The Gift Blogger

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!!!

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.

Over the last few weeks I have been looking at how to buy the right Christmas gifts for people we don't know too well, such as distant relatives. This week I'd like to look at another difficult choice; the gift for a new lover.


Although this may seem quite difficult at first, buying for a new love in our life is at least exciting, which gives it the edge over buying for a colleague you hardly know in a secret Santa!

Buying for someone you have just started seeing (or would like to start seeing) romantically is a thrilling prospect but the danger here is appearing to be too over the top. Stick to my simple guide and you'll be wooing and wowing him without any element of woah!


Firstly and most importantly, in order to get the right gift for your new flame, remember you don't want to frighten him off. The best advice I can offer in a spot like this is to keep it fun. For example, if he's a footie fan why not try the brilliant and unusual Grow Your Own Football Pitch? There is a huge choice of pitches to choose from so that he need never worry about getting his lucky seat again even when he's at home!


If you've being seeing your beau for a little while, and you're both getting to the point where you're feeling comfortable in your relationship, let him know that there's some areas he can wear the trousers, and give him the 6-in-1 Utility Key. This one is better if you've been seeing him for a while as you may face not seeing him while he plays with his new gadget. It’s also a gentle encouraging hint if you’ve got some DIY you need to get done!


If you're looking for a romantic holiday with your new man, why not show him that you're out for a little fun and invest in one of the most popular adult games around, Nookii? After all when things are new it's sometimes nice to have a few pointers, and with 90 suggestive cards, you won't be stuck for ideas!


Think you’ve got your man down to a T? There’s loads of great gifts out there for the Gadget Freak, the Sports Fan, the Big Kid and the City Slicker so if you’re already like peas in a pod, my only advice to you is to drop enough hints to make sure you're getting something just as good!

Not quite what you're looking for? Try one of these related posts: Gift Ideas for Him, Christmas Gifts for your Male Friends

Hello there and welcome once again to my gift blog!

Last week I started looking at how and what to buy for Christmas for those people in our lives who we don’t find it as easy to choose for as our closest family and friends. This week I'd like to continue on this theme with a look at what to buy distant relatives.

Although the phrase “distant relatives” often brings elderly persons to mind, it can also apply to those you don't see so often or don’t know so well. At Christmas you are more likely than usual to see your second cousin twice removed or that ancient aunty no one’s quite sure how you’re all related to, and possibly even be invited to their homes.

For those that we don't know so well, it's a good idea to buy something elegant that everyone uses, such as the Stylish Party Nibbles Set. This wonderful arrangement will set the tone for any gathering, with five party snack bowls and a beautiful indented platter. Whether watching a DVD in front of the fire or entertaining friends, this set will always come in handy and look good to boot.


If you're not sure how keen your relatives are on entertaining, why not buy them the Black Photo Frame Set? Everyone likes to show off their gorgeous relatives, and if you're feeling particularly generous you can even add a piccy of you and yours in one of the three frames.



If you don't feel you know your relatives' tastes at all, why not give them a fun present such as the Who Tall Are You Mirror? This is an excellent conversation starter when anyone visits and is sure to appeal to all ages. See how you and your family measure up compared to the likes of Kylie and Woody Allen for festive fun.



Lastly, if none of these ideas quite hit the mark, why not invest in a traditional family Christmas idea with a modern twist? The Make Your Own Opoly game is a fantastic way to keep everyone entertained this year. From the PC expert to the entrepreneur in your family, this ingenious game gives everyone a chance to join in the fun.


Not quite what you were looking for? Try one of these related posts: Gifts for Him, Gifts for the In-Laws, Gifts by Horoscope,

Hello again and welcome to my weekly look at what's hot and what's not in the world of gifts.
As you will be aware, over the last few weeks I have been looking at Christmas gift ideas for those people in our lives who, much as we like, we might not necessarily know well enough to know exactly what to buy them.

This week I'm looking at the difficult subject of the In-Laws. Whether you're married or not, it's good form to make an extra effort to impress your partner's parents at this time of year. That can be quite a tall order if you don't know them very well just yet.

In this case, buying a present for both is an excellent idea as it affirms their togetherness in your mind and in theirs.

It's always nice to be thought of as part of a partnership, so buy them a gift they can share such as the Photoframe Clock Family Time.
This gift is perfect if you have been married for some time and share precious memories with your In-Laws, and it also works if there's been a new arrival in the family.
With 12 photograph spaces this gift could represent a passage of time in their relationship if you're feeling creative, or might simply reflect where the family is at this particular point in time.

Of course, buying something tasteful is an obvious gift tip, so how about giving them a tasteful present such as A Wine Tasting Experience day that will teach them how to differentiate between different grape styles. Completion of this experience also offers your In-Laws the opportunity to earn an NVQ level 2 online to show off to their friends!



If wine isn't quite their cuppa, how about a Chocolate Making Workshop for Two? Giving them the chance to get stuck in and sticky together, this fun day will teach them how to make praline, vanilla truffles and fudge! Mmm!




Not quite what you were looking for? Try one of these related posts: Pulling off Playful Gifts, Give an Experience, Anniversary Gifts

Hello once again, and welcome to my weekly musings on how to give the perfect gift for every occasion. Gift giving is creeping into everyone's consciousness at the moment of course, and although some people finished their Christmas shopping long ago, I, like most of us, have yet to start.
In order to help you get through this intensive gift giving time, I intend to write a little list of recommendations in the coming weeks to suit all relationship combinations. After all, no one wants to give an inappropriate gift by mistake and create a difficult atmosphere at work or among friends. In fact it's friends I'd like to start with this week and -more specifically - male friends.

There are many gift types to make your choice from and as usual, it's all about the person's personality and what they might like rather than what might appeal to you. For example, it's good form to buy some Arsenal (or other club) merchandise for the self-acclaimed world's biggest fan even if you find football detestable. Christmas is not the time to persuade your friend that rugby is the better game!

You could however buy something for the footie fan that's stylish and not so predictable such as the Charles Buchan Wallet. This leather wallet celebrates his favourite pastime but also evokes the memory of the 6th highest goal scorer of all time.

If buying into one of your friend’s interests is not quite your cup of tea, why not invest in the person and give them an IQ test designed by IQ expert Philip Carter? This test is an approved measure of intelligence and once finished is returned for marking. Your friend’s IQ will then be sent to them on a certificate that they can keep forever.


If you love your friend but wish they could be a little more punctual, why not invest in a Hologram Alarm Clock? This stylish gift allows no reason for late arrivals at work or for social gatherings in the New Year. Being a hologram, the face of the clock changes depending on where in the room you are looking from. Always a winner for the techie types!


Not quite what you were looking for? Try these related posts: Gifts for Him, Give an Experience, Gifted Individuals, Christmas Gifts for a New Lover