Anniversay Gifts

The History Behind Traditional Anniversay Gifts

Nobody can say with any amount of certainty when the tradition of giving anniversary gifts started. Most probably it evolved over time. Traditionally, each wedding anniversary is celebrated by giving a gift made from a different material. The first anniversary is symbolized with paper, and subsequently anniversary gifts become more precious or scarce to reflect the growing number of years a couple has remained together.

Some say calling the twenty-fifth anniversary Silver Anniversary and the fiftieth anniversary Gold anniversary may have originated in medieval Europe, where wives were given a silver wreath to celebrate their twenty-fifth year of marriage and a gold wreath for their fiftieth anniversary. Diamonds are traditional in both the sixtieth and seventy-fifth years.

The traditional anniversary gifts list may seem somewhat boring, but it doesn't have to be. There are many ways you can turn each year's theme into a special gift. The traditional paper and cotton gifts for the first years can include a lovely origami booklet, paper tickets to a movie or a scrapbook with a plush cotton cover, filled with memories.

A bit of creativity can twist tradition to give an enchanting new flavor. For instance, you can celebrate the yearly tradition even if you want to break away from it to give another type of gift. Or use the yearly theme to wrap your gift or trim it with any item made from that year's material.

You can go a step further and make the theme material of your traditional anniversary gift a carrier for your gift, like tucking a ring in a leather wallet, or tying a cluster of roses together with a bracelet. You can even try hiding a necklace inside the pocket of a silk robe or fold a cozy woolen shawl around another gift.

A Perfect Gift For A Perfect Wife

Personalized Picture Purse: A Perfect Gift For A Perfect Wife

Because you forgot about your wedding anniversary last year, you now know that the saying "hell hath known no fury than a woman scorned" is an understatement. Forgetting about your wedding anniversary while you're out drinking with your friends can really make your wife beyond furious.

Of course, now that you know that it is essential for you to remember your wedding anniversary or in any case, any occasion, like your wife's birthday, you would make all the necessary plans this year to make it special. You made dinner reservations to your favorite restaurant, you make sure that you leave work early, and you even set the alarm on your PDA hours before the big event.

However, you may be forgetting something. Because you will be celebrating your wedding anniversary or your wife's birthday, it is just right for you to buy her a special gift. A gift for your wife should be something that she will truly appreciate. It should be something that will remind her of all the special moments you shared together and one that should be truly unique.

If you're thinking of buying her that new gaming console you have been wanting, forget about it. It should be something that she can appreciate and should not be something you want.

To start thinking of a perfect gift for your wife, you should think of what will remind her of the special times you shared together. If you thought of a picture, then you are on the right track. However, giving her a picture that reminds her of the special times both of you shared isn't enough.

Why not enhancing the photo? Why not try and printing it to something that she uses everyday? Why not give her a purse that is personalized with the picture of you and her looking very happy. A personalized picture purse is one of the best gifts you can ever give to your wife. You can even add another surprise by buying and putting that expensive pearl necklace she always wanted inside the purse.

A personalized picture purse is simply a purse where the photo of your choice will be printed on it. It is something that she can use everyday and it will be something that will remind her of the great times both of you shared in that romantic vacation or on your wedding day.

Today, there are a great number of websites that offer personalized photo purse services. Here, you can choose the kind of purse you want to give your wife. All you need to do is send a digital photograph via email and give out your home address or work address to avoid spoiling the surprise then pay for it. Some website offers credit card billings while there are others that accept cash on delivery.

Getting her a personalized picture purse is one of the best gifts you can ever give to your wife. It will show your creativity and at the same time, show how thoughtful you are as well. Add a little something she wants (she will be giving you hints months before the occasion so pay close attention to her) inside the purse and double the surprise.

So, if you are looking for a perfect gift for your wife on a special occasion, such as your wedding anniversary, her birthday and others, a personalized picture purse with a little something inside is the perfect choice.

Top 25 Environmental Gift Ideas

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas gift buying is in full swing. The challenge is on! With only a few shopping days left and perhaps many gifts still to buy; here are a few ways to minimize your shopping time and frustration and simultaneously make a significant difference for the environment. When making a few changes in your buying styles and habits you can have a considerable impact on the environment with little effort.

It’s really fairly easy. Just follow some of the gift ideas below and enjoy the satisfaction of being part of the “green” movement by greening your gifts. Make it a truly “green” holiday this year. Take heed!

Remember try to give gifts that people need, can use and are practical. Be creative! Try these……

1. Tickets to movies, concerts, museums, sporting events, outdoor activities or an annual pass to national parks.

2. House or garden plants, herbs, seeds and bulbs. Pots and planters boxes made from natural ingredients.

3. Gift certificates to clothing, electronics, books, grocery, or vitamin stores.

4. Donate to one or more Charities in the name of your recipient.

5. Give the gift of YOU! Make coupons for services such as babysitting, a night out at the movies, dinners dates, weekends away, massages, yard work, dog-walking or help write a resume or article, give a computer lesson or offer some other talent or skill you can share.

6. An old book or collector’s item. Things with a unique meaning. Shop at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets.

7. Cook home-baked sweets and put in a reusable tin box, a kitchen container, or another usable item.

8. Any homemade item. A knitted hat or scarf.

9. Fair-trade organic chocolate or coffee. Always a hit.

10. Clothes and other items made from hemp, wool, or organic cotton.

11. A roll of postage stamps.

12. Office supplies such as recycled paper and envelops.

13 Energy efficient light bulbs, battery re-chargers, or solar-powered products.

14. First aid kits or emergency road side equipment.

15. Board and card games that will be used over and over again.

16. For your children, you can open a savings account, buy stocks or bonds.

17. A gift gasoline card for your teenager or college student.

18. A calendar marked with important dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings.

19. A book of favorite recipes.

20. Carbon offsetting. This purchase erases negative energy footprint of reducing carbon emissions.

21. Music and books. itunes or the equivalent downloadable books and music.

22. Plant trees in the name of your beneficiary.

23. Name a star after

24. Have a party and invite everyone over as your gift.

25. A years membership to an Environmental organization, a health spa, the auto club.

The list is really endless if you just take a moment to think about your purchase. If you consider where the product was made, what it is made of, who made it, what actually went in to the manufacturing of the product, you might want to reconsider that purchase. Fact: A manufactured item will generate 70 times its weight in waste during manufacturing. Wow!

Baby Gift Item

Top Ten Baby Presents - Buy Baby Gift Items That Are Needed

It is always difficult to come up with ideas regarding what to get when you need to buy baby gift items. Baby gifts are as much for the mother as for the baby since there are many items that a mother could use but cannot necessarily afford to buy. So, the next time a baby shower, a birthday party or a christening has to be attended, use the following list of ten ideas to buy baby gift items that will make an impression:

Top Ten Baby Gifts

Baby Toys - These are baby gifts that will never go out of style, and can be actually enjoyed by the baby instead of the parents. There are baby toys that are specifically designed for certain age groups. So, all one has to do is go to the market and buy a toy that is made for the appropriate age, which is put up on the cover or packing of the toy. But the best and the most liked baby toy is a teddy bear or other soft toy, which is appropriate for babies of all ages. So if there is confusion, it is best to buy baby gift toys that are soft and plush.

Baby Monitor - Baby safety is constantly on the minds of the parents. Baby monitors are a perfect solution to end this worry. Now it's possible to monitor and detect the movements, whining and breathing of the baby audibly and visually too. There are many different models of audio-only, audio/video, and motion-sensor baby monitors to choose from in a wide price range.

Baby Bath Care - Getting an expensive bath care set for the baby is the perfect way to show that you care about the welfare of the baby.

Baby Stroller - This a device that a parent cannot do without. It has to be bought anyway, so why not save the parents that much cash? Gift it instead of something that is completely unnecessary.

Baby Books - Gifting the baby with books, appropriate for his/her age, is always good. This actually helps in developing a joy of reading from a very young age. Pictures and colors fascinate the baby's eyes, so make sure your book has a lot of illustrations. Buy baby gift books that have thick, cardboard or other material for durability.

Baby Blankets and Sleep Kits - Getting a cozy baby blanket and other sleep accessories is a perfect way of celebrating the baby's arrival. These days, it is possible to customize the baby blankets. A personalized baby blanket is a truly unique gift. They are available in many colors, materials and designs. The next time you need to buy baby gift items, consider a personalized baby blanket!

Baby Clothes - Smart clothes for the baby will definitely make the parents happy, especially if it's the second child. The baby will be spared from using hand-me-downs! These days, baby clothing is given a lot of importance, and one is likely to find beautifully made baby clothes in the market, keeping in mind the contemporary trends in fashion. To buy baby gift items that are useful, always consider baby clothes.

Baby Bedding - This will include everything from the mattress to the blanket and pillows, as well as the mosquito netting.

Baby Bouncers - Baby bouncers are the baby's sitting place, where he/she can roll and bounce and have the time of his/her life. These are somewhat like a bean bag, with a belt, to ensure the safety of the baby. Buy baby gift bouncers or other mobile-type walker since parents need an item like this.

Baby Jewels - A jewel is a priceless gift that will be cherished for a lifetime. They also make a unique baby gift. There are many websites online which are dedicated to baby accessories that carry baby jewelry and have their items displayed online. They also ship and home deliver the items, so that you don't need to go out and purchase them.

When you have to buy baby gift items, the above choices are always winners!

6 Gifts Never Give Your Girlfriend

It’s your girlfriend’s birthday or your first Christmas together, and you want to get her the best gift she’s ever had. Gifts mean a lot to women. The right gift tells her you’re thoughtful, observant, and you really understand her. The wrong one, however, can tell her just the opposite. Don’t get stuck in her Bad Boyfriends Book of Records. Here’s a list of the six worst gifts to give your girlfriend.

Exercise equipment. Nothing says, “I think you could stand to lose weight” like a Stairmaster. The same goes for a set of barbells, a Pilates instructional video, or a gym membership. Even if she’s talked about getting fit, this kind of gift will make her wonder whether you like her body the way it is.

If you really would like to see her exercising more, lead by example. Join the gym yourself. Chances are, when she sees how great you look and feel, she’ll be inspired to join as well. You could also take up a physical activity you could do as a couple, such as cycling, jogging, or hiking. To increase the chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you need a lot of expensive equipment to get started in.

Cookware. The subliminal message here is “Get in the kitchen and make me some supper, woman!” This is a bad gift even if she’s expressed interest in cooking—or if you’d like her to. If you have a master chef for a girlfriend, it’s especially important to pass on this kind of gift. It’s likely she has everything she needs already, and most high-level cooks are picky about their equipment.

If you really would like to encourage her to cook more, start with some positive reinforcement. Praise the meals she does cook. If you tell her you see her as a great cook already, she’s more likely to take more of an interest in the culinary arts.

A vacuum cleaner. The same goes for feather dusters, mops, bottles of Pine-Sol, oven cleaner, Lemon-Scented Joy, and any other household cleaning products. These gifts tell her that you see her as more of a maid than a girlfriend.

A puppy. Animal gifts are tricky. Sure, puppies and kittens are adorable—but they’re also a lot of work. Food and vet bills can be expensive, and many pets require a change in lifestyle to take proper care of. For these reasons, it’s best not to surprise your girlfriend with a new pet.

Part of the fun is choosing the pet yourself. If your girlfriend has told you she wants a dog or cat, offer to take her to the local animal rescue shelter instead and pay for the pet she picks.

Something you want for yourself. You know you’ve been tempted to buy her that subscription to Fly Fishing magazine, new set of golf clubs, or Playstation II. Don’t do it! She’ll see through it instantly.

Jewellery. Jewellery has a great deal more meaning for most women than other gifts. If you give the right one, she’ll see it as a sign that you’re the right guy for her. If you get it wrong, however, at best she’ll laugh about it with her friends for ages. At worst, she could see it as grounds for doubt about the relationship. If you’re going to give her jewellery, you’d better get it right the first time.

What makes giving jewellery so difficult is that every woman has distinct tastes. The jewellery you pick could be too chunky, too eccentric, too classic, too delicate, too cheap-looking or expensive-looking for her. Some women never wear gold, some never wear silver, and most women have a preference for certain precious stones over others. If you really do want to give her jewellery, casually take her into a few stores. See how she reacts to the merchandise. Make note of any pieces she especially likes. Then go back later to buy them.

Most women don’t want practical gifts from their boyfriends. They want gifts that send a positive message about how you see them. A sparkling diamond bracelet tells her you see her as precious and beautiful. Elegant lingerie can tell her you see her as sexy and desirable. A book about something she finds fascinating tells her you take her interests seriously. However, it’s important to take her unique tastes into account before buying her any present. If you do, and if you follow our tips, you should be able to find her the perfect gift.

Cool Groomsmen Gifts

Quick and Easy Ideas for Cool Groomsmen Gifts

Your groomsmen are your best friends. They have seen you fall on your face with girls when you were younger. You have played football with them or gone fishing before the sun came up. All of you nursed hangovers together. So you need to come up with some groovy groomsmen gifts to show how much you appreciate them.

To thank your buddies for standing up for you on the biggest day of your life, you should choose groomsmen gifts that express your feelings for them. We all know how guys do not usually express themselves verbally. So, the best way may be to purchase individual groomsmen gifts. After all, each of your buddies is unique and should be thanked in an original way.

Keep personalities in mind for the groomsmen gifts. If one of your buddies is a teetotaler, do not buy groomsmen gifts that reflect alcohol related items like shot glasses or beer steins. Likewise, if one of your buddies loves music and cultural activities like museums, you would not want to buy groomsmen gifts that are sports related. You are shooting for a reaction like “Wow man, this is cool! I can use this!” when shopping for your groomsmen gifts.

One idea for groomsmen gifts is the Swiss army knife. At some point during your day, you are probably wishing you had a screwdriver handy or pocketknife to open a box or even a pair of tweezers to pull out a paper clip out of your computer keyboard. A Swiss army knife makes for great groomsmen gifts because first of all, they are cool. And secondly, there are useful and practical. This idea for groomsmen gifts also has a universal appeal and could be given to all of your groomsmen. Plus, you can make it extra special by having it personalized with some type of engraving.

If you do have some groomsmen that are social drinkers, the idea of shot glasses and beer steins are good for groomsmen gifts. Personalize them with the wedding date or a thank-you from the groom. Personal flasks are regaining popularity as well. If one of your buddies enjoys his beer, great groomsmen gifts for that interest include his own beer brewing kit or even a six pack of the month club where they get a unique beer to sample each month.

Do your buddies enjoy guy nights out playing poker? Maybe some great groomsmen gifts could include game related items. How about personalized playing cards? Or special poker sets complete with the poker chips and cards in a handsome carrying case? Then there is the fun, useful novelty type of groomsmen gifts like shot glass checkers, where you have shot glasses instead of checker pieces.

Perhaps, instead of tangible groomsmen gifts, you can plan the ultimate guy trip. An offshore fishing trip or a camping trip might be fun and a great last “hurrah” for you, one last guy thing before getting hitched. Commemorate that last hurrah with a personalized engraved compass for each of your groomsmen.

Be sure to have a plan for your budget for the groomsmen gifts before heading to the store. They should convey the feeling of “Hey, you’re my best buddy and I appreciate you.” No matter what you decide for the groomsmen gifts, your friends will appreciate the thoughtfulness.

"Thank You" Gifts for Coaches

It goes without saying that a coach should be thanked at the end of the season. Thanking someone is important; it’s a base of our social upbringing and it shows reverence to the person we honor. The phrase is muttered everyday, from saying “thanks” to the toll booth worker to mothers around the nation saying to their child, “Now what do you say?” upon any receipt of kindness from anyone.

Yet, when it comes to the unique relationship between coach and athlete, many adults have no idea the way to go about thanking the coach properly.

First, know that the coach probably doesn’t expect much. They probably just envision that the last day that the team comes together that they will be the one thanking the team and telling the team how proud they are of them. The coach, up until the last moment, if they are a good coach, will be focused on bringing a sense of personal and group esteem and fulfillment to each participant. The coach may even be thanking the parents.

There are many personalized gifts that are very appropriate, one of such is the plaque. One can, at almost any mall or online, find a suitable, economical plaque that can be personalized with the team name, the year, the coaches name and an “in honor of” or “recognized for” exceptional coaching and so forth.

Do not discount that a card, signed by all participants would also be a great gesture. If the coach is local, and folks are aware of a hobby or interest, or preference, it is possible that a gift certificate to a local eatery, store or entertainment outlet would be welcomed.

One or two people should in the beginning of the season appoint themselves to take responsibility and meet with parents via personal meeting or telephone. At this point, an agreement of how much per person, participating families are willing to spend is gathered. From this, it is also a good idea to collect ideas on gifts for the end of season, or at least begin to think of generic ideas.

Another meeting, telephone call or email can be followed up in a couple of weeks and then again, at the end of season.

It should also be discussed on how to present the gift or gifts. One parent could open their home as an evening to celebrate the end of season, or perhaps more informally, at the end of the last team meeting, the gifts are presented at that time by players to the coach.

To summarize, thanking the coach is important and teaches the players respect and acknowledgement.

Way to support this learning would be to:

1. Gather a group to institute the end of season “thank you”

2. Decide upon a proposed amount per person for giving

3. Allow everyone to submit ideas for gift giving and narrow down the most popular or logical responses

4. Perhaps a group gift inclusive or as a stand alone, such as a plaque where the coach can display and remember the year as one of productivity and accomplishment

5. Personally signed card from all team players and/or parents for a remembrance and to give intimacy to the gift giving.

6. If money is an issue and a gift is not possible, a poster or card that is well thought out and personal is also acceptable.

In closing, the thank you need not be costly or impressive; however it should be heart felt and show respect, admiration and understanding for the time and effort, teaching and support that the coach has given during the season.