Weddings... lots of gifts usually get presented at weddings but Reece wants a special gift to give to his bride-to-be:
"I need to get some ideas for a gift for my Fiance that I will give to her on the day of our wedding. I've been trying to find something completely different, but haven't been able to come up with anything." Reece, USA
Here are three ideas for Reece that I am sure will be well received:
1) If money is no issue then I suggest Pandora if she is into jewelry. Start off with the bracelet chain and 1 charm, then for each anniversary/birthday/momentous occasion you can add another charm. Other people can also purchase charms for her special occasions.
These can be found in quite a lot of jewelry and gift stores all over the world.
2) There is a fantastic company in Australia called Ever After Gallery. They take your beautiful wedding photo (or other important occasions) supplied by you and created a digital picture/painting. They are very unique.
This may not be able to be given to your fiance on the day of your wedding (if you wanted to do a wedding photo), but you could give her a voucher, or supply another beautiful photo of you both.
There is an artist in the USA who also does some stunning work.
3) Finally something out of this world - literally! Name a star after your bride-to-be.... There are a number of companies who register your details for a fee and provide a certificate. Now you can give her more than the world...
Welcome to the second week of the Gift Assistant’s journey looking at anniversary gifts!
This week we are taking a look at the 2nd anniversary where traditionally cotton is given as a gift. Ironically most material things today are commonly made of cotton and polyester or other synthetic threads where once upon a time they were almost certainly made of 100% cotton.
So what to get if considering a gift of cotton?
If you are considering purchasing a set of Egyptian cotton bed sheets then I say consider this idea a little further. While Egyptian cotton sheets are certainly a luxury, what sort of a message are you sending your beloved for your anniversary – think washing and domestic chores!
A stunning cotton bathrobe might be a more appropriate choice and don’t forget to throw in some relaxing all natural soaps from Aroma Beauty, a satin eye mask and some scented candles for good measure.
Aroma Beauty also offers a sexy, masculine Cedar Wood and Spice soap, so it would be a great addition to a cotton robe for your man. Perhaps skip the eye mask and candles and add a shaving brush and hand towel set currently available from Hamperific.
The modern theme for the 2nd anniversary is China. Many couples may have received dinner sets as part of their bridal registry or as wedding gifts, but if not then check out the 5 pages of styles at Victoria’s Basement. Their delivery prices were very reasonable and with the variety of styles there is likely to be one that catches your eye!
Maxwell and Williams also offer a comprehensive range of dinner sets as well and might be worth checking out.
My personal favourite is the Royal Doulton Gold set available from Peter of Kensington – nothing says classy like white and gold!
There are many women out there (like myself) who love to cook and entertain and so a dinner set may go down well. If on the other hand your bride is not so keen in the kitchen then steer away from things (like dinner sets) that remind her of more work.
Daisy is the flower of choice for this anniversary and may not be so common as they once were. But did you know that the Gerbera is also known as the Barberton Daisy? A bunch of these colourful flowers will surely set the mood. Most florists stock Gerberas as they are apparently the 5th most used cut flower!
And just to complete the botanical lesson on Gerberas, they aren’t actually of the Daisy family, but are closely related to the Sunflower.
Ok, so at the end of this you may have decided that none of these options suit your darling husband or wife. If you are still struggling for a gift then think a bit more laterally. Anything made in China or of Chinese origin is worth considering, or take your partner to a Chinese restaurant for dinner is another possibility.
Another option I have heard of is buying things in twos, representing the 2nd. You could put together a whole gift box of things that come in twos like socks, underwear set (sexy or casual), salt and pepper shakers (fancy ones of course!), two packets of their favourite chocolates, gift vouchers for their two favourite golf courses for a round, two fabulous wines – you get the idea….
Did you have a favourite 2nd anniversary gift? Tell us about it!
Today's quandary is from Michelle who writes:
"I'm going to be visiting my host family in America, staying with them for a month. I have known them for about 5 years and this will be my fourth visit with them. I don't want to give them books or pictures but something a bit more unique." Michelle, Germany
When students set off on their exchanges they are encouraged to take something traditional from their home country as a gift. Something traditional from Germany would be nice, but as this is Michelle's fourth visit she obviously wants to be a bit more original.
When I was hosted I took a beautiful pencil drawing of a waterfall by a local blind artist in a wooden frame and they loved it. The timber was beautiful Australian wood and the scene was local to my home state.
Perhaps Michelle knows of an artist that might have prints available of well known places in Germany. Or even a platter or serving dish made from local materials of her area.
Hand made soaps are another great idea, especially if they use ingredients specific to a region.
Markets are great places to check out for appealing items made in your local area. Just make sure that if the gift consists of any plant or animal material that you declare them when entering another country.
Thanks for joining us on the journey through anniversaries! I would love to hear your feedback, so please leave a comment if you have any queries, suggestions or enjoy the blog...
Today we are looking at the 1st wedding anniversary which is exciting for couples celebrating this milestone. First of all, congratulations! You have survived your first year of marriage and are hopefully looking to celebrate it with great meaning and love.
Traditionally the 1st wedding anniversary is celebrated with paper and to be honest that probably doesn’t sound that interesting or exciting, so you need to make it more so!
One young lass I know of received a fluffy, fluro coloured notebook for her first wedding anniversary and to say that she was not pleased would be an understatement. Now, while I can see that perhaps the groom discovered that the anniversary gift was paper and that this might fit the “criteria”, it isn’t perhaps the most thoughtful and loving gift he could have come up with.
So, what is a more appropriate and exciting gift that involves paper?
Gift vouchers are a perfect example of a gift that is paper-based. A voucher to the local day spa for some pampering or even to her favourite clothing/lingerie/jewellery shop is worth consideration.
Tickets to the theatre or movies are also popular and something that you can enjoy together.
If you are of the creative mind, custom make your own voucher for a dinner date to your partner’s favourite restaurant and present it in a card.
Thinking a little bit more laterally indulge in a photo shoot for the both of you to mark your special occasion. Present the voucher for the pre-booked photo session in a card (handmade or store bought) and go one step further by getting one of the prints enlarged and framed for your memory wall.
If paper really doesn’t tickle your fancy you might be happy to know that the modern equivalent for the 1st anniversary is a clock. Does your beloved need a new clock for their shed/office/bedroom?
There are some phenomenal "funky clocks" available to suit almost every personality type and décor. It might be a challenge deciding on just one.
So your nearest and dearest doesn’t need a wall clock… a watch perhaps? Casual or dress, funky or classic check out the jewelers for a massive range or if you can’t find something you like there, try online at Just Watches. Here they are offering free delivery Australia wide.
Finally flowers. Each anniversary year has a dedicated flower and for the 1st it is orange blossom.
Orange blossom may not be readily available in your area, but you might like to consider products that use orange blossom such as those from Evodia. Mists, soap bars, hand treatments and candles – divine!
What is the best/worst 1st anniversary gift you have ever given/received?
Do you prefer traditional ideas, modern or a mix of both?
Struggling to find thoughtful, meaningful and perhaps unique anniversary gifts?
Join the Gift Assistant every Friday where we will be looking at each of the anniversary years and the traditional and modern gift themes.
Don't leave it to the last minute and risk a crappy gift - get organised and be happy to give something special to your love!
"Ok, any suggestions for my Dad!!! Age 65, has everything!!! Doesn't fish, sport, drink, has travelled overseas, is active in his church, still works, is fit, learns poetry and funny rhymes and a book is not an options as he is an tutor and reads up to 150 books in a year!! So, is this a challenge?" Clare, Mackay
I recently read on someone’s blog that 65 is the new 45 and by the sounds of your Dad, this could be right!! So, taking into consideration what you have told me here are a few ideas:
Firstly, how about a picture of your Dad with your family enlarged and printed onto a canvas for a personalized work of art. Officeworks and Harvey Norman offer this service starting from just $45 for a 12” x 12” canvas.
Understandably as a tutor he loves reading and so a book may not be an option. Keeping along the theme of reading though you might consider a magazine subscription to a publication like Good Reading Magazine. This is a great, easy reading magazine for when you want to read something but not commit to reading an entire book – or are sick of reading them!
For something to tickle his poetry side why not try a birthday experience and shout him a weekend in Yeppoon which includes accommodation and a Poetry Workshop with Australian Poetry Slam 09. You could present this gift as a “redeemable voucher” in a beautiful handmade card.
Another option is a gorgeous writing pen. The Pen Shoppe in Brisbane has some divine pens available to purchase. They do have some luxury pens that are out of most people's price range, but there are some well priced options as well. You can take this gift one step further and have it engraved, depending on the style of the pen.
Did any of these options tickle your fancy? Can you guess which one Clare opted for? Have a guess and I will post the answer later this week!
Today's quandary is from Matthew:
“My friend (of about 1 year) is giving a performance this weekend. We are not romantically involved but I am looking to show my appreciation after the show with flowers. She has an amazing voice and I'm sure will be awesome, but I am unsure of what flowers to give.” Matthew
Two things jumped out at me after reading Matthew’s message. Firstly that he wants to show his admiration for the performance and secondly that him and his friend are not romantically involved.
Different flowers have very different meanings which is fascinating. The most famous of all would probably have to be red roses, which is renowned to demonstrate passion and a deep felt love, but did you know that they can represent courage and respect?
Yellow roses typically suggests friendship, while pink roses say grace and perfect happiness.
Sunflowers indicate adoration, pride and sunshine while Marigolds apparently suggest cruelty and grief. And to think those pretty, bold colours would represent such pain!
So what does Matthew do? If he would like to follow the traditional meanings of flowers then I would suggest a bunch of white lilies (Lily of the Valley) which says sweetness, humility and return of happiness.
Another possibility is one of my all time favourites which is the Iris that suggests valor, faith, wisdom and “My Compliments”.
On the other hand, some people like particular flowers for their scent, colour and shape and there are no rules about following tradition, so a mixed bunch of flowers within Matthew’s price range would also be appreciated.
You can check out Ready Flowers Australia’s guide for the meaning of flowers and see what your favourite means. Let me know in the comment section below!
