Giving is the greatest gift of all.

However, not when you look across the room to see your gift being unwrapped to a pained smile, looking distinctly like something unseen pinching your loved one, while whispering commands of politeness into their ear.Not what you were going for?

Well Christmas doesn’t have to be full of the anxiety of how your gift will be received and your skills of deduction as to whether the smile is sincere or strained can be saved to serve you another day.

Giving is the greatest gift of all when their eyes flick on with the same magic as a thousand Christmas lights coming on in the darkness, or the moonlight flashing out across the sky and streaking away into the night from behind an all consuming blanket of cloud. However I put it, I’m sure you know the look, and the feeling you get when you know you have been the cause of it; that’s the greatest gift.

So how do you know what a winner is? Pay attention. Listen when they drop hints. Snoop around the dressing table fro clues. Do they have samples lying around of fragrances they like? Casually wander into the fragrance section with them and let them explore. Watch carefully, but trust your own judgement too. If it’s a partner you are shopping for the really trust your own judgement when it comes to fragrances. You are the person who is most likely to know what’s attractive on them and you’re the person they would most like to find them attractive. So partners, take a risk and trust your instincts.

When shopping for family members like mothers and aunts, the classics are always going to be your safest options. Go for Chanel, Dior and other European brands for sure winners. They have a more mature fragrance which has a timeless quality about it and won’t leave them feeling like mutton dressed as lamb.

Younger girls can have sweeter and more floral scents. Personalised fragrances, such as Britney Spears and J.Lo usually suit them, while also having the popular culture appeal celebrity.

Good luck with the shopping.

I hope you hit a winner. x