Some people are lucky enough to be natural gift-givers, always knowing the perfect thing to buy for different friends and family members. For most of us this is far more of a challenge, and without actually asking others what they want, choosing gifts can feel like a process of trial and error.

If you need a little inspiration when putting together a gift list for a special occasion, here are some sensible options that people in your life with different tastes, hobbies and backgrounds will appreciate.

Gifts for hardcore gamers

Gaming is a major mainstream pastime which makes more money than any other facet of the entertainment industry, so it’s no surprise that it’s always a top option for gifting purposes for people of all ages.

Whether you need a special present for a person who prefers first-person shooters, or you are looking for unique gifts for gamblers, there are all sorts of options to consider at almost every price point.

At the affordable end of the spectrum, consider a budget-conscious gaming headset. This will suit fans of online titles like Fortnite, CS:GO and Call of Duty.

For mid-tier gift budgets, a great option is a home golf simulator because interest in golf is developing rapidly and has already attracted a sizable, global audience. A gift voucher for a digital gaming service is another option for a gamer geek. The player’s level determines whatever game they buy.

Steam is ideal for PC gamers, for example, while Sony and Microsoft have their own stores for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles respectively.

This is sensible because it also means the recipient can choose which game to buy, rather than you having to make a guess and potentially get it wrong yourself.

For big spenders, a full-blown console purchase or PC part upgrade could be on the cards. The ongoing chip shortage means that getting hold of the latest and greatest machines and components is not always easy, so it is worth buying well in advance so that you can avoid disappointment on the big day.

One way around this is to opt for a subscription to a game streaming service like Google Stadia, which provides top-tier titles over an internet connection, rather than requiring a powerful console at home.

Gifts for partners & spouses

This is always a tricky one, and the best way to avoid disappointing your partner or spouse is to make the gift an experience, rather than an object.

Booking a table at a fancy restaurant, organizing a trip to a spa or arranging a romantic mini-break will always be welcome, although of course you’ll need to tailor your choice of activity to what you think the person will enjoy most.

This has the added advantage of being very flexible. It is far easier to rearrange an experience than it is to return a physical gift for a refund if they are not satisfied with it.

Gifts for grandparents

Buying for older generations is another potential conundrum, but one which can be overcome with ease if you think a little more about what they might like.

By the time you reach your older years, you usually have everything you could want in the world, and the most important thing to you is family. That’s why grandparents will really appreciate receiving the gift of a framed photo of you and your partner, kids and any pets you might have.

You don’t have to go the whole hog and get a professional photographer to take the snap, although this is a possibility if you don’t mind spending a little more.

If your budget is smaller, a simple smartphone photo will suffice, and you can take advantage of online printing and framing services to get this gift created and shipped to you in no time flat.

Grandparents will also appreciate a homemade gift the most, so whether you’ve got craft skills up your sleeve or you have a way with words and can conjure up a poem for them, this might chime more than an off-the-shelf product.

Gifts for people who don’t want gifts

It’s not unusual for some people in your life to subtly or overtly suggest that you don’t buy them a gift when a special occasion is on the horizon. And while you might want to respect their wishes, it can also be hard to swallow the idea of not giving them anything.

This is where making a charitable donation in their name is always worthwhile. Choose a cause that matches their values, and give generously, then let them know what you’ve done so that you know you were thinking of them.