As winter fast approaches, it isn't only our days that are getting shorter; it's also our time and our tempers.
With cobwebs being removed from fireplaces across the country, it is best when considering gift ideas to choose practicality over frivolity. This may sound counter-intuitive since pesky bouts of depression tend to kick in around this time of year, but what people really want is something they can use, and by using it forget the disheartening scenes outside.
Think about gift ideas that will encourage someone to settle in for a cosy evening. There's no warmer room in the house than the kitchen and, similarly, no finer way to pass the long dark hours than cooking.
So, give them some incentive to get behind the stove and come up with something delicious to enjoy with the family around the dining table. Nothing fancy, maybe just a pair of oven mitts (somehow reminiscent of protection from wintry nights), a casserole dish or a baking tray.
There are few more pleasant feelings than settling in next to a warm fire with a new page turner and a glass of hearty red, so instead of the now predictable handing over of DVDs, go traditional and find a really good novel which will make someone forget about the external chill.
It is practical presents that can truly help you through the harsh temperatures, closed roads and grounded flights that now define the British winter. They may not be glamorous, but at least they'll be of use. Go to Waitrose online for some more fantastic gift ideas to stave off despair in the coming months.