Getting Personal

                Gifts That Make You Say 'Oooh!'
            
                Theoretically, if any gift hits the right note then it will receive that special 'ooh' sound effect from the recipient, but as a general 'present-opening-noise', it's not always that easy to tell if it's a genuine sign of happiness. If you want to ensure that the 'oohs' in your house this year are the real deal, simply follow this guide of how to buy the right gifts…

The Wish List

Sometimes known as the 'big' presents, or 'main' presents, the key item on anyone's wish list will usually be that one thing they have been dreaming about for some time, the things they desire the most and inevitably, the slightly pricier gifts on the list. Experience day gifts are a great way of ensuring that your loved ones' dreams come true as the list of opportunities is almost endless. Whether it's a day at a spa, a flying lesson, or the chance to drive a Ferrari at Silverstone; these gifts will have them screaming with delight from start to finish. 

Something unique

Being the most exceptional gift-buyer can be a difficult image to maintain, it requires a lot of hard work and insight into the kind of things that interest and excite the recipient. One of the best ways to ensure that your gifts are unique is to present that special someone with something with a personalised gift. A personalised calendar for example, will integrate the recipient's name and a message into twelve stunning images – from having their name written in the stars or celebrated by the cheering fans of a football stadium – these gifts will have them 'ooohing' and 'ahhing' for the whole year. There are plenty of personalised gifts to choose from such as mugs, prints and champagne; how many people can boast to having a personalised jelly mould? A sure way to retain your image as the best present-giver of all time…

Something Shiny

Sometimes known as the Magpie effect – there's something about shiny gifts that seem to make eyes light up. Diamonds are always a winner, as Marilyn Monroe liked to remind us, but you don't have to spend a fortune to find a sparkly, and truly personal gift. Engraved gifts are another fabulous way of presenting someone with something unique – a pair of silver plated flutes are ideal for any anniversary or wedding, and an engraved Child's Expanding Bracelet is bound to make the perfect keepsake for any new born. Engraved gifts come in all shapes and sizes; a small pair of silver cufflinks will looks just as magical as an engraved photo frame, and will no doubt encourage the same wows of amazement from their recipients. 

The Element of Surprise

The element of surprise is a key factor in encouraging those famous 'oooh's' and 'ahhh's' – but the element of surprise can be more difficult to conjure up than you might first think. Surprising someone with a gift that they haven't expected requires a great deal of thought and imagination into the kind of things they enjoy – but if you're stuck for ideas, then you could always settle for those things that are bound to make anyone jump back. The 'Clocky Clock Alarm Clock' might seem like a futuristic and exciting new design, but should anyone have the audacity to oversleep, this alarm clock will certainly get them up and about and they'll have to catch it before they can make it stop! Buying jewellery for that special someone in your life is bound to surprise and get their hearts racing when they see the box; but for something a little more personal and fun, why not present them with a more unusual kind of gift box? The 'Engraved My last Rolo' is bound to touch the heart of that special someone in your life – just be sure they know much of a sacrifice it is giving it away!

Gifts you Never Knew You Needed
 
Very occasionally, we all come across something that helps to change our lives for the better – something small, something simple, something that probably should have been invented a long time ago and something that everyone should have. These kinds of gifts might be rare, but they certainly produce the loudest and most efficient 'oooh's' of all and here are just a few examples. We all know at least one person who would be grateful for the 'Spider catcher', and think of all the arguments that could be prevented with a set of 'Reserved' Towels. An 'Instant Aquarium DVD' is a great way of turning your television into a centerpiece during any party, and if you've never come across an 'Ellie the Microwavable Elephant', then you're life is not yet complete!

Related article: There's no time like the present for buying gifts... (Gifts)