Gift ideas for Spring

Spring is in the air... the sun is shining, the flowers are growing, and everyone is smiling. Complete the image with a little Spring clean, for a sparkly bright home that’s as inviting as the spring and summer days to come. Follow these five steps to revitalise your home and yourself, and start each day with a spring in your step!

Top gifts and tips for springtime bliss

1) Clear the clutter - Space can be far more valuable than the clutter consuming it. Go through each idle item and ask, ‘Do I need this?’ or ‘Have I used this?’ ... If the answer is ‘No’ then it has to go!


2) Encourage positive Feng Shue - With your new-found clean, tidy space, should come a sense of peace and harmony. The home should be a place to really relax, so enhance the tranquil mood with the bamboo and incense set or to create a truly blissful home haven, opt for the zen hamper.



3) Bring the outside in - Open the windows and take in a breath of fresh air, and awaken the senses with some fresh fragrances. Present freshly cut flowers in a striking vase, and your living space will smell and look beautiful. Filling your home with plants will not only look great, but will also bring more oxygen and energy into the room. Try your hand at planting a carnivorous plant or even some garden herbs - you'll be surprised at how quickly and easily they grow!



4) Lighten up - The more natural light, the better. A mirror will reflect the light against each wall, and brighten up the feel of the room. And in the evening, candles offer a soft, relaxing light, while adding decorative style to your living space.



5) A little self indulgence - You’ve cleared out and cleared up, and now deserve to pamper yourself! Get silky smooth hands with the my hands set, or go for or a complete top to toe kit with body polish and body lotion for refreshed, glowing skin. Boys can get fresh and clean with the h2go base gift set and feel revitalised with the bergamot and amber collection.

Giving on St Patrick's Day

The Irish, and increasingly non-Irish among us are soon to be painting the town green, and celebrating St Paddy’s Day. On March 17th, expect a global day of drinking, feasting and merriment... The Chicago River is to be dyed green, while here in the UK we can expect Trafalgar Square to get the same treatment!



With all manner of parades, festivals, and en masse revelry, here’s one or two gift ideas to honour the Irish in your life...

This good luck token wonderfully displays the St Paddy’s Day symbol, and why not share the luck of the Irish with some real shamrocks – with Irish seeds and the complete kit to grow them.



The special Irish woman in your life will appreciate the good luck horse shoe necklace, while her male counterpart is bound to enjoy wearing the horse shoe cufflinks.





And last but definitely not least, is the hangover helper. After all that craic, this wonderful aromatherapy candle will help to clear both the air and the head!

Magical Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Magical Mother's Day Gift Ideas - by Chloe Marshall

With Mother's Day soon approaching, I've been thinking about the best ways to show Mum some love and affection. After all, she's brought me into this world, and has been constantly nurturing and caring ever since. Mum deserves a little recognition, and Mother's Day is the one day to really say thank you, just for being Mum!



Some of you may be struggling to think of wonderful Mothers Day Gift ideas for a wonderful Mum, so I've highlighted some of the best gifts to really show Mum some appreciation.

For those with a domestic Goddess of a Mum, make sure her hard work doesn't go unnoticed. Add some style to her home with some Royal Doulton aroma reeds or the Luna Del Mar sea urchin candle holders. She'll love the angel wings vase, especially if you fill it with beautiful fresh carnations - the traditional flower to give on Mother's Day.



If Mum is super-glamorous, then she'll love the luxurious style of an evening opulence pashmina. Guaranteed must-haves for the Fashionista Mum also include an ultra stylish leather wallet or clutch purse.

For a Mum that's a pampering Queen, I can only advise that on Mother's day you spoil her silly! Some bath truffles or chocolate truffles are bound to please - or for an even more generous gesture, give her a pamper hamper or relaxation day experience.



If, on the other hand, she's more of a gardening or outdoorsy Mum, you could always give her some striking new gardening tools, or an imaginative new watering can. An organic skin care set to pamper those hard working hands is also bound to be appreciated. Another great Mother's Day gift idea is the set of three egglings, so she can grow fresh herbs anywhere around the home.



Other equally as thoughtful Mother's Day gift ideas include the supermum keyring, or the beautiful hearts and flowers paperwieght with the words 'thank you for being my mum', to constantly remind her how you feel. And why not tell her she's fabulous, successful and glamorous with these gorgeous affirmations mugs!

Whatever you choose to give on Mother's Day, make sure Mum feels loved, pampered and cared for. And if she's a new or young Mum, don't forget to read my new ideas for new arrivals.

Treat Yourself this Christmas!

There may be some of you out there who are getting a little hot under the collar as the panic of the last minute Christmas shopping sets in, but fear not as this week I'm going to recommend the best stress relievers at this time of year.

Regular readers will know that I've recently been looking at gift ideas for those in our life who present a challenge when we need to buy a present (such as the in-laws), but this week I'd like to remind all my readers how important it is to indulge yourself every now and again. As I've pointed out before, you can collect iPoints if you choose your gifts carefully which means that with careful planning you can enjoy a treat all to yourself without spending a penny!


A New Year's bonus like this means you can forget all about sad Christmas jumpers and socks and invest for example in your own Personal Stylist! Most women I know adore Gok Wan, and although this box set won't bring him to your door, it can bring his genius to your wardrobe and help you to fashion the “new you” in time for the New Year.


There are so many choices for your indulgent reward: For example why not cash in all your points and feel the benefit of a Marriott Top to Toe Experience? With four treatments, a full body massage, a deluxe facial, manicure and pedicure there's not many places that won't be left feeling buffed and pampered on a day like this; and with full access to the health club if you can manage the activity, you can really max out on a day that revolves around you.


Lastly, if you don't have whole days to set aside just for you, why not rejuvenate yourself after all that gift wrapping with an Organic Relaxation Kit? Containing an orange, lime and Bergamot bath oil, natural soap and natural wax candle, you'll have all you need to get you going again whether you're off out to the next Christmas party or facing leftover turkey for the fourth day in a row.


Treat yourself to something indulgent and in the meantime have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Gifts for Business Clients

As regular readers will be aware, I've been suggesting gift ideas for those people in our lives that are difficult to buy for at Xmas. So far we have looked at colleagues, in-laws, distant relatives and new lovers. This week I'd like to look at business clients.

Giving presents to business clients is becoming the norm across the corporate world at Christmas, but in the light of the downturn and the fact that you might never have met your client face-to-face, choosing the right gift can indeed be a tall order.


Finding a gift that says thank you to those who have supported your business this year, without appearing stingy or going over the top is a toughie, but with my guide to impressing those that make the difference you can look forward to a prosperous New Year.



To make a good impression on a company or individual you don't know too well, why not try a Retro Sweets Gift box? Containing all of the most classic sweets of the last 20 years including Flumps, Cola Bottles and Jelly Babies, your gift box is sure to brighten anyone's day and bring back some happy memories too!


If, however, you prefer a more professional response to your client, the Oriental Bouquet is a timeless classic that mixes Siberian lilies with seasonal flowers. These blooms combine to create a bouquet that stands out from the crowd and yet will still look good among the office Christmas decorations. It’s the ideal Christmas present for a company.


Finally, if you think an Experience Day would
be too over the top for the client in question (remember you're accruing ipoints with every purchase) why not try something a little more personal that still shows more class than a box of Quality Street? Milk Chocolate Marc de Champagne Truffles combine a ganache filling with our favourite tipple champagne. For a moment of bliss to celebrate all the work you have done together, a box of these beauties will certainly make an impression and create good relations for future projects.


Whichever of these ideas you choose to go with when choosing gifts for clients, rest assured you'll be awash with work in 2009 so get on and enjoy the Christmas party!

Not quite what you were looking for? Try these related posts: Gifted Individuals, Playful Gifts, Gifts for Distant Relatives.