It’s always tricky buying gifts for family. So this year we’ll get them things we want, so if they don’t like them, we’ll just ask them to re-gift right back. Talk about strategy!

Mom
She loves to read and play Scrabble, so we’re getting her both in a box. Scrabble’s Book Lovers Edition ($29.95) awards points for use of any author name, book title, or literary character. At www.chapters.indigo.ca

Dad
He can’t get through the day without 12 cups of coffee, so we’re getting him the KRUPS KM9000 Coffee Dispenser ($249.99) which keeps 12 cups of coffee hot and fresh for four hours. We’ll just have to hope he goes decaf. At Boutik Electrik, 705 Ste Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-847-0303, www.boutikelectrik.com

Sister
She’s a fashionista with a flair for functional accessories, so we know she’ll adore this Wold and Feather print scarf by Balmain ($451). At www.ssense.com

Brother
He’s an adrenaline junkie but we’re more comfortable on the couch. Now he can bring us home some snaps from his latest adventure with the GoPro HD Hero Naked Waterproof High-Definition Sports & Helmet Camera ($249). So we can feel like we’ve been there without risking our lives. At Future Shop, www.futureshop.ca

Out-of-town Relative
Your snowbird aunt in Florida will love receiving one of these hand-painted syrup containers by Canadian artist, Marianne Chenard ($28 for small container) to feel like home. At Fai Ici, 2519 Notre Dame St. West, Montreal, 514-439-3888, www.faitici.ca  —Jenn Nachshen

Whether he’s your daddy or your baby-daddy, we’ve got five gifts that will make him feel like the fab father he is.

He cut his long hair and retired his garage band years ago, but dad is still a rock star in our books. Give him a copy of Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?: A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir ($16.49) by Steven Tyler to remind him that he really rawks! At www.chapters.indigo.ca

Home may not be on the range, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to brand his own cattle. This monogrammed forged steak brand ($39.95) from Williams-Sonoma will bring out the cowboy in him. At www.williams-sonoma.com  

With everything dad does for us, it sometimes seems like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders. The Travelpro Crew VIII Business Backpack ($130) has numerous pockets to organize his wallet, passport, laptop and other business travel necessities so he can get through security and back home with ease. At The Bay, 585 St. Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.hbc.com

He thinks he’s a gourmet chef just because he can man a hot grill. Instead of bursting his bubble, we’re getting him the Ultimate BBQ Set by Le Creuset, featuring a cherry-coloured platter with matching barbecue jar and brush ($135). Find retailers here.

He’s an urban eco-warrior, hitting the streets on two wheels and a briefcase, but finding a suit that doesn’t ride up while he rides is a challenge. The Strellson Meets Bianchi collection of bike-friendly business wear includes sleek suits ($795) that stretch and moisture-wicking shirts ($150) so he can cycle in style. At The Bay, 585 St. Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.hbc.com

—JN

There’s almost no one we love more than our mommy, but when it comes to buying her a Mother’s Day gift, we’re often at a loss for how to show our appreciation. Here are five gifts that she’ll surely love.

We love this beautiful cross-body Messenger ($580) from Buenos Aires based luxury leather line, Peter Kent, to add a punch of bright sorbet colour to her summer outfits. At JoshuaDAVID, 4926 Sherbrooke St. W., Westmount, 514-788-4436, www.peterkentcanada.com

She’s a little bundle of energy and so is the Nespresso Pixie ($269), which is smaller, faster and more energy-efficient than previous models. And so cute. Just like mom. Nespresso Boutique, 2045 Crescent St., Montreal, 1-800-562-1465, www.nespresso.com

It might be risky to buy mom a classic wrap dress, but we can still pick her up some DVF with these Auro Shadows plates (26.99 – 79.99) from Diane von Furstenberg’s new home fashion line at The Bay. The Bay, 585 ST. Catherine St. West, Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.hbc.com

If your mom is the carnivore type, wrap up these summery steak knives ($8 each) by Victorinox Swiss Army so she can slice her sirloin in style. At Doyon Cuisine, 8505, Quartier Brossard Blvd., Montreal, 450-462-5555, www.swissarmy.com

You’ve offered up enough stress, so now give her the gift of soothing calm scents with a lavender plant for her indoor or outdoor garden from Quebec-based Bleu Lavende ($9.95 with purchase of $40 or more). Bleu Lavande, 705 Ste.Catherine W., Montreal, 514-284-3624, www.bleulavande.ca

We love you, mom! —JN

We always forget about Cupid’s birthday until there are just seconds to spare. Here are some easy ideas to show some last-minute love to your nearest and dearest.

For your Mom
Treat her to a sweet afternoon at Le Maître Chocolatier, and indulge in an all-chocolate menu ($30 pp) featuring hot chocolate, chocolate cake, fudgy brownies, and truffles. Because nothing says “I love you” like a decadent dessert. Le Maître Chocolatier, 1612, Sherbrooke St. W., Monteal, 514-544-9475, www.lemaitrechocolatier.ca

For your Single Sister
Benefit’s Finding Mr. Bright beauty kit comes with important tools for creating a fetching face. Use posietint cheek and lip stain for a romantic flush, girl meets pearl and high beam for that special glow, and erase paste to hide last night’s sins (finding Mr. Right takes a little trial and error). At Sephora, Fairview Pointe-Claire, 6815 Transcanada Hwy, 514-630-6100, www.sephora.com/canada

For your Married Friend
Even a woman with a full-time man needs to be reminded, sometimes (especially if she’s a full-time mom). So let her know that you think she’s Pretty Hot with sultry notes of red currant, blood orange, and mandarin melding with a floral base to create a sexy scent. At Pharmaprix, $63/50 ml.

For your Man
Really? Do you have to even ask?

What do you get for the man who has everything (i.e. you, in whatever capacity he has you in)? Here are our best guy buys from steal to splurge.

From the man who turned the making of the Oxford English Dictionary into a page turner, author Simon Winchester brings us pretty much every topic a boy could want in a book with Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories. At Amazon.ca

Warm his ears (and your soul) by picking up a limited-edition fleece lined Merino wool Canada Goose toque ($50) from Holt Renfrew. A portion of the proceeds goes to Polar Bears International dedicated to conserving polar bears in their natural habitat. At Holt Renfrew, www.holtrenfrew.com

Polly want a Pinot Noir? He’ll be cracking open bottles of holiday cheer in style with this whimsical parrot corkscrew from Alessi ($76). Alessi, 2085 Crescent St., Montreal, 514-316-4560, www.alessi-shop.com

Give him the gift of choice with a Prestige Gift Box. With the Découverte box ($299) your adrenaline junkie can choose his own adventure, from flying a plane to driving a Porsche Boxster S. If it's relaxation he’s after, go for the Détente box ($399) with a selection of spa experiences (some for two!). At www.coffretsprestige.com

You can’t expect him to drink a regular cognac while he’s riding in the Maybach. For extreme luxury, pick up a limited edition bottle of Cognac Louis XIII by Remy-Martin ($2,595). With only 80 or so bottles available at SAQs in Quebec, this gift will surely let him know how much he means to you. If you are Beyoncé. www.louis-xiii.com

Steven Keaton, Heathcliff Huxtable, Phil Dunphy—they’ve got nothing on our dad. Here’s our round-up of great Father’s Day gifts, from $10 to splurge.

With the right tools, Dad’s a whiz in the kitchen. Made in Quebec, Littledeer paddles and spoons are hand-sanded from a single piece of maple wood and come in left- or right-hand models. From $10, La Guilde Culinaire, 6381 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-750-6050, www.laguildeculinaire.com

Our Pop has been sporting bow ties since before Zac Efron was born. He’ll (finally) look hot and hip in this raw Japanese denim number from Montreal designer Naked & Famous.  $25, Three Monkeys, #207-1455 Peel St., Montreal, 514-284-1333, www.threemonkeys.ca

Give him a taste of the good old days (when he was the only man in your life) with a pair of stainless steel cufflinks featuring photos of you, age two. $90, Magenta Photo Studio, Rockland Centre, 2305 Rockland, T.M.R., 514-739-9966, www.magentaphoto.com

He introduced you to Kerouac and Fitzgerald, now return the favour. The new Kobo eReader comes filled with 100 literary classics (and room for 900 more). $150, Indigo Place Montreal Trust, 1500 McGill College, 514-281-5549, www.chapters.indigo.ca

All work and no play makes Dad a dull boy. Hire a Vacation Valet to custom-design the trip of his dreams. You’ll win Best Daughter prize by sending him on the Ferrari driving tour of Italy. Buon viaggio, Papà! $1835/day, www.kensingtontours.com