Your last-minute Christmas shopping made easy

Christmas is now days rather than weeks away so the heat is on to get the rest of your present shopping done and dusted. To save you a panicky last-minute frenzy, we’ve gone through each department to cherry-pick stylish, timelesss items that should appeal to all tastes. From comfortable cashmere socks that add a touch of understated luxe to top presents that will keep teens happy, we’ve found it all. And if you are still stuck for ideas, take a look at our gifting hub, featuring a range of edits to suit all recipients. Take a deep breath, you've got this.

Buying a gift for a style-savvy woman can be intimidating but it needn’t be. Ironically, the trick is to avoid anything that screams ‘fashion’ and go for simple, timeless classics such as a cashmere jumper, a Chanel No5 perfume or a modern-day hero like Le Labo’s Rose 31. And remember: every style aficionado loves classic pyjamas to wear with her Slip Silk sleep mask. 

Focusing your gifting attention on the men in your life means the multipack socks and cheap bottle of plonk are out. Keep things simple and indulge them with that special gadget they’ve been hankering after (take inspiration from our latest tech articles). Alternatively, you can’t go wrong with a cashmere hat, scarf or gloves, a classic scent (see men’s grooming) or any of Aesop’s delicious smelling products. 

If you are choosing one key gift for a child, think about their age, stage of development and what they are mad about. Have they had their first scooter yet or do they need an age-appropriate upgrade? The answer to that could lead to the perfect gift. Or perhaps investigate a child-friendly FitBit; a practical gift that will inspire them to stay active. If you want to indulge a little one, you can’t go wrong with Melissa & Doug’s super-tactile giant plush polar bear. Alternatively, nurture their coding skills with Learning Resources’ Coding Robot Activity Set.

Despite a reputation for being tricky to buy for, teenagers are actually easier than you think. The key is to hone in on their interests and if you dare think about fashion only go for brands that you know they’ll allow into their wardrobes. Tip: Hype, Adidas and Converse usually get the thumbs up. For crafty types, anything by Wool And The Gang is a winner. And remember, shopping for teens is all about research. Check in with their parents to get the lowdown on favourite bands, TV series and – if you are feeling generous – their latest tech requirements. See our suggestions for teen boys and girls.

Consumables are a safe fallback option for those who have everything they need and don’t want any more stuff. The key to choosing something they’ll love? Ensure you do your research. Do they like a single or double malt whisky? Do they prefer milk or dark chocolate? Gin or wine? These details are the difference between something being well-received or re-gifted. Fact: a well-picked hamper will see them through the festive season in style. See all food and alcohol gifts.

If your spending is focused on just one person, it opens up a host of possibilities when it comes to tech gifts. From an Apple watch to a new iPhone via a pair of bluetooth speakers, this is when you can treat a loved-one to a gift they’ll find truly useful. This year there have been huge leaps in beauty tech (see Hi-tech Beauty Buys) so there are plenty of gifts to appeal to those with an eye for both gadgets and good looks. And never underestimate the appeal of a fine coffee machine for coffee connoisseurs