May 19, 2012

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What to buy the man with everything?

January 23, 2012 By

It’s an old cliché; what do you buy the man (or woman) with everything?

 

Now have a think about it. The person with everything needs nothing but time. And that’s exactly what they haven’t got of course. And it can’t be bought. So there’s no point even thinking down that route.

 

Except that if you can really pick the right thing – particularly if it’s something new for that special person in your life – it can lead to a whole new vista opening up.

 

So for example, a friend of mine had always been a keen walker, but had ever been skiing or rock-climbing despite his continual best intentions to take up these outdoor pursuits “when I get time”; which basically meant never due to his work commitments

 

So for his 40th birthday, his wife bought him (and herself) the whole kit; all the necessary rock climbing equipment as well as the full range of ski clothing; boots, salopettes, ski jackets, the whole works.

 

And even better, she booked in two holidays over the next year in luxury accommodation; one for climbing with courses to boot, the other for skiing.

 

This proved to be the ideal gift for my friend. It was an expensive gift, but even that had an advantage in these sense that there was no going back. His wife had spent so much on the trips and the equipment that he felt duty bound to honour the previous statements he’d made that this was what he wanted to do when he had time.

 

It proved to be quite transformational. This busy man had to honour his holiday commitments. And, as it was well in advance, the time wasn’t a problem. And so it was that he started his new hobby and has found time for it ever since. And his health, well-being and fitness has improved radically a great idea.

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Innovative gift giving

January 23, 2012 By

If you’re looking for a great present idea, then you can spend hours trawling the web for inspiration.  However, it’s sometimes difficult to find something new and novel. And once you’ve sent someone flowers, chocolates or a basket of goodies, the ideas begin to feel a bit lacking in originality. Yet, it’s always nice to find a way of saying Happy Birthday or Thank You that shows you’ve put some thought into the gift.

Many people are now finding that gift experiences allow them to be more creative in what they give to friends and family.

You could send your best friend off on a cookery or pottery taster course, or pack them off to go racing at Brand’s Hatch or sea kayaking for the day. The choice is huge and you can also decide to go along with them. A favourite is to book in a pampering spa day with someone you can share the day with.  This kind of treat will give you and your friend a great chance to catch up on all the gossip – which is really great if it’s a friend who you don’t see very often.

Whatever kind of gift you decide to get, the best idea is to check out a different website to the ones you usually go to.  You might come across something that you may never have even thought of or considered. For example, Super Savvy Me is a great site that offers promotions and you’ll also often find money off coupons to stretch your gift budget a little further.

If you sign up for membership on Super Savvy Me you’ll also be able to become a member of the Savvy Circle – and get to try out new products for major brands before they hit the shelves. This could give you a whole host of fresh ideas for gifts.

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The Fast Show 2011 – so far

December 28, 2011 By

The Fast Show is back and its characters are funnier than ever. If you haven’t seen the online series of the Fast Show 2011 yet, then you need to get over to fosters.co.uk and get reacquainted with the old favourites like Dave Angel – eco warrior, Ted and Ralph, Billy Bleach, the Suit You tailors and Rowley Birkin QC.

 

Although we all thought the Fast Show had finished in 2000, when they did their ‘last-ever’ episode featuring Johnny Depp, the creators of the Fast Show were persuaded to make the online series when they heard just how many people were searching for YouTube funny videos from the previous hit series. So Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse went back to their writing desks and got the old cast together to make the Fast Show 2011.

 

In Episode 1 we were treated to a spoof on Downton Abbey – Upstairs Downton, as well as seeing Ted and Ralph and Rowley Birkin QC. The next episode saw the return of our Janine, the teenage mum who has now got the hang of social networking, and the Suit You tailors.

 

Music hall star Arthur Atkinson is still coming out with rubbish punch lines and Swiss Toni compares cooking eggs to ‘making love to a beautiful woman’ in the third episode.

 

The more recent episodes have seen the return of Louis Balfour to the Jazz Club and a second part to Upstairs Downton. In the fifth episode, Chanel 9 returned and we saw Johnny Nice Painter who’d suffered a knock to the head. There was also a new ad for Cheesy Peas.

 

In the last episode we’ve seen Billy Bleach the pub bore talking a woman to tedium about smartphone technology and Ted and Ralph weighing up whether they can be friends on Facebook or not.  Ralph sums up a lot of people’s feelings about social networking by saying nervously to Ted – ‘do you Tweet?’

 

The next episode is online in January 2012 – don’t forget to get online to watch the Fast Show. And if you haven’t seen any of the episodes so far, they’re all available to view on fosters.co.uk.

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Last Minute Present Shopping

December 27, 2011 By

It’s not too late to buy your loved ones a last minute stocking filler. If you’re anything like me then the last few days before Christmas is a bit of a blur as you panic buy whatever you can grab! If you’re looking for something a bit different then why not go green and buy environmentally friendly products for their homes – I bet there is stuff out there which they’ve never even thought of. Choosing a gift is a great pleasure and being safe in the knowledge that you are not impacting detrimentally on the planet with your choice gives great peace of mind too.

Shop in the comfort of your own home online or brave the crowds and head to the high street for all kinds of consumables such as festive fair trade chocolates and nuts to store room basics like pasta and rice. Maybe you want a candle to put by the bed, or some recycled artwork to decorate a room; there are some amazing and unusual items on sale. Clothing is also a great choice with fun things like Christmas pyjamas and even socks made from bamboo would you believe! I think I need a pair of those myself just to experience the material.

It’s not just the bits and bats which are kind to the environment too. For bigger purchases such as furniture from Bensons look out for responsibly sourced wood and fabric as well as green policies on delivery and recycling of packaging materials. The ideal present for a family with a new home could be something to contribute to a decorating or DIY project: how about eco-friendly paint for example. Use your imagination and I’m sure you’ll soon discover that there is something for everyone. And if you’ve missed the boat for Christmas – it’s not that long until Valentines Day!

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Gifts for All the Family

December 27, 2011 By

Everyone is cutting back on what they spend at Christmas, and one way to do it is to buy the whole family a gift rather than getting an individual present for each person. If this idea appeals then here are some thoughts on the perfect gifts to buy for all kinds of families… maybe you could drop hints with relatives for yourselves too!

  1. A membership card. Whether it’s to a local attraction like a stately home, zoo or leisure park a year long pass is a great way to treat everybody.

  2. Cookery classes. Many areas now have cookery schools with courses for all ages. Buy this present for a family to have some fun creating a meal and eating it together.

  3. Cinema tickets. Who doesn’t like to go and see a film every now and again? Wrap the tickets up with some popcorn and sweets for a great gift idea.

  4. Computer games. Find out which brand of console is their favourite and purchase a game they can all enjoy from driving to dancing, trivia quizzes or singing.

  5. A trip to see Santa. One for families with little children and best delivered early – take them to see Father Christmas and enjoy a hot chocolate or a mulled wine together afterwards.

  6. Babysitting vouchers. The gift of your time is a precious one. Arrange to look after the kids while Mum and Dad take a much deserved break, everyone will love it!

  7. Meals on wheels. More glamorous than it sounds – if you are a budding Delia and your friends can’t cook then offer to go round to their house and cook the family a five star meal.

  8. Chocolates! Pure and simple. There aren’t many people around who don’t like chocolate so put together a hamper of all their favourites and hope they are not planning to diet in January.

And if you’re really stuck and don’t know what to get your loved one this Christmas, just head over to Bensons to see what’s new in their famous bed sale. I bet you’ll find more than you bargained for.

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All I Want for Christmas… is to Get Upstairs!

December 17, 2011 By

I don’t know about you but every single year I struggle with what to buy my Grandparents for Christmas. They don’t want new ‘possessions’ and they always tell me not to get anything at all which of course I would never do! This Christmas however I have come up with what I hope is the best idea yet, and having roped in all their other grandchildren to share the cost I have saved everyone the same headache as well. No more chocolates and bubble bath as this year we are getting our lovely Grandma and Grandpa a stairflift.

Now I know what you’re thinking – what if they are offended by the implication that they need stairlifts in the first place? Well, they have actually been discussing the idea for some time and have just not taken the plunge to order anything yet. With an ear close to the ground I have taken as much interest as possible without raising suspicions and am pretty sure I know exactly what they want. Fingers crossed I get it right! We can’t obviously wrap up a present like this but are intending to make some kind of certificate with all the information included so they at least have a present to open on Christmas day.

www.homelifestairlifts.co.uk have been a brilliant team to deal with and have been able to visit my grandparents house to take measurements and offer advice at a time which was convenient to me – and whilst they were out! Everything is going well with the plan so far, and with an installation date fixed for January we are all feeling very smug. If you are struggling to find an appropriate gift for an older person in your life then maybe give a staiflift some thought – it could be just the perfect thing!

Filed Under: Gifts

Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift

December 9, 2011 By

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time, full of cheer and good will. Why, then, do we spend most of the festive period stressing over what to buy people and engaging in frosty dialogue with fellow shoppers?

Most people now avoid the shops all together and instead do all their shopping online. Who can blame them? Icy car parks, grumpy shoppers and endless queues – the relaxing option is to sit down in front of your laptop with a cold beer and let the computer do the work.

Of course, online shopping doesn’t come without its own pitfalls. Last Christmas, millions of gifts bought over the internet were still sat in warehouses just days before the big day. The big freeze hit and courier services didn’t stand a chance. The moral of the story is – get your shopping done early, you never know what might happen.

Once you are on the net, what are you going to get your loved ones? Some people are just impossible to buy for. They never really give you a clue, appear unenthused by the prospect of Christmas and are usually underwhelmed by your gift. If that is the case, the best option is to go for a gift containing alcohol.

Older relatives would probably prefer a bottle of scotch or brandy and would happily sit in their armchair sinking into it either side of an afternoon snooze.

How about a gift pack of premium lager for relatives of a younger generation? Most young men love their beer and would much prefer to open a gift to find a nice bottle of Foster’s Gold Beer and branded glass, than a pair of Simpson’s socks.

I find that you can’t go wrong with an alcohol-themed gift. If anything, it will help liven things up on Christmas Day.

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Outdoors gifts for Christmas

December 8, 2011 By

If you know anyone who loves spending time in the great outdoors, then you can’t go wrong if you buy them a new piece of winter gear for Christmas.

There’s a huge range of stuff available – from little stocking fillers like thermal hats and gloves, through to the more serious items like womens snow boots. Now, granted, it can be a bit risky making such a personal choice for anyone – especially a female friend or relative.  And I’m not being sexist, here, it’s just a statement of fact that most women don’t like having their clothing or shoes chosen for them!

However, pretty much any store you buy them from will offer you a gift receipt and allow the person to return or exchange the item until the end of January. So, as long as you can get their shoe size, it’s not that difficult.  You might end up choosing a style they may never have considered for themselves, but find they really like.

Another handy extra that a lot of people who do hill-walking in winter don’t always have, but could quite often do with, are ice grips for shoes.  These little accessories that go on the sole of your shoe make walking on icy or snowy ground far easier as they provide traction against the snow. Yet, it’s one of those things that people don’t always get around to buying for themselves. Again, all you need to know is the person’s shoe size, and there’s another present wrapped up!

There are all kinds of other outdoors items you can buy people for Christmas including thermos for the hot chocolate, a day pack, scarves and special walking socks.  Don’t forget all the gadgets you can get, too. Although most people have a satnav for their car, you can get a personal GPS designed to take on walks, and binoculars are always handy too.

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Why not buy your loved one a bed this Christmas?

November 27, 2011 By

I don’t know about you, but I genuinely feel like the worst thing about Father Christmas not existing when you’re an adult is that all surprise presents seem to go out of the window. Rather than you getting an amazing gift on Christmas Day, you seem to end up with socks or underwear, or something equally mundane, because they’re the things you need.

 

If this sounds all too familiar to you, but you can’t break away from the trend, you can get something slightly bigger that you need this Christmas. Why not get your other half a brand new bed?

 

Admittedly, it might not sound any less mundane than opening clothing on Christmas Day, but you’re bound to get much more enjoyment out of it – I mean when you get a good night’s sleep, of course! It will take you a bit of effort to head to some bed shops to find the right style and frame for you, but it’ll definitely be worth it in the long run – or at least for the seven years you’re meant to keep your mattress for.

 

As you’ll have your bed for a fair number of years, it’s important to buy it from somewhere with a good reputation. A shop like Bensonsforbeds.co.uk is a great place to start, as you’ll get a good-quality bed for a reasonable price. There are bound to be plenty of different bed frames and sizes for you to consider when you’re buying a new bed. And, if possible, it’s important to try before you buy, so you don’t end up lumped with something which is uncomfortable.

 

Look for something you’ll love sleeping on for the next few years and impress your other half with a present with a difference this Christmas!

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Are you stuck for Christmas gifts?

November 15, 2011 By

With Christmas just around the corner, we’re all thinking of the ideal presents to get friends, family and loved ones. Sometimes it can be a real struggle. We’ve all got that relative who is just tricky to buy for – they either appear to have everything they need, or they are not easily pleased, or they just don’t seem to be ‘into’ anything.

Perhaps you’re tired of seeing your uncle smile politely as he opens his fiftieth parcel of novelty socks or his twentieth collection of hankies, and he’s probably tired of it too! But you’re probably equally unsure what on earth you could get him instead.

A great suggestion for a slightly different presents this year is a gift pack of premium lager. If a relative, friend or loved one enjoys drinking beer, then this is the ideal gift. A premium lager is a real treat and something that can be enjoyed straight away, unlike hankies or socks (unless they’ve got a runny nose and chilly feet of course!) and which makes a refreshing change in more ways than one, to the usual run-of-the mill gifts that male relatives in particular tend to receive.

An attractive bow and a personalised, hand-written gift tag make all the difference when that present is sitting under the tree, so make sure your gift is beautifully wrapped. Taking your time to get gift-wrapping right makes a present so much more appealing. If you’re unconfident in your wrapping skills, you could always consider a gift-wrapping service offered in many department stores, often for free if you have made the purchase there.

To make a present of beer that little bit more exciting, include a gift of a tasteful branded or limited edition beer glass, so that they can enjoy your present even after the beer has gone, which is likely to be in no time at all!

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