It is an old adage that when giving or receiving a present "it is the thought that counts". It means truly thinking about the recipient of the present and deciding what they would really like. It does not mean buying or giving something that you think that they ought to have because you like it or because it is fashionable or because it looked nice in the shop.

Never confuse value with cost; some of the most successful presents need cost little or nothing, or can be made with a minimum of difficulty. A very real consideration in these difficult economic times.

What does the person who will receive the gift really like doing? Is the present for a birthday, Christmas, a wedding anniversary or the birth of a baby or just to cheer someone up?

A nice present for a Wedding anniversary especially if it is a silver or Golden Wedding anniversary might be a scrpbook of the story of the couple's married life, gather together photographs and anecdotes and make and decorate your book. For a silver or golden anniversary the album might have a silver or gold cover. For a young struggling couple's wedding anniversary, if you have a little money, vouchers for a restaurant, cinema or theatre might be very well appreciated. A home made baby-sitting voucher, in which you offer to baby sit for their anniversary evening, is another wedding anniversary present which is often appreciated by couples with a young family.

Think about the life, hobbies and circumstances of the intended recipient of the gift. A pensioner might appreciate a home-made hamper with small pots of preserves and chutneys or home baked biscuits. Maybe a little basket with some nice soaps or bath products makes a nice present when decorated with a pretty ribbon, or embroider a face cloth.

Little things can mean a great deal. One of the best presents I ever received was a bookmark from one of my neices. She had made it herself and incorporated her photograph in it. I am an avid reader and so it was a very thoughtful present and really like two presents in one. It makes me very happy when I see her smiling face looking out from the right page of my latest book.

The value of a present is not necessarily related to its monetary cost, sometime a gift of your time is the best gift you can give. Expensive presents are all very nice but a present that has been carefully considered to appeal personally to the recipient is one that will be appreciated and treasured for a long time after the event occasioning the gift.

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