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You are sure to find Hanukkah candles lit, children playing with dradels, stockings hung from the fireplace and without a doubt, gifts will be given. Come spring however, what will be the legacy of that gift exchange? The discarded unwanted kitchen appliance, the sweater in the wrong colour shoved to the back of the closet and the 545,00 tons of annual waste from gift-wrapping and shopping bags in Canada alone.

Perhaps there is another possibility? A way of truly honouring those you love by giving them the gift of saving and changing lives.

Instead of giving something that fits in a box, why not think outside the box and give a Gift of Action through Shanti Uganda. By donating in the name of your friends and family, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Shanti Uganda is a not for profit organization with a mission to improve infant and maternal health, provide safe women-centered care and support the well-being of birthing mothers and women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

How far does the average gift-giving budget of $640 go towards improving life in Uganda? It allows you to give the Gift of Community Sustainability by supporting organic farming at the Shanti Uganda Solar powered Birth House.

Looking for the perfect gift to give your daughter? Give her the gift of knowing she is helping young women in another part of the world. By giving the Gift of Knowledge, you are investing in the education of girls and changing their lives forever.

Start a new family tradition by celebrating the health of your family by making a contribution towards reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in Uganda. Gift your grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles the Gift of Family. Provide health services for 5 families for only $25. Give pre and post natal care for one mother for $50 or sponsor the training of a midwife for 75$. Celebrate the generations in your family by helping to ensure future healthy generations in Uganda.

Each and every one of the life giving gifts can be given for $625, less than the average person spends on presents. Honor those you love by letting them unwrap gifts that truly keep on giving.

Tis the season, for rejoicing, celebrating and giving. This year why not give the priceless gift of making the world a better, safer, healthier and happier place.

You can get more details form:

• www.shantiuganda.org
• http://www.shantiuganda.org/products/gifts-of-action

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Gifts ideas for the wine enthusiast:

#1. Offer a bottle or more of a good wine 

Because of a global wine market the prices for a bottle of good wine are more than affordable. In most countries you may buy a bottle of internationally awarded wine for less than $10. In UK I’ve bought form supermarket some famous wines from California, Chile and Australia for $8-$10/bottle. In the country I live in (Romania) things are even better: you can find internationally awarded wine for less that $7/bottle.

So offering a great wine should not cost you a fortune. Juts go for smaller and more exotic brands. If you do a short research online you will find hundreds of great and affordable wines.

#2. Offer a wine rack 

We, the wine enthusiast like to take care of our wine and also we like to see our wines collection. This is why  wine racks make great gifts.

A menu display wine rack – like the one from the image – is placed on the all wall and allows the wine enthusiast to enjoy the sight of the stylish bottles.

#3. Offer a wine cooler

Wine coolers are designed to keep the wine to the best temperature. You should know that each wine must be served at the right temperature in order to show it’s qualities.

A wine fridge is essential for keeping the wine bottles at the correct temperature. This is why wine fridges are some of the most important kitchen accessories for every wine fan.

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Plants

Hanging plants, potted plants or planted plants—those for outside growth—are limited only by space. Most plants in containers that rest on tables, shelves and window ledges are fully contained: The receiver provides appropriate lighting and a bit of water. Hanging plants take no surface space but can still decorate a room like little else, and they’re fully contained as well. There’s no need to buy the pot or soil: You’ve already provided that.

Plants may flower or bloom during specific seasons, but they provide lovely décor additions all year round. The flowers a plant may grow may pass through their annual cycles, but the thoughtfulness of the gift, the memory and the joy it brings are constant and everlasting.

Time Pieces

Wall clocks, watches and table clocks extend beyond seasonal need and use. You can accompany them with a package of batteries, or the receiver can simply plug into a wall or wind it up, set the time and perhaps think of you every time the time is checked.
Clock design is varied enough to fit any room or any décor. Metal, wood, plastic or glass, you can find a clock for any receiver or any home or office.

Watches lend a more personalized touch, for watches are personal items. You can purchase a watch that suits any personality, budget or special-occasion wear, whether an everyday item, a dressier watch for work or an elegant watch for evenings out. Even pocket watches cross gender and age lines these days. Smaller or larger, pocket watches are either chained or clipped on clothing for convenience of the wearer.

Standing clocks are usually major pieces, requiring a lot of room and a fair amount of time-keeping effort. If your budget allows, and if the receiver has room, even a standing clock can be presented for virtually any occasion. For smaller budgets, a miniature standing clock looks fantastic on ledges and shelves and can certainly be a conversation piece or elegant addition to many homes.

Jewelry

While wedding rings and high-end jewelry are usually reserved for special occasions, simple jewelry can be gifted for any occasion and never be out of season.
Necklaces, arm or ankle bracelets, pins, brooches and rings are great for any occasion, season, age range and budget.

Tie clasps, cuff links, small pins and discreet bracelets—yes, bracelets—are fashionable and lovely for men. These items also cross seasonal and age boundaries and can fit into any budget. They can be flashy or discreet, depending on the personality of the wearer and the statement the wearer wants to make when donning them.

Enjoy giving and perhaps getting any of these three gift areas that are perfectly suitable for any occasion!

This post was contributed by Holly Miller, a writer for CouponCroc.co.uk, the best resource for savings on all of your holiday gift shopping this year.

Below are some ideas to start off your list:

1. Gifts that say we’re thinking of you

If your staff member or client is going through a tough time- whether personal or professional – and is quite closer to the business, it can be nice, and good for your relationship, to send them a little something so they know you’re thinking of them. In this case, something like a hamper, or even some orange or yellow roses can say you care and you hope they come into more fortunate times soon.

2. Congratulations

In a business, you will often work with clients who have their own business goals separate to yours. To help build the relationship, it is great to celebrate with them when they have a win, by sending them a memento! Online flowers or gift baskets are a great idea, or specialist hampers like the new fruit or chocolate bouquets.

3. Touching base

Keeping in touch with old clients is also a good way to make sure you retain their future business. This gift could be anything from the hampers or wine, through to novelty goods suited to your industry – some sample car seat covers if in the auto industry and so on – something that reminds them what you do, but also just says hi and lets them know you’re still there, doing what you do best.

4. Building a bond

Tickets are one of the best gifts you can give because they are not only valuable but provide more than a gift – they give an experience. Find out what is of interest to the client, or just purchase entry to a big ticket event, or even a corporate box, and your client will feel special and valued. Sending your own people along to the event with the client enables a shared experience, and can really build a strong bond between your people and your clients.

5. Thank you

When you win a new client, ensure you send them something so they know their new business is highly valuable to your business. In this instance, get an account with a wine cellar that stocks good quality wines. Select a champagne or even a vintage drop that shows you have taste and are willing to spend a little on your best clients.

The office is a place for practical and utilitarian things, and with this, corporate gifts are often assumed to be items of a useful nature. Don’t get me wrong, practical gifts are awesome, but why not give your employees a unique father’s day gift this year for a change? All work and no play makes a very dull (and even dissatisfied) employee, so maybe you should appeal to their inner child by giving them gift baskets with a twist: a chocolate-filled classic toy vehicle!

Deliver the sweet loot to your staff through exquisitely crafted wooden toy trucks! These hand-painted classic toys have a sort of whimsy and timelessness that your employees would surely love. The toys come with an assortment of Maple Ridge Farms gourmet chocolates. Take your pick from a great selection of designs, from a 1911 pick-up truck or a 1913 vintage ambulance, both of which come with chocolate almonds and extra fancy jumbo cashews, to a 1939 armored car that carries chocolate almonds and chocolate gourmet mints!

Take a break from the humdrum of the 9 to 5 life and indulge your employees and business partners in this one-of-a-kind gift idea from PromosLogos, an established supplier of business promotional products. The trucks could also be custom imprinted with a design of your choice.

I got the idea for this post when I look at my latest gadgets which I got from Miniinthebox.com.

4 Gift Ideas For a Technology Enthusiast:

1. Wireless Earphone Headphone 5 in 1 for Audio MP3 PC TV DVD

We all like the wireless technology because it gives us extra freedom. The 5 in 1  headphones have 5 different functions:

• wireless headphone
• wireless net chat
• monitoring
• FM radio
• wired headphone

You can use the set for wireless reception from any electrical device which uses audio output such as: TV, PC game console, DVD player, audio devices, Mp3 player and Cd player.

Also it can be used as an audio chat tool (Skype, Messenger) because the device has an incorporated mic. And it can be used as a monitor for babies, old people, sick people and so on.

Extra the Wireless Earphone Headphone 5 in 1 for Audio MP3 PC TV DVD set can be used for listening to FM radio and as a wired headphone.

Offer this tech gift to someone who:

• uses a programs like Skype
• likes to be wire free when listening to music
• wants to watch TV or listen to music without disturbing others
• has little kids or persons who require attention

2. USB Powered Coffee Warmer

A simple but cool gadget. Just plug it to USB and it will keep your coffee or tea warm.

This gift will be appreciated by all people who drink tea or coffee at the computer.

3. Digital kitchen thermometer

For me this gadget is very useful in the kitchen. I use it to set the temperature for my oven because I have many recipes which are made for an electric oven and mine uses gas.

This is a recommended present for people who love to cook and for the ones who spent their time gardening (for getting the soil temperature).

4. Multimeter Xiole DT9205A Yellow Black Large

This is an useful device if you like to test / repair electrics. I use it often to see which accumulators are charged and which are not. Also when I need to test something to see if it is working I use the multimeter,.

This gift is for tech enthusiasts only!

The best way to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift is to put a little extra thought in to it. Spend some time searching for something a little more unique, and something related, which means something to your relationship.

This is not always easy, but with a little extra effort you really can find the perfect Valentine’s day gift. If you are still having a little trouble however, check out some of these fantastic Valentine’s Day gift ideas!

Swarovski Crystal Red Roses

Natural roses are a fantastic gift by themselves, but to really add a touch of elegance this Valentine’s Day, you could spend a little bit more and get some beautiful Swarovski Crystal Red Roses in a Vase. These beautiful roses look absolutely amazing and will easily become your favorite romantic ornament in your home.

Silver Sweet Hearts

Everybody has had the sweet hearts candy at some point in their lives. The simple tokens of love on each one vary from the sweet, to the loving, to the sometimes hilarious (I once received one saying ‘fax me’). Now you can make things a little extra special by inserting a silver sweet heart in to the packet, personalized with the inscription of your choice.

Then and Now Photo Frame

If you have been with your partner for a long time, even decades then you can commemorate this on Valentine’s Day. A Then and Now Photo Frame can hold two to five photographs from your past, helping mark some of the most important occasions of your life together.

Personalized 3D Laser Gift

If you want to give a beautiful, unique and very personal Valentine’s Day gift this year then you might want to check out a 3D Laser Gift. These take a photo of you and your loved one, convert it in to a stunning 3D image, and then engrave your photo in a shapely crystal block. This gift gives timeless memories in a beautiful crystal ornament that can be displayed in your home for years to come.

Something Electronic

This might seem a little broad, but many people put off buying electronic equipment because of the luxury and the cost. This Valentine’s Day you could give an iPod filled with your partners favorite songs, or a Camera with a few fantastic pictures loaded on to it.

By Choosing one of these simple but unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas you will definitely have a Valentine’s Day success!

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1. A compact digital camera is a great idea for a teenage girl, so she can document all the fun times and exciting adventures she’s having. Small cameras work the best so she can carry it around in her purse. One of the best compact cameras on the market right now is the Canon PowerShot. A camera is also a practical gift and she’ll be able to use it for years to come.

2. Teenage girls like to personalize their space, so decorations that reflect their personality are always a great gift. Things like strings of funky lights, removable wall frames, and movie posters are good places to get started. Get an idea of her personality so you can decide exactly what style of decorations she would appreciate, but most teenage girls like having a place that feels as unique as they are.

3. For the bookworm, Penguin Classics has released works of classic literature in gorgeous new books, seen here. Introduce her to beloved classic literature by getting a beautiful copy of one of your favorites or a book that suits her personality and tastes. This is a gift she’ll be sure to treasure.

4. A panini maker is a fabulous gift idea for a teenage girl. Paninis and grilled sandwiches are really yummy and with a panini maker, they’re incredibly simple to make. Besides, she’ll probably be heading to college soon, so it’s a practical gift that she’ll be able to use for years. There are several panini and sandwich makers on the market, but you can get them for around 25-30 dollars at Walmart or Target. Of course, there are more expensive ones at specialty kitchen stores like Williams-Sonoma.

5. Every teenage girl likes to be stylish! Get her warm winter fashions to keep her toasty and trendy. A good place to start would be a cosy scarf with a unique texture or fun pattern. Fingerless gloves are also fun and stylish. Pair gloves with festive nail polish colors with sparkle and shine, and she’ll be dressed perfectly for the winter season. Shops like Forever 21, H&M, and Delia’s are great places to get started and usually these stores have really great deals.

Diane Johnson primarily writes about online education,pell grants and anything else that interests her. She enjoys traveling, reading, sledding, and sports.

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This facts inspired my to write about the gift idea of offering map updates from NAVTEQ for in-dash navigation systems.

You see a GPS is almost useless if it hasn’t got the latest maps. So offering the latest map version to a person who travels all the time will be very appreciated.

With the latest map in that in-car nav system, your loved one will know exactly how to get where they’re going, and where to stop along the way.

You can find map updates for a large number of GPS devices from build in factory devices to portable ones to offer as presents.

You can find the map updates for navigation systems on Navigation.com.