The worst thing about Christmas has to be buying presents and the worst thing about buying presents is undoubtedly the crowds. But as so many internet sites are keen to let you know this Christmas, bad weather, swollen feet and hoards of grumpy people can be avoided.

As well as inspiring ideas, the internet can allow you to shop with greater discrimination for more conventional presents.

Internet shops are aware of the boost to trade promised by the festive season and are already in Christmas mode - expect to see plenty of decorative flakes and snow-dusted price tags.

That doesn't mean you're getting any better deal than usual, and as ever you may find the bother of trailing round the shops in person pays dividends when it comes to unearthing bargains or special offers on stickered stock.

And of course you might actually like shopping, and discriminating between products you can see and feel.

Sites like kelkoo.co.uk allow you to compare prices on goods like books and CDs, as well as food and drink and all sorts of household appliances.

If you want to buy the new Playstation 2 video game Grand Theft Auto Vice City (retail price £39.99), for instance, Kelkoo gives you eight online outlets to choose from, quoting prices from £31.99 to £36.98 (including postage and packaging, which is not always included).

Kelkoo isn't always comprehensive; for example, a search for Michael Palin's book of his series 'Sahara' (retail price £20.00) comes up with three options (priced between £15.00 and £17.75), but omits two better deals on well known sites amazon.co.uk (£10.00 plus p&p) and bol.com (a mere £8.00 plus p&p).

But it can provide a short cut to your best bet: if you want to invest in the long-awaited DVD boxed set of the Back to the Future trilogy (retail price £34.99), Kelkoo suggests just choicesdirect.co.uk, whose £25.99 price was matched only by play.com. Other sites offering some notable discounts on CDs and DVDs include blackstar.co.uk or splashdvd.com.

These sites are in hot competition, so check them regularly for special promotions which may undercut a price you were about to pay elsewhere.

It's important to make sure that your online orders will be delivered on time, and to bear in mind postage costs.

Some sites have Christmas deals offering free delivery - orders over £39 are sent at no extra cost by Amazon, for example, until December 12.

A site similar in principle to Kelkoo, abcaz.com, gives access to a network of over 1,500 high street shops, and is a good place for electrical goods, home and garden equipment and sports kit.

When it comes to food or drink, the net is ideal for bulk buying. For chocolate, drinks and various baked goods you could try allpresent.com. Cases of wine or beer can be delivered free of charge by many operators such as majestic.co.uk.

Alternative Christmas ideas

Trying to find the right Christmas gift but feeling uninspired? Rather than plumping for a book which might not be read or a CD which might get just a cursory listen, you could search for something imaginative that suits and surprises your loved one in equal measure.

Here are some highlights:

For the adrenaline seeker

The "Adrenaline Zone" at buyagift.co.uk offers you unconventional thrills in the form of zorbing, a new craze from New Zealand allowing you and a friend (it's a "dual zorb") to be strapped inside a giant ball and rolled at speeds of up to 40mph across the Dorset countryside, and all for just for £59.00.

Or there's the chance to be a firefighter for the day in Redhill, at the cost of £125.00 - choose your date carefully to avoid spending the day warming your hands at a brazier and counting horn toots.

For the big softie

For £34.00 you can adopt a donkey, which means you get an "adoption pack" with a fluffy donkey, news updates twice a year, and a visit to your asinine friend's "care farm". Also at buyagift.co.uk.

For the one in need of pampering

An imaginative health product on the market is the Erogenator, a head massaging device which looks like a cross between a mediaeval torture device and a giant egg whisk. Pay £19.95 to experience the "ten feelers gently stimulating the nerve endings on your scalp."

For the slightly strange friend

Wackier ideas can be found on find-me-a-gift.co.uk and needapresent.com, which both offer you the chance of buying an acre of the moon or Mars ("no plot will ever be sold twice") for £19.95.