Gift Ideas For Lazy People

By Sarah Tavy

We have all received a few dodgy presents in our time. More often than not these fall into the 'novelty' category - and they are just that, a novelty; which soon wears off. I'm sure there are very few of us who would not admit to also having bought such a present. Not that these gifts are without their place, a gift is something designed to give its recipient pleasure, and if it makes them happy for even a few moments then it was probably worth it. It is after all, the thought that counts.

But many gifts are thoughtless, and are bought with no motivation other than a simple sense of obligation. These are often for family members we have little contact with at other times of the year- Christmas and birthdays, the last bastion of the extended family in the 21st century. These are the presents that are bought with the least thought, or at least, the least information about what their recipient would like and therefore the least chance of getting a present they would enjoy for any significant period of time or find, dare I say it, useful.

And so in these situations we resort to the generic staples for the recipient's age group. The very young will receive a toy (which, to be fair, they would probably be delighted with), but then it gets harder and harder- the teenagers receive the ubiquitous store credit vouchers, the young adults receive household knickknacks and 'gift sets' of cheap aftershave and shower gel, and before long we are buying grandma a box of chocolates.

Now obviously there are no simple answers to this conundrum as the problem by its very nature arises from everybody being different. And so we have to focus on unifying factors, universal truisms that can be applied to age groups.

So what can we say of adults? Everybody has their favourite tipple. In fact, I guarantee that if you discover what a person likes, and then buy them that favourite bottle of plonk every year, they would be nothing but grateful. An appreciated present is a good present.

For older people of say, middle age onwards, there is another unifying condition - aches and pains. Almost everybody has some kind of recurring complaint, and a gift that helps to relieve that really would be 'a gift that keeps on giving'. Magnotherapy devices such as magnetic bracelets can help to treat many conditions from rheumatoid arthritis and carpel tunnel syndrome to a bad back or any other joint or muscle pain. Besides the relief from symptoms they would enjoy every day, they would also be wearing your present every day- a daily reminder of your gift that will remind them of you for years to come.

Another appreciated and more unusual gift is a magazine subscription - especially if you know that they regularly buy the magazine for themselves anyway. And again, they will be reminded of you all year- it is like giving 12 gifts spread out over an entire year at once.

For more information on magnotherapy, visit

http://www.brodpod.co.uk

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By Janice Jenkins

Poster printing is not just a promotional tool anymore. With the advantages of desktop publishing applications people can now create amazing and personal custom poster designs to give as gifts. Yes gifts! By making a custom design, and sending it to your local poster printer, you can give wonderful and professional looking custom posters as gifts to your friends and family. Interesting concept right? If you want to try out custom poster printing for giving gifts, there are a few major design concepts that you can use to make them work. To help you out, below are three basic examples of custom poster gifts for your loved ones.

1. Making your own inspirational posters

The most popular custom poster gift is the inspirational poster. Everyone likes to inspire people and make them feel better. Custom color posters are a great tool in this regard. By printing a nice inspirational message like "hang in there" or "great things come to those who wait" and then adding a nice profound image to your poster design, people can have a nice reminder of the good things about life. They will find hope in your inspirational posters, and they will really appreciate it as a gift.

Of course, since this is a custom poster, do not forget your image or your name within the inspirational design. Since this if your gift poster, you can also treat the design as a greeting card cover. You can place other more personal messages in the poster if you want your custom poster to really reach the one you are giving it to on a personal level.

2. Vintage family posters for everyone

A custom poster for the family is another great example for a gift poster. Family posters usually involve an attractive picture of your whole family, artfully portrayed in the poster design. In some cases, people alter the design so that it looks like a vintage or old style poster. Many family members will appreciate this thoughtful gift. This is especially true for families who have gone further and further apart from each other. The custom family gift is a perfect way for people to reminisce about the past, and feel instantly connected to their families even though they are far away.

3. Personal posters for friends

Finally, for friends, you can also print a nice custom poster as gifts to them. If you have a regular circle of close friends, this is even better since you can make themed custom posters starring them as your models. By getting a few stock photos of your friends, and patching them up together in Photoshop, you can impress your friends by making poster gifts with their pictures. You can have a movie theme tied to it, or you can even use art forms from comic books and plays as reference. These custom posters can be the way to bind your close friendships much stronger, since you all have the poster to remind you of that bond.

Those are the three most basic examples of poster gifts. You can print your custom designs like those in online printing services quickly and easily with no trouble at all for yourself. As you can see, poster printing for gift giving is a unique and personal way of expressing your affections to your loved ones. They are highly memorable and very close to the heart.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Poster Printer, Poster Printing

Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.

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By Vita Prule

Most of us will definitely say that they absolutely hate shopping for birthday and Christmas presents. It is not that we do not like gift-giving in general, but there is this feeling that you never know what to buy for family and friends. It seems that you are always lack of ideas and most likely are not creative enough to come up with unique presents for all occasions. So how it all ends up? You usually buy the same old kitchen appliances or other boring things. Obviously, it is no fun either giving or receiving these things.

This is so true for many of us, me including. To avoid this unpleasant feeling I started to search for unusual gift ideas that will make my special occasions a lot more interesting. Actually, the greatest place to do that definitely is Internet. I already have got a bunch of excellent gift ideas for the next time I will need to buy a present.

For example, did you know that you can give your friends or family members a professionally composed song? A song that is absolutely unique and lyrics are based on your story about this special person. I think this is a brilliant gift idea and I already know that this will be my gift for my brother and his wife in their second wedding anniversary.

I have got a very good friend who absolutely adores chocolate. I bet all of us know at least one person of a kind. Well, it might seem that there is no problem to find a gift for them, but I decided to look for more interesting and unusual gifts than a simple box of chocolate - a gift that would be original, but still connected with chocolate. And believe me, there are lots of great chocolate gift ideas on the internet. One of the most interesting ideas that attracted me was a chocolate fountain which I think could pleasantly surprise every passionate chocolate lover.

I have to say that these unusual gift ideas are thousand times better than anything I have ever given anyone in the past! There are plenty of different resources for original gift ideas on the internet, so I am confident that I have got enough great gift ideas for at least next few years.

If you have not discovered the advantages of shopping online yet , probably it is the right time to start investigating the best places for original gift resources online.

Gift Ideas Resource: http://mygreatestgiftidea.com

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By Jonathan A Smith

Whether your mother is a bit of a meddler, or has embarrassed you on more occasions than you care to remember, there's no denying that whatever she does, she's still the one person you know will love you unconditionally. Mothering Sunday is that time of year where people all across the country celebrate the woman in their life who helped to make them who they are; and as she did such a good job, it goes without saying that she should be rewarded appropriately. Read on for some ideas for those more unique gifts and matching Personalised Cards.

The Yummy Mummy
Mums have a habit of insisting not to buy them any chocolates when it comes to birthdays and Christmas but let her indulge this Mother's Day with a selection of tasty treats. Chocolate lovers will be bowled over with the 'Chocolate Making Workshop' experience day, where they can experiment in making their very own chocolates and lick the bowl afterwards. Or perhaps a trip down memory lane might put a smile on her face? The 'Retro Sweet Hamper' will take her back to days gone by, and if you ask nicely, she might just let you have some. Don't forget to write a nice message in her card too; Yummy Mummy's won't be able to resist the Chocolate Pudding Personalised Cards or the chocolate Brownie Personalised Cards - simply supply her name and a message which will then be printed into the actual design of the card....there's some food for thought!

The Pampered Parent
Ladies love to be pampered and what better way to repay your mum for all those years of looking after you than to treat her to a bit of luxury? Whether it's an experience day out at a Spa and Health club, or a relaxing massage from a professional masseuse, these gifts will make her feel like a real princess. If you're still not sure what the best way to pamper your mum is, then relax by helping her to do the same with a 'Mini Pamper Hamper' or the 'Ultimate Pamper Hamper'. From cotton slippers to candles and bubble bath, these baskets have the whole lot. Made to match your pampering theme, the 'Star Dressing Room' personalised cards will let the world know that she's a real superstar in your eyes; and the 'Northern Lights Design' Personalised Cards will even write her name up in this magical sky.

Flower Power
For anyone who has ever bought their mother a bunch of flowers from a petrol station then please take note: you're really going to have to do better than that. Preparation is the key and getting it right might sometimes require a little bit of patience. For that added Flower Power you could treat her to a 'Name a Rose For Mother's Day' gift set; give her a flower she can really call her own. Garden lovers will be spoilt for choice with the 'Green Fingers Basket' which not only includes a range of garden tools, but also has a few added extras that will remind her just how thoughtful you can be. For some matching Mother's Day gifts then why not make it really personal and treat her to a personalised 'Thanks Mum Sunflower Mug', complete with one of the 'Giant Sunflowers' personalised cards? Remember that it's the thought that really counts but that added personal touch will really ensure that you come out smelling of roses.

For Mums Who Sparkle
Though Marilyn probably had a point when she told the world that diamonds are a girl's best friend, let's face it, she probably had the bank balance to buy out Tiffany's. Luckily there are plenty of ideas that will no doubt give her just as much sparkle such as the 'Engraved Rose Trinket Box' - a beautiful keepsake for you to engrave a special Mother's Day message on, or perhaps the 'I Love My Mum' Photo frame - surely the message doesn't get any clearer than that and simply pop in a special photograph to make a wonderful present that will last a lifetime. Make her eyes light up with a Mother's Day card she can treasure forever such as the 'Rio Harbour' Personalised Cards, or let the Hollywood Hills say it for you as the famous sign is replaced with your mum's name and a message of your choice inside - star treatment that even Marilyn would have envied.

Written by John Smith co-founder of GettingPersonal.co.uk

GettingPersonal.co.uk are one of the UK's leading on-line retailers of Gifts, personalised gifts and Personalised Cards. Their website is packed with over 1,500 gifts for any special occasion.

For more go to http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk

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By Wanda Reynolds

Do you ever begrudge the dollars it costs to purchase expensive gift wrapping papers whose sole purpose is to be screwed up ripped off and discarded and in most cases not even noticed. Well I know that I do particularly at birthdays or at Christmas time when there's usually a lot of it to purchase then you really notice the cost, not to mention the needless waste it creates, that has to be sent to our landfills, as some gift wraps can't even be recycled as they are coated with chemicals that prevent it. Here are over 20 alternatives to buying gift wrap all just as nice some even better than purchased wrapping paper.

1) Piece together used or small left over pieces of gift wrap kind of a patch work quilt effect it looks better if all your colors are in the same color theme, but is attractive even if its not.

2) Alternate gift wrap pieces like on a chess board or cut them into strips and weave them together. All it takes is a little tape or a glue stick and a little patience. Okay, maybe a lot of patience - but if you're crafty, you'll love this idea and it looks stunning

3) If you're not up to patch working or weaving pieces of gift wrap how about decoupage a box from the blue bin with bits of gift wrap and creating your own gift box

4) If it's a large heavy gift, collage a larger box add nylon rope handles and present in the same way you would a gift bag

5) Old newspapers I actually like old regular black and white news print with some added decoration use paints or markers or stamps, can be great for occupying the kids and an easy way to wrap children's gifts. If you give the news print it a quick spray with hair spay (alcohol based) it fixes the ink and stops it from transferring can also be used for magazine print.

6) or magazines use whole pages or cut out flowers ,cars blank pieces of solid color to use as decorative pieces on plain papers.

7) Or colorful store flyers, in the same way

8 ) Use the funnies from the Sunday paper the cartoons are often in color and make great paper for wrapping gifts for men or children.

9) Another great free gift wrapping find, for boys of all ages are the free trucking papers and magazines found at truck stops displaying the big rigs.

10) Similarly use old maps as gift wrap either from an old map book or the tourist or state maps that you pick up at visitor centers or rest stops along most big highways. Not suggesting you should take them just to use as gift wrap but usually people on trips acquire them as a part of their trip, my husband does but then he's a trucker.

11) Pages from old telephone directories white pages or yellow or both make wonderful and plentiful alternative gift wraps, add color with markers, paint, stamps, make a potato stamp or use leaves to print a design this is for fabric but can just as easily be used for on paper.

12) Use old seed and bulb catalogue pages, especially appealing to gardeners

13)Another great idea for gardeners and gardening gifts is to gather the gift into a piece of window screening mesh the nylon not the metal kind just as you would a piece of fabric and fasten it together with some garden ties or string add other pieces of out door embellishments to it such as leaves or dried flowers

14) Consider old paper shopping bags, cut flat, and reversed so store logos don't show

15) Or brown paper lunch bags to wrap smaller gifts.

16) Don't forget about re using regular gift paper bags if handles have snapped cut bag up and use as wrapping paper

17) Last year's calendar. Several of the glossy photos from last year's calendar make a beautiful gift wrap, and it's basically free!

18) Fabric. There are a huge number of sites promoting environmentally-friendly fabric gift bags. Dig through your fabric remnants or old brightly colored clothes that you don't wear any more and make your own. If you're in a rush, or don't or can't sew you trim the raw edges of the fabric and gather the loose ends up in to an elastic band and tie with a ribbon looks just as good as the fabric bag and the recipient can use the fabric piece for what ever they like. DIY fabric gift bags just like making a pillow case.

19) If you're stuck on the idea of a bag consider using a clean old pillowcase

20) Or a cheap dollar store new one these can be reused by the recipient, or passed on to others.

As you can see utilizing other items as alternative gift wrap is not only kind to your purse but gentler on the environment

Article written by Wanrey of Pages from the heart. A unique Canadian handcrafted gift in the form of a book, left open at a much loved page, Made with real books rescued from the recycling, a gift of poetry and images, displayed in an often sentimental styled ornamental keepsake gift.

http://gift_books.wandasworx.com/

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