Actually, for real bargains, you should have bought your Christmas gifts in September.
I say this as an Amazon seller who has noticed a dramatic slump in prices during the summer which (apart from the occasional unpredictable peak) only recovers as buying begins to pick up towards the end of October. Anyone leaving it until just before Christmas will find popular products have reached premium prices. What this means is that people who are organised enough to buy gifts well before the Christmas rush will be in for some great bargains.
But it's not too late yet. This year, presumably because of consumer fears about the global financial crisis, while sales have begun to pick up it does appear that buyers are still waiting.
And of course, if you're not convinced, let's check this out... take a look at a few prices now and compare them again just before Christmas. Today's prices on Amazon UK for the following bestsellers:
Silverlit PicooZ MX1 Supreme Micro Helicopter
Amazon price (spend over £15 and get free shipping) £9.99
Cheapest alternative with shipping £14.48
Original Rubik's Cube
Amazon price £8.99
Cheapest alternative (including delivery) £9.33
Official Borat Mankini (you KNOW you want one!)
Amazon price £3.84
Cheapest alternative £6.39
Star Wars Clone Wars Ultimate Lightsaber
Amazon price £30.49 (obviously the best bet with delivery included)
Cheapest alternative £33.98
Why would I tell you? Well, apart from being useful information for my readers, it has to be said that completing 70% of annual turnover in 6 weeks is really not convenient!
So... never mind the credit crunch... get out there and enjoy your Christmas shopping before the Christmas rush!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Why give flowers...?
Along with certain special events such as weddings, flowers play a big role in our daily lives through decorating our offices and homes. Rituals such as coronations and other celebrations feature specific kinds of these plants. We may also choose to bestow a bouquet to family or friends for birthdays. In part because they will always be there, flowers are a natural way to share the message that we care about one another.
Different meanings and beliefs are attributed to the language of flowers, depending on where you are from. Certainly, the beauty of these can be seen through the works of countless artists, writers, and others in the creative arts. Whenever we find ourselves at a point where words fail us, they can help us out by expressing how we feel.
Flowers definitely possess the ability to influence our emotions or moods. Researching the association between happiness and these plants is Rutgers University, whose behavioral scientists found a definite linkage between the two. They can also uplift the satisfaction we have with life, and have the ability to affect our social skills in a positive way. Moreover, flowers play important roles in our immediate happiness, increase the positive nature of our moods, and make our connections more intimate.
Over the years Flowers have developed meanings and are not selected randomly. Certain flowers are selected to convey different emotions for example; acacia flowers are given to express concealed love, chaste love or beauty. Furthermore, the Aster is a plant associated with love/daintiness, the pink carnation one that is linked with never forgetting, the yellow carnation with rejection or disappointment, and the tulip linked with seeing sunshine in another's smile.
It is also widely believed that flowers have numerous healing properties. For any patient that might have plants as a visible part of their hospital stay, Dr. Roger Ulrich - an environmental psychologist at Texas A&M University - has unique findings. It was found through the study that in addition to additional optimism and boosted well-being, the patients had less overall stress, experienced shorter stays in the hospital, and had a lower need for pain medications. Many health care facilities have taken steps to incorporate the findings of his study into hospital environments. As you can probably imagine, this means including as many flowers and plants in the atmosphere of the health care facility to help their patients heal.
Different meanings and beliefs are attributed to the language of flowers, depending on where you are from. Certainly, the beauty of these can be seen through the works of countless artists, writers, and others in the creative arts. Whenever we find ourselves at a point where words fail us, they can help us out by expressing how we feel.
Flowers definitely possess the ability to influence our emotions or moods. Researching the association between happiness and these plants is Rutgers University, whose behavioral scientists found a definite linkage between the two. They can also uplift the satisfaction we have with life, and have the ability to affect our social skills in a positive way. Moreover, flowers play important roles in our immediate happiness, increase the positive nature of our moods, and make our connections more intimate.
Over the years Flowers have developed meanings and are not selected randomly. Certain flowers are selected to convey different emotions for example; acacia flowers are given to express concealed love, chaste love or beauty. Furthermore, the Aster is a plant associated with love/daintiness, the pink carnation one that is linked with never forgetting, the yellow carnation with rejection or disappointment, and the tulip linked with seeing sunshine in another's smile.
It is also widely believed that flowers have numerous healing properties. For any patient that might have plants as a visible part of their hospital stay, Dr. Roger Ulrich - an environmental psychologist at Texas A&M University - has unique findings. It was found through the study that in addition to additional optimism and boosted well-being, the patients had less overall stress, experienced shorter stays in the hospital, and had a lower need for pain medications. Many health care facilities have taken steps to incorporate the findings of his study into hospital environments. As you can probably imagine, this means including as many flowers and plants in the atmosphere of the health care facility to help their patients heal.
A bit on the history of chocolate...
Through research we now know that the first chocolate formats came in an ancient drink used by the Mesoamerican indigenous cultures. They used it in their religious and social lives as far back as 250-900 AD - known as the Classic Period. The advanced cities of the Mayans included rainforests which allowed the people to harvest the beans. The cocoa tree was called "Cacahuaquchtl" and the chocolate was called "xocoatl", which means "bitter water" when translated. In order to get a good paste to form the base of their drink, they had to first ferment and then roast their beans. Through adding water, chili peppers, cornmeal and other substances, a spicy chocolate drink was created.
The Aztecs then adopted the cocoa when they started to dominate Mesoamerica, using the beans as a type of currency. Due to this integration, chocolate became an integrated part of the Aztec culture. For the Mayans, the drink was typically reserved as royalty, while for the Aztecs, it was reserved for rulers, priests, honored merchants, and decorated soldiers.
It was widely believed that power and wisdom came from eating fruit and beans. With cocoa beans, many people believed that aphrodisiac qualities followed. In 1492, Columbus returned from America with cocoa beans in hand, although they didn't attract any attention at this point. After several returning trips to the Americas, the Europeans began to realize that the beans could indeed be used as a type of currency.
It was by this period that the Aztecs had changed the bitter liquid name of "xocoatl" to their name of "chocolatl," which means "warm liquid". Hernando Cortex Begin started the first cocoa tree plantation in 1519. He created the plantation in the name of Spain and then in 1528 the Spanish King, Charles V, had his first drink of the spicy chocolate. Through the addition of sugar to the beans, Hernando furthered an even greater appreciation of the treat in his homeland. Soon nutmeg, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon, become part of the variations.
Only the Spanish nobility were permitted access to the drink, not any of the lower class or other countries. Once the Spanish monks began to cultivate the beans, however, the rest of the world was given the opportunity to enjoy them. The popularity of chocolate rapidly spread throughout Europe, with many people enjoying its taste, or the ability to use it as a currency.
Since then chocolate has slowly spread throughout the decades and centuries, to become the delicacy it is day. Although the original sacred brew does not hold the same status as it once did as a religious drink or for royalty only, it has over time, improved in taste. Continual research suggests that perhaps chocolate is an aphrodisiac, but it definitely concludes that dark cocoa is part of a healthy diet that can do wonders for the body.
The Aztecs then adopted the cocoa when they started to dominate Mesoamerica, using the beans as a type of currency. Due to this integration, chocolate became an integrated part of the Aztec culture. For the Mayans, the drink was typically reserved as royalty, while for the Aztecs, it was reserved for rulers, priests, honored merchants, and decorated soldiers.
It was widely believed that power and wisdom came from eating fruit and beans. With cocoa beans, many people believed that aphrodisiac qualities followed. In 1492, Columbus returned from America with cocoa beans in hand, although they didn't attract any attention at this point. After several returning trips to the Americas, the Europeans began to realize that the beans could indeed be used as a type of currency.
It was by this period that the Aztecs had changed the bitter liquid name of "xocoatl" to their name of "chocolatl," which means "warm liquid". Hernando Cortex Begin started the first cocoa tree plantation in 1519. He created the plantation in the name of Spain and then in 1528 the Spanish King, Charles V, had his first drink of the spicy chocolate. Through the addition of sugar to the beans, Hernando furthered an even greater appreciation of the treat in his homeland. Soon nutmeg, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon, become part of the variations.
Only the Spanish nobility were permitted access to the drink, not any of the lower class or other countries. Once the Spanish monks began to cultivate the beans, however, the rest of the world was given the opportunity to enjoy them. The popularity of chocolate rapidly spread throughout Europe, with many people enjoying its taste, or the ability to use it as a currency.
Since then chocolate has slowly spread throughout the decades and centuries, to become the delicacy it is day. Although the original sacred brew does not hold the same status as it once did as a religious drink or for royalty only, it has over time, improved in taste. Continual research suggests that perhaps chocolate is an aphrodisiac, but it definitely concludes that dark cocoa is part of a healthy diet that can do wonders for the body.
Monday, February 11, 2008
On second thoughts...
I have just reviewed my last post.
Hotel Chocolat? Stuff the chocolates, I'll have the bloke in the pic.
Hotel Chocolat? Stuff the chocolates, I'll have the bloke in the pic.
Valentine's Chocolates
Well, here I am with a suggestion for one of Valentine's day's top gifts - which just happens to be one of my favourite things too. Chocolate.
For most girls its a good standby, let's face it, most of us indulge occasionally. But why should the girls have all the fun? Maybe we should treat the guys too? Just a thought.
So - on the subject of chocolate, where do you get some seriously good stuff? The supermarkets are offering increasingly good ranges, many of the Belgian chocolate assortments contain the same products as may be found in an independent chocolatier. I know - I used to be in the Belgian chocolate business myself. But, although the product may be good, is that where you really want to get your gifts from? And can we do better?
Thorntons remains very popular - but while there was a time when their shops were exciting and new, they have not really progressed. Enter Hotel Chocolat...
I first discovered Hotel Chocolat when shopping in Milton Keynes. I was first struck by how different they are. The feel of the shop, the presentation of the products was so new. A bit like when Starbucks burst into the coffee shop scene with their distinctive decor and squishy sofas. This was a whole new concept. Others have been quick to follow with the slabs of chocolate studded with berries, nuts or whatever - but Hotel Chocolat are cutting edge when it comes to chocolate.
But don't just take my word for it. Check out their site on the link below.
For most girls its a good standby, let's face it, most of us indulge occasionally. But why should the girls have all the fun? Maybe we should treat the guys too? Just a thought.
So - on the subject of chocolate, where do you get some seriously good stuff? The supermarkets are offering increasingly good ranges, many of the Belgian chocolate assortments contain the same products as may be found in an independent chocolatier. I know - I used to be in the Belgian chocolate business myself. But, although the product may be good, is that where you really want to get your gifts from? And can we do better?
Thorntons remains very popular - but while there was a time when their shops were exciting and new, they have not really progressed. Enter Hotel Chocolat...
I first discovered Hotel Chocolat when shopping in Milton Keynes. I was first struck by how different they are. The feel of the shop, the presentation of the products was so new. A bit like when Starbucks burst into the coffee shop scene with their distinctive decor and squishy sofas. This was a whole new concept. Others have been quick to follow with the slabs of chocolate studded with berries, nuts or whatever - but Hotel Chocolat are cutting edge when it comes to chocolate.
But don't just take my word for it. Check out their site on the link below.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Valentine's Gifts
Valentine's Day poses challenges for the best of us. To begin with we have three options. Is our card/gift/surprise going to be
- anonymous
- clearly from us
- anonymous, but clearly from us anyway
You may not think it really matters, but it might make a difference to how much you're willing to spend. If you have plenty of money and just want to treat someone, then perhaps you might give a lavish gift anonymously. But if we're going to spend a lot, most of us would want the recipient to know where the gift came from - how else do we claim our brownie points? At the very least we're going to drop some pretty big hints ;o)
If you're determined to remain anonymous, an online purchase with delivery is a safe bet. It's not necessarily cheap, but the convenience factor means that many of us, whether or not we want the anonymity, will choose to buy this way.
Whether on-line or from the local high street, we are spoilt for choice with gift options these days - let's take a look...
FLOWERS
If you can't afford much, try to keep it classy. A single well-presented red rose is a timeless classic. Modern floristry has come a long way, and a good arrangement should have a little flair and imagination. The good news is that it doesn't have to be too pricey - Marks and Spencers offer a reliably consistent range of affordable hand-tied bouquets, and even your local supermarket may have something promising in their 'best ever/exclusive" range.
CHOCOLATES
Another favourite (of mine)! Before you buy, it would help if you knew whether the object of your affections was diabetic, or had just started a diet. Ideally, it would also help to know what they like best - milk, white or dark. If you're lucky, you may have a chocolatier locally who will assemble your personal selection from their cabinet into a box and finish it with ribbons. And yes, there ARE Belgian chocolates that are suitable for diabetics too. If you're on a very tight budget, you can even get a single chocolate in a box. (No - don't be daft - the box is designed for one chocolate....!)
CUDDLY TOYS
It has to be admitted that many of us grown women still have a soft spot for a teddy bear, and the guys who are soppy enough to give them. But a word of warning - contrary to what you may have heard, size is not everything! You do get what you pay for, so if you find a big teddy bear for £4.99 he is going to look cheap to anyone even slightly discerning.
JEWELLERY
Jewellery would indeed be delightful to receive - but leave yourself some room to manoeuver. If you spend a fortune on Valentine's Day, how much more will the birthday and Christmas cost? And next year?
To be continued...
Advertising
Today is a big day. I have decided to put some advertising on my site. I like the idea that blogs should be independent and that the views they co
ntain should be free from commercial influence, but let's face it, we all have to live.
So... I will be sifting through the offerings carefully and will ensure that I only promote products that I believe in. More than that, I will actively seek out links that you should find useful.
I haven't sold my soul to the devil yet ;o)
(I need to leave some excitement for next week!)
ntain should be free from commercial influence, but let's face it, we all have to live.
So... I will be sifting through the offerings carefully and will ensure that I only promote products that I believe in. More than that, I will actively seek out links that you should find useful.
I haven't sold my soul to the devil yet ;o)
(I need to leave some excitement for next week!)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Personal Gift
Following on from yesterday, this subject deserves more consideration.
Why is a personal gift the best of all? Because
Why is a personal gift the best of all? Because
- it shows you that thought about their personality, their needs and their preferences
- it shows you know them - it might show that you know them really well
- it may reflect effort on your part - demonstrating that they are valued
- it's not just a gift, it captures the essence of something that is essentially them, or you, or both of you - perhaps even a shared joke
I have been lucky enough to receive several treasured gifts recently. My son decorated a box and presented it to me filled with 'love'. (No, you couldn't see it or feel it, but it was definitely in there.... Awwww bless!) I recall how determined he was to get his hands on a box at a time when I was busy with other things! We are extremely close, but (not wishing to gender-stereotype) I was touched that a boy would do this, that he wouldn't feel it was too sissy.
My sister gave me a CD she compiled of stories I used to listen as a child. They were by Johnny Morris and contained his characterful animal impressions in the context of life at a zoo. We could all recite our favourite bits... but the singles vanished and may still languish in some neglected and dusty corner of my Mum's loft. It took my sister a year to find them all on eBay and I received the disc in the post on my birthday. She stayed on the phone as I put it into my laptop and together we relived the hilarity. They are still as good as I remember. My son reckons that the stories are better than The Simpsons Movie. Quite an accolade! And my daughter wants them on her iPod. And me - well, I love the stories and she made me feel special.
My daughter got a great gift from a special friend of ours at Christmas - he had noticed that her dog did not have a bed downstairs. He not only found a bed for him (thoughtful and useful) but had it personalised with his name (showing effort) - Oscar the Westie now reclines in some style. I guess personalised gifts will, by their very nature, always be personal!
So, here's some guidelines for choosing more personal gifts. Think about the recipient, do they like...
- music - what kind? do they have a favourite artist?
- books - which author?
- magasines - which one?
- gardening?
- cars?
- sport - which?
- exercise/fitness?
- TV - which programmes? which TV personality?
- art and craft?
- fishing?
- perfume - what kind?
- make-up - what colours/brand?
- cookery?
- antiques?
Do they have...
- a favourite colour?
- a sense of humour?
- any disability?
Are they...
- left-handed?
- romantic
- practical?
- a traditionalist?
- green or eco-friendly?
- ethical, fair-trading, charitable?
- young? elderly?
I expect I'll go back and add to these lists as more ideas occur to me, but meanwhile, maybe I've given you something to mull over. In the days to come, I plan to add lots of suggestions to help you.
Friday, January 25, 2008
How to Choose Gifts Well
January 25th 2008
This is it. The beginning of my new blog on gifts and the art of choosing them. Finding the right thing for someone can be a tricky business, but some people are really good at it - my daughter for one.
What makes some people so good at it? Well, that's what I thought I'd write about first. Let's make one thing clear from the start: a good gift does not have to be expensive. But it does require a bit of thought. My ex used to go to Tesco on Christmas Eve for me - that's if he hadn't already suggested that I just buy something for himself. A little planning will go a long way!
Don't buy something inappropriate - for instance something too expensive (making the recipient feel uncomfortable), or some irrelevant clutter - the flotsam and jetsam we all have in our houses that we feel such guilt at disposing of because it was bought for us, and yet really don't need or want. (Year's ago, Not The Nine o' Clock News did a great sketch set in a souvenir shop featuring a rampant mackerel ashtray... maybe you get my drift?)
Steer away from the 'self-help' products too - that special belt to help you look 10lbs slimmer is not going to be well-received. (That is, not unless the recipient has expressed a burning desire to own one!)
Another no-go area is the gift you actually wanted yourself. My Dad enjoyed gadgets, and I recall the year my mother, with some dismay, received 3 or 4 different alarm clocks. Yes, really. He was actually pretty good at finding things she appreciated, but we can all get it wrong occasionally.
The best gifts are:
This is it. The beginning of my new blog on gifts and the art of choosing them. Finding the right thing for someone can be a tricky business, but some people are really good at it - my daughter for one.
What makes some people so good at it? Well, that's what I thought I'd write about first. Let's make one thing clear from the start: a good gift does not have to be expensive. But it does require a bit of thought. My ex used to go to Tesco on Christmas Eve for me - that's if he hadn't already suggested that I just buy something for himself. A little planning will go a long way!
Don't buy something inappropriate - for instance something too expensive (making the recipient feel uncomfortable), or some irrelevant clutter - the flotsam and jetsam we all have in our houses that we feel such guilt at disposing of because it was bought for us, and yet really don't need or want. (Year's ago, Not The Nine o' Clock News did a great sketch set in a souvenir shop featuring a rampant mackerel ashtray... maybe you get my drift?)
Steer away from the 'self-help' products too - that special belt to help you look 10lbs slimmer is not going to be well-received. (That is, not unless the recipient has expressed a burning desire to own one!)
Another no-go area is the gift you actually wanted yourself. My Dad enjoyed gadgets, and I recall the year my mother, with some dismay, received 3 or 4 different alarm clocks. Yes, really. He was actually pretty good at finding things she appreciated, but we can all get it wrong occasionally.
The best gifts are:
- personal - this has to be top of the list. It shows that you care about the person enough to have really thought about them. Or that you just happened to have them on your mind that day you were in a 2nd hand bookshop and spotted the book you knew they had enjoyed as a toddler before the pet dog ate it and left them in therapy. This could be a big subject to explore, so I think I'll come back to it later...
- original - no, don't worry. Gifts don't have to be imaginative every time (although, yes, that would be good!) but try not to resort to the same gift for every birthday. A little variety is called for - again, it shows someone that you care enough to have thought about it/them.
- useful - something practical. A tea-towel may not be the best gift in the world, but my son's school have one printed each year with the childrens' self portaits and these have proven to be a successful Christmas present from him to his grandparents.
- consumable - not just edible gifts but anything that gets used up. This is a different kind of useful. If you get me a vase, I won't need another - but I'll always need more flowers to put in it. I love bubble bath - not very imaginative, but trust me, it WILL get used. Think of chocolates (do they like milk, white or dark - are they diabetic?), perfume (do they prefer floral? musky? light? citrus?) underwear (can you get the size/colour/style right?), stationery (if this is something they are likely to use), wine. Flowers - another good standby for women (but please don't get me chrysanths - especially the sludgy autumnal ones or carnations! Tulips would be lovely though :o) It could be argued that socks are consumables - these are consumed by the sock gremlin somewhere between the washer and the dryer, but maybe this isn't so imaginative. What about golf balls? Surely a fair number of those must disappear too... and so the list goes on.
That's it for today. A good start I think - I hope you found it helpful.
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