JOANNE HEGARTY shares her six hacks for nailing your Christmas shopping

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I despair when I receive awful Christmas gifts. There have been occasions when I have excitedly opened a parcel wrapped in pretty velvet bows, only to find something I would simply never choose.

The problem is, I consider myself a good giver: I put the effort in and buy things that will bring happiness to my loved ones. Festive gifting is an act of thoughtfulness; the right present says, ‘I see who you are, I know you, and you’re worth going the extra mile for.’ The wrong one can say, well, the opposite. So you understand why I get frustrated by a dud?

One of the busiest retail days of the year is Boxing Day, as people rush out to exchange unwanted items. However, the last thing I want to do right after Christmas is set foot in a shop. So to save me this onerous task and to help out my family, who say I’m difficult to buy for, I now send them website links to a small list of gifts that I’d absolutely love to receive – no surprises, no returns, just gorgeous presents to cherish!

Here are my tips on giving that special something.

• Listen for hints leading up to the big day. ‘I’d love the Keren Bart’s Supreme Collagen Serum,’ (which is terrific!) or ‘I really need a new pair of winter boots.’
• Hacking into someone’s virtual wish list on their favourite website is a brilliant move. My husband did this one year and I was very impressed. Ensure your list is updated or, even better, leave it lying around open.
• When you’re in people’s homes, absorb their tastes – the type of trinkets they like, the books they enjoy or clothes and jewellery they wear. Do they prefer woody or sweet home scents? Are they into red or white wine?
• There is nothing wrong with buying the classics as long as they align with the person receiving them. For chic PJs try Eberjey (see below), for special jewellery check out Otiumberg and for exceptional, made-in-England home fragrances look to Plum & Ashby.
• The one thing everyone needs is more quality time so giving a shared experience – theatre or exhibition tickets, or a dinner out – is priceless.
• For interiors enthusiasts see sohohome.com, which has stylish hostess gifts, or look for unique flea-market finds, which will go down a treat.

@thestylistandthewardrobe

@youmagazine

SLEEPING BOOTY

Fancy getting these on Christmas Day? I do. For more sleek styles – including matching family sets – visit Eberjey’s PJ pop-up store at London’s Selfridges, open until the end of January.

PEAR-FECT!

Chelsy Davy’s timeless new Aya jewellery collection is gift heaven. Who wouldn’t want to find these pear-shaped studs under the tree?

SPOTTED

Proof that Mulberry bags are on everyone’s Christmas lists: Naomi Watts was spotted in New York recently carrying the brand’s small Roxanne. She was en route to an appearance on Good Morning America to promote her much-talked-about new drama All’s Fair, which also stars Kim Kardashian.