Christmas is nearly here - hurrah! To do something a little different this year, I’ve complied a list of ten last minute gifts I think would make any gay happy this festive period. I’d just like to mention before we get cracking (expect lots of Christmas related puns in this), the GayLeeds ‘Lonely This Christmas’ campaign Sarah is running, as well as pointing out the lovely offer Terry and Michael have made. If you’re worried you’ll be on your own this Christmas, click those links and let GayLeeds help you meet cool folks to hang out this weekend. Right, on to the gifts!

1) Scarves, gloves, hats, and other winter clothing. It’s not been as cold as last year (do you remember that SNOW last year!? My winter was exceptionally cold as my housemate and I went to our parents for Christmas and she left our living room window open. CHILLY.) but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to adorn ourselves with amazing chunky knit wear. I really want a wine red scarf from ASOS. ASOS have conveniently started their sale yesterday, so you can still grab a bargain in time for Christmas with next day delivery.

2) Pop albums. I can’t remember the last time I bought a CD. (or paid for music…). There’s been some great pop albums this year, so why not help a fledging pop artist this year and support the dying music industry? I’d suggest one from this lot: Nicola Roberts, The Saturdays, Kelly Rowland, Florence and The Machine, Cher Lloyd or Amy Winehouse. Failing that, everyone loves an iTunes gift card, or why not prove you’re ultra modern with a Spotify Upgrade?

3) Make a hamper. I swapped presents with my friends last weekend, and one of them made me a hamper. It only cost about a tenner, and it was filled with all the little things I like, as well as things I always forget to pick up in the supermarket. I now have an abundance of condiments, which makes me very happy this Christmas. Wrap an old Amazon box in some wrapping paper, fill it up with treats and embellish with as many Christmas stars, stickers and bows as you have available. Easy.

4) Hot guys and cute animals book. Literally a book of hot guys with cute animals. You won’t know whether to cry or touch yourself. Pass the tissues.

5) Molton Brown or White Company gifts. Always a sure fire winner with the most high maintenance of gays, these gift sets are posh and shiny. They smell amazing too.

5) Assouline books. I came across Assouline when I was in Paris earlier in September. They publish beautiful coffee table books which I adore. I’ve got the Rooms with a View book on my Christmas list, but there’s loads of choice. Good for fashionistas and interior design buffs, but buy from Book Depositary to save some cash. 

6) Kindle with a nice cover. It’s not something that I’m personally hampering for this Xmas (I prefer printed books), but I do like the idea of a Kindle. They come with some really fancy covers too. I’d go for a leather or Moleskine cover - it’ll make the present look really expensive and you’ll have only spent around £100 on the lot.

7) Gift vouchers. I am a champion of gift vouchers. Some guilt trip marketing in the early 2000s gave them such stigma. ‘Don’t settle for gift voucher!’ ‘Be more original, Auntie!’ etc doesn’t fly with me. I’d much rather a good gift voucher, so I can pick something I really want, than an awful novelty gift that I’ll never use and take up loads of room in my flat. I think the best vouchers are for clothes, books, or food. I got a Starbucks card from someone last year, and it was nice to go to Starbucks a couple of times for free. Beware experience days and ‘spa day’ tokens though - no-one EVER uses them and you might as well give your money to a hole in the pavement.

9) Illamasqua gifts. The new, ultra fancy make up shop in Victoria Quarter. I was invited to the opening but couldn’t make it (I was too busy at the Day Job’s Christmas party, singing to Spice Girls on karaoke and making a tit of myself), but I’ve heard it’s very nice. Perfect gift for a drag queen or someone who wants to add a bit of sparkle to their make up bag.

10) Tickets. Tickets and theatre tokens are again an underrated gift. I can never afford the extortionate prices of Ticketmaster, so I probably won’t see most of the big pop tours next year, even though I’d quite like to go. A pair of tickets to a good gig in 2012, or even West End tickets are a great unique (You can e-mail mine to martin.carter@gayleeds.com - Rihanna if poss. Ta)

Merry Christmas everyone!