One minute it is summer and you’re busy topping up your tan, the next thing you know the country’s in shutdown as it is blanketed by snow. Where did the months go? Already it’s December and you’ve yet to start buying those presents. You consider pilling on the woollies and hitting the shops but stop as you remember the huge crowds of last minute shoppers likely to be doing the same. There’s got to be an easier way surely?

Well, thankfully, there is. The roads may be blocked and cars snowed in, but the internet still works and fortunately there are a myriad of shops online; tartan jewellery boutiques, fine leather crafts, bespoke chocolatiers, where you can still buy original and unique gifts that won’t break the bank but will arrive by Christmas Day.

If you’re buying online then the world is your oyster – there is so much available, with such a variety of sizes, colours and price tags that it would take weeks to search through everything. As this is a luxury few of us can afford, the online shopper needs to be discerning in their browsing. For example, buying tartan jewellery online sounds simple enough at first, but a quick type into the search engine reveals a host of retailers, each promising to be the best.

You can whittle down that list simply by reading reviews (both on site and off). With gifts that require craftsmanship, especially tartan jewellery or other bespoke crafts, the quality and service of the retailer are crucial indicators of what you can expect if you buy through them. Things like checking the jewellery is hallmarked or that some sort of guarantee certificate is included are all things to ask about before buying online. But perhaps the best thing about buying online, is that they can gift wrap it for you – so when it arrives, all you have to do is present it to your loved one, with a smile, and pretend you did the wrapping yourself.