Sunday, June 29, 2008

New Trend In Holiday Gift Giving...the Gift Of Weight Loss

What's the most incredible gift you can give or receive this holiday season? Discover a rising trend in Christmas gift giving that no one else is talking about yet. A little gift that means a lot, even beyond the holiday season.Turn on the news today and you’ll see hoards of people crowding shopping malls and electronic stores. They stand in line for hours to purchase a Christmas gift that will long be forgotten two months after it is received. What you won’t see however is soon to be one of the biggest trends this holiday season. Diet plans like South Beach, Medifast or many others are anticipating that December will be the single largest month of the year.

Why this new shift toward pre-purchased diet plans as a gift?

The answer can be found in the growing number of Americans who are concerned about their health and weight. From the restaurants to the fast food outlets, consumers are demanding healthier food. With basic plastic surgery costing anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000, companies like Medifast.com provided a simple solution for individuals looking to begin their new year with an extreme weight loss makeover.

A promise so good...it can't be resisted.

One diet program promises to help you lose up to 20 pounds in one month without shopping, cooking or counting. These programs provide foods are nutritionally balanced, clinically proven, and delivered to your door. Compared to a $7,500 tummy tuck, these plans look very attractive to consumers as holiday gifts.

In a recent survey of married women, one of the top items on their wish for the New Year was that their husbands would eat healthier foods and work out with them. Trends indicate that not only are individuals purchasing diet plans for themselves but more and more couples are joining one another on a quest to loose weight. To these individuals, giving each other the gift of weight loss is truly priceless.

By: Brian Stephenson | http://StephensonandCompany.com |

Wedding Gift Ideas: Choosing A Unique And Special Gift

Giving gifts to the couple is part of the traditions on wedding. Your gift symbolizes your good will towards the couple. It represents your wish for them to have a happy life together.

Of course, your first consideration when buying wedding gift is durability. You would want to give a gift that would last a long time. But of course you would also want a gift that is individual and would reflect your personality. A gift that the couple will remember is from you because of its uniqueness. This means the wedding gift you should give should make a lasting impression about you.

Below are several unique gift ideas that will surely make you unforgettable with the couple.

Jewelry
Jewelry is a very “safe” yet unique wedding gift especially for the bride. We all know that most women love jewelry and the bride would simply be happy upon seeing your gift of jewelry. The bride will be definitely be surprised and fascinated when she open your gift. Choose simple yet very elegant pieces like brooch pins, hairpins, earrings, pendants, chains, necklaces and bracelets. If you have the money and if the bride really matters to you (a sister, best friend, etc.) then of course you could give her diamonds. You could also include a\n elegant jewelry box along with your jewelry gift.

Bags
Again, this will be another hit with the bride. Next to jewelry, shoe and bags delight women You can give her a beautiful and exquisite evening bag or hand bag. If your want something smaller then give her a clutch bag. You could also put a small make up kit inside.

Gift ideas for the groom
Of course you shouldn’t forget the groom. They say that it is easier to give gifts to men because and it could be true. Some ideal gifts for grooms include writ and pocket watches, ties and tiepins, gold, silver or diamond studded cufflinks. You could also give the groom formal suits and shirts. You could also consider his hobby. Give him a musical instrument like a guitar or drums if he is into music or a set of golf clubs, basketball or baseball set if he is into sports.

Naughty items
Naughty items found in most novelty shops like naughty t-shirts, hast, caps, wedding night kits, underwear are always a hit with couples. However, be sure hat you know the bride and groom very well before considering buying such items for them. Naughty items may seem impolite and offensive to some individuals.

Artwork
Paintings and sculptures are very ideal as wedding gifts. They are also very practical since the couple can use them to beautify their future home. Just be sure that you know the preference of the couple when it comes to art or else your gift would simply lie around in the garage of attic.

Personalized items
You could give the couple personal items like photo albums, pillows and pillow cases, photo frames, wedding plates, etc. There are many companies specializing in personalizing different things so for sure you wouldn’t have a hard time looking.

By: Melissa Burton | http://www.discountweddingguide.com/ |

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Three Steps To A Unique Gift Idea

Understand Who the Gift is For
The first and most important factor when deciding on a unique gift idea is understanding who the recipient is. Start by taking some time to understand who they are and how they spend their time. In many case if you're giving someone a gift you probably already know some things about them. Ask yourself questions like:
- What are their hobbies? Is there possibly a new, fun product related to their hobby that they may not know about?
- What is their work environment like? Is there a unique gift that could apply to their job either functional or aesthetically?
- How do they spend their money? If they are usually pretty stingy with their money then a designer brand gift may have less effect than someone who is more brand conscious.
Consider Unique Gift Ideas First
Don't just settle for a conventional (and often times boring) gift, take some time to consider other possible unique gift ideas first. Most people have plenty of material possessions cluttering their lives and homes, so I would first suggest considering non-material gifts.
If you are giving a gift to a significant other or a close friend consider giving them an experience that you can share together. The experience can be as simple as a trip to the zoo or as complex as a vacation. Be creative. If the recipient is into sports, pick up some tickets to a minor league baseball game and spend a day together at the park. If they like being outdoors plan a short camping trip or picnic. If the gift is for a more casual friend perhaps a trip to a favorite local restaurant or bar might be a good idea.
If you decide that you want to give a material gift make absolutely sure that it is unique and worthwhile. The last thing most people need is something else that they’ll use once or maybe not at all. Consider gifts with excellent design or hard to find items that the recipient will truly enjoy.
Consider a Unique Spin on a Conventional Gift
If you can't find anything truly unique that you think is a good gift then it may be time to consider a more conventional gift. These may include clothing, flowers, a fun new gadget, a gift basket, etc. When giving a more conventional gift consider taking a unique spin on one of these ordinary gift ideas. For example, rather than giving a pre-made gift basket, instead make your own gift basket. This lets you assemble a series of smaller unique gifts and create a very cool and person present for someone.
Above all else when you're looking for a gift idea do not stress out. Remember its the thought that counts, but some thoughts are better than others. Best of luck in your hunt for the perfect gift!
Visit http://www.freshtrend.com for more help finding a unique gift idea.

Christmas Gift Baskets Can Be A Great Gift Idea

If you've been searching for the perfect Christmas gift for someone on your holiday shopping list, gift baskets can be both fun to give and to receive. As the holiday season nears, consider making a Christmas gift basket to stand out from all the other gifts under the tree. This is fun to put together and even more fun to give. With just a bit of thought and planning, the gift basket idea will be accepted by others thinking "I wish I would have thought of that!"
After giving out Christmas gift baskets for a couple of years, you may find that you have started a new trend among your family and friends. The next Christmas might be filled with all kinds of Christmas gift baskets. This is a great idea because when someone puts together a gift basket, they add a personal touch to it by taking generic gifts and showing that some thought and effort went into it.
When you think about it, Christmas isn’t about toys or clothes or pretty shiny diamonds, is it? Okay, everything but the shiny diamonds. Christmas is, however, a special day that brings family and friends together. Christmas has for sometime now been about materialism and not religious activities, lending to over spending during the Christmas holiday. Giving a gift basket is a subtle little way of saying how much you care for others while sticking within your budget.
Things to Avoid
When deciding to put together a Christmas gift basket for your family or friends, don’t give items of a religious nature unless you are certain of the beliefs of those who will be receiving the Christmas gift basket. Giving something that you consider appropriate might offend someone else and it could even stop a relationship cold, possibly forever.
Also, if you're strongly considering a Christmas gift basket, think about the amount of money that you want to spend. You can easily go overboard when you put in five things in a basket and add the cost of packaging and bows. Add the price of each item including tax and the basket itself. When deciding what to put in a basket, only add personal items if its for family or close friends.
Remember, giving a gift basket isn’t calculus. Just take a little time to think about the gift and keep the price in check while at the same time personalizing it for the person it is intended for. A Christmas gift basket is a wonderful way for you to say Merry Christmas to others while adding a personal touch. Why not start early this year and have fun making baskets this Christmas?
Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=163179&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Father's Day Gift Ideas

What to Get Your Dad for Father's Day!

So have you given any thought about what to get your dear old dad on Father's Day? Here are just a few ways you can help your father celebrate his special day!

1. Personalized gifts are always well-received. If you want to give your dad a personalized gift for Father's Day, it will most likely be a keepsake that he'll treasure forever! Engraved and personalized to his own liking, Dad will be sure to respond to it! We found a website that provides this service. It's called Name Your Things and it's got everything from monogrammed golf balls to engraved stop watches to wallets, frames, custom sports memorabilia, and more! Dad will surely make you his new favorite!

2. If you find yourself broke, do a favor for Dad. Celebrating Father's Day or any special occasion isn't about how much money you spend on someone. It really is about the thought behind it. If you're a poor college student with limited funds, do a favor for Dad! Mow the lawn, paint the shed, wash the car. Anything that your father would normally do, take that chore off his hands and do it for him! He will appreciate you! (but don't forget to at least get him a card!)

3. If your father is the type of guy that has everything, spend some time with him. All parents who love their children just want some time with them! So if your dad doesn't need that new pair of underwear that you were going to buy him for Father's Day, take him out to a movie, go fishing, play miniature golf, or even just sit and chat! Your father will be so glad to see you taking the time out of your life to dedicate to him. It will mean a lot!

So remember Dad on June 15th and come up with something special for your Father's Day Gift Ideas!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/34754/fathers_day_gift_ideas.html