Birthday Presents Some thoughts

Buying Birthday Presents ABC Home Radio Television News …More Subjects Email this page Print-friendly This week's Treasure Past Treasures About Treasure Hunt Buying Birthday Presents Some thoughts onBUYING BIRTHDAY PRESENTS Gidday! You know theres a funny thing about the Carter Clanmost of us have birthdays around the same time. While thats great cause it means we get to do a lot of celebrating it can also be a bit hard on the old hip pocket nerve when it comes to buying all those presents! So, in an attempt to economise this year, I set myself a challenge: to buy five gifts for five members of my family for fifty dollars each or lesssomething for my grandson, my wife, my daughter, my mother and my father. Fortunately, our whole family is mad keen on anything to do with antiques so that solved the problem of where to find all of this gearit was just a quick trip up the road to our local Antiques Centre. Now fifty dollars is not a lot of dough but youd be surprised at what you can do with it if you look hard and you think a little bit sideways When I go shopping at big antique centres the first thing I do is walk every isle looking for likely suspectsthen I do it all again to see if theres anything Ive missed and there always is. Next, I pick out the stuff I want, examine it carefully and then think about it some more before making a final decision. Well, the day I went present shopping was a little bit different because it didnt take me long before I found something really excitinga nice piece of Latticino Glass. It could have been the perfect present for my wife, June, because its just the kind of thing she collects. After carefully examining the piece I found it was in great condition with the only real blemish being a barely noticeable flaw on the surface. If money were no object I would have bought it there and then. But, at $280.00 it was well over my budget! The next thing I found or to be more truthful it found mewhen I fell over itwas this good little retro set. Anodised aluminium cup sets from the 1950s are becoming really popular with collectors these days. At $20.00 this set was a real bargain and would have looked good in my daughter Christines kitchen. I say would have looked good cause Christines the odd one out in our familyher birthday doesnt happen for another six months so shell have to wait. Life can be cruel sometimes! The day was moving on and I still hadnt found something suitable for my wife June that would be within budget. Well, after a bit of snooping around some dusty old shelves I finally found something really interesting tucked away in a dark corner. It was a nice piece of Murano Glass. Fortunately June collects this stuff as well. Im not surprised really as its a style of glass fast becoming popular as a collectible. Entry-level pieces can cost you as little as $20.00 to $25.00 though pieces from the 1930s can command higher prices due to their rarity. The piece I found was circa 1950 and the asking price was $55.00. Now that was about the right market price but, after a little bit of negotiating with the dealer, I was able to buy it for $50.00right on budget. Now if you fossick around a bit in antique centres youre liable to find some very odd things. When I was rummaging through a box of second-hand books and magazines, I came across an illustrated childrens storybook from the 1930s. The thing that caught my attention was that it was full of stories about dogs, so I said to myself that this would be a great present for my grandson. Now that might seem a strange gift to buy for a little boy but what you dont know is our family is awash with dogs, weve got loads of em, so I reckon hell eat that book upthat is when granddads finished with it! There are things you can stumble across in antiques centres that youre never going to find in your average department store. While I was pulling stuff out of a box of odds and sods looking for that elusive bit of treasure I came across a set of novelty coffee mugs, each filled with what appears to be a naked lady! Wouldnt get much coffee in them thoughbut then who would care! Absolute kitsch, but at $19.00 for the three they were almost worth buying just for the fun of it. Now, when I go off to buy presents for my daughter Julie I sometimes like to play a little joke on herI buy the worst thing I can possibly find knowing that shell hate it, but that she wont be able to do anything about it because its a present from her Dad, so shell have to keep it forever. Now Julies mad keen on collecting anything to do with shellsher house is crammed full of em. So, I thought Id find her something that would compliment her collectionand I found it. Its a paperweight cum desk/kitchen ornament, probably made around the late 1940s or early 50s. I think itll look great in her dining room next to her giant clamshell! Now my Mum is an interesting ladyshes in her mid eighties, got white hair, looks like butter wouldnt melt in her mouth, smiles all the time, everybodys favourite grandmother type, but she does have a little vice: she loves a drop of the hard stuff! Now last year I bought her a very nice whisky tumbler. This year I wanted to buy her something that would compliment it. After scouting around a couple of the glassware cabinets, I found just the thing, a nice cut glass water jug. Made in England around 1890, its good quality gear with a deep cut pattern and, surprisingly, in very good condition for its age. It came in at $48.00 so was well within budget. Strangely enough, my Dad turned out to be the most difficult person of all to buy something for, and thats because hes got everything he could possibly want or need, so I made the decision to buy him something I think he might just enjoy. During the Second World War he was in the Royal Engineers and hes collects military badges and medals from that period. Fortunately our local antiques centre has a comprehensive collection of militaria so I certainly wasnt lost for choice. In fact the selection of gear on offer was enormous ranging from World War One Trench Art to modern day memorabilia. After a bit of fossicking I finally settled on a Royal Engineers badge from the First World War. It will fit perfectly with the rest of dads collection and at $28.00, a real bargain. Dad also loves military music so, as well as the badge, I decided to buy him an LP of military music. Now this was just on $4 so the total expenditure on Dad only came to $32.00, and Mum reckons, thats just how it should be! So there you have it, with a little bit of patience and a keen eye, I was able to get all five of them sorted out, no bother at all. The best part about it was the bill only came to $215 .00 which was well under the $250.00 Id originally planned on spending. So, if youre on a budget or in a hurry, large antique centres are a godsend. I reckon any body should be able to find something if they look hard enough. And speaking of looking hard enoughyou know, with that $35 left over I might just go back and buy those naughty mugs! Its a funny old world Bye for now, Alan. © 2005 ABC | Privacy Policy There is a thriving market for vintage Hornby and Hornby-Dublo model trains throughout the world. In Australia, a useful starting point is the Hornby Railway Collectors Association, which caters for collectos of both Hornby 0 gauge and Hornby Dublo trains. Most buying and selling takes place at model railway swap meets and toy fairs, but auctions, specialist shops and model railway exhibitions are also good places to look for bargains.There are literally hundreds of books and magazines devoted to collecting model trains. Most will give you a good indication of current values and condition and some will even give you a rundown on prices paid at recent auctions.

Baby Gift Baskets Retirement

Gift Baskets: Gourmet, Baby Gift Baskets, Custom, Wine Gifts, Food Gifts, Golf - Houston Amazing gourmet gift baskets , food gift baskets and unique gift baskets ! Free Shipping from Houston, Texas! Search Our Site: Home | Order Tracking | Contact Us Create Your Own Custom Gift Basket! Design Your Express Gift Basket! 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Local deliveries in Houston are typically made next Business day. Please call to arrange same day delivery.Full details of our Houston gift basket services are available on our Houston Gift Baskets page. For complete details of our shipping policies, transit times, and delivery options, please visit our web site's Shipping Information page. Featured unique food gift baskets , baby baskets , wine gifts , and gourmet gifts : Fine Wine and Cheese Wine Gift Basket This wine gift says it with style! The perfect way to celebrate any occasion - with fine wine and cheese! Our wine and food gift baskets are always a hit! Price: $40.00 Bouncing Baby Boy Baby Gift Basket A Baby gift perfect for welcoming newborns! Includes Pampers Baby Wipes, Baby Bottle, Bottle Brush, Baby Bib, Keys Teething Ring, baby lotion, shampoo, baby powder, baby wash, and lots more! Note: These baby gift baskets can be customized for a boy or a girl. 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Includes Baby Diaper Bag, Pampers Wipes, Johnson & Johnson Take Along Pack (cleaning cloths, baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby powder, baby wash, diaper rash cream), Baby Nail Care Set, and much more! Price: $120.95 Born to Golf Golf Gift Basket Our Born to Golf gift basket is packed with loads of very cool golf gear! This golf basket includes RipStixx High Performance Golf Tees, the Putting Peg Precision Golf Putting Aid, Rules of Golf Booklet, a Golf Towel, a Golf Koozie Water Bottle, more! Price: $134.95 World of Golf Golf Gift Basket A golf gift basket fit for your aspiring golf pro! Golf gear includes an Golf Swing Sock, Nike Golf Balls, Ripstix Golf Tees, Golf Themed Picture Frame, more! Price: $175.95 Super Grand Gourmet Wine Gift Basket An unparalleled selection of wine gifts and our favorite gourmet treats tied up with a bow! This wine basket is a wine connoisseur's dream. Your wine enthusiast will be in heaven! Price: $250.00 The Penthouse Sweet Gift Tower Overlooking a divine selection of sweet gift treats, the Penthouse if fully stocked with tasty Garlic-Onion Snack Mix, Caramel Popcorn, Monicas Chocolate Pecan Tea Cookies, and Golden Walnut Shortbread Cookies with Fudge Filling. Price: $43.95 911 Gift Baskets © 2002 - 2005 Design It Yourself Gift Baskets, Houston, Texas. All Rights Reserved. 100% Secure Shopping! We accept all major credit cards. Design It Yourself Gift Basket Themes: Gourmet Baskets | Coffee Lovers | Taste of Texas | Italian Lovers | Chocolate Lovers | Wine Enthusiasts Spa & Pamper | Golf Enthusiasts | New Baby Home | Shipping Information | Shopping Cart | Checkout Contact Us | Mail List Store Policies | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement Gifts Directory & Link Exchange Site Design By: All The Rage Web Design Studios

Unique gifts that will

Cuddle Bug Baby Products - Unique baby and children's gifts for baby showers, newborns, and older kids. Looking for a perfect baby gift? Delight a new mom at a baby shower or welcome a newborn with a unique, one-of-a-kind Cuddle Bug baby gift. Our FREE gift wrapping service handles all the details! Gifts for siblings and moms, too! Shop with confidence that your purchase is safe and secure and your privacy protected. Attending a baby shower or welcoming a new baby? Give a gift sure to be a hit! Cuddle Bug Baby Diaper Cakes are made of dozens of diapers, shaped to look like real cakes. These 1-4 tier beauties come filled with Cuddle Bug Baby Products as well as other needed layette items: bottles, toys, socks, pacifiers, etc. Makes a stunning centerpiece at a baby shower. Cuddle Bug Security Blankets have been featured in Pregnancy as well as Baby Years Magazines. Security items, or loveys, play an important role in infant and toddler development. Ours are the only security blankets made of three different textures, providing excellent tactile stimulation. Unique gifts that will be treasured by parents as well as baby alike! See our Cuddle Bug Quillows featured in Parents Magazine ! These soft, warm, fleece blanket throws are large enough for preschoolers, older children and even adults! Slip your feet into the large pocket for extra warmth. Fold blanket into the pocket to form a pillow! Great for travel or naps at school. New prints are here, just in time for Fall/Winter! Cuddle Bug Cloverleaf Swaddling Blankets are simply the best swaddling blankets around. Their unique and innovative cloverleaf shape makes swaddling a snap. Two layers of soft flannel; available in a variety of colors. Recommended by USA Today and Parents Magazine. Our products and our customer service are great! But dont take our word for it. Read what our customers say about Cuddle Bug Baby Products and our outstanding attention to our customers. Need some parenting advice? Who doesnt? Visit our Parent Information Center for insightful articles, fun stories about kids, practical baby tips, baby shower ideas, and even kids-room decorating inspiration. Our parenting tips are filled with suggestions from real parents. We are an owner-operated business run by an experienced mom celebrating our sixth year in business! Click for more Company Information . We take pride in our Cuddle Bug baby gifts and accessories, and offer only the best in customer service. We value the relationships we build with our customers. We never rent or sell our customer information - your privacy is a primary concern. We were selected as the featured site at Daily Web site! CUSTOMER COMMENTS I found out about your company and products when I received some burp cloths, blanket, and the cloverleaf blanket for my own baby last year. I love the way your products are constructed and the fact that they are unique. I'm buying this blanket for a good friend whose baby is due next month. I'm sure she'll love it as much as I love mine! Karen, Homer Glen, IL More Customer Comments CUSTOMER COMMENTS Hi, I just received my order today and I love it! I'm expecting my 1st child in early November and knew this was something I wanted for his nursery. I had no problem with your web site and found it very easy to maneuver and view your products. The ordering was a breeze. I found out about your products from my first Parents magazine. I will definitely be referring your web page to my friends and family and look forward to ordering more items for upcoming baby showers! Thank You! Jana More Customer Comments CUSTOMER COMMENTS There is only one thing I would like to say about my recent order...PERFECT! You have a lot to smile about. Thanks a lot! Frances Houston, TX More Customer Comments Home Place_Order Products Parent_Info_Center Customer_Comments Wholesale_Info FAQ Company_Info Contact_Us Awards Links Press_Information All contents ©1998-2004 Cuddle Bug Baby Products/The Sweet Pea Company. All rights reserved. No content of this web site (structure, text or images) may be copied or used in part or in whole without prior written permission from the owner. Cuddle Bug Blankets is a registered trademark and Cuddle Bug Baby Products, Cuddle Bug Security Blankets, Cuddle Bug Crib Blankets, Cuddle Bug Quillows, Cuddle Bug Cloverleaf Blankets, Cuddle Bug Bibs, Cuddle Bug Muffin Hats, Cuddle Bug Jester Hats and Cuddle Bug Burpies are trademarks of Cuddle Bug Baby Products/The Sweet Pea Company. Looking for The Sweet Pea Company? Youve found us! Weve changed our name to Cuddle Bug Baby Products! But that is the only thing weve changed. We are still the same great company with the same great products! Join the Cuddle Bug Baby Products mailing list Enter Email: