TIPS: Choosing great gifts

I really like choosing presents for people, but sometimes it can be quite difficult to figure out what to get for someone.

If you have a friend that likes to read, you don't want to show up with a book voucher, but with a personally-selected book that she will love and treasure.

You'll want people to remember your presents and feel like you've made the effort to get something personal and special. A good way to find out about what to get for someone is to ask them about things they enjoyed when they were a child.

Your stuffy boring old parents (not to say that there aren't any cool parents!) might have been real 'hip cats' in their younger days! Getting them an album that they really loved when they were teenagers will bring all those memories flooding back to them.

Or maybe your best friend loves old movies. Instead of buying them a poster, or a Blu-Ray/DVD of their favorite film, try to find something a little more unusual. Online you can often find really cool movie memorabilia such as autographs, film cels, standees, etc. This can often be expensive, so perhaps a cheaper alternative would be to plan a whole night where you screen the movie in your accordingly decorated bedroom or living room. Send them a themed invitation and plan some other related activities.

For example, if your friend loves 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' you could give them the invitation in a jewelry box and welcome them wearing a silly cat mask, doing your best Holly Golightly impression.

Or if she loves Frankenstein, send her an invitation that looks like the scribbled formula of a mad scientist!

This is an inexpensive, easy way to turn a boring night in front of the television into something exciting and memorable.

Homemade presents can be nice to give as well. You can add your own touches and customize items exactly to the recipients tastes.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be showing you a few easy gifts to make.