Gift Idea Help Blog

The Gift of Stress Busters

  “ Did you know Work-related stress is a common and growing problem in today's workplace. Aromas, once experienced, are seldom forgotten. Our products therefore make ideal a above all memorable promotional products for the health-conscious company.”  The Aroma Coaster is a fresh new re-thinking of the traditional drinks mat. Each Aroma Coaster is supplied with a vial of 100% pure essential oil, selected for its stress-relieving effects.  If you are interested in finding ways to reduce corporate stress, think about AromaStressBuster.   One of the ways to reduce corporate stress according to this company is the Aroma Coaster.  A few drops of essential oil are sprinkled onto the eco-friendly and recyclable Aroma Coaster. When a cup of warm drink is placed on top, the heat from the drink gently vaporises the essential oil into the atmosphere, releasing a wonderful aroma that also de-stresses and can aid work related stress.  This coaster which can also be used as a corporate or promotional product

The other option is the The bespoke Aroma Stress Buster (pictured on left) is designed to be attached to the front of your client's computer or other warm surface in the office or home. It comes with two vials of 100% pure essential oil, specially selected for their stress-relieving effects. The warm air generated by the computer (the source of much of today's work related stress!) gently vaporises the essential oil into the atmosphere  for your client to breathe in.  Smells good.  It is a unique corporate gift!.

If you are looking for another way to tackle stress, there are few options aroma therapy, screaming and throwing things.  According to 5-Minute Stress Busters, ways to relieve stress include
serenity break, the best medicine, sleep on it, change your mind, and take time for tea. 
   

photo: Aroma Stress Busters (left photo) from aromatherapy

stress busters (right photo) from health

The Gift of Flower Arrangements

Did you know that once I entered a rose arrangement in a competition?  I didn't win any prize except maybe the worst arrangement.  I look at the arrangements in stores and people making them and I wonder how can it done?  Could I honestly make one that would be nice?  That is possible.    At Flower Arranging Ideas, there is information on flower arranging: tools of the trade, creative ways to display floral arrangements, flower arrangement inspiration, how to make your flower arrangements look fantastic and shaping your flower arrangement and more ideas. 

If you want a book on it, check out Flowers: The Complete Book of Floral Design (Hardcover) (pictured)

Photo: flowers the complete book of floral design by amazon

The Gift of a California Gift

Could it be that you are looking for a California gift to send to a friend or family member in California?  At Your inside connection to great wines under $10, you can give a gift that could be a monthly wine club gift, a wine gift assortment or a wine gift basket.  Another option is joining a California Wine Insiders Wine Club or Connoisseur's Wine Club.  The final one is purchasing wine.

Interesting!  Does this help?

Photo: California wine gift from wineinsiders

The Gift of a Romantic Getaway

How much does the Eiffel Tower shrink in wintertime?  The answer is six inches.  It expands that much in the summer heat.  I would not mind a trip to see if this March 28 trivia fact from 2008 Trivia Facts is true.  Speaking of trips, what about going to a romantic place?  It would make a great surprise gift for your wife or girl friend.  But where to go?  With the exchange rate in Europe not great, check out Welcome to The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island.  It is located off the coast of Georgia. There are 3000 acres that are shared by no more than 30 guests, also 7 miles of beaches and an array of outdoor activities for the guests.  Sounds interesting.  And you can tell your friends about your trip to this beach.  Their first question is where is the lodge? 

If you are a romantic at heart and don't know where to go, go to 50 Romantic Places.  The site gives  recommendations for country living, beyond the sea, meals to remember, over the top suites, escapes, on the water, sexy cities, exotic castaways, secret villages, and adrenaline highs.  Paris is one of the sexy cities.

Ah, what happiness!

Photo: change of pace can change your life from travelandleisure

change of pace can change your life

The Gift of a Gag Mirror

It's April 1st, April Fools Day.  Have some fun with your co-workers or family.  Tell them to take a look in Self Portrait Mirror.  The cutouts in the Self-Portrait Mirrors help you see yourself in a new, amusing light. This make it an Ideal gift for those who don't take themselves too seriously... who does on April Fools Day.  This is a good gift even for people who take them seriously.  It will add some levity and we need that today.  The mirror is 12" X 16" X .125" and acrylic.  Take a look at it.  Who knows what you will see?

Photo: self-portrait mirror from gnr8

The Gift of America's Blue Ribbon Cooking

Several weeks ago, I saw an item in the paper about a cookbook that was available at the Machine Shed.  What made this cookbook distinctive?  I thought I would go for a look.  I drove out the Shed and finally found the door.  I met Diane Roupe (the author).  One thing that makes the book interesting is that there are how to's such as how to saute.  There also is a recipe on making fudge.  I have never done either.  This is one of the cookbooks that I am adding to my collection.  Also, it is autographed.  If you are looking for a gift for the cook, chef or cook in training, check out The Blue Ribbon Country Cookbook: The New Standard of American Cooking (Hardcover) by Diane Roupe (Author).  It is available at Amazon, Iowa Machine Shed, Barnes & Noble and Borders. 

Photo: blue ribbon country cookbook from amazon

The Gift of Money Can Buy Happiness

How many times have you heard that money cannot buy happiness?  And due to that bromide, you are reading this blog seeking to discover ways to spend your money?  I am here to tell you that money can buy happiness.  Originally, I heard a segment on CNN about money and happiness.  A light went off in my head that said possible post.  Then I did a Google search which yielded the following information from Money can buy happiness.  More of the article can be found on the site.

The caveat is that as long as money is spent on other people or on pro-social causes, happiness can yielded according to scientists.  This is according to an article in the journal Science.

The researchers ran three experiments to measure how happy people felt after either spending money on themselves, or giving money to pro-social causes such as buying someone a meal or a charitable donation.

"We found that people who reported spending more money on others were happier," said Dunn, lead author of the study co-authored by master's student Lara Aknin and Michael Norton of the Harvard Business School.

I can say that several years ago I experienced the feeling and it has guided me.  It is my hope that you will have the identical emotion the next time you aid someone. 

photo: 5c10c-money-buy-happiness-20mar2008 from flickr

The Gifts That Can Make A Difference

How many times have you heard that one person can make a difference?  Does it appear too daunting?  If the answer to both questions is YES and you still wish to try and make that difference, then check out these possibilities.  I found them at 10 Small Gifts that Make a Big Difference.

$0 to donate 20 grains of rice.
Play a vocabulary game to donate rice through the United Nations. For each guess, 20 grains of rice are donated through advertising revenue.

$6 to buy a blanket for a child in crisis.
A warm blanket can make a huge difference for a child who is cold and hungry.

$9 to feed a hungry baby for a week.
To me, this might be the most amazing gift on the list. Nine measly dollars can take care of a hungry baby for a whole week. What do I spend nine dollars on?

$10 to provide Bible lessons for five children.
Another measly amount, but it provides the means of sharing the gospel with five children who may have never even heard of Jesus. What an awesome investment.

$10 to buy a mosquito net that can prevent malaria.
I am sure if I was the one who needed the mosquito net, I wouldn’t hesitate to spend the $10. Malaria is a preventable disease, even by something so simple as one of these nets.

$20 for 20 years’ worth of clean water.
By buying a bottle of $20 water, an African receives twenty years’ worth of clean drinking water, something that is desperately needed. (HT: Desiring God Blog)

$20 to buy a bracelet that supports Ugandans in need.
This program employs Ugandans and makes a difference in their lives each time someone buys a bracelet.

$25 to buy water containers for an entire household.
A water storage system ensures that the water stays sanitary and safe for drinking.

$30/month to send 5 Bibles/month to people in restricted nations.
You provide the donation, they’ll provide the materials. We can bless Christians who don’t have access to rows of Bibles in bookstores like we do.

$32/month to sponsor a child and change his or her life forever.
Sponsorship = changed lives and changed hearts. And not only for the sponsored child.

I tried out the donate 20 grains of rice.  I really enjoyed the word game.  Of course, I have worked on my vocabulary because several years ago, I studied for the GRE.  Try out these options to make a difference.  Pass this on to your friends. One type of happiness to me is making a difference for people.

Photo: One person can make a difference from flickr

The Gift of a Romantic Massage Kit

With the weather warming, why not think about romance?  What would the man in your life like?  What about a Romantic Massage Kit?  It allows you to pamper the one you love.  There is tropical scented massage cream that will arouse the senses and tealights to create a relaxing candle lit setting. Share the muscle soothing back massager and playfully explore the intimate and sensual massage techniques provided in the mini massage guide. Express your love through touch for an unforgettably romantic massage experience.  Do you know anybody who could use one?

Photo: romantic massage kit from simply4lovers

The Gift of Fruit and Vegetable Bibs

With the warm weather, people of all sizes are thinking that they are trying to incorporate fruit and vegetables into their diets.  What about Fruit and Vegetable Bibs for your baby daughter, son, niece or nephew or grandchild?  The bibs are 100% cotton in tasty prints. Each bib in the set of 2 bibs has its own baby food jar. The fruit set includes strawberries and oranges. The veggie set includes carrots and everybody's favorite-peas!  Sounds yummy.  And a cute gift for all.

Photo: fruit and vegetable bibs from moderntots