Men and their challenged gift-giving ways

ROB York was no more than 11 years old when he realised how terrible his father was when it came to buying gifts for his mother. One Christmas, it was a camera. The next, a handbag. He got used to watching his father's awkwardness and his mother's disappointment.

Mr York vowed to do better. But each year, he finds himself trying to find exactly the right thing for friends and family, which, he said, has put a strain on him.

"The older I get, the more anxiety I…