Only for women
To continue the topic, women are the largest group of potential gift receivers. That is why modern shop industry coordinates its work on the weaker sex. The women spend more time in the shops before the Christmas and other most popular and widely celebrated holidays. They make 85 percents of the whole buying staff on the holidays. The matter is that women pay more attention to the presents as a symbol of good and warm relationships. They try to make the houses more comfortable and cosy using the things. Perhaps it means that women are more dependable on the material things, but perhaps it is a sign of another female feature – a woman is considered to be a keeper of family fire, a base of family happiness and harmony. So, it concerns the presents as well. As it is not recommended to give sweets and flowers to the men (it destroys his masculine aura), so, it is better not to buy the smoking sets, the tobacco goods, alcohol for a woman. The only exception is champagne (drink for women, of course) and rare wine.
In the beginning of last century many women smoked using a cigarette-holder. So, fashion is female. It is very changeable and perhaps once in the future it will return.
In accordance with the etiquette rules, the women are to deny getting a present from a stranger. Perhaps, something like a book, sweets or the flower is allowed. Such gifts as the things for personal hygiene, the cosmetics and the lingerie are allowed only between very close people. For example, the connection between a man and a woman symbolise intimate present like a lipstick. It means that they are united with a kiss already.
But remember that "It is better to kiss a Miss, then to miss a kiss, but too many kisses make a Miss a Missis". So, perhaps you will need more expensive and more personal gifts very soon.
A present for a mom is another issue. The mothers are practical people, and they would enjoy any kitchen or other house set. The gifts could not be material only. Every mother wants her children to be happy. So, even if she gets a new and expensive washing machine from a daughter as a gift, it is good. But a mother would be happier, if her daughter has a good family, the cute kids and a good job. So, sometimes smile and good news about family/work/friends/hobbies is a best present to a mom.
The mothers-in-law are special kind of people. If you do not know what the best present is, ask your second half. It is logically that her son or daughter knows his/her mother better than you do.
Actually a polite woman will be glad to any present. A gift is more like a sign that shows your affection, attention, thoughtfulness and care, any present is taken by a woman emotionally, close to heart and kept as remembering of some occasion.