Let’s start with socks. Arguably the king of the ‘I didn’t know what to get you’ gift. Staple of forgotten Father’s Days and bottom-of-the-drawer birthday presents. Paired with a bar of chocolate or added as a last-minute stocking filler, they’ve become synonymous with lazy gifting. But maybe it’s time we reclaimed them, or at least packaged them up as something genuinely thoughtful. After all, everyone needs socks. They are actually useful. Which, in this world of reducing waste, is no bad thing in a gift. Plus, they’re something we often neglect thinking about for ourselves. Picked up as a last-minute addition on the supermarket shop, the ones with thin fabric topping up our depleted stash of almost-matching duos, and let’s not mention those ones with a hole in the toe.

As a result, there’s something that feels quite special about a carefully chosen, beautifully wrapped, cotton-rich set of three shiny new pairs. And therein lies the secret when it comes to choosing a ‘practical’ gift. Quality. If you’re going to give socks, make sure they’re super-soft and extra-comfortable ones. Choose a design that ties back to the recipient: metallic for lovers of sparkle, striped for the friend who owns one too many Breton tops, muted colours with a subtle design for those men who don’t want a novelty pair. Or choose extra-cosy bed socks made from the softest cashmere. They’ll feel like one of life’s little luxuries popped on each night and, most likely, they’re a treat they’d never buy for themselves.

You can extend the quality rule to all kinds of useful gifts. As our founder, Chrissie Rucker OBE points out “sometimes fabulous quality, practical pieces make the most-welcome presents of all – that’s why I often gift really-special towels. With them comes the luxury of a spa-like hug every time they are used – and, because they really do retain their softness, they will be enjoyed for many years to come.” The same goes for bed linen. Opt for the highest quality your budget will accomodate. Swap 200-thread-count for 500, or treat them to a silk or linen fabrication. It’ll be an investment they’ll use for years to come. And, if that feels a bit too extravagant, team up with a couple of other gift givers. One great present with timeless appeal is much better than a whole heap of throwaway ones.

The other way to add a bit of excitement into more functional options is to make them truly personal. That means tailoring each one to the receiver’s interests. So, it’s a no to gifting a new Le Creuset to someone who hates cooking, but you can definitely wrap it up for any wannabe sous chefs in your life. To make it even more special, turn it into a tailored gift set. Add the latest cookbook, the ingredients to make one of the dishes and a professional-grade kitchen knife. Same goes for that friend who loves to garden. Gardening gloves alone? Yawn. But gloves, a new plant, a gardener’s almanac and a floral-scented candle? Perfection.

You can also take something quite utilitarian and find a more visually appealing alternative. A chopping board, for example. If they’ve been using an ugly plastic thing that gets hidden away in a cupboard at the end of each day, treat them to a marble or large wood version that they can proudly display, plus double up as a serving platter (multi-use!), instead. The same thought process is why a new robe is one of our favourite gifts.

Yes, it’s for shrugging on in the mornings and after a shower, but it’s so much more pleasant to shrug on one that fits so comfortably and feels like a luxury.So, the next time you’re trying to find a present for a loved one, try and see the value in gifting something truly useful – just be sure it’s excellent quality, lovely to look at and tailored to them.