Gifts for a female friend

Nineteen LEDs sit behind the flat head, with three colours from 1800K to 6000K, each at five brightness levels, and it remembers the last setting. Clip it to the back cover rather than the pages and bend the metal gooseneck so the head sits just over the top edge. The lowest amber setting is enough for a paperback once your eyes adjust, and the gentlest on anyone asleep alongside.

What owners say: Owners rate it for reading at night, with brightness and colour to suit, from a softer orange to plain white, and are pleased with what it costs. It works well on a music stand too, and one has it on a desk as a mini lamp.

First to 200 points wins, in about 20 minutes. The deck holds twelve 12s, eleven 11s and fewer of each lower number, so big numbers score well but are more likely to knock you out, and action cards add twists to each round. It’s marked for ages 8 and up.

What owners say: Owners find the rules take about two minutes to explain and the pace keeps everyone involved, and like that it packs small for a holiday.

Its 325 teeth work on wet or dry hair, straight to curly, and on wigs and extensions too. In the shower it combs conditioner or a hair mask through evenly before rinsing. On long hair, grip the lengths nearer the root while brushing out a knot, so the pull stops at the hand rather than the scalp, and pick loose hairs out from between the rows every few days.

What owners say: Owners say it turns a long, tearful brush-out into a couple of minutes, copes with curls wet or dry, and gets through knots without hurting.

Each bar weighs 86g, and the other two are a 70% Peruvian and a 60% made with the maker’s own roasted coffee, which contains real ground coffee, so keep it away from anyone avoiding caffeine. Work through them in order of strength, finishing with the 85%, and let each square melt slowly on the tongue to pick up more of the flavour.

• 4 × 86g bars
• 55% to 85% cocoa
• Bean-to-bar from Suffolk

What owners say: Owners love the taste and the quality.

Paint a swatch of every colour on the tester sheet first, as it makes choosing much quicker mid-painting. The 12ml colours are opaque and matte, with lightfast-rated pigments, and the new formula is vegan-friendly and made not to crack when it’s laid on thickly, so a complete beginner has room to experiment.

What owners say: Owners find the quality high and the colour range broad enough for most subjects, and say it suits a beginner well.

An eau de toilette, 50ml, in the floral woody family, with jasmine in the middle and white woods, musk and vanilla underneath. Lighter than an eau de parfum, it suits daytime, and a spray on the wrists after lunch keeps it going through the afternoon.

What owners say: Owners love the scent; how long it lasts varies from one wearer to the next.

The fine end is 1mm, and the paint goes on wood, glass and fabric as well as stone, with the set in a presentation box. Wash and dry a stone before painting so the paint grips, and sketch the design lightly in pencil first. On a rock that’s going outside, finish with a coat of clear outdoor varnish once the paint is fully dry.

What owners say: Owners find the colours vivid and smudge-free, especially on stones, and like the even coverage, the quick drying and the way the paint doesn’t bleed through paper.

Aofmee makes them with shea and cocoa butter, essential oils and vitamins A, E and F, and says they’re vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for all ages. Drop one in once the bath is full and, as the fizzing slows, sweep a hand through the water to mix the colours.

What owners say: Owners love the scents and colours and the look of each bomb, and rate the set’s value. They like how the bath feels afterwards, and say children particularly enjoy them.

Pump as soon as the last glass is poured rather than at the end of the evening, as the less time the wine spends open, the better it keeps, then stand the bottle upright and rinse the stopper before it’s used again. Skip it for fizz: a vacuum draws the bubbles out.

• Pump and one stopper
• Clicks when the seal’s tight
• Up to 10 days’ freshness

What owners say: Owners find it simple, sturdy and quick to use, and say it keeps an opened bottle tasting fresh for days and saves money on wine that would have been poured away.

The stretch fabric has a natural latex liner, and the set comes with a bag and an exercise guide. Sit the band just higher than the knees for these moves, and push the knees out against it on every rep. Start on the lightest and move up a band once a full set feels easy.

What owners say: Owners say they’re well put together and comfortable, with thick fabric that doesn’t pinch, and say they stay put without slipping or rolling during leg work. The three strengths suit every level, Pilates included.