Don't fancy the thronged shops? Here's our pick of the sites that will do the work for you...

Best for crafty bits and home-made goodies, www.etsy.com is particularly strong on hand-made jewellery, gorgeous paper and one-of-a-kind bits and bobs for your home.

Off-beat designs and one-off jewellery make www.chocosho.com a mecca for fashion fans who like to do things a little differently. Check out Emily Elizabeth's pretty and witty gold-plated necklaces, and Erica Weiner's animal and insect-inspired designs.

With only two stores in Ireland, it's just as well that Imaginarium, www.imaginarium.ie, is online too. Great for education-led toys for kids to help foster their imaginations through play, it's a Godsend for parents who want to give their kids high-quality fun time.

There's no doubt that www.play.com is the best place online to pick up CDs and DVDs a massive selection, and free and swift delivery mark this site out from the competition.

Specialising in the finest Italian food, www.olioefarina.com is your ultimate resource for that foodie friend you find hard to please. Olives, wine and sweet treats like limoncello and panettone are just a click away.

Wine buffs are spoiled for choice at www.bubblebrothers.ie. Pick up a boozy gift in the form of champagne, mixed cases of wine or even some classic Swedish glassware from Orrefors.

Killer heels and to-die-for bags from the best labels are a speciality of fashion site www.net-a-porter.com. An Aladdin's cave of gorgeous goodies for grown-up magpies, any gift from here will go down a storm.

Jam-packed full of things you never thought you'd need but which you can't live without www.belleblu.com is great for girlie stocking fillers like light-up tweezers, pedi flip-flops and gorgeous handbag mirrors.

Buy for a beauty snob at www.cultbeauty.co.uk. Stocking hard-to-find (and therefore super-covetable) brands like DuWop, 3 Custom Colour and Paul Labreque, you'll be guaranteed that your gift will be well received.

Remote-control helicopters, drinking games, and all manner of weird and wonderful gadgets and gizmos make UK website www.prezzybox.com the best place to buy gifts for guys.

With ranges spanning high-end designer labels right through to accessible high-street finds, www.asos.com is the place to buy fashion-forward garb, shoes and accessories for teens.