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Six Father's Day Gift Ideas to Make Dad Feel Like a King

039886dads.jpgFather's Day falls on 16th June this year. Whether you're a doting daughter or sweet son, listen up. Just because dads are the less sentimental of the two sexes, it doesn't mean the day should be celebrated gift-free.

Most dads get sick of getting the same old neckties or box of golf balls. You don't have to struggle to find the perfect present for Father's Day. Why not surprise him with personalised Fathers Day gifts?

Personalised Aprons

Does your dad get geared up to go grillin'? Does he fancy himself as a bit of a BBQ champ? Personalised aprons are man enough to hold everything, including condiments and utensils, and better yet, they can be personalised with his name too. They make great gift ideas for Fathers Day – especially as they can be personalised with his name to let everyone know who's in charge of the grill. He'll enjoy wearing it when he's cooking up a family treat.

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Crack Open a Patriotic Bottle to Celebrate English Wine Week 2013

motherreceivingflowers.jpgLet’s be honest. A couple of glasses of vino can add a special touch to an evening with friends, family and lovers whether it’s at home or in a fancy restaurant.

What would the world be if the Romans hadn’t introduced the vine to Britain nearly 2,000 years ago? There’d be no English Wine Week (25th May – 2nd June), that’s for sure – a chance for us Brits to “think, drink English” and visit our thriving vineyards and wineries.

“Clean and fresh with grapefruit zest, green apples, white blossom and meadow grass” may sound like a soap or shampoo ad, but believe it or not, they’re some notes from a recent tasting of English wines. It’s amazing to think there’s any English wine at all after our recent “summer” weather, but apparently a warm September can save a harvest.

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What Should a Daughter Do for Father’s Day?

With Father's Day looming, the question on a daughter's lips may well be, "What the hell can I do with my dad to celebrate Father's Day?".

Dads and daughter form special bonds – very much unlike the ones that mums form with their children.

Sure, you can't always spend enough time with your dad but you can control the quality of time you spend together. Regardless of how old you are, the following activities will be much appreciated and will turn a weekend – or even a few minutes – into daddy-daughter quality time.

Make Dad Breakfast in Bed

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Revision Tips for Parents

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The countdown has begun. For teenagers, it’s the season of revision notes, books, folders, endless cups of teas, bowls of almonds, laptops, typing, highlighting... the list goes on.

While the Easter holidays were a cause to celebrate and most likely involved receiving improbable amounts of chocolate, they also came with a dreaded catch. They marked the moment revision got serious.

Now the Easter holidays are over, reality has dawned. Preparing for exams is a big deal. On the other hand, it often feels more daunting than it really needs to be.

Exams and teenagers go together like revision and teenagers. To put it more bluntly, they don’t. If you know a teen taking GCSEs, AS-Levels, A-Levels or a degree, here are some tips on getting them (and yourself) through the whole taxing trauma without all of you dissipating into little puddles of panic or pandemonium.

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Workplace Germs and What to Do About Them

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If the words ‘bomb site’ or ‘pigsty’ spring to mind when you glance at your workspace, don’t panic, and don’t slowly shy away. If your pen pot's full of fluff, there are sandwich scraps and crisp crumbs in between your keypads and the spring sunshine's highlighting the dust on your monitor, save yourself investing in a gas mask. There’s a simpler solution: it’s time for a brutal de-clutter and spring clean!

If you thought toilets were the only places crawling with parasites, microbes and bacteria, think again. Germs prosper in the average workplace, and often in places you wouldn’t expect. The good news? Cleaning your workplace doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are some top tips for keeping your desk clutter free and orderly...

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Celeb Unretirees

It’s safe to say celebrities don’t do dull whatever their age. Veteran actor Michael Caine hit the ripe old age of 80 last month (March 14th), but is still in full acting swing. Despite the Oscar winner’s previous decision back in 2010 to call it a day as soon as he hit the big 8-0, he vows to carry on making movies until the directors no longer want him. Fair play. Let’s take a look at some of the other celeb “retirees”...

Bruce Forsyth

Similarly, Bruce Forsyth is determined to continue hosting Strictly Come Dancing despite calls for him to retire. The 84-year-old, who has hosted all 10 series, said slowing down was out of the question after a career spanning more than 70 years. Massive respect.

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How to Buy a Decent Farewell Gift for the Boss

motherreceivingflowers.jpgIs your boss leaving your company? Whether they’re retiring, resigning, transferring or being promoted, it’s tasteful and gracious to give your boss a present when they leave. Your boss has supervised your work and offered feedback throughout their tenure, so it’s important to choose fabbity fab boss leaving gift ideas.

Even if they haven’t earned the best boss trophy, it’s still customary to get them something to celebrate their departure.

Good Attitude

Gift ideas for bosses don’t necessarily have to have a tangible cost attached to them. A boss may find a good attitude an even better pressie than a stress ball or dictionary. They’d much rather hear how much you appreciate what you’re doing than receiving a less practical or efficient gift.

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National Stationery Week and Personalised Stationery

motherreceivingflowers.jpgIt's not long until National Stationery Week – that's plenty of time to save up your pennies to go on a stationery spending spree, not to mention the perfect chance to celebrate the written word and all things stationery. Even Posh was spotted stationery shopping. She headed to the Ryman shop in Kensington recently to stock up on goodies for her son, Romeo.

Some would say letter writing and writing by hand in a digital age is as dead as a dodo and is no longer important, but as all stationery buffs know, that isn't entirely true.

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Gifts to Celebrate St David's Day

stdavidsdaya4prev1.jpgGwlad Gwlad! St David's Day has been around since the 18th Century. It's a national festival in Wales, still marked with gusto, where many folks wear either a daffodil or a leek – both of which are symbols of Wales.

Saint David of Wales (known as Dewi Sant in the Welsh language), was a Celtic monk who lived in the 6th Century and was Archbishop of Wales. He was highly influential, so much so that several churches were dedicated to him. His special day falls on March 1st each year. This was the date St David of Wales died, in 589. Though it wasn't until the 18th Century that Saint David Day was declared a national day of celebration in Wales.

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Richard III

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Like so much of Blighty and the wider world, the boys and girls at GoneDigging have been following the developments around Richard III with genuine interest. We had the Guardian’s excellent live feed on the go Monday, when it was formally announced that the skeleton found under a Leicester car park was indeed that of the last Plantagenet king. And we’ve been keeping close tabs on the developments since then, not least with the amazing facial reconstruction that was released on Tuesday. It’s hard to imagine what Richard would make of it all. After all, his hasty burial was hardly in the script…

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Five Perfect Valentine's Day Ideas for Singles

heartplate.jpgSingle? Hate the ‘V' word? Fear not. This article isn't going to implore you to buy the best Valentines gifts or list those all-too romantic movies and love songs. And don't worry, nor will it encourage you to indulge in copious chocolate binges and pity fests.

If you're one of the bittersweet singletons among us, then read on, because February 14th is a day of celebration.

Here are a few Valentines ideas for singles that don't necessarily glorify the romance of V-Day, but celebrate love in general – love for yourself, your friends, your relatives and so on. These Valentines ideas could also work for singles who would prefer to be coupled up. So go on; revel regardless of your relationship status.

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Top Six Things to do for Mother's Day

motherreceivingflowers.jpgMother's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate your mum. Want to pamper her to the max on March 10th 2013? You needn't splurge on costly Mothers Day presents. From yummy homemade cream tea to a mother and daughter photoshoot, here are a few Mothers Day ideas guaranteed to put a big fat sunshine smile on your dear old mum's face...

Say it with Flowers

What's the point in buying your mum a bouquet when she can easily make her own? Send her off on a Mother's Day floristry workshop where she can learn to make a beautiful centrepiece to take home with her. Alternatively, plump for personalised flowers – simply add her name and a special message to the ribbon, and she'll smile from ear to ear. If your budget allows it, take her out for a spot of lunch afterwards – the perfect Mothers Day gift.

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The Top 10 Valentines Gifts 2013 Revealed

The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. Sometimes a supermarket-bought rose just won’t quite cut it. That’s why we’ve compiled a top ten list of Valentine’s Gifts – guaranteed to put a big, fat sunshine smile on both your faces...

Romantic Chocolate Countdown Calendar

Countdown CalendarThis countdown calendar is such a romantic gift. Behind each of the seven windows, there’s a cheeky choccie – a fun way to count down the days to February 14th. You get to personalise it with both your names, too. Awwwh!

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Impossibly Romantic Love Quotes to Brighten Your Day

146859637820038382zbujl.jpgLove is for all seasons, right? To celebrate love, here are some of the best love quotes of all time, from books, movies and celebrities. I hope this light-hearted piece brings a smile to your face and adds a splash of fun to your day...

"Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed." Albert Einstein

"The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain." Jennifer Aniston

"Love means never having to say you're sorry." Ali MacGraw,Love Story

"Men make the highs higher and the lows more frequent."

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How to Find Engagement Gifts for Men: A Few Tips

0919manwithengagementri.jpgSeeking the perfect engagement gift for the man in your life? Whether it's someone in the family, a work colleague, a close friend or your own husband-to-be, then bestowing him with a gift of congratulations would be a lovely gesture.

Don't worry if you don't know his wife-to-be all that well, an engagement gift can be solely for him to commemorate this exciting new chapter in his life. You can always give a gift for both of them at the wedding.

Before your engagement gifts for men shopping expedition commences, here are a few points to consider:

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Valentine’s Messages For When You’re Stumped For Ideas

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You’d have thought writing lovey-dovey Valentines messages would be a walk in the park. However, this just isn’t the case at all. Are you lost for words? Cat caught your tongue?

Don’t panic. Don’t get brain strain. Have yourself a cuppa, get comfy and read on...

Writing a Valentines card doesn’t have to involve a particular format, but of course, it can if you like. Whether your writing is more Ozzy Osbourne than Orwell, it’s important to write as you speak. Just be yourself. At the end of the day, that’s why your partner loves you, right?

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Great Ideas for Valentine's Day: Creative, Thoughtful and Easy on the Pocket

valentinesdaywallpaperu.jpgBrits are expected to squander at least £880 million celebrating Valentine's Day – and most of the money will be spent by men.

In fact, according to a recent survey carried out on 5,000 adults, men will spend a gobsmacking £611 million on Valentine gift ideas on their other halves.

What's more, two thirds of the men quizzed will spend about £40 on presents – just over £4 more than they spent last year, while women tend to keep to around the £20 mark, which is almost £2 less than last year. It seems the guys want to impress their ladies.

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Gift Ideas for Women

guideforbuyingwomensgif.jpgWhether you're seeking gifts for your mum, partner, daughter or sister, spoil the lovely woman in your life by taking the personalised route. Let's face it. Women like to be spoilt, don't they? But that doesn't mean splashing the cash. What's more, you can avoid the busy high streets and long queues and by simply doing your shopping online. All you need do is boil the kettle, sit back with a nice cuppa, relax, and you'll find the perfect womens gift ideas online.

It doesn't matter if she's into fun stuff, fashion, health, beauty or just a spot of pampering; numerous companies stock a colossal range of unusual gift ideas for women at prices that won't break the bank. Whatever the occasion, from birthdays, to wedding anniversaries or just because, everything you need can be found on the wonderful world of the web. There's a mahoosive range available, including gifts for girly girls to gifts for women with tomboy tastes.

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Valentine's Day Ideas for Single People

jennykimwebawesomesingl.jpgFebruary 14th is the day of love, but if you aren't all loved-up, or even seeing anyone when Valentine's Day rolls around, what are you supposed to do? For many folks, this can be one of the most dismal days of the year.

But listen up. If you're single on Valentine's Day, it doesn't have to be the day from hell. Instead of moping around like Victor Meldrew, with your shoulders hanging so low, you could almost be mistaken for The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, follow the below pointers. There are some great ideas for Valentine's Day that can be done on your own or in a group.

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Engagement Present Etiquette: The Key to Getting it Right

engagementrings.jpgThese days, most of us know the protocol for giving wedding gifts. In a time when PCs, laptops and online shopping are the name of the game, it really is a walk in the park. But when it comes to engagement present etiquette, it's not quite as simple.

By tradition, after an engagement, it's customary to send a congratulatory note to the couple in question, but engagement gifts can also be a thoughtful gesture.

Unsure of the engagement gifts etiquette? Fret not. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about ideas for engagement presents, who should give them and when, plus some great gift ideas that'll be an instant hit...

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What Not to Buy Your New Boyfriend for Valentine’s Day

valentinesgifthim1boyfr.jpgHey ladies. Trying to think up sweet little Valentine gifts for your boyfriend? You've probably thought of all kinds of things he'd appreciate, but guess what. He probably won't. But fret not.

Ladies and gents think a little differently. So unless you want your partner fuming instead of swooning on February 14th, your best bet's to stay well clear of the below terrible Valentine gifts for boyfriends.

Anything furry. Just for the record, if he wanted (and could afford) to keep a dog, cat, bunny, guinea pig, or whatever, he'd have one already. And if you have heard him mention he wants a dog, chances are he probably wouldn't plump for a poodle or a choose a Chihuahua. If you do have to go down this route, a German Shepherd or bull dog would make a much better alternative.

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How to Make Valentine’s Day Super Special for Your Hubby without the Cost or Complication

romanticvalentinesdayid.jpgWant to make February 14th super special for your beloved hubby? It isn't difficult. Neither is it costly or complicated. Successful Valentines gifts for husbands involve a touch of thoughtful planning along with a sprinkle of "paying-attention-to-the-small-details-that-you-know-matter-to-him." So, seize Valentine's Day as an opportunity to warm the cockles of your hubby's heart.

You do the wooing. The traditional treatment of Valentine's Day bears an unstated but usually honoured belief that it's the guy who does all the flattery and romantic stuff, and goes out of his way to make the occasion special. Why don't you do the wooing? One of the best Valentine gifts for husbands would be surprising him instead.

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A Few Unusual Valentine's Gifts

romanticlovepoems.jpg Seeking unusual Valentines ideas can be – to be quite frank – a pain in the backside. A word of advice? Don't plump for presents like neckties or flowers – the former are habitually boring, while the latter are withered within a week.

Alternatively, hop online and get on the personalised band wagon. What's great is you won't have to set foot outside the house plus, you'll earn yourself some serious brownie points. It's a win-win situation. Here are a few gift ideas guaranteed to woo your sweetheart this year...

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Personalised Valentine's Gifts: For When a Bunch of Roses or Neck-tie Just Won't Do

valentines_day_heart_glitter.jpgOkay. So honestly? I'm not a massive fan of Valentine's Day. My partner's the romantic one in our relationship while I roll my eyes at the drippy cards and Valentines gifts he presents me with, year after year.

I'm really not that much of a Valentine's Scrooge though. All I'm saying is if wanted to show my partner I appreciate him, quite frankly, I'll choose the date.

Nonetheless, I've put together a few Valentines gift ideas, of the personalised variety. They really are – in my humble opinion – worth their weight in gold. These are pressies with your loved one's name on them... or even both your names. That could be a calendar featuring your names in all the images for every month, a book, a card... anything.

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What Wives Really Want from Their Husbands on Valentine's Day

couplesn.jpgGuess what, guys? It's not an over-priced box of choccies and a dozen red roses that women get all misty-eyed over when February 14th rolls around.

Of course, retailers love to push these types of Valentine gifts for wife, but most ladies would be far more appreciative by a simpler – often less costly – gift that touches her heart.

Yep, fellas. It really is the thought that counts. No, that doesn't mean you thought to get something, but that you put some thought into what you got. And we're not talking the namby-pamby chocolate-roses-perfume stuff. The key to a successful Valentine gift for wife is connecting with her personal passions rather than plumping for the same old, same old, which, in actual fact, tells her you couldn't really be bothered to put any thought into it.

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How to Get into the Christmas Spirit

Love it loathe it, the festive season is in full swing. A time of peace, love and goodwill. But equally, a time when many of us end up feeling more like Mr. Scrooge than Santa Claus. So, how do you feel festive? If the barrage of Christmas music, sales emails, carols and cards in the post hasn’t been enough to get you in the festive spirit, the below tips will transform that bah humbug feeling into wonder and merriment.

Shop early. If you want to avoid fighting for parking and struggling through crowds, start Christmas shopping now. And why not do it from the comfort of your sofa, right here? Smiley face.

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How to Wrap a Present: 10 Simple Steps

birdsweddinggiftwrap1.jpgNot only does beautiful wrapping conceal the contents, but it's another way of showing someone how much they mean to you. What's more, it also adds more excitement when it comes to opening their gift.

There are oodles of different ways to wrap pressies, but the real secret to papering perfection is measuring the gift wrap properly. Instead of using more than you need, using less allows wrapping to be an easier procedure, not to mention make your gift look uber chic.

Nail this, and you'll breeze through that mountain of present wrapping – whether it's a birthday, wedding, christening – with carefree composure.

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How to Up the Elegance of Your Evergreen

christmastreedecorating.jpg‘Tis the season to be merry. It's also time to deck out your evergreen. After all, the decorations are ultimately what make a triumphant Christmas tree.

Here's how to up the elegance of your evergreen this year.

Pick your tree. Before you bejewel your tree with Christmas decorations, choose the right evergreen. While some prefer the look and smell of a real tree, others prefer the cleanliness and reliability of a fake one.

Get the right shape. If you're buying a real tree, make sure you see the tree out of its netting. Preferably, the tree should have evenly spaced branches and a symmetric, tapered shape. And remember to plump for one that has nice tips on the ends of its branches. Sure, a sheared tree is cheaper, but it looks faker and you'll spend more time clearing up the needles.

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21st Birthday Quotes

If there’s a birthday that definitely deserves celebrating, it’s a 21st, wouldn’t you agree? It marks the shift into “grown-up-ness”, a day when, theoretically, the world becomes their oyster.

If there’s someone close to your heart who’s just turned the big 2-1, how about flattering them with some heart-warming quotes to wish him or her a very Happy 21st Birthday?

The peeps at GoneDigging HQ have put together some golden words of wisdom, perfect for putting in their card, on their Facebook wall or in a text message...

“Twenty one is the magical age when responsibility starts to taste better than alcohol. Enjoy your new taste for responsibility.”

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Children's Christmas Gifts with Their Name On

girl-opening-christmas-present-400.jpgNo matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to find the right Christmas gifts for children. They're virtually hopeless to buy presents for.

This could be down to the fact they have absolutely everything, from those pocket etch-sketch thingamabobs to hand-knitted hats and natty gadgets. Or perhaps it's more to do with the fact you don't really know them very well.

In any case, fret not. Personalised childrens Christmas gifts are the bee's knees. They're the latest trend, in fact.

Have a gander at what's hot below...

For Girls

Personalised Children's Books. As kids Christmas gifts go, personalised children's books will never go out of style. These particular books feature your little princess as the star of the story. Her name appears throughout the storyline and across all the pictures.

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Lovely Gift Ideas for Ladies

woman20with20gift20box2.jpgFor the lady who seems to have it all, be sure to take the personal route. That is to say ladies gifts that can be customised with a name, message or photo to add that extra special touch. These make phenomenal gifts for anyone, from your girlfriend and wife, to best friend... and even mum.

Women love to be surprised, right? To make sure she loves the surprise of your present being delivered as much as she loves the present itself, opt for a personalised gift for ladies. The great thing is you don't have to traverse the heaving high street to find them.

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Gift Ideas for In-Laws

istock000017573017xsmal.jpgIt might take a bit of effort, but getting along with your in-laws isn't an inaccessible dream. Sure, the word, "Mother-in-law" might conjure up an image of a haughty, domineering, bossy, bitter old lady with whom you have little to nothing in common. Dealing with the in-laws can be the foundation of colossal marital conflict.

Then there's the choosing the gifts for the inlaws. If they like you, choosing something shouldn't be too testing, but if your relationship's rocky and your parents in law can't stand you, it can be nothing short of a challenge.

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Six Secret Santa Gifts to Steer Clear of at the Office

secret20santa5b45d.jpgOnce again, office workers everywhere are wracking their brains to come up with the best secret Santa gifts to prove their worth as employees.

Buying secret Santa gifts for the forced merriment of the office Christmas party is a tricky endeavour. If you're desperately hunting for inspiration for secret Santa gift ideas like so many others, here are some clues on what not to buy.

1. Gift vouchers. This is a no-thought, lacklustre secret Santa idea, not to mention offensive. Not only were you too lazy to come up with an actual pressie, but you've limited their options by choosing only one place where they can spend your money.

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Personalised Children’s Books Now in Fenwick Stores

Very excitingly, we’ve just launched our our super dooper range of personalised kiddie’s books in Fenwick stores across the UK.

The unit was designed by our clever designer, Tim Porter, and we even made a video in house, which plays on a loop. And the voiceover – dare I admit this – is mine. I had quite a laugh making the video, actually. And Tim did all the graphics for it. Here’s our creation below...

On the shelves, we’ve included some of our best-sellers, including ‘Your Letter to Santa’, ‘Are you the Most Amazing Animal in the World?’, ‘My Name is...’ to name just a few.

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How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Gift for Her

christmas20gifts20for20.jpgEvery woman's different, right? If you're seeking Christmas gifts for her – whether she's your wife, elder sister or perhaps your boss – be clever, look sharp and read carefully...

Define who "she" is. Is she a relative, a friend, or a co-worker? Or perhaps your secret crush or just someone you know. News flash: before you embark on your Christmas gifts ideas for her quest, remember: every group of women has its category of gifts.

Romantic. If she means lots to you, then how about treating her to a romantic evening out? Let's be honest, what girlfriend or wife would turn her nose up at the idea of going out to her favourite restaurant... with you? It'll make one of the best Christmas presents for her ever.

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Friendship Quotes

True friends. We all tend to have “nappy pals”, the friend that’s remained our life support since nursery. Or maybe in the due course of life, you may have been lucky enough to make a best friend.

Let’s be honest. The reason we have friends – be it one or one hundred – is so we have someone there to reveal our deepest, darkest secrets, desires and share our smiles and tears.

GoneDigging has put together a list of some of the best friendship sayings and quotes for you to dedicate you your best friend or someone who’s had a massive impact on your life and been a pillar of support during the ups and downs.

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Add a Personal Touch to your Christmas Gifts this Year

christmasfireplace.jpg"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other's burdens, easing other's loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas." -- W. C. Jones

If you were thinking of getting a loved one a diet book or piece of exercise equipment for Christmas, think again.

Sometimes, it really is mandatory to stand out in the Christmas crowd. Set yourself apart from every other Dasher, Blitzen and Rudolph and give a personalised Christmas gift instead.

Personalised Christmas gifts are readily available and will score highly with everyone on your Christmas list, all the way to the North Pole, in fact.

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Let Loose Their Creativity with a Personalised Notebook

personalisednotebook130.jpgThere's a writer in every single one of us, and most of us need to jot something down from time to time. Perhaps it's a diary entry, the beginning of a literary work of art or a recipe. Whatever it is, you'll need somewhere to record those treasured words.

Whether you're a budding novelist, an enthusiastic note-maker or just need a new notebook to make you stand out in the office or classroom, personalised notebooks are the ultimate portable writing tools and make great gifts.

What makes personalised notepads different is the fact they have that person's name on the front cover so everyone knows who it belongs to.

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Christmas Gifts for Colleagues

officechristmaspartyrul.jpgWith Christmas fast approaching, alarm bells ring as you think about all the presents you have to buy. Most of us love giving gifts to just about everyone. Perhaps the one exception has always been Christmas gifts for work colleagues.

On the one hand, you want to get something they actually want and can use. On the other hand, you want to keep your ‘professional' hat on and avoid purchasing something that could be interpreted as inappropriate.

Don't bother giving something ‘middle of the range' or gifts that look strangely like those given at last year's Christmas party. Christmas gifts for colleagues should be bought so the person in question can be excited or at least feign enthusiasm.

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Gift Ideas for Dog Devotees

dogwallpaper041280x800.jpg Dogs... They've been man's best friend since the dawn of humankind. Even non-dog owners enjoy visiting their friends' goofy canines.

For around 15,000 years, dogs have been used by humans for working, hunting, protection, not to mention camaraderie.

Everyone knows a dog aficionado, right? Thankfully, there are heaps of dog lover gifts out there, perfect for anyone who's mutt mad.

No matter what breed of dog you or your dog lover friend has, personalised gift ideas for dog lovers are the bee's knees, since you can add their name together with a special message. From calendars to clothing, there are doggy themed gifts that would appeal to even the most discerning doggy devotee.

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Back to School 2012 Checklist

When do the schools go back? Next flaming week, that’s when! Budge over, summer – a new school year is coming. Going back to school can be exciting, yes, but also daunting and exhausting.

For commuters, it means chaos on the roads and dialling back alarm clocks to cope with the sudden avalanche of families and kiddies on the roads. For families, school bells ring, and so do early alarm clocks. Paper piles high as homework and hand-outs pour into the house and sleep deprivation is inescapable.

Has the summer caught you unaware? Are you waking up in the middle of the night, your mind reeling with all the things you still have to do to get ready for the first days of the new school year? Having difficulty finding the resources you need to sign off your back to school ‘to do’ list?

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Five Must-have Back-to-School Items

You might have ‘Olympic Fever’, but September’s only around the corner. And with it comes the bzzzzz of the annoying-as-ever alarm clock signalling it’s time to get ready for sending your little ones back to school. The shopping scramble for back to school gifts commences.

But how do you know which tools will actually make a difference in the classroom, or which will give you the most bang for your buck?

Backpacks, clothing and shoes might be the usual crowd when it comes to back to school stuff, but for children, teens and tweens, getting ready for the upcoming school year is all about how they show style and self-expression.

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Gorgeous Flower Girl Gifts as Sweet as the Little Darling Herself

Perhaps one of the sweetest little wedding guests of them all, the flower girl steals hearts as she heralds the bride in her own minuscule fairytale dress. Aged usually between four and eight, she generally has a special connection with the bride and groom.

Maybe she's a niece or cousin, or a family friend. She follows behind the bridesmaids – sometimes before and sometimes after the maid of honour – a basket of flowers in hand, scattering them down the aisle.

It'd be rude not to thank your flower girl for all her hard work on your wedding day. But just how, exactly, do you go about choosing gifts for flower girls, hmmm? Quite simply, take the personalised route.

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Christening Gifts of the Silver Variety

Recently, I went to my little niece’s christening. It was a lovely day with lots of family, friends and champers.

But coming up with christening gift ideas wasn’t so lovely. I didn’t know whether to buy christening gifts for just the parents, the baby or the parents and baby.

After traipsing my local high street, I was none the wiser. The multi coloured rattles and baby bottles didn’t exactly catch my attention.

Anyhow, in the end, I opted for something silver and personalised, courtesy of the Internet. Oodles of sites online specialise in christening gifts of the silver variety, at prices that won’t break the bank.

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A Bit of Blurb on the Tradition of Christening Gifts from Godparents

If you’ve been asked to become someone’s godparent, you’ve got to admit, it’s a real privilege, not just in the religious sense, but also on a much more personal level. You’re going to be the second mother or father, someone to turn to, to ask advice if not just talk and spend time with.

Should something happen to the parents that renders them incapable of taking care of the child, that’s where you as the godparents come in.

Parents always make a special place for christening gifts from godparents. Since you stand as the second parents, you’ll want to give that little someone something that reflects your love for them, right?

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Days Out and Gift Experiences

You’ve got to love gift experiences. Because when you’re struggling for inspiration, you’re bound to find three of four experience days to suit your recipient. It removes all the stress and fretting and, more to the point, gives your beneficiary something to really look forward to. So what kind of stuff is actually available? Simply put, it’s basically a case of take your pick. Here, we’ve put together a taster menu of what’s out there…

Driving Experience Days

If you’re buying for a petrolhead, then a driving experience day is the obvious choice. You’ll find some of the world’s most prestigious cars available to drive, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and Aston Martins. There’s even the chance to get behind the wheel of the face-warpingly fast Ariel Atom, while for something more rough and ready, there’s also an extreme 4x4 experience at Silverstone.

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