Hotel? We love the treatments menu for mums to be, especially designed for mothers to be after the first trimester. Do not underestimate the power of a relaxing ‘treat’.

Style & Image session at Debrett’s: for women looking to update their image or wardrobe, for those who simply need to redefine their style or feel empowered in the new year, read more about the experience and how to book: http://www.patriciaparisienne.com/2015/11/26/style-image-session-with-debretts/

For the Baby

It’s not always easy to find memorable presents for babies, especially if they are already a few months old, in which case it’s likely that they’ll have all the essentials. Even though the timeline is a bit tight for Christmas (delivery time is six weeks), we think Corgi’s adorable cashmere monogrammed jumper is worth the wait – just in time for January’s harsh cold weather. Voucher code for 10% discount 'debrett's' – offer ends Dec 20th

For Him

For the brother who loves car racing and understated luxury: a beautiful pair of timeless gloves could do the trick – Dents’ leather version as seen in Spectre will have your brother channelling James Bond in no time. (Voucher code for 10% discount debretts – offer ends Dec 20th)

For the father who has everything yet who appreciates old classic grooming tools such as this beautiful Murdock Turner shaving set in ebony from Fortnum & Mason's.

For your beloved uncle who appreciates tradition with a dash of eccentricity, you may consider these quirky ‘Stag head’ silver and enamel cufflinks:

For the husband or boyfriend in need of an updated travel bag: we love this style from Ghurka, exclusively sold at Fortnum & Mason – what better way to hint that you are also looking forward to more romantic weekends away next year?

For the bachelor who loves to entertain: his pad is his pride so he will no doubt appreciate items from Wedgwood’s stunning Arris range. The sleek coasters and champagne bucket will enhance any interior and seduce any of his guests! (Voucher code for 10% discount on orders over £150 – DEBRETTS10 – offer ends Dec 15th)

For everyone

Hopefully by now your inspiration for presents has been reignited. If not, you can always resort to some ‘classic’ go-to presents: a bottle of champagne or wine, a delicious box of chocolates, or an insightful book like Debrett’s very own Handbook.

At a time when our lives are taken over by the digital world, electronic devices and tablets, there is nothing better than going back to basics.

Classic board games such as chess, Scrabble or backgammon are beautiful objects that most people would be delighted to receive as presents, but they also provide a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and spend quality time with loved ones during the Christmas festivities. From children to grandparents, classic board games never go out of style – we absolutely love this exclusive backgammon set featuring Fortnum’s signature eau-de-nil green colour on its leather playing surface.

And don’t forget … once Christmas has passed, be sure to send your thank-you cards and letters by Twelfth Night (5th January) at the latest. A handwritten thank-you note will always look spontaneous and heartfelt, and is infinitely preferable to an email, text message or phone call.

Ines da Silva, fashion professional, style and image adviser exclusively at Debrett's.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]