We have arrived at a time of year when buying gifts is the top agenda. However, shopping around for the ultimate gift can be a challenge for many. Some decide to opt for conventional gift ideas while others dabble with a little more adventure.

Many never realise that gifts speak volumes. It actually can be laboriously enjoyable buying gifts for those you care about. This complex emotion is, well, complex. It can display the depth of understanding and care between the giver and the receiver. It can symbolise the cementing of a great friendship.

The price of a gift has always been a contentious issue. Many believe that it is the thought that actually counts. Perhaps that is not always the entire truth. A gift that is too cheap can often make a mockery of a supposedly steadfast friendship. Conversely, not all cheap gifts are shallow in meaning.

The type of gift is of cardinal importance. Choosing the right one can signify hours of discerning conversations. It reflects the hidden abstract meaning of that friendship.

The manner of giving a gift cannot be ignored either. A meaningful gift can lose that lustre if given in a haphazard and unplanned way. Choosing the ideal moment and setting is to be considered when planning for a gift. It can augment and magnify the impact of such a gift.

Gifts need not be physical materials at all. Sometimes, the presence of another individual on a special occasion is a gift in itself. The fragility of life often reminds us of just how little time there is left to spend with a loved one.

So what is the perfect gift?

To me, the perfect gift is when you see that special bright wide smile on the face of a loved one. It demonstrates the joy that only you can bring. That moment can never truly be bought.