For those still agonising over the perfect gift for Christmas - here's some disheartening news.

Psychologists say it's not the thought that counts - it's the gift.

They say no matter how much time you spend trying to get it right, the important part for the recipient is getting it right.

In a paper published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, behavioural science lecturer Nick Epley says the person opening the present doesn't really think about the thought process behind it.

Their primary reaction is, do I like it?

His unromantic advice is simply to ask the person getting the gift what they want - then go and get it.

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