Gada Kunash
General manager/owner of Vindemia Gallery.
Age: 41
Best gift you ever received?
On my 40th birthday, my husband surprised me with a trip to Madrid, Paris and Rome.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
A framed hand-made card with three dried red roses and a few lines I took from a song by Fairouz, I gave to my husband on our first anniversary, the roses were the very same ones he gave me on our first date five years before getting married.
Worst gift you ever received?
A Gucci wallet from a very close friend of mine whom I thought should know better.
Your festival season gifting strategy?
I plan it. I never give just any gift, it has to be the right gift to the right person.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
A trip to a place with antique shops and flea markets that I have never seen before.
What's your stance on re-gifting?
Maybe this is the most unacceptable thing anyone can do; if you get something you don't like you can give it away to whoever might like it, but never giving it as a gift.
Deborah Anne Simcox
Designer-creator for Sartori Sartori — avant-garde British evening wear brand for the jilted generation
Age: 32
Best gift you ever received and why?
I think it would be a very close call between the drum kit I was bought at the age of 11 and my first ever Singer sewing machine.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
My wedding gift to my sister and brother-in-law were their bridesmaid's dresses. This was quite a tall order when I didn't have the actual bridesmaids in the country to do fittings.
Worst gift you ever received?
My Nana would travel to Spain for her holidays every year and insist on buying my sister and me identical cotton jersey dresses with long tassels as a souvenir with some form of cartoon character emblazoned on the front.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
Right now I am knee deep in fabrics, patterns and trims preparing my new collection, but am hoping to get it all finished in time to get back to see my nephew for Christmas — this is definitely first on my Christmas list.
Tamara Al Gabbani
Owner of House of Glamo
Age: 29
Best gift you ever received and why?
Love, friends and God's blessings.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
The most recent one is fulfilling my best friend Nina's dream to see Guns N' Roses perform and meet Axl Rose. I'm making that happen.
Worst gift you ever received?
For some reason, I am given teddy bears and stuffed toys a lot, I really don't like it.
Your festival season gifting strategy?
I don't tend to just give a present specifically on any given occasion. My strategy tends to be spontaneity, when an opportunity arises to make someone happy.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
Rainbow Wayfarers and Louboutin spiky boots.
What's your stance on re-gifting?
The bottom line is that it can be rude, but it is practical. I don't do it with gifts I receive because I think it would hurt the giver's feelings, but I really wouldn't mind if someone re-gifted something I gave.
Florian Mandet
Radio 1 Breakfast Show Producer
Age: 21
Best gift you ever received and why?
I'm going to be honest and tell you that I have never really had an amazing gift. What gave me the best feeling from a gift were notes, cards by people who matter in my life, from my little sister, my mother and my best friend.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
I can't really answer for someone else, but if I had to guess one, it would be the time I took all my familly for a nice dinner in a really good looking restaurant.
Worst gift you ever received?
A lot from my dad. He went to NYC once and I asked him to bring me a NBA shirt. I asked him before he left to not have a crappy surprise when he comes back. Of course, he came back with the ugliest shirt with dogs on it!
Your festival season gifting strategy — are you a planner or a last-minute person?
A bit of both. Try to have basic idea for each and then go somewehere and get inspired on the spot by what you see.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
I don't have and I never had.
Name: Vimi Joshi
M.A.C senior make-up artist, Middle East and India
Age: 41
Best gift you ever received and why?
Jewellery from Sunita Kapoor. She is Anil Kapoor's wife and her work is amazing.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
iPhone for my younger brother who got his PhD. He was so happy when he got it as he was using this really old phone whilst he was studying. It just seemed like the perfect gift for him.
Worst gift you ever received?
A cheese grater.
Your festival season gifting strategy?
I am such a planner. I see things throughout the year and buy them for people.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
An all-expenses-paid retreat in a destination spa for a week. I can dream this Christmas.
Joana Samhoun
Partner and managing director of Two Scoops
Best gift you ever received and why?
One memorable gift that does come to mind was a Cartier necklace I received from my parents. The design was timeless and unique.
Best gift you ever gave?
I love planning surprise parties. I get a kick out of seeing the happy, astonished faces and reactions.
Worst gift you ever received?
I think it can be pretty clear when people are giving out of obligation — it's easier to enjoy and appreciate a gift when it's given from the heart.
My gift-giving strategy?
When I see something that reminds me of someone specific I'll grab it on the spot. I like gifts with meaning or humour. I'm also a sucker for packaging and get very excited about presentation.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
Anything by Ghada S. I love how she uses the most opulent precious stones, like pink sapphires and yellow diamonds to create fun, young, colourful pieces. That's number one on my wishlist.
Sarah Jane Tapiwa Kilalea (SJ)
Radio 1 Breakfast Show presenter
Age: 28
Best gift you ever received and why?
A flight to Zanzibar. It was the most amazing present as the experience was incredible and it was a gift that will last forever in memories.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
A Formula One driving experience — for the boy who has everything. I also designed a leather and silver bracelet with a secret compartment in it for a guy who had to keep antihistamine tablets on him all the time.
Worst gift you ever received?
A furry Russian pilot helmet.
Your festival season gifting strategy — are you a planner or a last-minute person?
Little of both — just did most of the shopping but there's always someone you forget and then get into a mad panic at the last minute.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
I would absolutely love a day of pampering: need a haircut, massage, facial, highlights redoing as I'm feeling super run down! That would be lovely.
Regifting?
Yeah! If you get a present that you'll never use but you know someone who will love it then why not?
Sarah Belhasa
Owner, Studio 8 Boutique
Best gift you ever received and why?
My husband gifted me Studio 8 which pushed me to realise my fashion dreams.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
The best gift was a surprise birthday party for Saif, my husband.
Worst gift you ever received?
There is nothing like a worst gift. The entire gifting process involves the thought of the person, which is what matters and is cherished deeply.
Your festival season gifting strategy?
I am a thorough planner.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
Awards and appreciation.
Dana Jallad
Managing partner, Sugar Daddy's Bakery
Age: 40
Best gift you ever received and why?
I got a new car as a present for my birthday.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
I gave my husband a really nice watch for his 40th birthday. I cheated by asking his friends which one he really loved most.
Worst gift you ever received?
Can there be such a thing! I honestly can't think of one. You never remember bad gifts.
Your festival season gifting strategy — are you a planner or a last-minute person?
Definitely last minute-planner. Since I started working I have even become notorious for giving belated gifts.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
A long holiday. I haven't taken one in a while.
What's your stance on re-gifting?
Not cool, especially if it's someone you care about.
Hatem Alakeel
Fashion designer/ entrepreneur
Age: 30s
Best gift you ever received and why?
My first Giorgio Armani suit when I was 15 . That's when I realised how important luxury tailoring and timeless classic pieces can be.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
Of course it's my gift of peace. My Toby Peace cuffs to the world. It's the ultimate gift to give. Find more about the Toby Peace on Facebook and spread the message of peace.
Worst gift you ever received?
A really horrible looking shirt which was actually a practical joke on my birthday.
Your festival season gifting strategy — are you a planner or a last-minute person?
I am a planner sometimes and other times I can be quite spontaneous. I think a bit of both makes it more fun and balanced.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
The gift I would love to receive this season is for the world to unite and join forces in making sure that there are no children left unattended and for all of us to develop more empathy for the ones that are not as fortunate as we are.
Danny Cee
Radio 1 breakfast presenter
Age: 28
Best gift you ever received and why? A packet of Haribo and a book. It was a very special gift from a very special person at a very special time.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
I chose a bracelet for my girlfriend's birthday which is in April, however due to shipping complications it got cancelled.
Worst gift you ever received.
I've had my fair share of wonderful socks, hankies and jumpers, but my brother takes that prize. He wrapped up an interesting men's health book as a joke, opening it in front of the rest of my family wasn't as funny.
Your festival season gifting strategy — are you a planner or a last-minute person?
If I see something a certain somebody might like, I will buy it and keep it. I'm a last minute petrol station-shopper.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
An Audi R8; failing that I'd settle this year for a well-cooked Christmas dinner.
Juhi Yasmeen Khan
Managing director, JYK Fashion House
Age: 38
Best gift you ever received and why?
My multi-designer boutique, JYK Fashion House, of which my husband chose the location and gave me as a surprise on our wedding anniversary.
Best gift you ever gave, to whom and how did you pick it?
As a gift to my friend on the birth of her baby girl, I decorated the baby's dream room for them.Worst gift you ever received? A relative gave me IKEA promotional tea mugs as my first Eid gift after our wedding.
Your festival season gifting strategy — are you a planner or a last-minute person?
Being extremely busy and having many events to attend everyday, I cannot leave the things to the last minute. Therefore, I mostly buy gifts well in advance, and at times.
The gift you'd love to receive this season?
As I am looking for a new car, a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead would be a dream come true.
