Here are some practical tips for buying affordable gifts

Don’t panic — you have this weekend and next to secure presents, tokens of appreciation, stocking stuffers and gifts to take to friends’ houses.

Naturally, I’m encouraging you to buy gifts for the house as a labour-saving approach to shopping. One gift will suffice for him and her rather than separate gifts with double the agonising amidst the teeming throngs of shoppers.

It’s hard picking gifts you know will be welcomed and used, so on this last- minute trawl, we’re focusing on usefulness, not just for Christmas but for the rest of the year too.