Text by Kate Kennedy, QMI AGENCY
Not sure what to buy? Running out of time? These presents are tried and true - and sure to please.

Gift: E-reader.
Perfect for: Moms, Dads or significant other.
The Kobo ($149) stores up to 1,000 eBooks and weighs about as much as one paperback, making it ideal for all bookworms and public transit commuters.
(Courtesy of Indigo)

Gift: Collector's Edition DVDs and Blu-rays.
Perfect for: Siblings and friends.
The cult classic tale of tween adventurers has not only stood the test of time, its come back in full force with a special Goonies 25th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition that includes a boardgame, magazine and storycards. Back to the Future: The Trilogy is also new on Blu-ray and DVD this year, and is a safe bet to get even the hardest-to-buy-for chum to yell "Great Scott!" on Christmas morning.
(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Studios)

Gift: Cashmere scarf.
Perfect for: Boyfriends, husbands and Dads.
Your special man will feel just that in a luxe cashmere scarf, like this one by Lands' End ($69.50), which offers monogramming for an extra $5.
(Courtesy of Lands' End)

Gift: Octopus Corkscrew ($39.99).
Perfect for: Friends and siblings whose tastes you aren't familiar with.
It doesn't matter if the receiver already has a decent corkscrew, because this one is better. The Octopus pops out corks in three seconds flat and even comes with a foil cutter (who doesn't hate removing those?).
(Courtesy of Canadian Tire)

Gift: Holiday Recordable Memory/Photo Album ($24.95).
Perfect for: Moms and friends.
This cute book will help any sentimentalist keep holiday memories alive by preserving photographs and recording sound. Carols, anyone?
(Courtesy of Hallmark)

Gift: Nice perfume.
Perfect for: Girlfriends and wives.
Choosing perfume for your special lady isn't as difficult as you'd think. Simply steal a couple bottles of her current fragrance and/or scented lotion (the one she wears everyday) and bring it to a perfumery or department store to let someone at the beauty counter match the right notes. We like Beauty ($115, 125 ml), the new Calvin Klein scent, inspired by the neo-lily for the feminine, strong and charismatic woman. Available at the Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, London Drugs, Jean Coutu, Murale and Ogilvy).
(Courtesy of Calvin Klein)

Gift: Teopia's Tea Master ($20).
Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys tea.
This ingenious brewer will steep tea safely and dispense it (sans leaves) when you place it on your cup. It's a much better option than a set of fancy tea bags and a ball.
(Courtesy of Teaopia)

Gift: OPI nail polish ($10.99).
Perfect for: Sisters and friends.
The Swiss collection has a plethora of tasteful colours that work on many skin tones - just don't go for the shiny ones if you never see her wear them. Above, Just A Little Rosti At This, William Tell Me About OPI and Cuckoo for this Colour are solid bets. Available at professional salons and spas nationwide.
(Courtesy of OPI)

Gift: Solar charger.
Perfect for: Anyone with gadgets (so nearly everyone).
The Solio Mono charger (US$59.99) works with 3200+ devices and charges up from the sun, via USB port or from an optional wall charger. Available at select retailers nationwide.
(Courtesy of Solio)

Gift: Alcohol (the good stuff).
Perfect for: Dads and brothers.
They'll enjoy saving a swanky bottle of their favourite tipple almost as much as drinking it. Above, Highland Park Single Malt Whisky ($59.95) aged 12 years. Available nationwide, prices vary.
(Courtesy of Highland Park )

Gift: Champagne or sparkling wine.
Perfect for: Friends, siblings and acquaintances.
We recommend Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige, Napa Valley, Calif. Check out more of our best rated wines.
(Supplied)

Gift: Nice coffeemaker.
Perfect for: Just about anyone who drinks coffee.
Even if they still go on the odd Tim Hortons or Starbucks run, a nice coffeemaker, like the Bosch Tassimo brewing system ($149.99), adds a little prestige to the countertop, and it sure helps one wake up when it's too cold to venture out.
(Courtesy of Zellers)

Gift: Trudeau's Perfect Mix and Perfect Infuser ($34.99 and $29.99, respectively).
Perfect for: Foodie family members and friends.
The Perfect Mix automatically pours six portions of oil for one portion of vinegar while the Perfect Infuser helps you create flavour by enveloping dried herbs and spices in oil. Great for anyone who loves cooking and enjoys making things from scratch.
(Courtesy of Trudeau)

Gift: Makeup set.
Perfect for: Sisters, friends, girlfriends and wives (so long as you buy a nice one).
Makeup tools are the sort of thing a woman will collect individually (when she's desperate), rather than splurging on a proper set. The Sephora travel brush set ($34) includes six professional brushes in a luxe red case, which doubles as a chic wristlet clutch.
(Courtesy of Sephora)

Gift: Charity.
Perfect for: Anyone.
Giving the gift of charity will make you and the receiver feel good - and it will help someone out this season who badly needs it. Gifts That Matter lets you buy specific items, like maize, bicycles for milk delivery, or farm animals for ultra-poor people in different parts of the world to help themselves. Plus, it's fun to say you bought a goat in Bangladesh ($50).
(Courtesy of Gifts That Matter)

Gift: Cuff links.
Perfect for: Boyfriends or husbands, or lucky brothers.
Cuff links never really went out of fashion, but thanks to "Mad Men," swanky men's style is finally back, and your guy will feel like a sharp shooter in this Havana Jet pair ($95).
(Courtesy of Swarovski)

Gift: Nice scented candle.
Perfect for: Friends and sisters.
OK, a candle sounds a little boring, but a really nice scented one is something women would like to spend on but don't. Go against any desire for ultra-sweet scents like vanilla or apples and cinnamon and instead choose a delicate mix of floral and spice. Above, Banana Republic Winter candle ($28).
(Courtesy of Banana Republic)

Gift: Sturdy water bottle.
Perfect for: Siblings and friends.
ROHO stainless steel bottles ($15.99) are BPA-free, do not contain aluminum and have a handy leak-proof top that flips with the push of a button. Available at retailers nationwide.
(Courtesy of Thermos)

Gift: Spa certificate.
Perfect for: Any woman or metrosexual man in your life.
A certificate for a manicure, pedicure or massage won't go astray, but a winter-themed body wrap or unspecified certificate could add some spice to the season. Find certificates for spas across Canada at Wayspa.ca.
(QMI AGENCY)

Gift: Luxe watch.
Perfect for: Husbands and boyfriends.
He'll be looking at this as often as you will, so choose a classic band (either silver or leather) with an easy-to-read light face. Above, Tissot's Heritage Collection Visodate ($695) is a lovely re-launch of the label's 1957 model.
(Courtesy of Tissot)

Gift: Handmade jewelry.
Perfect for: Girlfriends and wives.
A heart-shaped pendant from a chain jewelry store is nice, but handmade jewelry by an artisan is sublime. Have a look at what's in her case and choose something similar, or go with a necklace and earrings set with an antique vibe (the look is really in this year). Above, gold handmade necklace and pendant by Lisbeth Jewelry.

Gift: Cocktail set.
Perfect for: Siblings, boyfriends, girlfriends and chums.
The Bacardi gift set ($35.45) includes a shaker, stirrer, muddler, measurer, lime squeezer and a bottle of Bacardi - everything needed for the perfect mojito.
(Courtesy of Bacardi)

Gift: Philosophy scented products.
Perfect for: Any woman in your life.
The jolly brand is known for exceptional bath products with life-like scents that are also gentle on the skin. Any of their holiday gift sets are sure to please, like The Gingerbread House ($20) bubble bath and shower gels, above.
(Courtesy of Sephora)

Gift: Scarf set.
Perfect for: Sisters, girlfriends, friends.
Women secretly desire a perfectly matching set - we like these ivory mitts ($10), hat ($10) and scarf ($19) from Joe Fresh Style. Nearly everyone looks cute and cuddly in a cable knit.
(Courtesy of Joe Fresh Style)

Gift: Messenger bag.
Perfect for: Siblings, girlfriends and boyfriends.
The classic bag looks to be a hit this spring, with utility-inspired gear making a comeback in daywear. Your receiver will be ahead of the trend with Tilley's Second World War-inspired waxed cotton and Italian leather Intrepid Bag ($225).
(Courtesy of Tilley)