At the weekend, high streets and shopping centres around the country presented the usual picture of seasonal despair.
But if you're struggling to find gifts, help is at hand in the form of Imagini.net, your very own virtual personal shopper.
By clicking on images that most resemble the recipient's tastes in decor, food and pastimes, a wish list of potential presents - all linked straight to the checkout - is provided.
Suggestions for me included an Apple Mac mini (yes please) and a copper boat weathervane (maybe not).
The site also provides character analysis ("a bit of a thinker, you love to search out stories and others' points of view. You've also got a fantastic imagination ...") - a useful reminder to consider what the person you're shopping for is actually like.
However, shopping online might not actually be a preferable option, because new research has suggested that stress caused by bad virtual retailing experiences could lead to a condition known as "mouse rage".
Symptoms to watch out for include a quickening heart rate, increased sweating and an impulse to click the mouse furiously.
