We all like to give and receive gifts. But, sometimes coming up with something interesting to buy a friend or family member can only be described as torturous. Often, no matter how hard you try, the best ideas you can come up with are a bit mundane, for example, a new sweater or a bouquet of flowers. Both are gifts that would be gladly received by most people, even if they are a little predictable.

But, sometimes it is nice to be able to give people something that is a little different. If your other half had always fancied owning a pair of stylish cat eye glasses, it would be nice to buy them a set.

But, you need to go about it the right way. Otherwise, it could turn out to be a bit of a disaster. The last thing you need is to end up inadvertently giving someone eyeglasses that don’t fit well or that they don’t particularly like.

So, it would not be wise to go out, select a set of frames and buy them for someone. But, that does not mean that you cannot pay for the ones that they select for themselves.

Pay for a credit note or buy coupons

These days, most opticians and online eyewear retailers provide coupons, or, are happy to give you a credit note. Provided you put it in a special card, this can make a nice gift.

But, if you decide to do this, read the small print. Some coupons have a surprisingly short lifespan, so always check the expiry date. Others start to lose value within just a couple of months.

If you are very unlucky you could even end up buying a fake coupon by mistake. Use this guide to help you to avoid getting into that situation. The same issues can apply to credit notes. So do your due diligence.

Buy sunglasses as a gift

If the person you are buying for only needs to wear glasses for reading, you could easily treat them to a new pair of sunglasses. Provided you keep the receipt, if for some reason they do not like them, they can easily exchange them.

Treat them to some new accessories

Not everyone can afford the cost of a new pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. In that situation, you could consider buying a nice case or strap instead. Gifts like that will stop their glasses from getting lost or damaged, something most people are sure to appreciate.

Just pay for their eye test

Another option is to pay for their eye exam. Adults should have their eyes properly tested every year. But, doing that can work out expensive. If you know someone who is struggling with that health expense you could cover it for them. Provided you approach it in the right way they will be very grateful. It is also potentially a good way to get a loved one who is clearly struggling with their current prescription to get new glasses.