To say that I like giving gifts is like saying Darth Vader isn’t averse to the idea world domination. I make long lists, analyse people’s preferences, cross-check with previous lists to avoid repetition and spend hours researching online. It seems only prudent to share some of the fruits of my labour with others, but first, two disclaimers.

In most cases that really matter, lists like these are useless – for your child, partner, mother or sister you would of course think of something that is uniquely suited, be it a vintage Star Trek T-shirt or a Little Pony snow globe. It also goes without saying that one can make stuff, rather than buy. This is always acceptable, although there are limits: I don’t think anyone would appreciate something I had knitted.

That said, there are people we don’t know that well or situations where we need a relatively neutral gift or we need to think of something fast. This is where my list comes in. And you never know, one of the things below might in fact suit someone in your closest circle perfectly.

1. Everything Byredo. Holiday gift-giving is one time where packaging and design become very important. Most people don’t want an ugly gift, even if it works. If you know people who prefer the Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic, Byredo is pretty much as good as it gets. And while I’m not entirely convinced about all their scents (very much worth a try, though), their candles are exquisite and body products very nice. Their white holiday candles are possibly even better looking than their regular ones and I love the new hand washes, too. Great for cool girls and guys alike.

2. Cire Trudon candles. The oldest candle maker in the world is best known for its scented candles and these do make for wonderful, luxurious gifts – if you have the budget. The non-scented varieties, however, are less prohibitively expensive and still pretty fabulous. I especially like the grey, navy and khaki Royale candles and the kitsch-looking pink pillar candle with a golden cameo. Everybody needs candles in December.

3. Tom Ford Lips & Boys. My general principle with gifts is to buy smaller, but better quality: instead of seven packs of ordinary candles, I buy two from Cire Trudon – chances are that people would not splurge on such everyday items themselves. This philosophy is taken to its extreme by Tom Ford Lips & Boys collection, 30 limited edition shades in smaller-than-usual packaging. People who like proper lipstick are almost certainly going to like these, as the shades are interesting, the pigmentation great and the packaging beautiful. I actually prefer the smaller size, as it brings the price down to an almost bearable level and I would never use up the full size anyway.

4. Books. Like homemade stuff, books are always OK, but also difficult to pick. But I’m going to recommend a few things, to make myself useful. For someone interested in politics and/or war on the meta level, I would recommend Strategy by Lawrence Freedman. For intelligent science fiction, Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch Trilogy (you can give all three now!). For young women – and men -, A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf. And if your budget is limited, anything from Oxford University Press A Very Short Introduction series.

5. Mymoune delicacies. I find pretty jams, interesting condiments, oils, syrups and spices irresistible. I went through a phase where I must have owned a dozen different vinegars and I know other such people exist. Mymoune is a Lebanese brand that makes traditional Middle Easters food items – rose water, mulberry syrup, dates stuffed with almonds – in beautiful packaging. Everything I’ve tried is great quality, too, and can be ordered painlessly through Sous Chef (in Europe). You might want to add some Viking Smoked Salt or Christine Ferber jams to your cart, while you’re at it. For my non-Estonian friends, I always stock up on cloudberry jam and organic honey.

6. A decanter. Wine or champagne glasses are always popular gifts and I’m not saying a word against them – if someone would give me some Lobmeyr glasses, I would be their slave forever. But if you’re tired of glasses, I suggest you go for a decanter instead. Everybody I know likes them, but they seem somewhat unnecessary and people hardly buy them themselves. Antique markets often have a great selection and Zara Home does interesting contemporary ones. If you don’t like the association with alcohol, you can always get a water carafe.

7. Mariage Freres tea. Coming back to the idea of upgrading everyday essentials (and to non-alcoholic beverages), tea is another good example. So many people love tea, but would they buy any fancy ones unless they are obsessed? Probably not. Few companies (possibly none) do black flavoured teas better than Mariage Freres, I especially recommend Wedding Imperial, Chandernagor and Alexandra David-Neel for winter, but the selection is endless and the tins are classy.

8. Ööloom face blankets. I have written about them before and my love for Ööloom’s sleeping masks has not diminished. I think these make excellent gender and age neutral presents and I need the new unicorn mask for myself, too.

You should still be able to order most of this stuff in time for Christmas, so happy shopping. Or knitting.