IELTS Speaking Practice: The Art of Gift-Giving

Yes, I absolutely love giving gifts. There’s something special about seeing someone’s face light up when they receive a thoughtful present. I particularly enjoy the process of choosing something that perfectly matches the person’s interests.

Useful language:face light upthoughtful present

My sister gave me a cookbook of recipes from our region for my birthday last month. It was a lovely surprise, because she knows I’ve been trying to cook more at home.

Useful language:a lovely surprise

Sweets, flowers and small household items are common when visiting someone’s home. For birthdays, clothes, perfume and gadgets are popular, and more and more people give gift cards.

Useful language:gift cards

I think about their hobbies and what they’ve mentioned recently. For close friends I try to find something personal, while for colleagues I usually choose something simple and practical.

Useful language:something personalsimple and practical

Yes, during our main holidays, older relatives give children money in envelopes, and guests always bring something like sweets or pastries when they visit a family.

Useful language:older relatives

Yes, but they don’t need expensive ones. A small, thoughtful gift and some time spent together are more important than the price.

Useful language:thoughtful

A handwritten letter from my grandfather when I started university. He gave me advice for life, and I still keep it in my desk drawer.

Useful language:handwritten letter

I’d like to talk about a special gift I gave to my grandmother last year for her eightieth birthday: a handmade photo album containing pictures from her childhood right up to the present day.

I chose this gift because I’d noticed that she often reminisced about the past and loved telling stories about our family history, but most of her old photos were scattered in boxes and some were badly faded.

I spent several weeks collecting photographs from different relatives and digitally restoring some of the older ones. Then I arranged them in chronological order and added short handwritten notes describing each memory — where the photo was taken, who was in it and what was happening. The album had a leather cover with her name embossed on it.

When she opened it, she was completely speechless at first. Then tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly turned each page. She spent hours showing me each photograph and telling me stories I had never heard before, like how she met my grandfather at a village dance.

Her reaction made all the effort worthwhile. The album has since become a treasured family heirloom — whenever relatives visit, it comes out and everyone gathers round. It taught me that the most meaningful gifts are often the ones that take time and thought rather than money.

Useful language:reminisceddigitally restoringin chronological orderspeechlesstears welled upa treasured family heirloom

Gift-giving has changed significantly with digital technology and online shopping. People now often choose experiences or subscriptions rather than physical presents. Social media has created pressure to give more ‘Instagram-worthy’ gifts and share the moment online. At the same time, growing awareness of sustainability is leading many people to choose eco-friendly gifts or give fewer, better ones.

Useful language:experience vouchersInstagram-worthysustainability

Social media shapes what people buy through influencer recommendations and targeted ads, and it encourages showing off gifts publicly. That can raise expectations and make some people feel their gifts aren’t good enough. On the positive side, it also helps people discover small businesses and handmade products.

Useful language:influencer recommendationsraise expectations

Not necessarily. Handmade gifts usually show more time and personal thought, which many people value more. An expensive gift can be meaningful too, if it reflects real understanding of the person, but price alone doesn’t create meaning.

Useful language:personal thoughtprice alone

Older generations often prefer practical or traditional gifts, like household items or money, while younger people tend to value experiences, gadgets or personalised items. Younger people also buy more online and are more influenced by trends.

Useful language:practical or traditionalpersonalised items

Gifts are a way of showing appreciation and reminding people that we’re thinking of them. Small, regular gestures can strengthen friendships and family bonds, although they’re no substitute for spending time together.

Useful language:showing appreciationno substitute for

Yes, I think clear policies are sensible. They can prevent pressure on employees to spend money, avoid favouritism, and prevent gifts from clients being seen as bribes. Setting a modest limit for office celebrations is a good compromise.

Useful language:favouritismbribesa modest limit

I expect more digital and experience-based gifts, and possibly more shared or second-hand gifts as people become more environmentally conscious. AI may even suggest personalised gifts. But I think handwritten cards and homemade gifts will stay popular precisely because they feel personal.

Useful language:experience-basedenvironmentally conscious