Before Internet shopping, buying gifts was a pain. It was fine if you were shopping for Granny (embroidered hankies or a box of chocolates) – because as we all know, grannies have impeccable manners and believe it’s the thought that counts.

But there was always that one person who seemed to eye unimaginative gifts with disinterest at best, and utter disdain at worst. When it came to buying a birthday present for this person you’d break into a sweat, knowing that you’d spend weeks traipsing round crowded shops to find an affordable gift that this person didn’t already own.

Then the Internet came along and changed our lives. In the gift-buying sense, at least…

These days, if you’re looking for an unusual gift for a gadget-obsessed brother or a unique present for a has-it-all friend – or even an alternative to the hankies Granny’s usually so grateful for – all you need to do is shop online.

The vast array of innovative gadgets, executive toys and nostalgic gifts that’s available on the Internet is staggering. What’s more, there are no crowds to battle through, no waiting for the bus (or for the rain to stop), and no tugs-of-war with crazed shoppers over the last undamaged teapot in the bargain bin. And with wish list websites like Kaboodle and Boxed Up, banking great gift ideas for another time couldn’t be easier.

Be honest, now; who wouldn’t swap a surly Saturday girl for exceptional customer service, or extortionate car parking fees for fast, low-cost home delivery?

So, make yourself a nice cup of tea, put your feet up, and read our guide to buying unusual gifts and unique presents for that special someone who seems to have everything…

Unusual gifts for mums, grannies and aunties

The way to warm a lady’s heart isn’t with a diamond… do it with a Slanket, and save yourself a small fortune. Is it a blanket? Is it a jacket? It’s both! The Slanket is a blanket with sleeves, so you can snuggle up on the sofa but keep your arms free for drinking tea, doing the crossword or stroking the cat. The Slanket comes in a variety of colours and is a thoughtful and unusual gift that any lady will be delighted with.

Unusual gifts for gadget lovers

Internet shopping has made it far easier to find unusual gifts for gadget lovers. Like the USB charging adapter which fits into your car’s lighter socket so you can charge your MP3 player on the move. Or the rev counter alarm clock, which wakes you up in the morning with the roar of a V8 engine. Or remote control lederhosen, which yodel and are controlled with a knockwurst. What gadget addict wouldn’t be proud to own one of those?

Retro sweets and nostalgic gifts

Hands up if you remember Space Dust, Parma Violets and chocolate cigarettes… Retro sweeties are back, and they taste better than ever! Give the gift of nostalgia – a bumper pack of retro sweets is the perfect way to celebrate the birthday of anyone who was a child in the 60s, 70s or 80s.

For a nostalgic gift with a modern twist, give recordable CDs that look just like old vinyl records. And for a big kid trapped in a 40-something’s body, give a giant retro space hopper; they’re just as much fun today as they were when we were children, but adult sized.

Unique gifts for the home

Gadgets and gizmos for the home make perfect gifts for just about anybody. Like the monkey peeler, a monkey-shaped device which is used for peeling vegetables, not monkeys. Or the peace of cake mould, which produces cakes decorated with the CND logo. Or bath pearls, a set of three colour changing, floating lights which look just like giant pearls.

Unusual office gifts

Daft desktop toys are a great distraction from the tedium of working, and they’re a fun way to cheer up a dull desk. Take the crazy cat lady, for instance. She has a collection of cats, some of which live in her pockets. Every town has one, and so should every desk!  

Then there’s the evolving Darwin, a series of desktop figures that celebrate man’s evolution from pond life to modern man, in the shape of Charles Darwin. Who wouldn’t be delighted to share their desk with one of science’s greatest minds?

Utterly silly gifts

Watching the bemused look on the face of someone who’s just received an emergency yodel button is a gift in itself. Press the button to receive a realistic emergency yodel – it’s totally pointless, but that’s the point! 

Internet shopping has changed the art of gift-giving forever. No more queues, no more crowds, no more hankies and no more money in birthday cards. Unless it’s one of our million pound notes, of course…