Weddings are supposed to be the ultimate expression of joy and love. Ideally, they’d be no stress at all involved. Oh sure, perhaps the couple getting married might be nervous, and whether it is them or their parents, whoever is paying for it might feel a little tense leading up to it. But the wedding guests should just be excited, happy and supportive. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and the problem is almost always about wedding gift etiquette. Wedding gifts are among the most difficult presents to pick and purchase, and wedding gift etiquette is generally misunderstood. Here is a guide to wedding gift etiquette that hopefully will help you get the right wedding gift.

The most difficult question in wedding gift etiquette is the question of how much money you should spend. No other question rates even close to as high in terms of wedding gift etiquette. Luckily, you know the bride and groom (otherwise, why would they invite you!) This gives you some leeway, because they know you as well. They know your age and general financial situation. They know if you’re attending a lot of other weddings around the same time, and they know if you’re saving to buy a new home or if you’ve recently gotten a raise. They’ll be understanding if you are in a rough spot. The general rule as far as money is concerned with wedding gift etiquette is that the better you know them, the more you spend. Generally under $100 for a co-worker or casual friend, and as much as $150 or more for a close friend or relative. You should not try to match the amount you spend on the expenses taken for the wedding and reception; that’s their business and you should give a gift that you feel comfortable with.

The other major concern with wedding gift etiquette is a cash gift. By all means, a cash gift is appropriate. It is considered a breach of wedding gift etiquette to slip money to the bride or groom. Check with the best man or father of the bride to find out the appropriate method of giving that cash envelope. Many weddings will put a box or other container for cash and check envelopes. Do not bring a non-monetary gift to the reception. There’s usually not a lot of space.

Wedding gift etiquette is generally an exercise in common sense. Perhaps the easiest way to go about it is to remember the golden rule of all of etiquette. Give the gift that you would feel comfortable with them giving you, and you’ll handle wedding gift etiquette with no problems.

Of course, the standby teacher gift ideas are so clich?that they are hard to take seriously. Who gives a teacher an apple? Was there a time when teacher gift ideas were confined to various pieces of fruit? In some ways, I wished that an apple was the perfect gift for a teacher. I was broke, and an apple is an excellent gift under $10. even more importantly, however, it would have been nice if there were some old standby gift that I could give my teacher that would be guaranteed to get his approval.

Looking back, I think I made the same mistake with teacher gift ideas that people always make when they try and find a gift for someone special. You see, I was so in awe of my teacher that I did not realize that the point of the gift was to express my admiration. All in all, although some teacher gift ideas were better than others, anything that I could get him would be appreciated. From his point of view, it just felt good to be admired. Getting a gift for a teacher is a way of letting him or her know that he or she has profoundly changed your life for the better.

Nonetheless, I worried night and day over the perfect teacher gift ideas. I only decided what to get to when I heard him talking about his favorite book. He was a huge fan of Peter Beagle, and loved the story 揅ome Lady Death? more than anything else. When I found out that Peter Beagle had just come out with a new book, I realized that it would make the perfect gift for a teacher. I think of all the teacher gift ideas that he got that year, he appreciated mine most of all! He must have liked it, because we have kept in touch for all of these years.

If you love to receive presents like me, then you no doubt appreciate all that goes into the effort to selecting the gift, the wrapping and the delivery of the gift. As you rip apart that cover, what comes to your mind? Doubtless many things. But few of ours take time to consider about the environment at that particular moment. Let us see how we can offer green gift packages that show our concern for both the environment as well as the recipient of the gift.

Of course, when it comes to gifts, choosing a gift comes first. While it might be difficult with an alternative gift if we have already decided what we want to offer, choosing a green gift should at all times be considered. Try to offer something that is more sustainable. In most cases, adults will appreciate it if you actually took the time to offer them an eco-friendly gift. Is it not wonderful to learn that the recipient of the gift appreciated not only the gift itself but also the effort that was taken to ensure that the gift was eco-friendly? Taking the time to offer a green gift is worth all the time taken.

So what can you offer as a green gift? Granted, you will be limited in your choice of gifts. But that does not mean that your gifts will be un-interesting. Most adults will appreciate handmade items. If you feel that handmade items is not your way, why not offer beautiful alternatives such as jewelry from recycled metal or garments made from recycled saris and sweaters. There are even vases made from recycled glass. The list goes on and on. There are so many eco-friendly items out there that you will definitely find something close to your taste if not the exact thing.

Children love puzzles and dolls and you can get wooden puzzles as well as dolls made from fabric or recycled plastic trucks. Again, even when it comes to children, there are endless options. You will discover that a gift does not to be made of the latest molded plastic to be appreciated. Even little children will appreciate a green gift. There is also a Japanese tradition called furoshiki that is very eco-friendly. This involves the wrapping of presents in beautiful cloth squares. This is a very eco-friendly way of offering gifts since you use reusable items. Sustainable gifts make both parties feel good and who knows, this may spark a trend that may make a real difference.

I know I am not the only one that struggles and sweats over trying to find just the right gift. Remember when gift cards were still new? They made a great gift. Nowadays, gift cards are everywhere and not very special or meaningful at all. That’s why I started using a coffee gift basket as my preferred gift for all occasions. Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or even just a great way to say “thank you”, a coffee gift basket is the perfect gift. If you want to, you can spend thirty, fifty, even hundreds of dollars on sending a coffee gift basket. I can show you how to make the same quality of coffee gift basket yourself, without paying ridiculous prices. I mean, who wants to spend two hundred dollars on a coffee gift basket.

The first thing you need to make your own coffee gift basket is a basket. Actually, you can get creative with the container you use for the coffee gift basket. It doesn’t have to be an actual basket. If your friend likes old TV shows, consider making a coffee gift basket with a vintage lunch box with the show’s characters on the front. Choosing a non-traditional containing is also a great way to give your coffee gift basket a specific theme – and a one-of-a-kind look!

Of course, the highlight of the coffee gift basket should be the coffee. Consider what kind of coffee the person likes; a coffee gift basket filled of my favorite coffees is the best gift I can think of. However, if you don’t know the person’s coffee preference, you want to make sure there is a variety of different brews and beans. And naturally, never opt for instant or powdered coffee. Unless you don’t really like the person.

The best way to make your coffee gift basket stand out from the rest is to fill it with a variety of treats and accompaniments that every coffee drinker loves. Chocolates and biscotti or other cookies are the obvious ones. But what about small samples of syrups – vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel – just like at your favorite gourmet coffee shop? That would certainly make the lucky recipient of your coffee gift basket grin. Just remember to be creative and you’ll be sure to create and send a truly one of a kind coffee gift basket.

When a woman is expecting, it’s a thrilling experience, despite her odd food desires, such as pickles, or her favorite flavor of ice cream at 3am ?which Dad goes out to get! Most women are completely absorbed in the baby mindset all through her pregnancy. However, as we all know, having a baby changes the budget forever. Along with this precious little child comes an array of new, but nonetheless welcome expenses. The traditional baby shower is a must. Here we’ve got some ideas on pooling resources with family members and friends, to put together a fabulous baby shower gift basket that will thrill your Mom-to-be.

1.1.Instead of a traditional basket, get a large wicker or rattan basket, or even a large decorated toy box. If a member of your group is artistic, you might also start with an unfinished wood toy box which can be hand painted for a very memorable gift. In any case, this baby shower gift basket can be put to use in the nursery as storage for blankets and bedding, then later serve as a child’s unique toy box.

2.Fill the bottom with diapers, either the disposables or cotton diapers, according to Mom’s preference. On top of the diapers, place gift wrapped packages with baby blankets, bedding, t-shirts in escalating sizes (0-3, 3-6 months, etc.) and towels and washcloths.

3.You might want to consider a baby food grinder and a booklet of baby food ‘recipes’. Mom may not have considered this idea, but she’s sure to love it, particularly when she sees her cash flow improving with money not spent on commercial baby foods!

4.There’s not a child around that doesn’t love stuffed animals! Pile several of the cutest you can find into your baby shower gift ‘basket’.

5.Mobiles make fascinating objects for baby’s nursery. As baby develops the ability to focus, a brightly colored mobile, hung over the foot of the crib, provides entertainment, as well as helping develop coordination of eye movement.

6.Coupons for baby stuff is something every Mom can use, but may not have the time (!) to hunt down. Have each member of your group spend a little time each day on this welcome addition to your baby shower gift basket. With little effort by 10-15 people, you can acquire a ton of these money-saving gifts. Track down gift cards as well.

7.Baby lotion, baby oil, diaper rash ointments and baby shampoo are all items Mom will be using frequently. Stash a couple of each in a small, rectangular basket, with a festive bow tied around it.

8.A gift subscription card for a baby magazine, or a baby care book is another economical, but valued resource for Mom.

While you’re shopping, don’t forget the thrift and consignment shops for items such as baby blankets, stuffed animals. These shops have strict policies on the cleanliness and quality of the merchandise they sell. You can find some unusual, great bargains to add to your fabulous baby shower gift basket at these shops.

Using the rattan or toy box concept, all of the guests have room to gather around this great big baby shower gift basket of goodies!

Wine basket gifts are always a hit with party hosts and make lovely housewarming gifts

When you’re invited to a party, it’s always nice to bring your host a little gift in appreciation of their invitation and hospitality. When family members or friends move in to a new home, a housewarming gift is a nice touch when first you visit their new abode. The stumper for most of us is what type of gift to bring. Here we have an idea that is almost universally well-received ?wine basket gifts are a welcome gift ?except, of course, in the case of people who don’t drink alcoholic beverages.

Perhaps you think that choosing a fine wine is out of your comfort zone. If you’re not conversant in the world of wines, there are more than enough resources to help you make a good choice. Visit a local wine merchant. He’ll be more than happy to share his expertise with you. There’s also a wealth of information available online to get you up to speed. Wine basket gifts are quite popular, so you’ll find many attractive options. The wine basket itself is an evergreen gift. When the bottle of your choice is consumed, the basket stands ready for a new occupant. In the case of a fine Italian Chianti, the wine and wine basket gift are in a single container, with the basket encasing the bottle. When the wine is gone, your recipient may use the basket for a casual centerpiece, with the neck housing a candle for a festive touch to a buffet table.

So, what type of wine is appropriate to the occasion? If you’ve been invited to a steak and ribs cookout, a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot is a good choice. A Chardonnay fits in nicely with seafood. Dessert wines are always a good pick. Do your homework online, or consult a local wine merchant for specific vintners and vintages.

Wine merchants have an interesting array of wine basket styles from which to choose. Pick your basket, choose your wine and tie a festive ribbon around the handle. You’re all set.

When you want to present wine basket gifts intended for private consumption ?that is, not meant to serve at the cookout or as part of the evening’s menu ?wrap the basket and wine in cellophane or tissue. Your recipient isn’t likely to open it on the spot, understanding that it’s a ‘private’ gift. They’ll send you a thank you card tomorrow.

Remember too, that most people aren’t well educated on fine wines, but will certainly recognize a fine vintage when they taste it. A great way to enhance any wine basket gift is with a book or CD, introducing the user to the finer points of wine tasting. Other nice touches to wine basket gifts include quality wine bottle openers and a pair of wine glasses that are a cut above the ordinary.

Long after the wine has been enjoyed, the basket remains, ready for a new choice and a new occasion.

recession chic!

When I was a kid, growing up in the 1950s, gift baskets were de rigeur for almost any gift-giving occasion. Perhaps it was the times ?the Post World War II era was certainly not like the Roaring Twenties. Just about everyone was watching their budgets. During those times, an extravagant gift was a card from Grandma with a $5 bill inside. In those days, $5 did go a long way, especially for a kid. In the current recession, people are looking for gifts that aren’t as costly as they are thoughtful and attractive. This helps explain why gift baskets are back in vogue in a big way. Here we’ve got some great ideas for you to fill in your gift list with lovely personalized baskets that are not only easy on your wallet, but are chic as well.

You may think that gift baskets are limited to fruit, or the cheese, sausage and jam contents. While these are still OK, there are so many more imaginative and welcome gifts with which to stuff them. These basket gifts are suitable for all ages and both genders. The success and chicness depend on what you fill the basket with and for whom.

Kids and teenagers love these basket style gifts. Little kids and teens relate to baskets, fondly remembering their Easter baskets. For younger kids, those cute little Disney-style figures made of hard rubber make for many hours of play. Throw in a couple of Pez dispensers and you’ve got a hit. For girls, a small doll with a lot of different outfits is a dream come true. Boys? Baseball or football card collection packs are great. Those packages of foreign stamps from the stamp shop, along with a stamp book, provide hours of fascination and fun for both younger and teen boys and girls. Creating gift baskets for teen girls is a snap. They are totally in to make up and nail stuff, as well as lotions and bubble bath.

For adults, small luxury items such as gourmet coffees, teas, or a few splits of wine make great gifts for any number of occasions.

Women love things for the bath. Special soaps, bath pearls, lotions and bath pillows make a nice gift basket. A visit to any bath shop will turn up all kinds of lovelies. Sachets for her dresser, cologne, a sleep mask, home facial packs … all gifts that please.

Men can be a bit more difficult. Think hobbies for this one. Does he like to fish, golf, read or cook? Accessories for each of these interests can fill that gift basket in no time. If he’s an urban kind of guy, he may appreciate some manly toiletries, such as a nice aftershave and lotion set. You’ll find plenty of possibilities at the men’s toiletries section.

All of these gift baskets are inexpensively filled ?if you’re filling it with luxury items, choose a smaller, but elegant basket. Tie a big bow around the handle. BTW, it’s still OK to wrap it in cellophane, just like the old time baskets. Some things never change.

A Father’s Day gift basket can be the perfect solution for the Dad who says, “Oh, I don’t need anything – save your money.”

Every year, many of us are absolutely stumped when it comes to buying Dad a Father’s Day gift. When it comes to gift-giving occasions, men are prone to give you the “I don’t need a thing – just spend the day and we’ll barbecue …” routine. So it often happens that Dad ends up with a box of ties, which he really didn’t want! Unless he’s really a tie freak, these may be graciously received and hung on his tie rack for politeness’ sake.

On the other hand, most men do have activities and hobbies they enjoy on a regular basis. Most of these involve specialized gear or accessory items and most men are gadget collectors. This makes a Father’s Day gift basket a perfect solution for the Dad who ‘has everything he needs’. So don’t let his humble, modest nature stump you! Here are several ideas for a fabulous Father’s Day gift basket he’ll love.

Before you go out and purchase a basket, first decide on the contents, so that the basket you choose is of an appropriate size and style. A big bow around the handle of an unfussy basket (read manly) will suffice for the decorative part of an attractive Father’s Day gift basket. Now, on to our idea bank:

1.If your Dad regularly participates in sporting activities, such as biking, fishing, tennis or golf, you’re in luck! Go to a sporting goods store and ask them to show you some of the gear and accessories available for his sport. Believe me, no matter what sport he enjoys, there are dozens of items from which to choose. Getting some of the more unusual items is a good bet, as he probably doesn’t have them. You can also do an innocent snoop of his sports bag to see what he does have. Add a relevant magazine subscription to your Father’s Day gift basket for good measure.

2.Most men are coffee drinkers. This presents an opportunity to lavish him with a selection of gourmet coffees. Both supermarkets and coffee houses are good sources for those small, foil ‘try me’ sample sizes. Slip a Father’s Day themed coffee mug and you’re all set.

3.Most men aren’t into cooking regular meals, but they do love to barbecue up a storm. Visit a cookware shop, online or off, to see what sort of barbecue accessories are available. Does he have an apron? Most men go for plain Jane type styles and colors. Does he have a fish basket? This can make a wonderful addition to your Father’s Day gift basket. A fish basket makes turning that fish a snap. Toss in a few bags of flavored mesquite chips for experimentation with new taste combinations.

4.If your Dad really does get a kick out of his tie collection, there are websites which specialize in ties of every description. Some are humorous, or theme-oriented, e.g. sports, patriotic, cartoon characters, while you can also find regular, but fine silk ties. Roll each tie up inside your gift basket for a nice presentation. Tie clips can be a nice addition to this Father’s Day gift basket idea.

5.If he’s a more casual kind of guy, most comfortable garbed in t-shirts and sports caps, try taking a look online at the t-shirt websites. Like ties, you’ll find more cool t-shirts than you imagined possible. These t-shirt sites usually have collections of caps as well.

6.Here’s a more novel idea for a Father’s Day gift basket than can be used over and over. Buy a picnic basket which contains all of the accessories for fancy picnic dining. These baskets are usually equipped with plates, silverware and glassware, with built in holders inside the basket, leaving plenty of room for the food. You might add a split of wine to add to this festive gift. Mom can fix the food and they both have a new hobby!

There are plenty of variations on each of these Father’s Day gift baskets, but hopefully we’ve sparked your imagination with these six ideas. Happy Father’s Day to Dad!

On New Year’s Eve, two friends of mine and I sat around tweaking with our new electronic gifts. J. had his new boom box, which he was playing downloaded pop songs from; and M. had his ipod, which had recently-loaded Beatles songs on it. As we dabbled in special foods we had made that day and indulged in nice wines, we took turns listening to select Beatles songs from the ipod, intermittently enjoying the Christmas and other songs playing through the room. There was something like a parallel universe about it, something Déjà vu, something nostalgic and powerful and profound about listening to my teenaged favorites like “Paperback Writer” (“Dear Sir or Madam will you read my book/It took me years to write, will you take a look?”) and “Ruby Tuesday” (“Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday/Who could hang a name on you?”) and “Come Together” (“He say I know you, you know me/One thing I can tell you is/You got to be free/Come together, right now/Over me”) and “Eleanor Rigby” (“Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been/Lives in a dream/Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door/Who is it for?/
All the lonely people/Where do they all come from?/All the lonely people/Where do they all belong?”)

But more, Beatles songs recall history, individual pieces earmarking select moments or impacting events. And Beatles songs, at the same time, remind of us what we no longer have, who we are no longer blessed with. On September 12, 2001, on the early morning commute show, stations were playing select Beatles songs, those done by the brilliant soloists (after the Beatles split), specifically, John Lennon’s “Imagine”: “…You may say I’m a dreamer/But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us/and the world will live as one.”

The Beatles’ songs are mouthpieces for a generation, for many generations. (Notice how kids today will take to Beatles songs as if they were NOT old fogy music, as if the Beatles were jamming now, and not over 45 years ago—on 45s, at that?) The Beatles’ songs are testimony and testament to great movements (of course “Revolution” comes to mind”. Beatles songs are reminders of who we were, how many brilliant minds we had access to (and still do, thankfully), why we listen to works about, think about, and write about the spiritual and heartfelt responses to cultures and their values and actions.

The Beatles’ songs are, it sometimes seems, all we have left.

anniversaries are a benchmark of longevity, celebrating yet another year together.

There are charts which show the traditional anniversary gifts which correspond to the number of years marked. Paper, china and leather gifts are listed, but as the years go on, the gifts become rather steep for the wallet. Gold, silver and diamonds are there for those who make it past a couple of decades. Few of us can afford such luxuries. It’s time to think outside the box for anniversary gifts! A more thoughtful gift may be the answer. Anniversary gift baskets are becoming more popular choices, satisfying your objective to mark the occasion with a gift that’s truly meaningful, but which doesn’t bust your budget. Here we’ve got several ideas to inspire you to create a lovely anniversary gift that might well be valued above the traditional paper, wood, china and leather, as well as precious metals and gems.

Anniversary gift baskets require some imagination on your part. A good starting point? What does your couple like to do? What activities do they enjoy? Are they the outdoor buffs, or do they spend their time reading? Is music central to their life? Framing your ideas from this perspective is certain to produce some great ideas. Let’s see how to get your creativity flowing for a memorable anniversary gift basket.

1.This basket has universal appeal. A fine champagne and some exotic treats to consume while having a romantic snuggle fest can be a perfect gift. A box of chocolate truffles, a cheese ball studded with nuts, a box of upscale crackers and an assortment of dried fruits, Macadamia nuts, cashews, smoked salmon or whatever special treats they’re into makes a nice repast for the celebrants. Caviar, anyone?

2.If they’re into the night life, tickets to a concert, the opera, ballet or theatre production makes for a gala evening. Remember that they may have other plans for their anniversary, so purchase tickets for the following weekend. A small basket, with a split of champagne and the tickets completes this anniversary gift basket admirably.

3.Sports fans? Get a pair of tickets for an upcoming event featuring their favorite sports club. This gift basket is a winner and your ‘basket’ can be a simple anniversary card which contains the tickets.

4.This idea is always a winner with anniversary celebrants of any age. Buy them dinner at a fine restaurant. The restaurateur can make all the arrangements. Be sure to include champagne or a fine bottle of wine, as part of your anniversary gift basket when you make the open-ended reservation.

5.Book lovers and music lovers will thank you for your thoughtful gift certificate at a major book or music store. Here, a tiny, but nicely decorated basket suffices. Lining the basket with themed paper of musical notes or book motifs adds a little pizazz.

You can see how, with a little imagination, you can give the anniversary couple a memorable, thoughtful gift they’ll value far more than those regular, stodgy ideas. Ooh, did I say that?