Gift baskets > The Gift Shopping Blues

The Gift Shopping Blues

When it comes to great gift ideas, I have about as much imagination as a hamster. (If they were imaginative, hamsters wouldn't run endlessly in those little wheels). It's odd, really. I'm what you'd call a "natural" when it comes to shopping. I LOVE to shop. Give me an entire day at Filene's Basement and I'm in Heaven.For the uninitiated, Filene's Basement is one of the most famous bargain basements in the United States.

Lurking beneath Filene's Department store in Downtown Boston, "The Basement" is a place where merchandise is continually marked down and competition for the best buys is fierce. There's even a day each Spring when wedding dresses sell so cheaply that scuffles break out in the aisles.I prefer my shopping nonviolent. But still, the prospect of a great big store full of unexplored "stuff" is more exciting to me than a giant Easter Egg hunt is to the average five year old. I know I'm going to find Easter Eggs (i.e., "hidden treasures"). I just have to uncover their secret little hiding places.

That's part of the fun!I have one small problem, though...Shopping is only fun if I'm not looking for anything in particular. As soon as there's a "list" involved, it starts to feel like work! Add in the idea that I'm looking for some very special (yet unspecified) item for someone else, and the pressure's really on. If someone says to me, "You must go forth and find something for less than $100 that will make your mother-in-law ecstatically happy", it stops me cold. I become as helpless as a man (Sorry guys!).Gift Shopping. Arrrghh!"What", I ask myself, "is my Mother-in-Law's version of an Easter Egg ?" Where are all those clever gift ideas when I need them? Where are they ever?Panic sets in. Procrastination comes next.

Pretty soon I've buried the whole thing in my subconscious, hoping it will "just go away". It doesn't, of course. Like school exams and work deadlines, gift-giving occasions keep on coming -- inevitably and way too often. And those great gift ideas remain as elusive as ever.So what's a person to do?My answer was always to get a big pot of coffee and pull an all-nighter.Umm, I mean, I'd wait until the last minute and then shop until the stores closed. Sure, I'd manage to come up with a few decent gift ideas and some passable gifts.

But it's no way to live. And I always knew I could have done better.I knew things had to change. I knew I had to uncover the secrets possessed by the expert gift-givers...You know the type. They're the people who smugly announce that they've been done with their Holiday shopping for weeks, when you haven't even started yours -- much less given it any serious thought. They're never at a loss for great gift ideas and they can produce the perfect greeting card at a moment's notice. You won't catch them dashing out to the Quickie Mart for wrapping paper or ribbon; and they have an uncanny knack for finding gifts that are clever, original, and appropriate for any and every occasion.

Most distressing of all, their gifts are always heartwarmingly thoughtful!I pondered my situation for a long time (years), and finally I knew what I had to do. My mission was to transform myself into the sort of magician who could produce great gift ideas and fabulous gifts at the drop of a hat. It's been a long and painful journey, but I'm happy to report a measure of success. Finally, I can look a gift-giving occasion straight in the eye and say, "Hah!! You're not so tough!"My two most formidable weapons are my "gift closet" and my "little black book". The gift closet is stocked with a variety of gift boxes, gift bags, wrapping paper, tissue paper, and colorful ribbons and bows. There are plenty of little gift cards, as well as greeting cards ranging from Holiday themes to Sympathy to New Baby. Additionally, I've amassed quite an assortment of gifts-for-any-occasion.

Some are purchased with people in mind and others because I know they'd be perfect for something.The "little black book" is just what it sounds like, only it's not filled with phone numbers. Instead I jot down brief notes based on what I learn about people. If someone mentions a hobby or collection, it goes in the black book. If they hint at something they're just dying to have, it goes in the book. If I notice a fondness for a certain type of jewelry or style of dress, I'll make a note of it.

Sometimes I even ask leading questions, waiting for a moment when the future "giftee" is distracted, and therefore unsuspecting. I might even ply the giftee's friends for information, admitting only that "I'm curious". All of this has turned me into a bit of a detective -- a secret agent, if you will. And it's actually kind of fun.In fact, I think I've found a whole new kind of Easter Egg hunt. The hidden treasures are now the little pearls of wisdom I pick up by spying on the experts, and the tidbits I gather on "giftees" during my covert operations. Once I've gathered enough "eggs", I'm armed and ready.

I know exactly where to go and what to do. So now, when everyone else around me is in a panic over gift ideas for the coming holiday season -- or for tomorrow's office party-- I'm one of the smug ones. It's a wonderful feeling. And it sure beats running in that little wheel..

Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of "Great-Dog-Gift.com" Check out "The Dog Gift Shopper's Guide for Dog Lovers" at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dog_gift_3.html , where you'll learn to hone your skills no matter what you're shopping for. If it's jewelry, stop by http://www.thejewelrymine.com and if you like great bargains, visit http://www.netbrainer.com to learn how to find great deals on eBay.

How to buy a sports gift for Fathers day

Every dad that is a sports fan would love a gift from their favorite team or sports figure for father's day. Getting them the perfect gift is sometimes a hard thing to figure out but I have it down to a science. Here are some things to take into mind before buying a gift for a Dad.1) Find out their favorite sport or favorite sports team always helps in making a decision.2) The sport's fan size for apparel or headwear is very Important. Think about a custom fit hat, you wouldn't want to get the wrong size. 3) Did they attend a college if so they are an alumni you can never go wrong with a sports gift from their college team.

It also builds team spirit. 4) What type of clothes they normally like (example) Don't buy a sweater of a team if the sports fan don't wear sweaters. Get Him a hat instead. Odds are they would rather have that instead.5) If they tailgate they can always use new tailgating stuff Example BBQ, new cooler, Portable chair, They always need to be replaced evry year....

How to buy a sports gift for Fathers day

Gift baskets > How to buy a sports gift for Fathers day

Traditional VS Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that good etiquette requires us use as a guide when selecting a gift to commemorate a wedding anniversary. If you are like most people, you might find it a bit challenging to convert the materials on the list into an acceptable gift idea. There may be more choices available to you than you realize. Do you know that an updated "modern" gift list is available which is becoming more and more popular? This article touches on the history of the traditional, highlights the differences between the modern and traditional lists, and helps you decide which is right for you.Parts of the traditional list have existed since medieval times. Historians can trace the origins of silver and golden anniversaries to medieval Germany, where garlands made of these metals were presented as gifts for the 25th and 50th years of marriage.

The rest of the list may not be as traditional as you think. I was surprised to learn that the traditional...

Traditional VS Modern Anniversary Gifts

Gift baskets > Traditional VS Modern Anniversary Gifts

Dressing up Wine Bottles for the Occasion!

Entertaining at home as well as gift giving is becoming more popular than ever. Move over the drab brown bag & card ?.. Make room for the BottleTees ?, a traditional T shirt which fits most bottles. "We were tired & embarrassed of giving undressed bottles of wine to our
friends & business associates, even if the wine was great, the gift always appeared undressed
&
without any personality," says Ed Post of BottleTees.com ."No gift has to be left behind because it's undressed. "BottleTees? are the newest way of gift wrapping and saying it all in one.

BottleTees?
now
provides the Promotional Industry, Event
& Party Planners, Wine Estates, Alcohol manufacturers a novel way to dress up their bottles American Style.
BottleTees ?
soon be available at better Wine Estates, The Wine Enthusiast ,
The Wine Spectator, Selected Wine stores & fashion forward Event & Party Planners functions ( e.g.
Bar...

Dressing up Wine Bottles for the Occasion!

Gift baskets > Dressing up Wine Bottles for the Occasion!

Fleeting Gifts

During a recent visit to a toy store looking for the perfect gift for a child, the insight I received gave me a very rude awakening. A child is born with all kinds of gifts tucked right in there with the cute little smile and the tiny toes and fingers. There is creativity, inspiration, imagination, and fun. It is all right there - just waiting to be encouraged, and allowed to grow and mature. What really happens when family and friends lavish gifts of the latest toy trends and gift ideas that toy manufacturers insist are the "in" thing? These precious and fleeting gifts are not nurtured and give the "food" they need to become the basis for future careers, jobs, and lifestyles.

Instead, they allow the child to be a bystander and "watch the world go by" - but not become a "mover and shaker" of what is going on. In other words, the script, cast, and everything in between has been scheduled, programmed, and packed - all in one box. Children are the future of each and every one of...

Fleeting Gifts

Gift baskets > Fleeting Gifts

HOT HOLIDAY GIFTS, ONE-STOP SHOPPING, AND MONEY FOR YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY AT WWW.IGIVE.COM

EVANSTON, Ill.(ContentDesk) November 14, 2003 -- It's holiday time again and that means shopping!
Find everything you need at www.iGive.com, shopping that gives back. Shop for Thanksgiving Day preparations, cooking, decorating and traveling. Shop for the Office Holiday Party preparations, supplies and decorating.
Shop for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas gifts, preparations, cooking, decorating, and even greeting cards. And, don't forget winter break vacation, traveling and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Make life a little easier on yourself and support your favorite charity at the same time, by doing all your holiday shopping through the 470 + popular online stores at www.iGive.com. You'll find everything you need from paper goods, decorations, office supplies, clothing and accessories, appliances, cooking supplies...

HOT HOLIDAY GIFTS, ONE-STOP SHOPPING, AND MONEY FOR YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY AT WWW.IGIVE.COM

Gift baskets > HOT HOLIDAY GIFTS, ONE-STOP SHOPPING, AND MONEY FOR YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY AT WWW.IGIVE.COM

Starting a Gift Shop? Running a Non-Profit Store? You need this book!

(ContentDesk) March 1 2004--Nancy Kirk has written the ultimate guide to running a successful non-profit gift shop in her latest book, Profits for Non-Profits: Running a Successful Non-Profit Gift Shop. It's a must read for anyone involved in a non-profit organization that wants to make money for their club, group, hospital, museum, zoo or other non-profit group.In her book you'll learn how to minimize efforts to maximize profits regardless of whether you are opening a new gift shop, or running an existing gift shop. Anyone running a hospital gift shop, a gift shop in a zoo, a local library gift shop, or gifts shops in municipal parks, or museums gift shops will find valuable information in this easy to read 184 page how-to guide that includes:-Over 20 different "quick to use" business forms to get started - A complete Gift Shop Manual -Hundreds of online resources listed -Insiders tips on how to promote your gift shop -Floor plan and case designs for gift shop displays -Real-world examples...

Starting a Gift Shop? Running a Non-Profit Store? You need this book!