We all know it is better to give than to receive - but that does not make shopping for the perfect gift any less of a chore: what to buy? How much to spend? Will they like it? Throw in gender and the shopping headache becomes infinitely more painful. For men, shopping is typically a drag. For women, it's more likely a joy to be savoured. How does the difference in male and female values and shopping styles affect perceptions of presents? Hazel and Simon Parry recount how they grappled with the task of buying for each other, their hits and misses, and how they rate the gifts they have received from each other.
Hazel's story
After 12 years of marriage, you would think I know Simon well. I do, except for when it comes to choosing presents. As a result, it can take me days, weeks even, to choose an appropriate gift - and even then the chances of getting it right are slim.
What I do know is there are things I should not attempt to buy him, and which are a real waste of money: clothes, jewellery and watches. There is also nothing metrosexual about him. Grooming products, man bags and expensive cologne are just not his thing. But gadgets, books and anything to do with Liverpool Football Club are a safe bet.
Armed with this knowledge, you would think choosing a present would be easy. Not so. Take, for example, buying him an iPod. What colour? How many gigabytes? Should I get it engraved? What with?
Simon often produces very thoughtful gifts: a specially bound wedding album for our 10th anniversary and a surprise trip to my dream place on my 40th birthday. He also has taste in handbags and clothes, and chooses the right colours. Where he fails is size. Maybe it is because, in his eyes, I am still the slim, young girl I was when we first met. I'd like to think so, anyway.