Homemade liqueurs are a great present as they’re really cheap (going blackberry picking and using tesco value vodka or gin, which somehow seems to yield better results than using the more expensive versions) and don’t require much in the way of effort. A quick shake once every few weeks for 4 months and hey presto.

This year is really going to be different. I gave my husband’s best friend’s girlfriend a cozy pale blue (not-inexpensive) cashmere scarf last year and on New Year’s Eve she told me ‘thankyou, but you won’t see me wearing that, it makes me look completely ridiculous’. I was gobsmacked, hurt and now, 10 months on, determined to give presents only to those who will appreciate them!