What To Put In A Fruit Basket

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If you want to give a unique gift that is guarantee to be used an enjoyed by the recipient, consider a fruit basket. Fruit baskets are fabulous ways to provide your friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker, or client with a delicious-and healthy-treat that looks like a million bucks, but is actually budget friendly. When looking a fruit basket, you can either choose to purchase one pre-made or make your own to save you some of your hard-earned cash. Regardless where you get your fruit basket, carefully consider the contents and personalize the gift to the recipient.

The most important thing about a fruit basket is indeed the fruit itself. When looking for what fruits to add to a fruit basket, consider these popular options:

• Apples: This hearty fruit is a fruit basket favorite. Most everyone loves an apple, so you do not have to worry about less adventurous tastes avoiding the goodies. Also, apples tend to travel or ship well and have a long shelf life, so you do not have to worry about the fruit in your basket arriving spoiled or crushed.

• Pears: Like apples, pears are another fruit basket favorite. However, due to the more delicate nature of the pear, they may need a bit more protection-especially if the basket is to be shipped. Most pears are purchased in some protective covering, usually either a plastic container or foam wrapping, so consider leaving this protection in place when assembling your fruit basket.

• Citrus: Oranges, grapefruits, nectarines, tangerines, and clementines are perennial favorites in a fruit basket. In addition to adding a fantastic color, these sweet treats are favored by most individuals. However, keep in mind that some citrus, mainly oranges and grapefruits, are large in size and heavy in weight. If you plan on adding many of these juicy delights, ensure your basket is of the appropriate size to handle the fruit.

• Pineapples: Usually, the thought of fruit baskets and pineapples go hand in hand, as these elaborate fruits add a tremendous punch to the baskets appearance. Before you throw in a pineapple “just because,” consider also purchasing a pineapple cutting, a small, inexpensive device that will allow your guest to enjoy the delicious meat of the fruit.

• Grapes and Berries: More delicate fruit, including grapes and berries, should be added judiciously. Since these fruits generally do not ship well, you should reconsider adding these fruits to baskets going great distances. In addition to their fragility, these fruits do not have a long shelf life, meaning they can potentially be spoiled upon arrival of the gift.

• Unique Fruits: Depending on the type of basket you are assembling, you may decide to include unique fruits. Usually tropical in nature, consider adding kiwi, star fruit, plantains, and even coconuts if the recipient will enjoy this more unusual fare.

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Source by Garret Wong

Valentine’s Day Gift Basket

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THIS YEAR VALENTINE’S DAY FALLS ON A SATURDAY, AS A RESULT WE ARE UNABLE TO DELIVER ON THAT DAY AUSTRALIA WIDE. SATURDAY DELIVERIES WILL ONLY BE MADE IN OUR LOCAL GOLD COAST AREA. ALL OTHER DELIVERIES WILL BE MADE PRIOR TO VALENTINE’S DAY IN A BOX MARKED ” THIS IS A VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 14th”. IMAGE THE ANTICIPATION OF OPENING THE BOX.

Our Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets and hampers are a real treat! The perfect gift for your love one or soon to be loved one. Valentine’s Day fall on February 14th every year.
We specialise in creating gifts with a difference. See our range of Valentine’s gift ideas below, you will be impressed with the range. From chocolates roses, naughty gifts to classy Champagne gifts we have a great selection to you to choose from.

We select the finest gourmet foods, Champagnes, chocolates and wines to add to our gift baskets. You want your gift to be enjoyed and appreciated, Basket Basket gives you the peace of mind that your gift basket has been carefully put together.

Buying and sending the right baby gift basket will reveal a lot about you and your company. While any gift will be received with much appreciation, not all newborn gifts will be received equally.

Will your gift be the one shown to all friends and family? Will your gift make its way to the baby or baby’s room? or will it make it to the back of the cupboard. Will your baby gift be used in a month’s time, will it be used in a year’s time. Or will it be forgotten as quickly as flowers wilt.
How do you choose the right baby gift basket to buy? Well the aim is to find a gift which is different, unique, thoughtful and practical.

Our Valentine’s day range includes a great selection teddy bears, chocolate gifts, personalised gifts, bath robes, wines, gourmet hampers, pamper gifts as well as flowers and traditional gift basketss. All our Valentine gift baskets are beautifully presented.
All orders can be delivered throughout Australia, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Newcastle, Woolongong, Darwin, and any other town in Australia.

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Source by Lionel Smitka

Romantic Surprise For Boyfriend

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Getting something special for your boyfriend is essential no matter what stage you are in the connection. Romantic gifts can be something special he really wants, even though you might not contemplate it romantic or something that sends an intimate messages. Depending on the stage of the relationship, your finances or the thought behind the present, it can be large or small.

What Is Romantic?

Romantic gifts may include a number of different types of items. The idea behind the gift is what makes it romantic. If he mentions something which he’d always wanted like a kid, such as one of the original Mario Brothers or Donkey Kong for the Nintendo he available at a garage sale, that’s your queue for that gift. You have to admit, that’s not what most people would call romantic however it will be the most romantic surprise for him. Because you listened and cared enough to locate just what he wanted can make a huge hit.

Listen closely as to the he says. Romance is all about watching the interests and thoughts from the other person. While roses can be a super romantic item for you personally, he might not, make that most likely not, think they’re nearly as romantic like a romantic surprise of courtside seats for that Nix game. His interest level is paramount factor.

Hot Romantic Gifts

Should you simply can’t get all looking forward to buying something strictly manly, consider something extremely spicy. This doesn’t suggest a hot taco but it might mean some kind of special chocolate body paint or hot massage oil. You’ll grab his attention with one of these hot romantic gifts.

Sweet and Sensitive

Most likely the hot gifts simply aren’t romantic either to of you but something gentler and sweeter can tickle his fancy. Find several different ways to say, “I love you,” with romantic gifts which do it for you. You can find from a keychain with a bolt and nut saying, “I’m nuts about you” to bus tokens with designed for special moments. The tokens have romantic messages for example good for a hug, kiss or all of your love.

Maybe you want some thing practical in romantic gifts. Interlocking his and hers romantic mugs may be just the romantic surprise you’ve sought out in a gift. The his and hers mugs are personalized and fit together perfectly similar to the two of you. If you love matching and personalized romantic surprises, you will also love matching bathrobes, slippers and pillowcases filled with both your names.

Other sweet and romantic gifts could be display items with each of your names. One of the unique romantic surprises is really a painted picture of a beach on artist canvas having a heart in the sand. Obviously, you can order the picture to include each of your names inside the heart. You may also order the same picture for any welcome mat letting all people to your home know that behind the doors there is nothing but love.

Romantic Surprises for that Start of a Relationship

If you haven’t dated too long, some of these romantic gifts might not work for the stage of your relationship. Something more subtle may be the best choice for romantic surprises for all those just recently involved. You can get an ideal yet inexpensive gift when you purchase a personalized giant cookie to state, “I think you’re special” or “You’re #1.” You are able to choose whatever message you need to send without stepping across any type of good taste.

Personalized fortune cookies will also be a great idea. You can sneak these romantic surprises onto his plate after dinner. You’re able to make any message you need to fill the fortune cookies, so one like, “You recently meant an ideal woman,” or “Someone near to you thinks you’re special,” is really a romantic surprise but won’t send him running away in fear.

Allow the World Know He’s Special

In case your relationship evolved and you want the planet to know how much you care about your guy, an excellent romantic gift is flowers delivered to his office. Women aren’t the only real ones that love an unexpected of flowers. Men like them as well, especially when you send them to work where his co-workers can see just how much you care. Other romantic surprises to possess delivered to his office incorporate a box of chocolate dipped strawberries or perhaps a basket of fresh fruit having a special note. You could even sent a variety of nuts with a note, “I’m nuts in regards to you.”

One of the Best Romantic Surprises

One of the most inexpensive and yet delightful romantic surprises that’s perfect no matter how long you’ve dated is really a picnic basket filled with lunch along with a bottle of your favorite beverage. Regardless of what type of food you select, allow it to be his favorite. If you’re more involved, order special glasses together with your names engraved and a special wine bottle with romantic messages around the label. You’re sure to get his attention whether you’ve only dated a couple of months or are married for a long time with this surprise. If it’s the center of winter, then a picnic is better still. You can hold it in the center of the living room or for those much more hardy than most, in the center of the snow.

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Source by chris hendrickson

Unique Memorable Gifts For Newborn Babies

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An expectant mom is soon to give birth, having a new baby is a life changing event for her. Family member and friends are expecting too, and perhaps they want to give memorable gifts for the coming of the newborn child. However, it isn’t always as easy to find ideal gifts – especially for an infant – that are not common, or shall we say “unique” that can make a favorable impact. With so many varieties to choose from, it is a real challenge as to how and what to pick. Consider the following helpful gift ideas:

Personalized Gifts

Personalized infant products and supplies are always best. Most parents as well as parents’ friends and other family members think of giving personalized items to welcome a child, because of the fact that these gifts are not just practical, but can also give a sense of thoughtfulness and adoration. You may think that finding personalized gifts can be very tough, but if you find fun and enjoyment while shopping for cute and clever newborn pieces, chances are you will find what you are looking for. Most of personalized babies’ stuff are found at specialty stores, but you could also shop at online stores for a wider selection.

Different choices for personalized items await you, from very simple to very exquisite. You may find personalized newborn clothing like shirts, beddings and blankets, bibs, socks, hats and other layettes. Consider a Personalized Organic Thermal Baby Blanket that can make a beautiful, healthy and personalized blanket, and a sweet gift to warm your precious one. Other clothing options are personalized infant caps, monogram sweaters, burp cloth sets, pillow and blanket sets and more.

Another personalized gifts for newborn babies are personalized furniture like theme flip stools, personalized stuffed and teething toys, picture frames, feeding wares and the like.

Baby Gift Basket

A baby gift basket is another great option to welcome a child with a more fun and festive atmosphere. Gift baskets are abundant surprises not just for the baby alone but also for the parents. A usual baby gift basket is filled with different products and supplies for infants. It can have a compilation of clothing, baby food, toys and the like. Although gift baskets are known to be made from a real basket, you could also use other container options to hold numerous gift items, such as laundry baskets, medium size plastic jars, pail or a baby bath tub, or even a bucket.

Gift baskets can also include special treats for mom and dad. Apart from their infant’s supplies, you can also add spa products to pamper the strained body of the new mom. Also, books and magazines for good parenting are ideal, where new parents are guided with reliable articles and advices for their new role in raising their child – an ideal new mom gift. You may opt for a Maie Baby Girl Gift Basket to greet a baby girl! A festive present with a delicate floral design that gives classy and upscale appeal for your pretty little girl. It features different unique essentials from popular Baby Dry Goods line.

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Source by Janet R.

Unique gifts – Send food gifts for something delicious and different

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Whether it’s the Christmas holiday season or the middle of summer, the necessity of having to shop for a birthday or anniversary present is inevitable. While it’s always a thrill to find just the right gift for a friend or associate, sometimes issues such as lack of time or the difficulty of trying to find a unique gift: how many ties can you buy your brother in law, make the buying experience stressful and a hassle. Unique gourmet gifts: salmon, lobster, crab and steak There’s really no need to buy yet another tie because what your brother in law really wants is a unique food gift such as an assorted steak box featuring specialty cuts of premium beef. This is a gift that he can take outdoors and grill on a nice summer evening or enjoy dining indoors. If you have a seafood lover to please, you can send them anything from smoked salmon gift baskets to a crab bake, lobster bake, or lobster gram. The last two are really fun because your lobster gifts come with live lobster, a pot, lobster bib and other items for a delightful lobster dinner. Crab bakes are generally the same idea only with live crab. Gifts for the dessert lover With so many choices in gourmet chocolates: in boxes, themed gifts baskets and more, you can send anything from romantic, fine chocolates to elegant, hand made chocolates to a colleague. Another popular idea for the confection lover is tower gifts: chocolate tower gifts and cookie tower gifts. These gifts are delivered in the mail and can make quite a presentation. Cookie bouquets are also fun gifts and great if you weren’t planning to spend a lot. Gifts for the food lover If you have a gourmand, and they’re hungry to sample different kinds of wine, cheeses, chocolates, coffees, teas and such look for a good food of the month club online. These clubs tend to include interesting choices and include information for your recipient to learn more about different kinds of cheeses, for example if it’s a cheese of the month club (see http://www.a1-food-gifts.com/unique-gifts.htm ). Also, with a monthly food gift plan your recipient is not likely to forget you as there is a reminder each month.

Whether it’s the Christmas holiday season or the middle of summer, the necessity of having to shop for a birthday or anniversary present is inevitable. While it’s always a thrill to find just the right gift for a friend or associate, sometimes issues such as lack of time or the difficulty of trying to find a unique gift: how many ties can you buy your brother in law, make the buying experience stressful and a hassle.

Unique gourmet gifts: salmon, lobster, crab and steak

There’s really no need to buy yet another tie because what your brother in law really wants is a unique food gift such as an assorted steak box featuring specialty cuts of premium beef. This is a gift that he can take outdoors and grill on a nice summer evening or enjoy dining indoors. If you have a seafood lover to please, you can send them anything from smoked salmon gift baskets to a crab bake, lobster bake, or lobster gram. The last two are really fun because your lobster gifts come with live lobster, a pot, lobster bib and other items for a delightful lobster dinner. Crab bakes are generally the same idea only with live crab.

Gifts for the dessert lover

With so many choices in gourmet chocolates: in boxes, themed gifts baskets and more, you can send anything from romantic, fine chocolates to elegant, hand made chocolates to a colleague. Another popular idea for the confection lover is tower gifts: chocolate tower gifts and cookie tower gifts. These gifts are delivered in the mail and can make quite a presentation. Cookie bouquets are also fun gifts and great if you weren’t planning to spend a lot.

Gifts for the food lover

If you have a gourmand, and they’re hungry to sample different kinds of wine, cheeses, chocolates, coffees, teas and such look for a good food of the month club online. These clubs tend to include interesting choices and include information for your recipient to learn more about different kinds of cheeses, for example if it’s a cheese of the month club (see http://www.a1-food-gifts.com/unique-gifts.htm ). Also, with a monthly food gift plan your recipient is not likely to forget you as there is a reminder each month.

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Source by Jitesh

Learn To Make Gift Baskets – Gift Basket Ideas For Craft Gift

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What I am going to tell you about gift basket making thoughts & gift basket ideas is a treasure. Making a gift basket is an art and if you are good enough to prepare the right basket then you would be able to see the smiles on everyone’s faces. Looking for a place where you can get all the best ideas to make an appealing gift basket then boy you have come to the right place, we will tell you how.

Here we would like to you a complete list of things and ideas to make or create exclusive items that would put to shame some of the professionally gift baskets available in the market, all you need is imagination and implementing the whole idea properly.

· Delicious food packing are one of the most sort after gifts packing done today. A basket package having gourmet pasta one or two, paprika, tongs, garlic olive oil or virgin olive oil, Tabasco sauce, spices such as oregano, chili powder, dried red peppers, basil, black pepper, cayenne pepper, white pepper, thyme, or a mixture of spices, sauces of the likes of chili sauce, HP sauce, plum sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce or Szechwan sauce, hot pickles plus an additional recipe book shall be nice to round it off. If you like to have more in the basket then flavored teas, herbal teas, cleavers, olives or chopsticks would be fine as well.

· For those who are wine collectors or like wines then what better gift than a gift basket containing wine. Such baskets are ideal for Christmas, for New Year, Thanksgiving and at any occasion. Take a small pretty looking tub or the conventional basket and place good wines either red or white or of them, place some wine glasses, corkscrew, pack some snacks as well like fine cheese, dry fruits, roasted nuts, and the odd Swiss chocolates would make the basket complete.

· Quite a lot of people love craft. In every family there exists an admirer of craftwork. If you are making one that has craft material in it them it should have a painting kit, glue gun having glue sticks, wood sticks, acrylic colors, fabric or glass painting kit, gel candles, water oil, craft knife, set of brushes, beads, candle making kits, pine cones, candle wax, dried flowers, wreath hangers, grape vine wreath, ribbons, oasis foams, arts & crafts material, DIY books, DIY project kits or pattern books.

* For the newborn you can have some baby bath kits, baby blankets, baby photo album, diapers and all sorts of goodies that are there in the market.

With the above listed ideas there should be no dirt of thoughts to make a great gift basket. I sincerely hope that we have listed all that can be done to prepare a proper and elegant gift basket. The list can be endless but that we have told you encompass a wide range of possibilities to choose from. Put a small handwritten note so that the person will remember you for a long time and I think this note shall be the perfect finishing material.

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Source by Angela B. Smith

Creating Your Own Culinary Theme Gift Baskets

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Creating your own gift baskets to give as gifts is really easy and fun. You can save money by making them yourself instead of buying them from a trendy gift store. You can make them for personal use to give as gifts or start a home based gift basket business.

The following gift basket ideas are great for the food lovers, chefs, bakers and cooks on your gift list.

You only need a few simple supplies to get started.

Supplies:

Basket
Basket Filler (shreds)
Basket Clear Cellophane Bag or Basket Wrap
Ribbon (to tie off the bag)
Ribbon (to make a bow)
Gift Tag
Product Fillers
Scissors

Note: You don’t have to fill your gift basket with all of the following product suggestions, these suggestions are just to help you with your creative process.

Now let’s get you started with some theme ideas for your gift baskets.

1. Gourmet Spice: Fill your basket with a variety of spices and herbs such as: basil, oregano, paprika, red hot peppers, rosemary, dill, parsley, garlic salt, garlic powder, seasoned salt, etc.

2. Baking Tools For The Baker: rolling pin, measuring cups, measuring spoons, pastry sheet, pastry blender, muffin cup liners, loaf pan, apron, recipe cards, baking theme cookbook, cookie cutters, cake tester, oven mitts and hot pads.

3. Breakfast For Two: jam, jelly, apple butter, pancake mix, maple syrup, breakfast muffin mix, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, creamer, breakfast theme cookbook and fresh fruits.

4. Fresh and Fruity: grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, pears, peaches, grapes, lemons and limes. I don’t recommend including berries unless you are going to make and give your basket to the recipient the same day.

5. Kitchen Gadgets: wire whisk, egg beater, silicone spatula, wooden spoon, cookie spatula, jar gripper, can opener, bottle opener, egg separator, nut cracker, corn cob holders, chip clips, cookie cutters, pizza wheel, ice cream scoop, vegetable peeler, grater and kitchen shears.

6. Tea For Two: regular tea bags, decaf tea bags, flavored tea bags, two tea cups, two tea cup saucers, tea for two teapot, creamer, sugar and tea bag squeezers.

7. Coffee For Two: regular coffee, decaf coffee, two bags of flavored coffees, regular creamer, flavored creamer, pack of stir sticks, two coffee mugs, sugar and coffee filters. You can also buy some of those popular coffee pods.

8. Pasta Lovers: spaghetti noodles, elbow macaronis, bow tie pasta, lasagna noodles, angel hair pasta, corkscrew pasta and pot pie squares. You can also include a pasta theme cookbook, pasta utensils and two jars of spaghetti sauce.

9. Snack Attack: purchase single-serving sized potato chips, barbecue chips, sour cream and onion chips, thin pretzels, hard pretzels, tortilla chips, popcorn, microwave popcorn bags, cookies, crackers and candy.

10. Grilling Basket: spatula, tongs, meat fork, barbecue sauce brush, wire cleaning brush, barbecue skewers, marinating container, marinade mixes, oven mitts, meat thermometer, apron and a grilling theme cookbook.

11. Wine Lovers Basket: two wine glasses, two bottles of wine, one package of wine glass charms, corkscrew, drip collars, wine pourer spout, bottle chiller wrap and a book about wine. If you have a local winery near you, purchase a gift card and include that in your basket.

12. Ice Cream Lovers: hot fudge sauce, strawberry sauce, caramel sauce, chocolate sprinkles, jar of cherries, whipped cream, miniature chocolate candies, ice cream bowls or sundae cups and an ice cream scoop.

I have provided you with 12 easy to make gift basket ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

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Source by Shelly Hill

Oil Market Fundamentals

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This session will give you all the basics you need to know about oil markets: producers, consumers, the refining process. The next module will provide you with an overview of the main types of oil traded in the OTC markets and the associated derivative products.

Crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. Petroleum is used mostly for fuel oil and gasoline through the refining process. Generally crude oil is classified as a function of 3 factors:

  1. Its origin, the most 2 known sources being West Texas Intermediate (WTI) or Brent. Its location is important because it dictates the transportation costs to the nearest refinery
  2. Its API, a measure of gravity. This is important because a light crude produces a higher yield of more valuable gasoline then a heavy crude; and
  3. Its sulphur content. A sweet crude (low sulphur content) is more desirable than a sour crude (high sulphur content) as it commands a higher price due to the lower refining costs incurred to meet environmental standards in consuming countries.

I outline the main pricing references for crude as well as an idea of their “liquidity” in the derivatives markets:

  • West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a light, sweet crude oil delivered in Cushing, Oklahoma. Main benchmark for North American oil and the most liquid index worldwide
  • Brent is a blend of different oils in the North Sea. The oil is delivered at Sullom Voe in the Shetlands, UK. Oil production from Europe, Africa and Middle East is priced off this benchmark, which is the second most liquid worldwide after WTI
  • Others such as Dubai-Oman, Tapis, Minas and the OPEC Reference Basket. The latter is a weighted average of oil blends from various OPEC countries (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Counties). Liquidity in the derivatives markets is generally limited to none (some trades are sometimes done on an ad-hoc basis).

Oil is distilled into fuels – the most common types (and their associated European derivatives indices) are:

  • Diesel, mostly traded as Platts ULSD Diesel 10ppm CIF North West Europe (NWE) or CIF Mediterranean
  • Fuel oil, mostly traded as Platts 1% or 3.5% sulphur content fuel oil. This can be either CIF North West Europe of MED, either on cargo ships or barges
  • Gasoline, generally Argus CIF NWE Unleaded Gasoline
  • Jet fuel, generally Platts Jet fuel CIF NWE. In Asia this is referred to as Jet Kerosene and trades as Platts Jet Kerosene

Demand

The top 5 oil consuming countries are:

  1. USA, 19.5m bbl/day
  2. China, 7.8m bbl/day
  3. Japan, 4.8m bbl/day
  4. India, 2.9m bbl/day
  5. Russia, 2.9m bbl/day

As a whole, the world as a whole consumes approx. 63m bbl/day of oil.

Supply

The top 5 oil producing countries are:

  1. Saudi Arabia, 10.6m bbl/day
  2. Russia, 6.7m bbl/day
  3. United States, 8.3m bbl/day
  4. Iran, 4.2m bbl/day
  5. China, 3.9m bbl/day

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Source by Agustin Valecillos

Shopping – a Hobby or an Illness

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This article is all about my 71 year old mother Annie.  She is, by far, the most generous person you could ever wish to meet in your lifetime, well with her clothes anyway, this is her story….

This shopping HOBBY started about 20 years ago when she was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to visit Texas (my father is an avid Country and Western fan).  She took with her every conceivable piece of clothing you could possibly imagine, she even resorted in filling up my fathers suitcase with her clothes, because if she wanted to, and had the space, she could not have got a racing snake in her suitcase if she tried, it was full to bursting!  So all in all she had got roughly about 40 kg of clothes and shoes for a 3 week holiday.

Upon arrival at their Hotel in Houston, my father suggested they go and have a look around the shops, and as this was the first time either of them had been to America they did not have a clue what to expect…..they very quickly found out and my mothers HOBBY was born!

They had a fabulous holiday, my mother shopping every day in shear awe at what was on offer and at such reasonable prices, and my father visiting all the country music outlets.  She had a very big decision to make when it came to packing her case for their journey home, with baggage allowance limited to just 30 kg each, she was in a dilemma to say the least.  The only compromise was to leave half her clothes and shoes behind at the hotel, of course these were the clothes she bought with her all the way from England, and in their place pack her new American clothes and shoes she had so much pleasure buying.  Of course, she was absolutely devastated at having to leave all her clothes in Texas; after all she had had them for decades, so it was difficult to leave them.  I often wonder what the hotel thought about this, perhaps it was something that happened often who knows.

Back safe on British soil and in the comfort of their own home, she became discontent with her wardrobe facility in their bedroom, surprise, surprise!  As all the children were now grown up and flown the nest, it was a great opportunity for my father to knock two bedrooms into one large room, thereby giving extra room for him to construct larger wardrobes for mummy dearest to fill, and fill she did.

She strutted around the village with her tail feathers fully extended for all to see.  She was so proud of her new trendy clothes she had so much pleasure in buying on her trip to Texas.  Annie delighted in all the lovely compliments she was given by young and old, she had suddenly become interested in Annie.  She had not had a very easy life, she had 5 children by the time she reached the age of 25, this was no mean task to say the least. Her confidence and self-esteem was always put on the backburner because her kids just had to come first and Annie second, it was just her way.  Maybe she had deprived herself all those years of being herself that she actually forgot she was Annie, she just thought of herself as a wife and mother with no rights of her own, perhaps that’s why she gained so much confidence in herself; almost overnight, she had suddenly become an expert in a field she really knew nothing about, but liked the person she had become because of her love for clothes, her newfound Hobby.

Before embarking on her holiday to Texas Annie had no Hobbies, she simply did not have the time to spend titivating herself, her words not mine.  For me and my siblings this newfound mum of ours was a little worrying, she was dressing up every day in her refinery, even wearing makeup….a rarity in those days, and meeting friends for lunch, so you can say she became a Lady who Lunches in a very short space of time, but she did look good, really good, and she knew it, and she made sure everybody else knew she looked good.

It goes without saying the main topic of the ladies conversations at these lunches were Annie’s clothes!  On the days she was not lunching with her new friends she was scouring all the local villages for little boutiques that could supply her with the unique clothing she had become accustomed to buying.  Of course none of them came up to scratch, there simply was no comparison with her Texas boutiques, and she took delight in telling the shop owners too.  On the odd occasions we would be dragged to these shops, kicking and screaming may I add, to be introduced to the proprietors, followed by a spate of gentle abuse from Annie advising the proprietor of how they had no idea than the man in the moon in buying techniques, and that they should take some lessons from the Americans!  Oh Lord, please let a big hole open up from nowhere and let me disappear, I was never that lucky.  Of course her generosity was faultless, we always came away from one of her hobby haunts sporting some new grossly overpriced piece of clothing, these generous gifts gave her so much pleasure, almost as much pleasure as if she was buying it for herself.  It doesn’t stop the guilt though, I would love to partake in her Hobby, suffice to say my bank balance would not survive one day shopping with her let alone everyday.

She outgrew her wardrobes as time went by, the buying of clothes did not slow up she continued EVERY DAY to shop.  When is this ever going to stop we thought.  My father never questions her about her Hobby because it makes him happy that she has finally got the time, money and inspiration to go out every day and shop purely for her, and that is exactly what she did, believe me, every day.

She has now taken over fully the third bedroom in their house with wall to wall wardrobe space, well that was only a matter of time I suppose.  These wardrobes are full of items of clothing, still unworn with price tags still intact.  One of the main things I have forgotten to mention is Annie never buys anything that she would term as cheap; her motto is You Get What You Pay For.  We all know she is right, but none of us can afford to go out to these little Boutiques she frequents every day and pay £100 for a tee shirt, we just cannot justify it, at the end of the day we had a very good teacher, I think she forgets that now.  On saying that, I suppose if I had a particular Hobby which I enjoyed and got as much pleasure out of as she does, and given her age, I suppose I could justify spending the obscene amounts of money that she spends every day, because when all is said and done, it is her only Hobby and it makes her so happy, my dad is not complaining because he knows she comes home every day with a story to tell and an armful of fancy shopping bags…….If she is happy, he is happy, it makes for an easy life.  Bless her heart…This article is written for my beautiful mum who I love with all my heart. I am very proud of her; she is an inspiration to us all, including the proprietors of her chosen Hobby Boutiques.  This is not the end of Annie’s story, it is just the beginning …………….watch this space.

Perhaps this is an IllNESS, we as a family, like to think of it as her Hobby………Unless you know different!

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Source by Karen Phillips

Gift Baskets for the Team’s Cheerleaders

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Where do you find cheerleading gift baskets? Your local stores probably do not offer them. You may have trouble finding them online. That should not deter you in your search, though.

Cheerleading gift baskets are easy to make. They are fun, too. A small group of people can make gift baskets for every cheerleader in the school with little effort.

Most cheerleaders have 7 things in common – things on which great cheerleading gift baskets can be based.

1. love of sports
2. physical energy
3. physical skill
4. rhythm
5. loyalty
6. physical attractiveness
7. outgoing personality

Look at how you can create cheerleading gift baskets around those traits.

Love of Sports

Cheerleading gift baskets can look like soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, or volleyballs. Remove the “tops” from real balls, or make cheerleading gift baskets from ceramic planters/cookie jars shaped like balls. Your cheerleaders will appreciate the tie-in with what they love. If you use planters or cookie jars, they will last for years as a reminder of cheerleading days.

Physical Energy

Place a couple of energy bars in your cheerleading gift baskets to replenish cheerleaders’ supply. Small bags of trail mix are also good. Depending on your budget, you might include a gift card from a local sporting good store.

Physical Skill

How do you acknowledge physical skill? Give them helpful cheerleading books. Or go the opposite direction, and include comical fiction about those who are less physically skilled.

Rhythm

Music CDs are always appreciated, and will be a welcome addition to cheerleading gift baskets. Choose the music for its rhythm. Get music without lyrics. It doesn’t have to be classical music. Just concentrate on rhythm.

Loyalty

For girl cheerleaders, include hair ribbons and bows in team colors. Give all cheerleaders a small team mascot, if available. If you have started your gift baskets early, you might want to design a special “loyalty” gift at one of the online sites that prints photos on products. Choose a great cheerleading team photo, and have it printed on tee-shirts, mugs, or other items.

Physical Attractiveness

Every cheerleader, male or female, loves the mirror. Have small acrylic mirrors made in cheerleading poses. Have both female and male mirrors made to fit your team. Tuck the mirrors into your cheerleading gift baskets, or tie them to the gift baskets.

Outgoing Personality

Any “smiley” item makes a good gift basket stuffer. Look for “smiley” faces on mugs, character clip-on’s, relaxation balls, and other items. A good mug for cheerleading gift baskets would be one that includes adjectives such as “terrific” and “awesome” with a “smiley” sunshine face.

Helpful Tip

Gift baskets for the team’s cheerleaders will vary according to the age and gender of your cheerleaders. Every gift basket should, however, get across the message that you believe they did a great job and want them to know that.

Line your cheerleading gift baskets with tissue paper in team colors. Allow the paper to extend well above the balls. Finish off your gift baskets with large bows of ribbon in team colors.

By: Anna Hart

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Source by Anna Hart