When it comes time to pick up a purchase a gift for a friend, family member, colleague or relative, it can be difficult to decide what type of present to buy, and where to buy it. Gift shops are all around us, but choosing the right present for the occasion is not a simple affair.

Below are some of the common frequently asked questions people have when it comes to purchasing the perfect gift.

What is a gift shop?

What makes a shop a gift shop? The term gift shop tends to conjure images of small corner shops selling locally made trinkets or speciality bric-a-brac at an inflated price. However, gift shops are now much more likely to offer a wider range of interesting items for sale.

Where can I find souvenirs and gifts to send home?

One can still find gift shops in every area which cater mainly for tourists. These are great for finding small gifts to send home to friends or to take home as souvenirs. However, just as common are gift shops that specialise in a certain area, making them all the more interesting for the eclectic buyer. There is also the type of gift shop that has imported varied and interesting items from afar.

How do I choose a gift for someone else?

The number one thing to remember is that you are shopping for a gift for someone else, not for yourself. Of course we know this literally and we don't expect to keep the gift for ourselves, but it can be all too common to gravitate towards items that we personally think are cute or interesting.

Resist this urge and think about the receiver of the gift, and everything you know about their tastes.

What type of gift should I avoid?

Forget the stereotypes. Not every boy will like a football, and every girl a frilly dress. Choosing a stereotypical gift will exclaim to the receiver that you don't know them, or that you haven't put much thought into the gift.

The same goes for any kind of gift which can be considered "generic". With the wide range of interesting gift shops out there, going for something generic will be considered a cop-out.

How do I know what they want or need?

If a big occasion is coming up, start looking for clues for what the person might want. Some people are very explicit, saying out loud exactly what they might want. Look at the items that they already own - if they collect a certain type of item that might be a perfect gift to give. Oh the other hand, if they seem to missing something, then there's your present.

What type of gift should I buy for the occasion?

Choose a gift which is befitting the occasion. Even an extravagant gift can be the wrong gift in the wrong situation. If it is your 40^th wedding anniversary, get her a thoughtful (and expensive!) present, which is romantic in tone and suggests how you have cherished your time together. If it is your new boss's birthday, don't buy her an expensive gold necklace.

Be respectful to the relationship between yourself and the present receiver, the occasion you are buying the gift for, and the personality of the person receiving the gift, and you will choose a perfect gift from a gift shop.