Year in year out some people go out and buy the same old boring types of gifts for their family and friends. How can you change the habits of a lifetime? Maybe mathematics can help...

How might the modern man and up-to-date woman go about making a successful gift choice? The clever buyer knows that most men are sick of receiving boring socks, ties or deodorants. This same clever buyer also understands that to really get those brownie points, they should never buy the modern man or woman an everyday domestic tool such as a toaster or vacuum cleaner. So how do they do make their great choices?

Today’s gadget conscious gift giver makes their selection using a complex equation involving: whom the gift is for; the relationship level; the impact required (wow factor); accessibility (how & where they get their gift) and finally, how much the buyer is willing to spend, the latter being affected by the former.

The mathematics genius in you might see this as: R x WF2 + A + S = PGfPG4

(PGfPG4 = Perfect Gift, presented by the Perfect Giver [that’s you])

This gift equation can be multiplied by increasing ‘WF’ – the Wow Factor through delivering a multiplicity of Surprise i.e. the unexpected. In short, this means that how you give your carefully chosen and unusual gift to your loved one is as important as the gift itself. To make a present stand out, from the crowd, the wrapping can be plain or fancy, sophisticated or fun. How you get it to the recipient is important too. Choices are many: direct delivery from the supplier or personally packaging and sending through the mail or a courier. Alternatively, many choose the option of presenting a gift in person – dressing as a Superhero for this is entirely optional!

A new gadget will fulfil the surprise factor requirement - after all, who else do you know that has that gadget? There is a whole world of gadgets to choose from, with everything from the useful to the unusual available. So, if you’re looking for an unusual gift for him or something different for her, remember to consider the whole package, from how you choose i.e. in comfort or on foot, to the packaging and delivery of the selected gift. Last but not least, take a look at what you’ve chosen. Very often, we buy something for others that we would really like for ourselves – here’s a thought: buy one for yourself too!