IELTS Speaking – a present you gave to someone that they really appreciated

I do, but only when I have enough time. I like thinking about what someone actually needs or has mentioned wanting, rather than just grabbing something generic. The downside is that I can spend ages deciding, so last-minute gift shopping really stresses me out.

The most important occasion is Lunar New Year, when people give lucky money in red envelopes, especially to children and elderly relatives. Apart from that, birthdays and weddings are big ones, and there are also special days like Teachers' Day in November, when students bring flowers or small gifts to show gratitude to their teachers.

Yes, a few times. The one I remember best is a bright orange sweater from a distant aunt, which was about three sizes too big. Of course, I thanked her warmly because it's the thought that counts, but I have to admit it's been sitting at the back of my wardrobe ever since.

It depends on the person. For close friends and family, I like making something personal, like a photo album or a handwritten card, because it shows I've invested time and effort. But for colleagues or people I don't know very well, a bought gift is safer and less awkward, especially if it's something practical they'll definitely use.

I'd like to talk about a present I gave my grandfather for his eightieth birthday last year: a printed book of his own life story. The idea came about because he has always loved telling stories about his childhood, his time as a schoolteacher and how he met my grandmother. I realised that once he was gone, those stories would be lost, and the younger children in the family had never heard most of them. So, over about three months, I visited him every weekend and recorded our conversations on my phone, pretending it was just a casual chat. Then I typed everything up, added old photographs I'd borrowed from relatives, and paid a local print shop to bind it into a proper hardback book. I chose it because he isn't a material person at all. What he values most is family, so I wanted to give him something that celebrated his life and connected him with his grandchildren. His reaction is something I'll never forget. He went very quiet, turned the pages slowly and then took his glasses off to wipe his eyes. Later that evening, he read a few chapters aloud to everyone. He now keeps the book on his bedside table and proudly shows it to every visitor.

In some cases, yes. Social media has created pressure to give impressive, photogenic presents, and some people feel they have to match what others spend, even if they can't really afford it. Weddings are a good example, as guests sometimes worry their cash gift will be judged. However, I'd say most people still spend sensibly. A thoughtful, inexpensive gift is often more memorable than an expensive one, and I think more people are starting to recognise that.

In my culture, it's completely acceptable and often preferred, particularly for weddings and Lunar New Year. Money is practical because the receiver can spend it on whatever they genuinely need, and nothing goes to waste. On the other hand, it can feel a bit impersonal for occasions like a close friend's birthday, where a gift shows that you've thought about their personality. So I'd say cash works well for formal occasions, while personal occasions deserve something more personal.

It has made gift-giving far more convenient. You can compare thousands of options in minutes, read reviews and have the present delivered straight to someone in another city, often already wrapped. E-gift cards have also become popular for people who are short of time. The downside is that it has perhaps made gifts a little less personal, since you no longer spend an afternoon wandering round shops looking for that perfect item for someone special.

Mainly to build long-term relationships. A well-chosen gift at New Year, for example, reminds clients that the company values their business, which makes them more likely to stay loyal rather than switch to a competitor. Gifts with the company logo also work as a subtle form of advertising. However, there's a fine line here, because very expensive gifts could look like bribery, so many firms now have strict rules about what is appropriate.