My best/worst presents

Nobody, not even a celeb, manages to avoid those awful Christmas presents but most of us are fortunate enough to get at least one really good prezzie which sticks in mind (although it may not be as good as Elle McPherson's hamper). Celebs reveal their present disasters and delights...

My best and worst ever gift

Rory Bremner

"My worst ever Christmas present was a device for separating egg whites from egg yolks. I was about 10, and more importantly a boy, and it was the wrong colour. It was given to me by an aunt who is now dead, though those two events are not connected."

Sir Paul Smith, designer

"I get my best Christmas present every year and it's always the same - a day off with Pauline, my wife. I don't have a worst present, but it's always sad when distant relatives spend money on something really inappropriate and it ends up going to Oxfam."

Elle Macpherson

"I only ever give and receive presents with love. I've been spoilt by my man, but my best present ever was my son's first Christmas when he understood the concept of Santa Claus - seeing his face with the tree laden with presents. But George Michael's Christmas hamper is pretty cool."

Elaine Lorden, actress

"The best Christmases were when you got the present you wanted. I wanted a Sindy doll and was amazed when it arrived from Santa. My worst was when my toys didn't work. I cried for ages, not realising they had no batteries!"

Christine Hamilton

"Neil gave me a lion rug. Big cats are our thing and we've got a stuffed tiger as well. Its divine, with wonderful whiskers. After Neil, it's my most favourite thing. My worst present was a side of smoked salmon that came from Harrods. I adore smoked salmon, but I'm not prepared to have anything from that shop, ever."

Kathy Lette, novelist

"A friend asked me to take in a lonely friend. He turned out to be the heartbroken husband she'd just dumped for a toy boy. He spent the day sobbing. My best gift was a Christmas day off. My husband did everything and I spent the day in bed."