A Straightforward Gift-Guide To Kick-Start The Festive Season.

I imagine a world where everyone is having the right amount of time and money, thus making the art of gifting such a bundle of soul-filling experience. However should we let time and money constrain us? Let's forget the constraints and dive into my short-list of gift-ideas for our loved ones.

Warning 1: Please don't pick all items from the list. Try to pick only one so that it doesn't bite the budget.

Warning 2: Every category has only a small list. The idea is to trigger the creative juices flowing, not to be a definitive-guidebook.

If you're the type of person wanting to help someone out during festive season,

1. A winter scarf for a homeless stranger. It is growing bitterly cold outside at nights. Of course, a scarf is not the same as a winter duvet but it is a small gesture that can put a smile on a stranger's face.

2. A pair of thermal socks for an elderly neighbour, especially if he or she is living alone. Elderly people are so not-demanding that they'd love us unconditionally, nevertheless a small gift can go a long way.

3. A new phone-tablet for a close-friend who is aspiring to become a writer. Figuring out what a close-friend needs is an art. Let us all be artists for a bare-minimum couple of days. A friend may need a tool-box, a pair of shoes, a book of jokes or just a bottle of wine. You never know.

4. A box of home-cooked meal for a not-so-close friend living alone. In my opinion, food is one common factor that brings us all together. I personally never say no to friends who invite me over or offer me a box of amazing home-cooked food, especially during special occasions.

5. Subscription to Deaf-Children's Society. There is always someone on the other side of the country who is thankful towards any form of kindness. If a small trace of support can help a disabled kid, why not?

If you're a pet-lover, and wish to surprise him or her,

1. A toweling bathrobe or a new squishy toy for the dog.

2. A soft hanging hammock or a Jolly-Moggy-Bamboo-Radiator-Bed for the cat .

3. A crate of fresh organic hay for the chinchilla.

If you love your dad and mum more than most people in the world,

1. A Dior-J'adore-Eau-De-Parfum-Spray for mum.

2. If she is someone who has been holding on to the same old handbag the last four years, maybe a new leather handbag for her is a good idea. Ultimately it's all about making an effort to bringing out that beautiful warm smile on her face, that melts everyone's heart in the family.

3. She won't say no to an Old-Fashioned-Cocktail-Gift-Box as well.

4. A puppy for a lonely dad.

5. If he loves whiskey then a Personalized-Cut-Crystal-Whisky-Tumblers so that he'll remember you every time he takes a sip from the glass.

If you have plans for your brother or sister,

1. PlayStation 5 for your brother.

2. A music-concert ticket to his or her favourite band or singer.

3. Gift-voucher for your sister, so that she doesn't blame you.

4. Or if you're sure that you know very well about your sister, then buy her a Gucci-Flora-Gorgeous-Gardenia-Eau-De-Toilette.

If you want to help your local business,

Don't plan ahead. Walk into a local shop in your neighborhood or open their web-page. Make a list. Come back home. Go through the list. Then decide. I personally prefer to go to local shops with an open mind. You never know what you'll find.

If you want to buy something for your work-colleagues,

1. A coffee-mug USB-heater.

2. A book about how to stay inspired and motivated at work, or about things that one should never say to a boss.

3. A bottle of single malt whiskey.

4. A DVD collection of old-BBC-TV-comedies.

5. Tickets to the next James Bond movie.

6. Indian sari.

If you want to be creative,

1. Download a nice picture of the giftee. Buy a customized-Christmas jumper with his/her face printed on it.

2. Take them for a ride in a new Mercedes-Benz car, and then at the end of the ride, gift them the car.

3. Take them for a skiing trip. By the end of it, give them a small box of gift - well wrapped. When they open it, it'll be nice to have a charming puppy inside.

4. Pull a harmless scary prank And once done, apologize and give then a box of chocolates followed by an photo-album with old pictures of him/her with the family.

5. Record a home-video of you and your entire family, the laughter and joy that comes with it, in a brand new handy-cam and and gift it to your grandparents before leaving. Remember to leave the camera-charger with them.

6. Speaking of grandparents, the best part is that they don't expect anything more than your presence.

7. At this age grandmothers love hand-written greeting cards with a twist. A greeting card needn't be restricted to 2 or 4 pages, especially if they're filled with jokes.

8. If you have a grumpy (lighthearted) grandad find creative ways to harmlessly annoy him all day but tell that you'll miss him before leaving. Also remember that he will never say no to a Rolex-watch.

If it's for your daughter,

1. A complete set of Harry-Potter series books.

2. Tickets to Disney-Land.

3. A complete kit of song-recording microphone set.

4. A long white-board for her to paint or write or scribble.

5. Apple Airpods.

6. Pre-paid driving-lessons.

7. Holiday trip with her friends to a beach-side resort in Europe.

If it's for your son,

1. A cricket kit.

2. PlayStation 5 if it doesn't bite your budget.

3. Batman mask with electronic voice.

4. A new guitar.

5. A second-hand car for your teenage son.

6. Holiday trip with his friends to a beach-side resort in Europe.

If it's for your girlfriend,

1. Take her to go-karting, and at the end of it, stand on one-knee and propose to her.

2. Buy her a gold-plated designer watch.

3. A star-wars pop model of her own.

4. New pair of glittering high-heels (make sure it fits her).

5. Gift-set for a spa session with her friends.

6. Limited-Edition-Toffee-&-Vodka-70cl-With-Gift-Box

7. If your girlfriend is a violinist then buy her an electric string violin.

8. If you're madly and blindly in love, and that nothing else matters, then buy her a romantic charms bracelet, followed by a small hug, then a harmless fight, ending in a beautiful kiss on her forehead.

If it's for your boyfriend,

1. Designer leather belt or a billfold wallet.

2. Wristwatch or a new grooming kit.

3. Golf-session gift-set.

4. New PS5 games on DVD or a pair of sneakers.

5. Ticket for a big game event.

6. Customized or celebrity-autographed T-shirt.

If it's for yourself,

1. HOMCOM-PU-Leather-Electric-Massage-Recliner-Chair

2. An illustrated horror book.

3. Sapphire & Diamond Belle Drop Earrings in 9ct White Gold

4. SAMSUNG UE50TU8507UXXU 50" Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV with Bixby, Alexa & Google Assistant

5. Rip-Curl-Search-GPS-Series-2-Watch if you're a surfer.

6. Sony-WH-1000XM4-Over-Ear-Wireless-NC-Headphones

7. Chrome plating for the car wheels.

8. Women's Ace sneaker with bee.

9. Lord Of The Rings - Blue-Ray Collector's Edition.

10. Holiday trip to Switzerland or Las Vegas or a safari trip to Africa.

11. Bush-fire camping day with friends.

12. A new mattress, a new thermos flask, a new table-fan or a new house.

However if you insist on rather magical or mythical gifts, I can speak to Santa and check if your name is on the list.

On a side note, stay safe until we knock COVID out.

Ta-ta.