Holiday Gift Ideas, Start Early For Unique Photo Gifts!

Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season why not consider using your cherished photos to create a unique personalized gift for family and friends?

There are so many ways now, made easy with online sites and programs, to create unique personal gifts using your digital photos. Photo Books offer a way of creating a high quality photo album, book bound with text and artwork options. Calendars are always a perfect little gift or stocking stuffer, what Grandmother would not love a calendar of her precious grandchildren? Online sites offer easy ways of editing pictures as well, change to black and white, sepia, antique, add frames, create post cards, stickers, blur edges, so many ways to spruce up your photos and have a little fun in the process! Place your photos on mugs, mousepads, aprons, magnets, coasters, tote bags, and tee shirts. Create personalized Holiday greeting cards as well.

Another unique idea is to have a collage of your photos created. Collages are perfect unique gift ideas for anyone. Photos are blended together for a seamless look from your digital images or from your scanned photos. Themes include; weddings, babies, children, parties, trips, family reunions, or anything you can think of. Collages can then be framed for display, put on a stretched canvas or used on mousepads, calendar pages, a very unique cutting board, puzzle, or any other photo gift.

A calendar for the grandparents, using pictures from throughout the year and a few themed collages. New baby in the family? A baby collage printed on a mousepad for the new mother or father to have for their office. A collage of wedding photos for a newlywed couple, matted and framed and tied with a red ribbon makes a lovely gift!

So this year, forget the bath salts and take the plunge into the digital era and give unique gifts that your family and friends will cherish forever!

Barbara Ryan

Corporate Holiday Gift Ideas Start With a Possibilities List

Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates holiday gifts.

Now is the time to prepare for this year’s corporate holiday gift ideas. The holiday season is fast approaching and you need to get your plan in order now. A possibilities list is your rough draft of gift ideas for clients and associates on your gift list. You need a separate possibilities list for each person on your list.

Your local business associates and clients are the first phase of planning, and are usually the easiest to work on. You tend to see and associate with local clients more frequently than those out of state or country. If you kept good notes in your contact file, your selection will be easier.

A box of favorite cigars, a tin of imported beluga caviar or a select bottle of spirits given personally at a holiday party and can be easily planned ahead of time. Knowing your clients background, likes, dislikes, etc. can go a long way in purchasing a gift they know was shopped specifically for them.

Tip: Always make a mental note of what your client ordered at lunch or dinner. It should be listed on the receipt. Jot it down in your contact manager. Likes spaghetti, seafood, vodka, white wine, dislikes port wine, bourbon, wild game, etc. Do the same for other categories such as sports and travel. If you don’t have this information compiled yet, take some time now to sort through lunch and dinner receipts, etc. to begin your possibilities list.

And here is what makes a perfect holiday business gift. Uniqueness and personality which will show the client that thought went into the selection. Isn’t that what gift giving is supposed to be about anyhow? You want to make your business client or associate feel special. Scotch or champagne for everyone does not work, as many do not drink alcohol. Take the time now to form a possibilities list for each person. It will make final selections much easier.

What about clients and associates that are out of state or those you don’t have much personal information about? In this case, you don’t have personality to work with but you can still purchase something unique and special. A special gift that is gaining popularity is a Maine lobster dinner that is delivered to the clients’ door. The gift is unique and can be adjusted in size to fit your budget. It is also very easy to send and can be redeemed by the client for a special evening anytime. Read further reviews on lobster gift delivery and other unique foods at www.lobster-caviar-truffles.com.

As this holiday season draws near, remember to set aside a little extra time to form a possibilities list for your clients and associates. If you use the same thought process you use when selecting gifts for your family, the uniqueness and personality of your selection will show, and you will be remembered for it.

Gregory A Fort

Holiday Gift Ideas For Children Of All Ages

Holiday shopping can be fun, frustrating or simply one more task that needs to get done. Regardless of whether you enjoy shopping or not, finding gifts that don't just pelase your kids, but allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor with them is truly worth the effort.

This season, bypass the lines and check out these cool gift ideas that you can buy safely and conveniently online, that allow you and your kids to have fun together. More often than not, it's the gifts that make memories that are truly treasured. Whether its sitting around the fireplace playing a game of dominoes with Grandpa or helping Mom in the kitchen make festive cookies, kids like spending time with family members regardless of the age. Sure the latest video game may be high on the list of priorities, but holidays aren't just about wish lists and spoiling our kids. It's about spending time, stepping out of our normal routines and doing something fun and memorable with our loved ones. This season, you create a holiday to remember by leveraging some truly fabulous gift ideas.

If you're looking for considerable savings on children's toys that will not only be a hit with your kids this holiday season, look no further. Make-a-Plate Kits are not only memorable gifts, but it encourages time well spent with your kids. Together you can create unique and one of kind plates that signify the holiday or a special event. Likewise, Illustory books are another remarkable gift that will be a fun pastime, as well as a treasured masterpiece. These unique books allow your child to tell their own story where you can see the personalization and creativity of your child come to life. Professionally bound and typeset, this is an excellent gift idea for children who love to read and write.

Kids Gardening Tool Set is perfect for those kids who love the outdoors and like spending time with nature, plus it creates more time together doing things as a family. For those children that are more into computers and spending time indoors, Webkinz is the latest trend in plush toys. These adorable stuffed animals are collectible characters that come with their own identification code, that when entered into the website creates a virtual world starring their stuffed animal. Toys clothes put on the stuffed animal also appear on the virtual version. The virtual world is designed to teach your child about responsibilities in care taking by rewarding them with points for feeding, walking and cleaning up after their virtual pet.

Shopping online for gifts that inspire kids to learn as well provide entertainment that you can all enjoy is convenient, affordable and safe. Not only do you benefit from lower prices and time management, but items can be delivered to your door and all the information is available at your fingertips. From books to musical instruments, science projects to dolls and doll houses, you can find just about any toy online and usually for a fraction of the cost that big box retail stores boast. Rather than circle the parking lot searching for a spot, check out Toys2Wish4.com, a wonderfully fun online toy store that has a variety of cool toys and fabulous gifts to choose from. Whether you're looking for top brand manufacturers such as Lego, Mattel, Tomy, Tyco, Breyer, KidKraft, or the highly coveted brands like Anatex, Doug & Melissa, Alex and Webkinz, you'll find chests full of fabulous toys and gift ideas for the holidays.

Sam A. Brown

Holiday Gift Ideas For Antique Lovers

1. Knowledge is Power. Whatever the area of collecting – depression glass, blue and white pottery, silver, paperweights, toys or furniture of any period – there is a book to arm any collector for his or her next antiquing adventure. Look for pocket guides to slip in handbags during shopping excursions or more complete reference books for curling up by the fire. Prices start at $9.95.

2. Toys for Boys. A 1935 Dusenberg under the Christmas tree is sure to bring a smile to the face of any car enthusiast, even if it is a die-cast metal reproduction. These are popular for boys of all ages, as a desk objet for men or as bedroom décor for young boys. Prices start at $40.

3. Christmas Ornaments. An exquisite hand blown Christmas ornament becomes a keepsake gift. Beautiful reproductions and charming vintage ornaments are equally well received. Prices start at $8.

4. Knock. Knock. Attractive reproduction brass doorknockers crafted in Italy add elegance to any entrance. With styles to suit Arts & Crafts to Georgian to contemporary homes, there is one to complement any home. Prices start at $30.

5. Homemade Hostess Gifts. Antique stores are treasure troves of small dishes, teacups and plates in glass, ceramic or silver. All at affordable prices. Fill one up with your favourite candies, chocolates or home baking, wrap it in tissue paper, tie it with a bow and you have a one-of-a-kind homemade hostess gift. Prices starting at $4.

6. Wrap It Up. Vintage napkins, tea towels, crocheted doilies can take the place of wrapping paper for small gifts. Secured with a pretty ribbon, they are sure to delight anyone. Prices starting at $3.

7. Hook It on a Handbag Caddy. Ladies will love this hook designed to keep their handbags off the floor. It’s a new and improved version of a style from days gone by. And it keeps pickpockets at bay, so ladies can enjoy a stress-free meal. Price is $34.50.

Martin Swinton

Holiday Gift Ideas

As the seasons blow their breezes, the cycle of life is marked by rhythms that break the monotony and tedium of daily routines. Holidays are those clarion call moments that force one to take a deep breath and review life. Shake off the weariness and refresh body and soul.

The calendar teems with holiday occasions the world over, celebrating diverse customs and traditions. Whether a formal or religious ritual or informal celebration, holiday gifts must be custom-built for the occasion. If you are familiar with the event's background, then choosing an apt gift will not be too tough on your nerves. Picking up a few extra gifts is always be wise-you never know who you want to toast with.

Business associates exchanging holiday gifts can inject a little lightheartedness into their gifts. You must of course guard against business improprieties or negative sexual overtones in the choice of gifts. Personal care products, lingerie or jewelry are best avoided. Scan from an array of computer accessories, photo frames, tabletop decorations, that old-faithful coffee mug in multicolor, diaries and distinctive stationery.

A cross-cultural holiday gift needs to be seriously researched. Your international friend or colleague or host will not take too kindly to incongruous offerings that patronize or slight. As a holiday globetrotter, before presenting gifts to hosts, do your homework on cultural etiquette and social connotations, including the color of the gift-wrap paper. Be extremely alert if your holiday gift is for someone from Japan, the Middle East, Latin America or Asia.

For a family trip, holiday gifts must be planned systematically, with a budget and a list drawn up. Include the number of people or households being visited and family favorites. To save suitcase space, one sleek gift per family will suffice, provided it is of substance and value. Electronic gifts, home furnishings/accessories, books that range from the latest best-sellers to timeless classics or a collection of spiritual essays or lectures, talismans, gourmet chocolate, wine, personal care items, build-it-up kits, DVDs, jigsaws and board games for kids, can all spell leisure and enjoyment.

As couples, holiday gifts can be easy, as you know each other's idiosyncrasies and cravings. As friends, it gets easier-you just know how to make the good times roll. Theme parties with costumes and music can be a lavish holiday gift idea that injects the maximum enthusiasm at holiday time.

If you are staying at home for the holidays, send your cards out early. Surprise your janitor, baby sitter, neighbor, nurse or mail man. Spread the good cheer and count your blessings.

Kevin Stith

Corporate Holiday Gift Ideas

In the business and working world, there are several occasions that call for the purchase of a corporate holiday gift. There’s nothing better than knowing, as a worker, that your boss appreciates you. This is also true when it comes to valued customers. When you are looking for the perfect corporate holiday gift idea, you should first familiarize yourself with some of the instances throughout the year that are perfect for giving a corporate holiday gift.

Holidays directly associated with the corporate world include Bosses Day (October 16th) and Secretaries Day, which is often celebrated on the last Wednesday in April. Since 2006, did you know that the name of this day, as well as the week accompanying it was officially changed to Administrative Professionals Day/Week? A common corporate holiday gift idea attached to the celebration of these holidays is treating the employee to a nice lunch. When you want to extend the action, consider flowers, candy and other small corporate holiday gifts.

Secretaries and other administrative employees may enjoy a gift they can display on their desk. For long years of service, a congratulatory plague may be just the corporate gift idea to consider. It is always nice to see your name attached to recognition. A nice bouquet of roses or the simpler choice of carnations brightens the day of any employee when delivered to their workstation. This corporate holiday gift idea is sure to bring a smile to his or her face. Small desk plants and miniature bamboo trees are also fun ideas. When in doubt, a small monetary bonus never hurt anyone. This lets them know that all of their hard work and dedication really does pay off.

In regards to the head honcho in charge, there’s nothing better than having a boss that makes the workday bearable. There are plenty of corporate holiday gift ideas to choose from in this category. The best way to show your appreciation is through a gift basket tailored to match the personality of your boss. Suggested items include flowers, fruit, snacks, gourmet items, cookies, tea bag, coffee or nuts. If you know your boss has a sweet tooth, a nice corporate holiday gift might be a decorative tin filled with an assortment of chocolate covered treats.

Celia Namart