This month’s health and lifestyle column from Corinne Yeadon, pictured, of the Being Better private therapy practice in Skipton

WE may associate Christmas gifts with extravagance and treats, but often the most heartfelt, well thought out present provides the biggest smile. It truly is the thought that counts.

It is easy to get swept along wanting to please loved ones with grand gestures that continue to be paid for well into the following year. Small independent businesses offer a variety of inexpensive products with a more personalised touch, plus there is the comfort of supporting the local economy.

The most treasured possessions are rarely designer or costly, the value often is attached to the person responsible for gifting. At 53 years of age I am the proud owner of a Kermit the Frog alarm clock, held together with blue tack, festooned with BMX stickers and a long since faded scratch and sniff peach sticker. My beloved clock that continues to limp along decades later was one of the last gifts from my wonderful grandad. In my office there dangles a multi-coloured, one-eyed, pom pom creature lovingly created by my youngest when in primary school and hastily removed prior to Zoom sessions. I take joy from a Christmas cactus, wooden carvings and Christmas tree decorations kindly given to me by previous lovely clients. There is meaning and purpose to certain gifts, home made ones especially. The latest gadgets and fads will pass but a present reminiscent of a person, place or experience can be priceless.

While I wouldn’t turn my nose up at something sparkly and fabulous, I wouldn’t swap anything for my tatty jewellery box from Morecambe with its broken shells and cracked mirror that on winding, creakily belts out a tinny version of The Blue Danube. The things that mean the most to us are so because of the precious memories attached.

There is the temptation to hand a present over with the preface, “It’s only a little…” Nobody should ever apologise for giving a gift.