I am rubbish at buying presents for grown-ups

[paneer]

Please help!

Really apparent as I have been trying to buy a present for a friend's birthday. Nearly bought a music CD for year of birth. Ended up buying a set of matushka measuring cups and a candle - both which I would like. At this point in our lives do we buy gifts we would secretly like (like the white camel tea pot I also saw), because we all pretty much have most things.

How do we buy decent presents for adults??

It is difficult. I try very hard throughout the year to notice things that people mention, but I quite often forget them again! It's a cliche but it's really the thought that counts.