When You Give A Gift, It’s The Thought
That Counts, Right?
by Gina Stathopoulos
It’s a no-no to tell someone you don’t like their gift
because it’s the thought that counts, right?
Sure, but just how ‘nice’ are your thoughts towards
your gift giver who doesn’t listen in order to know
what your likes and dislikes are? How disappointed are
you when with anticipation you unwrap your gift to
stare down at an ugly pair of socks, or when your
husband of four years decides his wife would
absolutely love a broom for Valentines Day?
Gift giving is more than just the thought. It’s the
thought, the gift, the intention – the whole package.
The best gifts are ones that directly think of the
recipient, that’s truly when the thought counts.
If you know your boyfriend will just about die for the
whole collection of South Park, then why buy him a
tie? What value would your girlfriend find in a pretty
package of art supplies when she has no interest in
painting?
We’ve devoted a whole page on our website with “Horror
Gifts” Received.
Take for example the man who received a box of
chocolates from his girlfriend who should have known
that he was allergic to it. Or the man whose
girlfriend gave him tickets to a show he didn’t want
to see.
When it comes to your loved ones, gifts shouldn’t be
given out of obligation but from the heart.
Gifts that are appreciated can be practical or they
can be impractical. This depends on what your
recipient wants or would like.
When I was at college I really needed a text book on C
programming. I kept borrowing a copy from the library
but there were times when they were all taken. At that
time, I couldn’t afford to buy one for myself. How
would I have loved a text book as opposed to the
sterling silver bracelet my then boyfriend gave me? It
was a lovely gesture but…
To find the perfect gift, we have to tune into that
person. Listen to what they have to say. Did you watch
the Friends episode where Ross bought Rachel the
broche she had seen in a shop window some months ago?
What’s what I mean by tuning in. Find what the person
wants and then give it to them. That’s when the
thought really counts.
You know when you have done a good job with your gift
selection when you absolute astonish your recipient.
There are times when we don’t know what our recipient
would like. There are ‘safe gifts’ we can give. Safe
gifts are flowers, a gift basket perhaps, even a
bottle of wine - something that is popularly
considered ‘nice’. Safe gifts are what we give people
we don’t’ know too well.
From someone that has been disappointed many times and
astonished others, if you are to give, listen to what
your recipient wants. You will find they will treasure
you and your gesture 100 fold.
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Copyright © Gina Stathopoulos
Looking for a gift? Let Gina and Nick show you what we
buy for friends/family and each other. At our site you
will find popular gifts, gift information and stories
from our readers. Come have a look
www.we-recommend.com
Virtual Wrapping Paper and E-Gifts- Is
there really an online Santa?
by Nimby Simons
The internet has proven to be an amazing delivery
conduit for words, information, music, pictures and
generally anything that can be turned into little 1s
and 0s. As we approach the end of the year the
question is asked “Can the Internet deliver my
Christmas presents?” Now thanks to a remarkable
innovation at www.ustargames.com the answer is yes,
there really is an online Santa.
Kite Capers, the first of the U Star Games range of
interactive, personalized PC Story Books is now
available as a present that can be delivered over the
internet.
What the brains behind U Star Games have discovered is
that although the ultimate worth of their product
comes from the experience the end-users enjoy once
they play the game, the actual giving of the gift is
an experience rich in value itself.
So how do you replicate the whole experience of
opening the carefully chosen card, reading the
thoughtfully composed message, the unwrapping of the
brightly colored wrapping paper and the joy of digging
in pulling out your present? By simply providing
exactly the same experience through an online
animated, interactive experience.
The present buyer has their choice of 3D e-cards which
they can personalize by writing their own message on
the inside. Unlike usual e-cards, these appear much
more like real-world cards, complete with front cover
and two panel interior. Unlike real-word cards,
however, these cards are interactive and even contain
small simple games for the child to play.
The buyer has their choice of virtual ribbon and
wrapping paper which is used to wrap a 3D gift box.
After the easy job of personalizing their gift-box and
card, the user simply fills in the recipient’s email
details includes a brief message and the present is on
its way.
The child gets an email, addressed from the sender’s
email address, containing a gift-link. Once this is
clicked on the child is taken to a special site where
they are presented with their card and gift-box.
After opening and reading the card, the child is then
offered the option of “opening” their e-gift. This
causes harps to strum, the ribbon to gracefully slide
off the box, the lid to swing back and balloons to fly
out of the box. Springing out of the box then is the
3D graphical representation of the Kite Capers CD-ROM
package.
The child is asked if they’d like to download their
present, if they do, the package is then downloaded
quickly onto their hard-drive and away they go.
The process seems as fun to the gift-giver as to the
lucky child and provides a wonderful option for those
with young relatives they’ll be unable to visit on
their birthdays or this Christmas.
And much less mess for the rest us to clean up.
So have a look at Virtual Wrapping Paper and E-Gifts
at
www.ustargames.com the process is free and very
easy to trial and you might find yourself sending your
first present through the internet.
Great Easy Hand Made Gift Ideas.
by Adriana Copaceanu
A
few guests can get together and get a big laundry
basket. Place in it a long clothes line with outfits,
diapers, bibs, etc. pinned to it. It can also be used
as a room decoration. It has a bit of everything and
something to carry it in!
Baby Quilt - here's a great gift from those that love
to sew and quilt. Find an alphabet quilt pattern. Each
square has a letter of the alphabet on it and a
picture of an object that started with that letter. It
can have numbers too. Each guest can be given/sent a
square before the shower and can embroider, quilt, or
embellish it according to her own taste. If the quilt
is meant to be a wall hanging, guests can also attach
little items like rattles and toys. Be sure that
everyone signs their own block in some way and have
the blocks returned by a certain date in order to have
it put together. This can also be used as a decoration
at the shower.
Make a scrapbook album. Take blank scrapbook pages and
have everyone write down their well wishes (without
Mom knowing it) for the new baby. This can be done at
or before the shower and can be given at the shower or
to Mom while she is in the hospital. If given after
the shower, it can include photos taken there.
Pass out sheets of heavy paper decorated with baby
related stamps, stickers, or pictures several lines
drawn on. Have the guests write their name on the
paper and then write down some baby/parenting advice.
Once everyone is finished, collect them, add a cover,
punch holes in it, and tie it together with some
ribbon. Then hand it to Mom to read aloud. This will
be entertaining as well as touching and is a nice
keepsake. There is tons of room for creativity on this
one.
Have each guest bring an extra gift (small item
recommended) for Daddy-to-be and the host of the
shower will then place them in large gift bag to
present to him at the close of the party (usually
after the main gifts are opened). He opens this with
Mommy-to-be at home or in presence of close family or
friends.
Diaper Shower – For a second (or more) baby, consider
a diaper shower. Ask each guest to bring only a
package of diapers as a gift. Some guests may bring
other gifts also, but Mom will end up with a mountain
of diapers … something she'll really need! Items could
also include anything associated with diapering such
as wipes, ointment, powder, etc.
Casserole Shower – For the mother who has everything
already, how about a Casserole Shower? Have each guest
bring a casserole or other ready-to-cook meal that can
be frozen or stored until after the baby is born. Be
sure to have the containers clearly labeled with
contents and any cooking instructions. How helpful
that will be when Mom and Baby come home!
Book Party – Have each guest purchase and give a copy
of their favorite childhood book.
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift
ideas that don't blow the bank. Gift Baskets for Baby
to Birthday and Beyond, are just some gift ideas
you'll find at her site:
www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com. Want regular reminders
on gift-giving? Sign up for her free monthly
newsletter at
www.abcgiftsandbaskets.com/gift-news-signup.htm
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