Why is gifting SO hard? Expert reveals all

With this in mind, the gifting experts at Getting Personal conducted research to find out more. From endless browsing and second-guessing, to the fear of missing the mark, gifting can feel like navigating a minefield of potential pitfalls - here's what's really behind the gifting struggle.

In collaboration with the gifting experts at Getting Personal, Susan Leigh, Counsellor and Hypnotherapist at Lifestyle Therapy, answers all:

Why does buying the perfect gift matter?

Susan answers: “The perfect gift demonstrates that we know our loved one well and that we’ve listened and paid attention when they've expressed an interest or desire for a particular item. It shows that we care, we want to please them, and are their 'perfect' partner.”

Why is it more important to get a gift that's thoughtful compared to an expensive one?

Susan says: “Many of us are less impressed by an expensive bottle of cologne that has been hastily grabbed from the department store than we are by our partner picking up a flyer for a free concert that we'd love to attend. Or them running a bath after we've had a stressful, busy day. Or even putting the children to bed, plus cooking the evening meal.

“Thoughtful acts of service mean that our partner has really tuned in to us and are keen to be supportive and prepared to 'roll their sleeves up' to ease the load and make our lives easier.”

Any reassurance for people who don't have a big budget but want to give a gift!

Susan advises: “There are so many ways to give a gift that would be appreciated and it's often about caring, listening and paying attention to ways that would be of help. A treasured photograph that’s beautifully framed, a handmade cake, a voucher to help with gardening, decorating or a couple of nights babysitting would no doubt be much appreciated. A scrapbook of 'our' time together, with ticket stubs, programmes, dried leaves or flowers shows respect and affection for the relationship. Any of these would probably be more valued and treasured than a big budget gift.”

Nevertheless, gift-giving is often seen as an opportunity to show appreciation and affection, but when it comes to certain people in our lives, it can quickly become a daunting task.

A survey of 2000 Brits conducted by Getting Personal has unveiled the toughest recipients to shop for.

Coming in first as the most trickiest person to choose a gift for was mums, as one in five admit to the struggle, with millennials revealed as the most clueless age group.

Comparing children, sons (11.1%) are harder to buy for than daughters (9.5%), whereas in relationships, boyfriends (7.2%) and wives (11.7%) are more problematic than girlfriends (6.9%) and husbands (11.3%). Moreover, outside of the immediate family, 1 in 6 Brits find their friend the most tough to shop for.

For more gifting inspiration, no matter the recipient, visit: https://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk/personalised-gifts/