Having no time has never been a valid excuse for doing your Christmas shopping at the very last minute, and relying on popular trends to guide your purchases, or, worse still, making impulse buys. Nowadays it is simply unacceptable to be running around like a headless chicken in the last few days in the run up to the end of year festivities. Why? Because you can dedicate your lunchtime or coffee break to browsing for gifts online if you really claim not to have the time to pop into town throughout the duration of a year. Yes, there really is no reason why Christmas shopping should not be done in advance. It also means your orders will arrive on time if you have decided to give the online shopping thing a go.

For the Intellectual

Books are your answer. It is so very easy to purchase books online, and these can even be delivered ready-wrapped if you are feeling extra lazy in the run up to Christmas.

Alternatively, another great idea is to purchase an annual museum or heritage organisation membership.

For the Fashionista

It can be hard to buy clothing for people other than yourself. Getting something that fits well and matches other items in their closet can be based purely on luck, especially online where so much is based on guess work. To avoid situations where the person may not like or be able to wear what you have bought, buy shop vouchers and add personalised stocking fillers.

Most people into fashion are creative souls who appreciate unique pieces. These days you do not have to be good at arts and crafts yourself to be able to give a handmade gift. Visit websites such as Etsy and Misi where creative folk sell lovely handmade pieces from cushions to earrings to shoes. It is also a good go-to for those looking for one-off vintage pieces.

For the Gourmet

Foodies are one of the easiest types of people to buy gifts for. Most of the time, something for use in the kitchen or for consumption will do the trick.

If the person is a keen cook, think about buying a new cook book that has earned a good reputation, or sourcing a range of exotic ingredients that can be hard to buy in the local area.

Luxury hampers are also an idea that will please gourmets. If you know the recipient well, you can pick and choose from a range of items to make a personalised hamper.

If you are lucky enough to live in a city where new restaurant openings are quite a regular thing, you could also purchase a voucher for a meal at one of these.