JavaScript is disabled
If possible, please enable JavaScript for an enhanced experience on the CHOICE website.

Christmas, birthdays and gifts

Choosing the perfect gift for that special occasion needn't cause you stress.

It can be a daunting task buying a gift for a special occasion such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary or Christmas – especially when you've got absolutely no idea what the person wants or needs. If you ever thought buying someone a foot spa was a good idea, we're sorry but we can't help - you're too far gone. For the rest of you, read on for advice on choosing the perfect gift that the recipient won't even have to lie about loving.

Meet the gift shopping experts

Buying guides

How to buy the best Father's Day gifts Show dad you love him by buying him stuff.

How to buy a diamond When you're buying the bling for your intended's engagement ring, do your homework first to make the perfect choice.

How to buy the best gift cards They're a great last-minute present idea, but gift cards can be a waste of money.

Articles

What women want on Mother's Day Penny Flanagan thinks it's high time the realities of motherhood are reflected in the advertising.

The best gift ideas for Mother's Day Our selection of the greatest gifts to spoil Mum

Rights to a refund at Christmas What can you do if your Christmas gift turns out to be a dud?

Christmas tech gift guide Stuff your stockings with joy instead of junk.

Christmas kitchen gift guide: KitchenAids to NutriBullets The best luxury and bargain buys for Christmas 2018.

Are lab grown diamonds the real deal? Technology means a perfectly real diamond can be made in a lab and sold for less than a quarter of the price of a natural gem.

Arbitrary expiry dates scrapped in new gift card reforms New South Wales could be the first state to mandate expiry periods.

Toys "R" Us honours 20-year-old gift cards Father stumbles across decades-old gift cards in daughter's room.

Spending up big on Mother's Day 7 May 2015 | Australians are set to spend $1.3 billion on mums.

Christmas shopping scams Your Christmas-time stress might make you more vulnerable to schemes and scams – here's how to avoid the main ones.

12 recalls of Christmas CHOICE says it’s time to check your homes for products which could ruin your festive season

The cut flower industry A beautiful bouquet of flowers may have an ugly back-story.

Show 8 more articles

The gift shopping experts

Our CHOICE experts enjoy the gift of giving as much as everyone else. They've bought the fondue sets and the wine racks and they've even re-gifted the odd scented candle or two. Learn from their experiences (mistakes) and enjoy the warm glow of appreciation generated by your truly heartfelt gift.

Uta Mihm Senior content producer - investigative journalist

Banking, Insurance, Credit cards and loans, Financial planning and investing, Property, Education and childcare, Getting ready for baby, Healthy ageing, Reproductive health, Shopping for special occasions

Zoya Sheftalovich Investigative journalist

Christmas, birthdays and gifts

Related

Weddings

Shopping for special occasions

Everyday shopping