Easter Gift Baskets

What Should I Look For In An Easter Gift Retailer?


As many people know, Easter is right around the corner. As such, many consumers are looking for ways to find the perfect Easter gifts for their loved ones. If this is the case for you, it's important to note that locating the ideal retailer is immensely important. To ensure that you can, be sure to look for all of the following traits in an Easter gift retailer before you make any purchases:

1. Industry Experience.

One attribute you should look for in an Easter gift retailer is industry experience. This trait is important because companies that have been successfully operating for several years are typically able to assist you quickly and correctly. There are several ways that you can determine how much industry experience a retailer has. One is by checking their website. You can also call the company and ask to speak to a customer service representative. These individuals should be able to answer this question and any others you may have regarding the Easter retailer's background and products. Ideally, you want to purchase your Easter gifts from a retailer that has been on the block for at least five years.

2. A Good Reputation.

In addition to seeking out an Easter retailer with extensive industry experience, make sure you look for a company that has an excellent reputation. Reputation is important because it functions as an indication of whether the company has provided clients with the ethical, exemplary services they need and deserve. There are several ways you can determine what type of reputation an Easter retailer has. One is by checking the online reviews that have been left about the company. If the majority of reviews left about the company are positive, this is a good indication that you'll attain excellent services and products from them. On the other hand, you should steer clear of any Easter retailer that regularly receives negative or neutral reviews.

In addition to reading the Easter retailer's online reviews, consider visiting the Better Business Bureau's website at www.bbb.org. The BBB is known for listing accurate, up to date information regarding how effective a company is in providing customers with high quality services. If the Easter company in question maintains a rating of A or higher, this is a good indication that they will offer you the excellent services and products you deserve!

3. Stellar Customer Service.

Another attribute you should seek out in an Easter retailer is stellar customer service. While product quality is important, it's equally important that you attain assistance from people who are friendly or knowledgeable. Note that excellent customer service can dramatically improve the quality of your day. You can typically determine whether an Easter retailer offers great customer service by reading their testimonials and speaking directly with at least two representatives from the company. If you find that the representatives are overly aggressive, brusque, or rude, seek your Easter products elsewhere.

4. A Satisfaction Guarantee.

Be sure to seek out an Easter retailer that offers customers a satisfaction guarantee. This approach is helpful because it ensures that you can attain a refund or exchange on Easter products you find lackluster, defective, etc.

5. Online Shopping Options.

Another attribute you should seek out in an Easter gift retailer is online shopping options. This trait is important because it will enable you to do all of your shopping from the comfort and privacy of your home. Companies such as Sweetbasket.com enable you to take this course of action, and they also provide you with the ability to send Easter gift baskets any where in Canada and US.

Don't Delay: Find The Right Retailer Today!

If you're getting ready for Easter and want to make sure that you purchase the perfect products for friends or family members, now is the time to find the right retailer. One way to be sure that you're making your purchases from a reputable company is by looking for the key attributes outlined above. When you find a retailer that conforms to all of the criteria discussed here, you've found a winner!

101 Wedding Shower Gift Ideas

Okay, not literally 101 ideas for Wedding Showers / Bridal Showers / Groom Showers... but it is the thought that counts. We shall add more gift ideas to this list in the future.

The concept of shared husband and wife "wedding showers" is a more modern idea in which gifts for the couple are given, often in his and her varieties. This way the husband doesn't feel left out. The concept of a groom shower is a very new idea, as it is basically replacing the old bachelor party idea with a more manly gift giving event.

The lists below can also be used for buying gifts for couples, or buying generic his/hers gifts for people that maybe you don't know that well. (If you know the person better and know for example that she is into power tools / etc, maybe use the groom list instead.)

Category 1, Traditional Gifts for a Bridal Shower

• Linen napkins and napkin rings
• Dessert plates and bake-ware
• Tea set with teapot, possibly personalized
• Picture frame
• Crystal vase
• Champagne glasses
• Cashmere blankets
• Mixer
• Coffee maker
• Pie plate
• Dish towels and China
• Bedding
• Barware
• Platters 
• Cookware set 
• Knife set
• Lingerie

Category 2, Modern Gifts for a Bridal Shower

• Certificate for a spa day
• Coffee-table book of her favorite vacation spot
• Bathing suit for the honeymoon (get her size from the groom)
• Monthly wine or flower club membership
• Getting-ready robe embroidered with new last name (i.e., Mrs. Harris)
• Tent for two
• Breakfast-in-bed tray and pajamas
• Relaxation materials: scented candles and magazine subscriptions
• Travel gear
• Theater tickets
• Museum memberships
• Luggage and honeymoon guidebooks
• Beach towels and a beach bag
• Cool clock
• Gardening set in a cute bag
• Travel shoe bag

Category 3, Modern Gifts for a Wedding Shower

• Dual Activity Gifts (eg. if you know they both enjoy cycling, gifts that pertain to cycling would be a good gift, provided you know that they don't already own the items in question)
• His and Hers carry on luggage
• Wine Decanter or Wine Rack or Wine Trough
• His and Hers Watches (possibly with built-in GPS so they can track where their spouse is).
• Sexy Truth or Dare Game (or other games for couples).
• Fancy Salt and Pepper Shakers
• His and Hers Coffee Mugs
• Personalized His and Hers Coffee Mugs (photos of the couple or their names together on the mugs)
• Double Sized Travel Hammock, so they can both be lazy.
• Picnic Backpack or Picnic Hamper
• Gift Cards that are handy for the Honeymoon
• Books titled "Two in the Kitchen, a cookbook for newlyweds" and similar titles
• Cedar chest or "Hope Chest" - perfect for storing linens in. The cedar protects fabric from moths. 
• 1200 Thread Count Comforter, King Size
• Airline Gift Card - basically the equivalent of a "Trip for Two to Somewhere")
• His and Hers Bath Towels, Large Towels are Best
• Archery Lessons for Two
• Large two seater porch swing (preferably with cupholders)
• Book titled "The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work" and similar titles.
• His and Hers Pillow Cases, with their names embroidered on the pillow cases
• Kama Sutra Guide Book (avoid giving this book in front of too many conservative prying eyes)
• Personalized Cutting Board

Category 4, Modern Gifts for a Groom Shower

• Fishing Equipment - to be fair, make sure he actually likes fishing first
• Hunting Gear - for those who like both fishing and hunting, a fishing/hunting gift basket would work nicely.
• Sporting Equipment - golf equipment, archery equipment, gift card for running shoes, etc
• Power Tools
• Hand Tools / Sets of Tools
• Tool boxes, larger the better
• How To Guides to "Plumbing" and other household duties
• Books titled "How to keep the Wife Happy" and similar titles.
• Electronic gadgets - Bluetooth speakers, mood lighting,
• Waffle maker with all the trimmings. eg. a Bubble Waffle Maker
• Baseball Bat Electric Wine Opener, bottle openers of various sports affiliations (make sure the groom likes the team or sport in question)
• Personalized Pocket Knife or Swiss Army Knife
• Personalized Tools
• Personalized Bottle Opener
• BBQ
• BBQ set of tools
• Craft Beer Glasses
• Beer Crafting Kit
• Wooden Beer Carrier

Xmas Shopping List for Men 2015

Not sure what to buy the men in your life for xmas? Here are some tips.

By C. Moffat.

Yesterday I sent my xmas list of suggestions to family members so they have some ideas of what to get me this year. I do this every year, usually sometime in September or October, because my family is super into xmas shopping and getting it done early.

Amongst the things I asked for this year were several things you could basically get for almost any man. Let me explain...

#1. Leather belts

Unless the man in question is a vegan who hates anything made of leather, chances are he probably needs more leather belts. Dress belts. Casual belts. Somewhat amusing belts. It doesn't matter. Belts are a good thing that every man wants and needs.

For the vegans out there, get a faux-leather belt that possibly looks and feels like the real thing. Or if you think they would be offended by something that looks like leather, see #2 below.

#2. Suspenders

Honestly, like belts, suspenders are one of those things men find very useful. Now not all men wear suspenders, but when they do they look awesome.

Lots of different styles of suspenders to choose from too. Myself I actually asked for two different kinds:

Black Suspenders. Because everything goes with black suspenders.

Moffat Family Tartan Suspenders - because certainly somebody out there has that, or something similar to that.

#3. T-Shirts

Regardless of what is on the t-shirt, men do like to wear t-shirts regularly as part of their casual wear. I wear them to work regularly too, so for me having lots of t-shirts is kind of a necessity.

I asked for two different kinds of t-shirts: thermal t-shirts that keep the body nice and warm; Avro Arrow t-shirts - which is pretty specific, but there are a lot of companies online which sell them.

#4. Tools and Toolboxes

Buying men tools for xmas is pretty much a tradition in my family. In my case this year I asked for specific tools: An old fashioned hand auger for drilling holes by hand; a small flat toolbox for storing chisels in. What can I say, I prefer hand tools over power tools these days.

#5. Magazine Subscriptions

Chances are likely the men in your life like reading about something - whether it is sports, fishing, hunting, motorcycles, cars, knitting... Thus getting him a subscription to a magazine he would enjoy is a pretty easy way to get them a gift - a gift that lasts 12 months of the year!

For me that topic in question is archery, and the magazine subscription I recommended is: "TradArchers' World", a magazine that caters specifically to traditional archery enthusiasts and bowyers.

#6. Sporting / Gaming Equipment

Many men are into sports. Not all but quite a few. Those who are not into sports are probably into gaming - video games like Call of Duty, Metal Gear Solid, Assassin's Creed, etc. So figure out whether the man in question is Sports or Games oriented and then figure out what they want with respect to that.

For me, I asked for fishing lures - because in addition to archery I also enjoy fishing.

One Last Tip... Pet Supplies

Many people, not just men, also have pets. Dogs, cats, fish, jackalopes... It doesn't matter. So getting them something for their cat, dog, fish or jackalope means that they will definitely use it. Find out what they have, if anything, and then consider pet supplies as an option.

For those people I know who have pets I make a special effort to get some kind of kitty treats or a dog chew toy for that person, as a small bonus on top of the gift. A magazine subscription and a bag of dog treats for Bowser shows that you actually put thought and effort into the gift giving.

A note about Gift Cards and Yankee Swap...

Do not get people gift cards unless it is for an office xmas party or something like that where you don't really know the person.

Also "Yankee Swap" is a horrible way of giving gifts amongst co-workers, so please don't do it for family members either. Horrible. What were you thinking?!

A Man's Guide to Last Minute Xmas Gift Ideas

Are you a man and you in a rush to get a xmas gift for someone special? Here are 5 last minute ideas for gifts.

#1. Puppy, Kitten or Fish

Depending on whether the person is a dog, cat or fish person - this could actually be a really good gift to give them. You should also get them pet food (the appropriate kind) with the pet, and in the case of fish you will also need to buy a fish tank and any accompanying gadgets for the fish.

Note - Not all people are into pets (eg. some people are allergic). I personally would LOVE a kitten for xmas. Preferably a Russian Blue (which is technically grey, but whatever). I think they're adorable.

#2. Tools and Power Tools

If the person in question is a manly man (or a handy woman) then you can never go wrong with tools. But you can buy the wrong type of tools. Way too many people buy hammers, screwdrivers, ratchet sets, drills and drill bits - but for the really tough jobs men need a greater variety of tools like:

Mallet + Chisels (these go together)
Rip Saws
Hack Saws
Coping Saws
Measuring tools
Squares
Levels
Work Benches
Vice
Vice grips
Etc

But then there is also the power tools. Nail gun, band saw, jig saw, rotary saw, chain saw, oxy-acetylene cutting torch, drill press, etc. eg. I saw a wood lathe awhile back I saw in Canadian Tire and I decided to take a photo and put it on my "TO BUY LIST", which is a list of things I personally want to buy sometime.

#3. Ties, Belts, Suspenders

For the non-manly men you probably don't know their shoe size, precise pants size (length and waist), shirt size, etc. So what can you get them? Well you're in luck. You can probably guess their waist size and be able to pick out a belt that is in their size - or if not are sure, you can more easily get them a tie or suspenders (all men look awesomely retro in suspenders).

 #4. La Senza Gift Card or Shoes Gift Card

Honestly, men are clueless when it comes to buying lingerie, bras and panties. So if you are sincerely wanting to buy something "sexy" for your significant other this xmas, maybe you should not buy it yourself but instead get a gift card - so that they can approve of the purchase before you buy something they will never wear.

Now you might think "Why La Senza?" Well it is like this. Not all women like Victoria Secret or La Vie En Rose. But they do all like La Senza. I don't why this is, it just is. La Senza is like the "happy middle ground" apparently that all women can apparently go to when shopping for such things. I don't claim to know why, I am just reporting the way it is. Maybe a woman would be able to best explain why ALL women apparently like this store, but dislike certain other stores. (I have a hunch it has something to do with sizes, marketing styles, etc.)

Failing this your next best option is SHOES. So find a shoe store you think they would like and get a gift card from that store. Shoes are an universal commodity according to many women.

#5. Hobby Related Books or Magazine Subscription

Let us pretend for a moment you are buying a gift for your mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, sister or grandmother however - and thus lingerie is probably a bad idea, and even shoes might be a bad idea if they only use orthopedic shoes. Here is what you do - go on Facebook, sneak around and research their hobbies - or judge based upon your past knowledge of the person what their hobbies are.

For example lets say your mother-in-law's hobbies are cooking, sewing/knitting and going to the ballet. Thus you have a long list of recipe books, sewing/knitting books, and even books about ballet to choose from.

To say nothing of subscriptions to "Canadian Living" (a recipe / crafts magazine based in Canada), "Chatelaine Magazine" (also based in Canada) and "The Dance Current" (a Canadian based magazine about ballet and modern dance). Or if she likes to travel, then you can guess she would probably like "National Geographic".


Speaking for myself I would love to have magazine subscriptions to "Traditional Bowhunter Magazine", "Popular Woodworking", "Canadian Woodworking", and "National Geographic".

My Xmas Wishlist 2013

Now you might wonder I am working on My Xmas Wishlist 2013 in August.

August 6th no less.

It is 4 months and 19 days until Christmas Day.

Well let me explain.

My mother likes to start xmas shopping in September so that she can avoid the lineups during xmas time and capitalize on the back-to-school sales, thanksgiving and halloween sales instead on the lead up towards the Christmas shopping season.

Thus she starts asking her three children for xmas lists around the end of August / early September.

And now you understand why I am working on my xmas list now. In August.

Now to be fair it is often just a rehashed list from the year before wherein I try to mesh together things that I "need" and things that I "want". And I frequently re-use this same list whenever my mother starts asking about ideas for my birthday.

Thus if I don't get a particular item for xmas or my birthday during the previous year I either... buy it myself or it gets held over to the following year.

And now the list...

My Xmas Wishlist 2013

Tools

Asking for tools for xmas is a no-brainer. It is implied that they are a need as opposed to a want and thus you are more likely to get what you asked for.

Leather toolbelt - To be fair I am thinking about getting this myself so I can get the exact type of belt I am looking for. Or I could be more specific by telling my mother the exact model type, price, where to buy, etc.

I found one on Canadian Tire that I like. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/ToolStorage/ToolHoldersBelts/PRD~0570082P/Mastercraft+Suede+Leather+Tool+Apron.jsp?locale=en

Wheel Truing Stand for Bicycle Wheels - If you are not a bicycle mechanic then you wouldn't really know what this is. The company I like is Park Tools.

Spoke Tension Gauge for Bicycle Spokes - Honestly most bicycle mechanics don't even use a tension gauge because they're too cheap and not that picky about how perfectly circular their wheels are. Myself however, I can true a wheel to within 0.2 of a mm margin of error (which is what professionals bicycle mechanics do in competitive bicycle racing because the more circular the wheel is the better the wheel can rotate slightly faster). But I can only do that when I have a tension gauge, spoke wrench and a wheel truing stand.

Clothes

Again clothes is often a need rather than a want. However I don't actually NEED socks. I have tonnes of socks. Three drawers filled with them. I have reached the point where when they go holey (Is that spelled right? I know it isn't holy, because that would be sacrilegious) I use them as rags for my bicycles.

Blue Socks (not navy or sky blue, just plain blue) - During the past 3 - 4 years I have kept asking for red socks. I knew I was going to get socks anyway, because I ALWAYS get socks for xmas, but in recent years I find it is more interesting to ask for a specific colour so my mother has a challenge finding them. (She enjoys a shopping challenge.)

Black Dress Shirts - Honestly, black dress shirts just looking better than white ones. Look great with black dress pants, black tie and black suspenders.

Grey Suspenders - Because suspenders rock. I still use belts regularly, but any chance to look extra spiffy calls for suspenders. Having a grey pair of suspenders will allow me the opportunity to change it up once in awhile.

Plaid shirts with snaps instead of buttons - Honestly, I just like ripping the shirt open quickly instead of having to unbutton them slowly. Takes less time. Shirts with snaps (in my experience) typically cost about $5 more than shirts with buttons because snaps are more expensive and difficult to install in the factory. But they're well worth it. A good place to buy such shirts is Mark's Work Warehouse.

Archery Winter Gloves - Recommended place to shop "The Bow Shop" in Waterloo. Size medium or large will likely fit me.

Leather Quiver, Brown - Preferably a nice long back quiver so that the arrows don't rattle around so much (or fall out easily).

Kitchen and Bath Items

A frying pan with a good sturdy lid - Some things break too easily so I want to make sure it is one that doesn't break.

A giant navy blue bath towel - The bigger the better.

Entertainment / Books

I have been putting things on the entertainment / books part of my xmas list for years now. Often the same things year after year. Instead I keep getting clothes, tools and kitchen things. Proof that my mother favours need over want.

The Saint (TV Series starring Roger Moore) - Because Roger Moore is awesome and I have been wanting this DVD set for years now.

Matt Helm movies (starring Dean Martin) - Like James Bond, but he can sing.

Any film with Audrey Hepburn, Kirk Douglas or Burt Lancaster. Because they're all amazing.

2nd Edition AD&D Monster Manual - Because it is from a retro 80s nostalgia roleplaying game and quite amusing to me.

"And their memory was a bitter tree..." by Robert E. Howard. A selection of Conan stories by the man who created Conan in 1932.

Roses and delivery services

When it comes to flowers there is only one flower worth buying for that special girl (or guy) in your life:

ROSES.

This isn't so much a product review as it is an endorsement of the plant. Let face it, yes, you could buy carnations, daffodils, narcissi, etc... but then you just look like a cheapskate because you didn't buy roses. (The only exception to this rule is when you go to a funeral in which case you should always get white lilies or whatever colour of lilies the deceased person liked best if you know what their favourite colour is.)

Carnations is what you buy a FRIEND on their birthday.

Or you might get a different flower (eg. daffodils or narcissi) if you knew that the person had a particular favourite, but if you don't know then frankly you're better off sticking with roses because nothing else comes close.

I think its because roses are basically a brand name. Its like buying Coca-Cola or Nike or IBM. You know you are buying the BEST.

However within roses I find there is still room for variety. Depending on the flower shop you can still get something other than red roses... You can also get:

White Roses (Purity / Faithfulness)
Yellow Roses (Friendship)
Orange Roses (Love)
Red Roses (Lust / Passion, Courage)
Peach Roses (Gratefulness / Sincerity)
Pink Roses (Playfulness / Joyfulness)
Lavender Roses (Adoration / Majesty)
Black Roses (Death / Rebirth)

And my personal favourite:

Blue Roses (Attaining the Impossible)

Blue roses don't exist in nature, they're actually white roses that are dyed blue.

As a gift what I like to do is get 1 orange rose and 1 blue rose. Together the blue and orange compliment each other and makes for a truly unique gift on that special day. I would probably still go for red roses on Valentines, but any other time of the year I recommend 1 blue and 1 orange.

Of course not all flower shops (and by extension delivery services) offer blue and orange roses, so it can be difficult to find. I recommend phoning various places to find out what kind of roses they actually have.

eg. Etobicoke flower delivery doesn't have blue roses listed on their website, but they might be able to arrange them if you made a special order. Their website really only offers different flower arrangements. But in theory if you phoned them (416-244-9355 or 800-622-6419) then you might be able to make a special. I have no idea what their delivery rate is.

When it comes to flower delivery its all pretty expensive anyway. You're paying for the frivolity of it. Its a bit like eating out in a super fancy restaurant. You're not eating there because the food is good (in my experience its the dives which have the best tasting food), you're eating there because its a special occasion and you want to be surrounded by beautiful decor (and impress whomever you are with).

Speaking for myself I have NEVER ordered flowers for delivery. Seems like a complete waste to me. I have always gone to the flower shop in person, picked out exactly what I wanted, had it specially prepared for the occasion and then delivered it myself.

If I go back far enough (when I was living with my parents and still a teenager) my mother is a landscape architect / horticulturalist and I would be growing my own roses. I still have a flower bed at my parents' farm and there are orange and red roses growing there, along with narcissi, purple lilies and Sweet Williams of varying colours.

If I had my own house and a back yard I would probably be growing nothing but roses, ivy and wisteria now because my taste in plants has matured. (Wisteria is a vine that produces purple flowers.)

Regardless of where you choose to buy roses (or other flowers) my recommendation is that you put some thought into it.

That and don't buy something they are allergic to. Potential allergy disasters should be avoided.

Top Selling Gifts 1980 to 2011

There are various classic gifts that people keep giving again and again.

Which suggests that they are very good gifts that people find desirable.

#1. The Rubiks Cube

This handy toy that is good for adults and kids sold for $1.99 in 1980 and now sells for $9.99. Proof that a good toy has staying power.

#2. LEGO

Com'on, its Lego! You really cannot get bored of this stuff. Its the ultimate building blocks. Even adults get really into Lego and build some pretty amazing things.

#3. Bicycle

Good for the kids. Good for the wife or husband. Good for anyone who enjoys fun and exercise.

#4. Cabbage Patch Kids

Was $29.99 in 1983, they're now $63.99. Pricey, but some parents would buy them anyway for the nostalgia's sake of when they were a kid.

#5. Transformers Action Figures

Prices varied, but expect to pay double what they were in 1984.

#6. Care Bears

Seriously its just a teddy bear with a logo on it. Any excuse to jack up the price. Complete waste of money if you ask me.

#7. Lazer Tag

One of the few things that have actually gotten cheaper. Lazer Tag sold for $49.99 in 1986, but can now be purchased for $44.99 (or less if you shop around for a sale).

#8. A Koosh Ball

Not really sure what the point of these are. Fun for squeezing maybe??? The price in 1987 was $3.99 and it hasn't moved up or down since then.

#9. Ghostbuster Toys / Action Figures

These things sold like hot cakes back in the day... and continue to sell big despite the lack of new films or tv shows. Prices of ghostbuster toys have almost tripled since 1988.

#10. Nintendo Gameboy

The technology of the device has changed a bit, but the price tag has managed to stay roughly stable.

#11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toys / Action Figures

#12. Sega Game Gear

#13. WWF Action Figures

#14. Talkboy

#15. Power Rangers Toys

#16. Pogs

#17. Tickle Me Elmo

#18. Tamagotchi

#19. Furby

#20. Pokemon Nintendo Games (for GameBoy)