Shopping for gifts for women is the one activity that has most men genuinely stumped, and ironically, one which is forced upon them with unfailing regularity year after year - sometimes several times in one year alone.
The higher up the woman in the pecking order, the more stressful the exercise.
So, it comes as no surprise to know that Christmas shopping for a wife makes the strongest of men break into cold sweat.
Birthdays and anniversaries are nerve-wracking enough but at Christmas time he is expected to exert his creativity that much more.
The gift has to somehow be different.
Relax.
Christmas gift shopping for your wife need not be fraught with tension.
Just remember one golden rule - a wife expects love, romance and thoughtfulness from her husband.
And, surprisingly, that does not necessarily mean expensive gifts.
The warmth of a handmade card can often put the cold twinkle of a diamond in shade (well, almost).
Here are top 5 ways to woo your wife at Christmas and make her fall in love with you all over again: 1.
Thoughtful, carefully chosen gifts that reflect her tastes will catapult you into the league of romantic husbands.
Sentimental memory journals and photo montages for the wife who is sensitive and romantic; yoga mats, a celebrated exercise DVD for the sporty wife; the latest gadget for the house proud lady - you get the drift.
2.
Give her a personalised gift.
Nothing says, 'you are special to me' like a personalised gift.
It could be a personalised piece of classy jewellery like a sterling silver bracelet or pendant.
It could be a special poem written just for her.
It could even be a personalised bar of designer chocolate! She'll love you for it.
3.
Doing things together.
And that means not letting her decorate the Christmas tree alone just because you are swamped with work.
Helping out with all the typical other 'Christmassy' chores - making a card list, writing cards, planning the party and the menu if you plan to throw one, and so on.
Shopping for gifts for the children together (if kids are on the scene), and, yes, keeping a vigilant eye open for any 'aahs' and 'oohs' that escape her as you both window shop while shopping.
It may sound unromantic but the core of a strong relationship is enjoying the basic stuff together and making it fun instead of drudgery.
4.
Surprise her - pleasantly.
Christmas is NOT the time for experimenting on the wild side.
Gifts are delicate affairs and you have spent considerable time and energy, not to mention money, on getting her what you think she would love.
Now, you just have to make sure that she ends up loving it as well! So, knock off outlandish ideas like adult toys and games (keep those for anniversaries) and stress on sentimental, romantic presents.
After all, Christmas is the time when sentiments run high.
5.
A romantic getaway - as soon as the hectic Christmas celebrations are over! Who says a romantic rendezvous need be centred around only birthdays and anniversaries? Take off on a mini break, travel on the road to a destination she has wanted to visit for a long time and just create some magical memories that both of you will cherish down the years.
So, play Santa this Christmas for your wife and fill her stockings with loads of goodies!