It's the most wonderful time of the year, at least according to Andy Williams - but we all know Christmas can also be a trifle stressful when it comes to buying presents for family and significant others.
Except, of course, if the recipient happens to be a cyclist - then it's pretty easy.
Not convinced? Take a look at some of our suggestions below, and tell us you don't feel your heart rate skipping into Festive Zone 3...
1. Alpine Winter Jacket - £88
This irresistibly Christmassy cycling jacket from Hackney GT is bursting with festive flavour. Made in England with fabrics sourced from a pro-team supplier in Belgium, the jacket features fleece-lined lycra sleeves and side panels for extra comfort with a long, soft cuff to keep out the draft. Best of all, Christmas delivery is guaranteed for orders placed right up to 23 December.
2. VeloCityLight - £49.99
This one's a cracker: VeloCityLight is an ingenious rear light that uses a 48-LED display to show your speed to motorists and fellow cyclists toiling in your wake. We first met the team behind VeloCityLight at The Cycle Show in September and were hugely impressed. The light throws out up to 180 lumens, with a USB rechargeable battery offering 6 to 14 hours of continuous use. Just the thing for those festive commutes - and it'll look great on top of the Christmas tree too.
3. Anything from Look Mum No Hands - £10 and upwards
Not content with being London's finest cycling bar, cafe and bike workshop, Look Mum No Hands are now muscling in on Santa's turf and rapidly positioning themselves as a one-stop Christmas market for all your cycling fan gifting needs.
It's hard to pick just one item from the fantastic range, but standouts include Attack the Pack - a beautifully illustrated card game that replicates a pro bike race - some highly pleasing Sean Kelly 'bonification' merchandise, these gorgeous Monuments Prints, some saucilicous Podium Pants, and, of course, LMNH's take on the classic woolly Bobble Hat, as reviewed by our very own Christmas pixie Andy.
4. Dromarti Race Classic cycling shoes - £223.70
Has that certain cyclist in your life excelled him or herself this year? Then maybe, just maybe, they have earned something extra special under the tree - like these Dromarti Race Classic lace-up cycling shoes in finest leather, for example.
We currently have a pair in for testing and they are the most beautiful things ever attached to our reviewer's feet. That's not exactly a competitive field, but you have to admit these shoes are pretty special. They come gently swaddled in a drawstring bag and packed in an elegant monogrammed box - so you don't even need to bother with wrapping paper.
5. Vulpine Softshell Gloves - £49
Remember that time you joined in a snowball fight in your bare hands? Still stings. You already know that gloves are a game changer, and it's the same with cycling. These padded softshell gloves from UK style merchants Vulpine feature thoughtful details like touchscreen capability and subtle reflective strips for indicating, making them just as useful on the bike as for hurling freezing ordnance.
6. Islabikes Cnoc 14 children's bike - £249.99
At just 5.79kg the Cnoc 14 is a kilo under the UCI weight limit - and, at £250, it costs about half those new wheels you've been eyeing up. But steady on there: before you reach for your wallet, you should know the Cnoc is a kids' bike.
Packed with features designed to inspire confidence in budding cyclists aged 3+, like lightweight wheels and micro-reach brakes for little finger, the Cnoc is just the thing to bring out the inner Wiggins in your little cherub. There's a thought... And if you're still tempted to get one for yourself, it only has a single gear - so maybe it wouldn't be much use on La Marmotte after all.
7. "Something nice" from Ashmei, Huez* or Rapha
Bit of a cop out here, but if you're under vague instruction to find "something nice I can wear on the bike" as a Christmas present then you're in safe hands with these three "Best of British" brands (we'd include Vulpine here, but they're already mentioned).
Rapha need little introduction: since launch they've become a byword for quality and style, a reputation enhanced by their association with Team Sky. Their extensive range of men's and women's cycling kit includes urban and performance wear for all riding conditions, as well as more covetable accessories than you can shake a Chris King Espresso Tamper at.
Pick virtually anything from their range, you can't go wrong. Well, actually...maybe draw the line at that £95 coffee tamper.
While Rapha are a (cycling) household name, Ashmei and Huez* are relative newcomers to the scene - although the former boast a considerable pedigree in technically accomplished running kit. Ashmei announced their move into cycling with a small but perfectly formed first collection - our reviewer loved their Softshell Jacket (£235) and Merino Carbon Jersey (£95).
Huez* are another homegrown brand well worth a look. We've been testing their highly impressive padded Starman Shorts (£95) this year, but if you're looking for something to see you through the winter season then the Starman Storm Jacket (£235; reviewed here) is a great choice.
8. Cafe du Cycliste Yolande Jersey - £129
Based in the tropical (to our mind) south of France, Cafe du Cycliste will probably be having Christmas dinner on the beach but have kindly designed a range of cold-weather cycling kit for those of us riding through northern winters. This merino Yolande jersey features long cuffs and a button up collar and is available in men's and women's versions. What's more, buy any jersey, bibs or jacket and you can claim a free Fernande base layer - just add it to your basket and use the code HAPPYCHRISTMAS at checkout. Merci, mes amis.
9. Isadore Thermerino Hot Chocolate Jersey - €170
Cyclists love coffee, that's the party line and everyone knows it. But if any heated beverage comes a close second surely it's hot chocolate. At this chilly time of year, what could be more fitting than a toasty merino-blend cycling jersey, in a chocolate brown and mint green design?
Isadore, for this "sensuous piece of cycling apparel", we raise a steaming mug in your honour. And if that's not enough to get you into the festive spirit, the Velits brothers are treating Isadore customers to free shipping and an ass-saver mudguard with all Christmas orders.
10. Bicycle frame-building course
So your other half is lounging around the house all holiday, eating all the leftover sprouts/Quality Street and moaning that it's too wet to go out for a bike ride. You despair. Are they ever going to get out of your armchair?
If this is you, then here's a gift that applies a cunning veneer of extreme generosity to a sturdy MDF carcass of self interest: a bicycle frame building course!
That's right, in just one week any civilian can be guided through the process of constructing their very own bespoke steel bicycle frame, under the expert tuition of some (presumably very patient) master frame builders around the country.
A number of courses are available, and they all tend to book up several months in advance so this is a slow-burner rather than a quick fix. It's not cheap either: expect to pay around £1400 including materials. But if you really want a few days to yourself, and are willing to make the cycling-mad recipient very happy in the process, then this could be just the thing...
Bicycles by Design, £1050 plus materials: bicycles-by-design.co.uk
Dave Yates Cycles, £1250 plus materials: daveyatescycles.co.uk
Enigma Bicycle Works, £1200 plus materials: enigmabikes.com
The Bicycle Academy, £1000 including materials; the first bike you build is donated to charity: thebicycleacademy.org
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