Giving back helps you to feel better and enjoy relaxation

Faced with constant pressure to buy more clothes, more CDs and more stuff in general, it's easy to lose sight of the pleasure to be found in giving a real present to someone, and then watching their face light up because they just love it.

In fact, up until Victorian times, expensive store-bought presents were only for the privileged few; instead, the main emphasis was on distributing food and money to the poor. If you want to make a more meaningful connection with a gift, think of ideas that reflect your relationship with that person.

Give of yourself

Pass on your own possessions to people you love, e.g. a favourite book, a treasured ring, a framed sketch or painting that reflects an aspect of your relationship or shared history.

Do things together

Make a date for a day together - attending a workshop, pottering around an antiquarian bookstore, taking a bushwalk.

Share real entertainment

Instead of catching a movie together, treat yourself to a live show. It doesn't have to be expensive - there are plenty of free community discussion panels, stand-up comedy reviews and local band recitals on offer. Skipping electronic entertainment gives you a chance to engage with the players in a spontaneous, energetic way that just doesn't happen with an edited, pre-taped show or a movie where the gags and storylines that have been researched and analysed to the nth degree.

Create a memorable experience

Give them a special activity that they wouldn't otherwise get around to doing themselves - a wine-tasting, a flight in a hot-air balloon, an introductory class (belly-dancing, snorkelling, selfdefence, Thai cookery or tai chi), a ride through the city streets in a horsedrawn carriage or a trip to the dog-races.

A photograph album

Collate photos of times shared with that person.

A box of dress-up clothes

Old nighties, wild shoes, silly ties, outrageous costume jewellery, cute hats - all can provide hours of fun and creative play for a child.

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