Holiday Gift Ideas

For the Outdoor Lovers in Your Life

The holiday seasons are near, and family members are already asking, "What do you want for Christmas?" Oh, to be a kid again with my Christmas wish list! Is there someone on your holiday gift list who loves the outdoors and could use some new piece of camping gear? If so, here are some ideas that may help you finish your holiday shopping.

For those new to camping

•sleeping bags - the first consideration for all beginning campers is having a warm and cozy place to sleep. Don't skimp on quality, and if you're buying for a kid, buy them an adult bag, because it will probably last them for many years to come.

•sleeping pads - if they've already got a sleeping bag, or if you can afford to spend a little more on presents, get them the next camping item they'll want that will improve the quality of their sleeping outdoors.

•tents - next on a basic camper's checklist will likely be a tent. Give consideration to the number of people they'll be camping with to determine the size. And if they're backpackers, look specifically for lightweight 1 or 2 person tents. Otherwise look in the category of family tents.

•cook stoves - food always tastes good when it is cooked outdoors. Consider a 2 burner propane stove. They're easier to use, produce a hotter flame, and are more compact than typical fuel stoves. If they've already got the stove, maybe they could use a carrying bag, one that also holds two propane bottles.

•lanterns - again, campers are migrating to the propane models versus the fuel lanterns. Flashlights are nice for emergencies, but can get rather expensive with the cost of batteries when used for prolonged lighting.

For those with new families

•family tents - your kids have grown and now don't have enough room in their 2-person tent for themselves plus the new family member. Get your kids a bigger family tent so that they can share with their kids the same wonders that you introduced them to.

•cooking utensils - as the family grows, so too do the needs to prepare larger meals. You can never go wrong by giving utensils that will gladly be used by those who delight in the art of outdoor cooking.

•outdoor clothes - we all know how fast kids can go through clothes. You grandparents will be doing your own kids a favor should you consider giving the grandkids some special clothes for future summer adventures: jeans/shorts, hiking shoes/boots, rain gear, day packs, or SPF clothing.

For those with everything

•screen rooms - a nice luxury that can be a life-saver in buggy locations is a screen room that allows you to relax outdoors away from pests and out of the sun.

•portable grills - great for camping, tailgate parties, and picnics. One of these would be appreciated by any outdoor chef.

•Swiss Army knives - what else needs to be said? These knives are synonymous with camping.

•shower bags - these inexpensive black plastic bags are a blessing when camping somewhere without hot showers.

•Dutch ovens - for the gourmet in your family, these make great presents for anyone who loves to bake and wants to try it at the campground.

What is a Diamond?

The diamonds on the market today were formed millions of years ago. Carbon exposed to heat and pressure deep beneath the earth's surface are what created the dazzling diamond eternity bands you want as your wedding rings.

When choosing the right one, you need to look at the color, cut, clarity, carat and certification of the gemstone. The cut refers to the shape which is typically round, marquise, pear, emerald cut princess cut. A round solitaire engagement ring is classic, but more and more brides are opting for the fancier cuts of the rectangular emerald cut and square princess cut.

They also look great with colored gemstones as accents. A pair of ruby and diamond hoop earrings is dazzling, offering a burst of color.
Where do they come from?
South Africa is a main supplier of diamonds. Mines are located in Zaire, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. Other locations include Australia and Russia. The oldest mines were in India, but that was about 4000 years ago. The modern suppliers were discovered and mining began in the 1800s.

Birthstone for April

Every month gets a gemstone and April is the lucky girl that gets the diamond. Most people love their own birthstone and wouldn't admit it, but they are probably a little bit of envious of the April babies. Now if you are looking for a unique birthstone gift or something for yourself, these gems come in all kinds of fashion settings. Diamond flower earrings go with anything, and, if you really want something different, how about a diamond toe ring. Fresh, huh?

Couples celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary can commemorate the day with these dazzling gems. 60 years of marriage certainly deserves diamond eternity bands.

Magic and Lore

These shimmering stones are believed to enhance your sexual prowess, bestow power and increase vitality of the wearer. In the middle ages, they removed fear and made the wearer invincible. Your white gold diamond earrings are probably not going to make you invincible, but you can sure feel like it when you wear them. The gems are also supposed to bring luck and success. Of course, if you are wearing them, you probably are a success.

Care and Maintenance

The hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, these gems have a rank of 10. So, they really do last a lifetime. To clean, let them soak in jewelry cleaner, ammonia or soap. You can also drop them in the ultrasonic cleaner. They can pretty much take whatever you throw at them. Just because they are the strongest mineral doesn't mean that they can't chip or crack if you try hard enough.

So, don't hide them in the jewelry box, saving them for a special occasion. These dazzling gems are meant to be worn and because of their durability, they can be worn every day. With all the choices in cut and types of settings, these shimmering stones can be worn as a fashion piece or you can wear diamond earrings on a special occasion. Whatever you do, wear them!

Women crave dazzling diamond eternity bands as their wedding rings. A round solitaire engagement diamond ring. is classic, but more and more brides are opting for the fancier cuts such as the rectangular emerald cut and square princess cut. Visit the site at http://www.gemaffair.com.
By Andrew Stratton

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How to Make a Last Minute Gift

Last minute gifts do not have to be a problem. Here are some great economical ways to pull it together at the last minute.The dollar stores normaly have glass candy dishs and decanters. You can purchase a nice size candy dish and buy a nice mixture or the persons favorite candy and fill.You can also do the same thing with soap decanters and scented soaps. These gifts can be made from five dollars and up.Buying snack containers and mixing popcorn, peanuts, and chex cereals is another great last minute gift. You can buy your snack supplies and make as many of these as you need. Toss a trail mix into the batch and mix well and then fill your favorite containers. These are great supplies to keep on hand for the unexpected gifts.

One of the very popular last minute gifts is a hot chocolate mix.

Prepare with hersheys chocolate and add marshmallows, and add sugar, mix well and fill glass decanters or quart jars and tie off with ribbons and tags. You can prepare larger batch' s if required. The directions can be found on the Hersheys containers. If you add a couple of nice coffee mugs, you then have a greatly appreciated gift.

Instructions

  • Purchase glass or plastic candy dishes and bags of candy. Purchase scented soaps and soap decaners. Purchase snacks, popcorn, peanuts, trail mix, chex cereals.Purchase, Hershey chocolate, and marshmallows and sugar for your hot chocolate mix.
  • Mix your snack batch up in a large container or bowl. Pour and fill containers.Mix your hot chocolate mix and pour into desired containers. Fill your candy dishs and containers.
  • Dont forget to add ribbons, gift tags, and bows.

Things You’ll Need:
candy dishs, bags of candy, glass soap decanters and scented soaps
snack conatiners, cereal, pretzels, popcorn and nuts, rice chex and corn chex

last minutes gifts

By eaforeman5

How to Make Homemade Gifts - Milk Bath Recipe

Making gifts is a great way to make your holiday season more economical and less stressful. Not only will the gift recipient appreciate your time, you will also be able to customize the fragrance and packaging of your milk bath.

  • Combine the Powdered Milk, Epsom Salts, Baking Soda, and Cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly with a whisk.
  • Add Essential Oil and mix again with the whisk, making sure to break up any clumps that may have occurred
  • Pour mixture into decorative jars or bottles.
  • Label the mixture with the following directions: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of milk bath mixture directly into bath, soak for 20 minutes, and enjoy.

Things You’ll Need:
1 cup Powdered Milk
1/2 cup Epsom Salts
1 tablespoon Baking Soda
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
5-10 drops of your favorite Essential Oil (optional)

By Patti Winters

How to Think About Different Gift Ideas

Want to select the occasion wise perfect gift for special person. Many occasion wise items are available, but gift selection is confusing. No exact idea what to select. Whether the receiver should like the gift or not. Gift should not be repetitive.

Want to give something different.

Gift should be good, effective, useful and meaningful. Any gift idea?
Here you will get fantastic gift idea´s that help you in selecting the gift. Gift ideas for her and for him gifts for Christmas, birthdays, anniversary, weddings, Halloween, Easter, get well, sympathy, graduation. Engagement gift ideas, groomsmen gift ideas, retirement gift ideas, great birthday gift ideas and many more... Occasion wise gifts are available, Birthday gift, Christmas gift, Marriage gift, Wedding Anniversary gift, personalized gift, New Year gift etc., while choosing birthday gift take into consideration the choice and personality of the birthday boy or girl, not to buy as per your convenience. Select Ultimate Birthday Bouquet, Birthday celebration bouquet, Birthday rose basket, Birthday Bear, Birthday Brownie or Gift baskets in variety of themes, potted plants, Bonsai Tree. For personalized gift you can choose frames, pendent, cake, greeting card. In unique gift choose office accessories.

For romantic gift choose heart shape pendent the symbol of love. Ring, Set of 10 romantic love tokens, chocolate box, games of romance, his & her coffee mugs etc., Delightful birthday gift ideas for husband Wrist watches, Portfolio Bags, Organizers, Black Leather cheap Wallet, Black Leather Bag, Shaving set, Shirts, T-Shirts, a romantic dinner for two, Cook for him special dish.

For businessmen choose an ideal corporate gift which is useful to give their clients and business associates.Handmade gift is much attractive and meaningful which you can use for a long time, or you can save the money also. Sweet 16 Birthday gift idea This grown up age the main attraction is MP3 or CD/DVD player, Headphone, sweet sixteen gifts baskets, Sweet 16 bracelet, neckless, earrings, pendants, watches are the style of this age. Many online stores to save you time and money.Here are the gifts and gift ideas for every occasion that will truly be appreciated choose from these options or browse. Gift ideas finding the perfect gift ideas can always be a challenge, but with a little bit of preparation and some creativity it is possible to find the perfect gift for everyone.

Gift ideas engraved gifts & ideas - silver plated engraved gift ideas, engraved gifts worldwide from the UK. And fabulous chocolates are the gifts for every occasion holiday season. Unique gifts ideas, birthday presents, collectibles reeds jewelers makes finding the perfect gift for weddings, anniversaries, & graduations a pleasurable & memorable experience. Fun Gift Idea the idea gift then is something that gets in smiles, and presents a gift to look at and smile for a long time. Bumper stickers provide you a method for speaking

By rajgift,

About Unique Gifts

Whether it's a birthday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day or another gift-giving holiday, you'll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't appreciate receiving a unique gift. Truly unique gifts are rare. If you're looking to give unique gifts to your loved ones, friends, work colleagues, clients and acquaintances, then read on to understand exactly what makes a gift special.

Significance
Unique gifts say something about the giver and the recipient. If you pick the first item off the shelf you see, you'll probably give the impression that you don't care whether or not you disappoint your gift recipient. Unique gifts suggest that you consider the recipient worthy of your time, efforts and consideration. They are a compliment to the gift recipient, implying the recipient is someone of discrimination who will appreciate the effort you've gone to.

Types
Homemade gifts, uncommon gifts, personalized gifts and creative gifts are all types of unique gifts.

Features
Misconceptions
Giving unique gifts doesn't have to take a lot of time. Instead of hunting down gifts during gift-giving season, buy gifts when the opportunity presents, such as when you're traveling or come upon a unique item in your regular shopping. Finding unique gifts also isn't difficult these days. Yes, everywhere you look you'll see "generic" products, gifts nobody would dream of calling unique. These are usually found at large retailers and produced for the mass market consumer. Look for smaller retailers, arts and crafts stores, novelty shops and specialized online stores for unique gifts. The Internet has made shopping for themed gifts remarkably easy. If the gift recipient likes baby elephants, for example, you'd be surprised by what a Web search will turn up.

Effects
Unique gifts not only surprise, delight and impress the recipients. They also make the recipient feel special, something that's hard to achieve in these days of mass production. If you find a gift that your recipient enjoys and yet has never seen, or maybe even imagined, you can be sure it will not be forgotten.

By Terri Rocker

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