PRESENTS IN MIND

No man or woman has everything so somewhere there is the interesting, tasty, rare or simply charming item that the person who appears to have everything will appreciate.With the world awash with gift ideas, we present just a few here that appeal to us, and if not bought for Christmas, may do for Valentine's.

The successful man is always impressed by money so why not give him some? The Royal Mint has just released its 2014 Sovereign Collection. These coins, in 22 carat gold, mark 100 years since the outbreak of The Great War, and feature St George on the reverse, slaying the dragon. The sovereign was once a recognised currency across the globe, “the chief coin of the world” says the Mint, and at the outbreak of war in 1914, British citizens were asked to give up their sovereigns for their country to aid the war effort. Banknotes were introduced into regular circulation, and within a few years, the sovereign ceased to be used for everyday transactions.

It has become a highly valued coin by collectors. The first one was struck in gold for Henry Vll in 1489. This latest release will be much in demand around the world, particularly as a special present for anniversaries as well as for collections, and includes a Five-Sovereign Piece, the Double Sovereign, a Half-Sovereign, Quarter and the Sovereign itself. In limited editions, each has a numbered certificate of authenticity and a booklet telling of the Sovereign's role in 1914. Prices range from £115 to £3,600 royalmint.com/oucoins/ranges/sovereign

It will take quite a few sovereigns to buy the latest perfume for a lady, a miniature bottle of this scent representing liquid gold. IRISS eau de perfume comes in a hand-crafted amethyst quartz bottle, in a limited edition, to set the buyer back by a cool £32,000.

The Italian perfume house Xerjoff makes this scent, part of its 17/17 collection. The magic ingredient is Florentine Iris butter! This, they claim, is the perfumer's equivalent of diamonds, and is clearly not to be spread on bread. There are six scents in this collection, contained in hand-crafted quartz flacons, embossed with 18-carat gold and decorated with rubies. They may be found at Fortnum & Mason and the Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie at Harrods. For more info, www.xerjoff.com

Forget high tech, modern tablets, and all that jazz. This classic game of backgammon provides not only a tactile and beautiful form of entertainment but one that will last, not require updates, encourage mental ability, and may become a family heirloom.

Designer Alice Temperley turned to Alexandra Llewellyn to create a version of this oldest of board games to complement her own fashion brand. Llewellyn is a specialist in the backgammon world, as well as an enthusiastic player, and makes one-off , hand-crafted boards for clients around the world.

This Temperley beaded board took inspiration from a print design used in a recent collection, and is beautifully crafted by traditional British joiners in laurel burl wood, with brass cased playing pieces, faced with orange and green stone. Price £2,700, through Alice Temperley boutiques and at www.temperleylondon.com

Those have-it all's often like to appear as know-it-all's but invitably need some help on certain subjects. This is where the Bluffer's Guide box set could be an invaluable as well as entertaining and reasonably priced present, with a variety of topics available to suit individual interests.

For the man who wants to give the impression he knows everything about cricket, jazz and sex, a trio of these pocket-sized books will fully cover each topic in witty one-liners and amazing trivia. There are books on poetry, James Bond, beer, cars, the quantum universe... 22 titles in all provide plenty of scope for a set. 'An amazing amount of solid fact disguised as frivolous observation,' is how the Sunday Telegraph described the books, while the Daily Mail said 'The Bluffer's Guides present the means to apparent instant erudition without actually having to know or study anything.' £19.99 for a boxed set at www.bluffers.com

With a thought to post-Christmas depression, one small box holds the key to brightness in the dark days ahead. Relais & Chateaux, the fine hotel group, is offering pretty little gift boxes that contain a passport to a special experience for two. This may range from a meal for two or up to the ultimate treat of one night in a suite, champagne, breakfast, 5-course meal with wine and an extra special entertainment (a flight over the Loire Valley, for example).

Likely to be welcomed by ladies who are playing the grand hostess over the holiday period are the gift boxes that include spa treatment. So a night's stay at one of the hotels in the group, with access to the spa and a treatment for two, plus breakfast and dinner could help recovery from all the festive stress. There are hotels and restaurants throughout Europe and others around the world that will accept the gift certificates, which are valid for up to two years. Price start at 169 euros up to the Ultimate Escape at €1,220. Go to www.cadeaux.relaischateaux.com

Some men never get over the love of their Teddy, so a truly bespoke bear from Scarlet & Argent could be a nostalgic treat for them or other adults, or as a best bear for children. In soft, cuddly cashmere, hand-stitched, it is perhaps the wrong colour for a traditional bear, but maybe is showing support for those hand-pressed polar animals. Price £95 from www.scarletandargent.co.uk

And for the man who still sees himself as a Rocker, a special edition bike from Britain's iconic motorcycle name, Triumph, is just the thing to zoom him around in the New Year, even if he has to buy it for himself. The new Bonneville is inspired by one of the last Meriden models of 1982, in the same classic jet black and silver paintwork but with some new improved features.

Triumph has been making motorbikes at its Leicestershire base for over 110 years, exporting around the world. This latest model follows other revamped classics from its past that have delighted Triumph fans, and is available through Triumph dealers at £7,499. More details on www.triumphmotorcyles.co.uk.