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Best Christmas Gifts For Women - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Best Christmas Gifts For Women Articles Gifts for Walking Women Top picks for gifts for walking women for birthdays, holidays, Christmas and Mothers Day....( Continue Reading ) Great Looking Robes See our choices for the best looking women's robes in terry, velour, fleece, snuggles, sexy satins, soft cashmere and silk, in a range of under $25.00 to pure, but expensive, luxury....( Continue Reading ) Belz Outlet Mall I Finding the Best Buys at Central Florida's Outlet Malls...( Continue Reading ) Buying a Sewing Machine Sewing machines can be bought at many locations, so where do you start? Read about your options here....( Continue Reading ) The Perfect Travel Gift If the object of your affection is heading for Canada, or if they are already here, to another part of Canada, here are some practical and some whimsical gifts that could be considered....( Continue Reading ) Best Christmas Gifts For Women Directory Links gift baskets flowers gifts for expectant mothers making easter baskets first anniversary gifts wedding anniversary gifts for each year funny christmas gifts gifts for the wedding party third year anniversary gifts horse gifts small gifts christmas gifts for mom and dad christian mothers day gifts free gifts for kids virtual gifts gift fruit baskets gardening gifts unusual holiday gifts send gifts to india from usa romantic gifts for women wedding gifts houston anniversary and gifts inexpensive wedding gifts romantic gifts for her longaberger easter baskets gifts for teachers homemade valentines gifts gift baskets in north carolina north star christmas and gifts wedding attendents gifts original baby gifts cool gifts preschool mothers day gifts native american baskets simple gifts song shopping baskets unique educational gifts spiritual gifts discernment 40 year old gag gifts gifts for special occasions best gifts 2002 1st anniversary gifts graduation gifts for her last minute valentines gifts gifts for best friend wedding groomsmen gifts Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form

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Vegan Christmas or Yule - recipes and gift ideas . home to the Vegan Family House Vegan Christmas or Yule We love Christmas time or Yuletide (see our Winter Solstice page) - lights, colour, celebration, sharing, eating and drinking more than you really should ...in midwinter in Scotland this time is very welcome! The spiritual side of Christmas often goes a little unnoticed amid the mad rush of present buying, decorating and food preparation. Whether you celebrate the renewal of nature, friendship, gratitude to the Universe or the birth of Christ, it is a very integral part of this festival and very enriching to include this dimension to the day. Many traditions have played a part in forming Christmas as we know it today (commercialism included!). Here we detail the foods that we enjoy at this time - well, what do vegans eat at Christmas? All recipes are now available on printable pages (link by each recipe) or you can visit the master index of all the printable recipes from the whole site. Also further down we have a section on vegan present shopping. Savoury recipes Sweet recipes Gift ideas Festive links and Books Other food pages: Kitchen - Soups . Sauces and Dips . Salads . Main Courses . Cakes and Puddings Easter . Chocolate . Christmas/Yule . Vegan Cook Books . Food links . printable index Savoury festive recipes Cashew Nut Roast with Sage and onion stuffing A sixth of a cup/30g/1oz of vegan margarine 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped 1 medium leek, finely chopped 1 and a half cups of hot water 1 teaspoon of yeast extract (marmite, vegemite etc.) 3 cups/550g/16oz of ground cashew nuts (or other nuts of your choice - almonds work well too) 2 Tablespoons of soya flour 2 teaspoons of fresh herbs - winter savoury is great (if using dried 1 teaspoon) 3 cups/160g/6oz of white bread crumbs seasalt and pepper to taste sage and onion stuffing (see recipe further down the page) Melt the margarine (in a large pan for mixing) and cook the celery and leek in it for a few minutes. Mix the yeast extract into the hot water (alternatively you could use any stock you like) and add this to the leek and celery. Stir in the soya flour, nuts, herbs, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper and mix well. Allow to cool slightly while you grease a loaf tin. Place half the nut roast mixture in the tin and press down well - then add the sage and onion stuffing (pressing down well again) and place the rest of the nut roast mixture on top. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180/360 then turn out of the tin and slice. Nice served with all the traditional trimmings. Variations:- you can substitute wine (red or white) or soya milk for the water and yeast extract. The sage and onion stuffing is optional - it works just as well without it and might actually slice up easier! A layer of sliced mushrooms and garlic is an alternative to the stuffing. Printable version Creamy mushroom Puff A third of a cup/60g/2oz of vegan margarine 4 tablespoons of plain white flour 1 onion 4 cloves of garlic, crushed or very finely chopped (this can be reduced or left out if desired) 3 cups of mushrooms, sliced half a litre/500ml of soya milk 1 glass of white wine (or stock) handful of chopped parsley salt and pepper to taste approx. 500g/18oz of frozen puff pastry (this even comes ready-rolled now for extra laziness!!!) Melt the margarine and cook the onion and garlic in it for a few minutes and then add the sliced mushrooms and cook for a couple of minutes more. Add the flour and stir well. Gradually add the soya milk stirring all the time and then the wine and keep stirring on a low heat until the sauce thickens. Once thick remove from the heat and add your seasoning and the parsley. Allow to cool slightly while you prepare the pastry. Roll out into 2 wide rectangular shapes reserving some pastry for decoration. Place one sheet of pastry on a greased baking tray. Heap the slightly cooled sauce onto it leaving a space round the edges. Place the top sheet on and seal up the edges with some soya milk or water (fold over if needed). Make some small slits on the top of the puff and let your artistic side shine with the reserved pastry! I usually make holly leaves to place on the top but do whatever you like. Glaze with soya milk and then bake in a medium hot oven for about half an hour or until the pastry seems cooked (no soggy bits and nicely puffed up!) Nice served with gravy, roast potatoes, stuffing, vegan sausages, cranberry sauce and vegetables of your choice - a feast! Printable version ' NOW THATS WHAT I CALL A CHRISTMAS DINNER' MUSHROOM PARCEL by Catriona There are a few steps to this but most can be made a day ahead... in fact I normally assemble it all the evening before and then it is ready to go... Ingredients list: Mushroom Risotto 300mls/just over 1 cup rice approx. 600mls/2 and a quarter cups hot stock ( I use Kallo mushroom stock cubes) 1 onion, finely chopped couple of cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped Jar of antipasto mushrooms, minus a tbsp mushrooms (make sure they are vegan), drain and reserve the oil. big handful of chestnut mushrooms, sliced a few dried mushrooms, soaked in hot water and then finely chopped tsp dried oregano ( or fresh if you can) fresh basil, sliced Soyamince filling 1 cup defrosted vegemince or 1 cup rehydrated soya mince, remaining tbsp of mushrooms, enough sundried tomato puree to bind it together and some fresh basil Stuffing 1 onion finely chopped, 1 cup oats 1/2 cup suet, 1 tsp mixed herbs and some salt and pepper. Aprox. 500g./18oz of frozen, vegan puff pastry Preparation Mushroom Risotto Put some of the reserved mushroom oil in a pan and saute the onions and garlic until soft, add the rice and mix it all together. Add all the different mushrooms and the oregano if dried. Mix again and then gradually add the stock stirring constantly for that creamy risotto texture. More or less liquid may be needed. Add fresh herbs , mix and set aside. soyamince filling In a blender mix together approx. 1 cup defrosted vegemince or 1 cup rehydrated soya mince, remaining tbsp of mushrooms, enough sundried tomato puree to bind it together and some fresh basil Stuffing chop an onion finely and mix it with 1 cup oats to 1/2 cup suet,1 tsp mixed herbs and some salt and pepper. bind with a little water to form a sausage...be careful not to add too much water. Have ready some defrosted vegan puff pastry rolled out into a rectangle. Assembly Get the puff pastry and spread it lightly with sundried tomato paste and stick basil leaves on to this. Get the cooled mushroom risotto and spread it onto the pastry leaving room at all ends... you wont need all the risotto. On top of this place the soya mince filling and then place the stuffing sausage along the centre. Fold up the sides until they meet in the middle...hopefully!! If they are reluctant to stick down then brush with a little soya milk. Put on a baking tray. It is advisable, if possible, to raise the pastry parcel off the tray using a rack as I have found the bottom has a tendency to burn. You can now leave it until Christmas Day! To cook follow the temperature guide on the packet of puff pastry. Easy! Printable version Spinach-Tofu Manicotti by Secular Pagan Not exactly a traditional Yule/Christmas dish, but it's red, white, and green, so it fits. FILLING: (stuffs about ten manicotti "tubes") 1 pound/450g firm tofu, drained and rinsed 1 10-oz/300g box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, basil, sage) 3 green onions (scallions), including green part, sliced thinly 8 ounces/230g (more or less) white button mushrooms, chopped in big chunks PASTA: 1 package large manicotti tubes SAUCE: About 28 ounces/750g of your favorite pasta sauce, homemade or prepackaged Plop tofu into a medium-sized mixing bowl and mash/crumble with your hands. Add spinach and fold into tofu with a fork, using fork to break up strands of spinach and mix evenly with the crumbled tofu. Stir in Italian seasoning, onions, and mushrooms. Boil about 10 manicotti tubes just shy of al dente (they won't fall apart this way when you're stuffing them) and drain. Use your fingers to push clumps of filling into the manicotti tubes till each one is plump and full. Lay them in a covered casserole dish (more than one layer is O.K.) and pour your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce (homemade or bottled) over the whole thing. Cover and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour, maybe a little less (say, 45 minutes) if you have the manicotti spread out in a single layer. Remove from oven and give it a few minutes to cool off before attempting to eat. Note: I have to keep my sodium intake low, so I don't add salt to anything I make from scratch (except some baked goods), so some of you might prefer to add a. 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the filling. Printable version Cranberry, Orange and Ginger sauce 3/4 cup/150g/5oz sugar 1/2 cup/150ml/quarter pint of orange juice zest of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger (or half a teaspoon of dried ginger) 2 cups of fresh cranberries pinch of salt Place the cranberries, orange juice and ginger in a pan and simmer for about 10 minutes. Give the berries a mash and add the sugar, zest and salt. Cook gently until all the sugar is completely dissolved. The sauce will thicken up as it cools slightly. Nice served hot or warm with nut roast or mushroom puff and parcel. Printable version Cheat's nut roast rolls! Very simple if you buy a vegan packet mix for a nut roast and some frozen puff pastry! Simply make up the nut roast mix and place it in the puff pastry in roll shapes. Nice done like cocktail sausage rolls for serving with drinks. Bake in a medium oven for about 20 minutes. Sage and Onion Roast Potatoes 4 teaspoons of dried sage or 8 teaspoons of freshly chopped sage 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil 1 finely chopped onion 4 tablespoons of medium oatmeal Potatoes, peeled and cut to desired size (this coating is enough for about 4 or 5 lbs/2 or 3 kilos.) salt to taste Par boil the potatoes then just when they are beginning to soften remove from heat and drain. Place in baking tray and rub the coating all over them (careful!) - roast in a hot oven until nice and crispy (30 minutes plus). You might want to baste with a little more oil half way through for extra crispiness! Variation : sesame roast potatoes - coat the potatoes in sunflower oil and plenty sesame seeds before roasting - this has a lovely flavour too. Printable version Sage and Onion stuffing 6 slices of wholemeal bread half a cup/85g/3oz of vegan margarine 4 teaspoons of dried sage or 8 of fresh, chopped sage 1 finely chopped large onion salt to taste Melt the margarine in a saucepan and then cook the onion in it until soft. Break up the wholemeal bread with your hands (into fairly small pieces) and then mix into the onion and margarine with the sage and salt. This can be pressed into an oven-proof bowl for baking or if you like meat analogues it can be sandwiched between two Redwood Cheatin' Turkey Roasts (see below for turkey substitute links), wrapped in foil and baked in the oven! Printable version Skirlie (traditional Scottish oatmeal stuffing - quite bland, not to everyone's liking!) 1 cup of medium oatmeal 1 large onion, finely chopped 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil a little salt Cook the onion in the oil until soft and then stir in the oatmeal and salt and cook for a few minutes longer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking - then use as Sage and onion stuffing. Printable version top Sweet festive recipes Jewel Biscuits Delicious and colourful biscuits or cookies - the 'jewels' are optional but very bright and special - makes about 25 medium (3 inch/9cm) biscuits. 150g/5oz/three quarter cup caster sugar 150g/5 oz/three quarter cup vegan margarine 5 tablespoons of soya milk 300g/10 oz/1and a half cups of plain flour teaspoon vanilla extract (or according to pack instructions) boiled sweets - different colours is good Preheat oven to 200C/400F and grease baking sheets. Cream together the sugar and marg. Mix in the soya milk and vanilla and then the flour. The mixing of the flour is best done with your hands. You should have a workable dough (add more flour if it's too wet or more soya milk if too dry and doesn't hold together well). Roll out on a floured board (to just under 1 cm thick) and cut into shapes - cutters in festive shaped such as stars, trees and angels are lovely but plain round ones are effective too - you can use a drinking glass if you don't have cutters. Lay on baking sheets. Make a hole in the middle of each biscuit - plain round, diamonds, stars - whatever you like, as long as it is big enough for your sweet! Place a sweet in each hole. Bake for about 10 minutes for soft bake cookies or a little longer for dryer, crunchy ones. The sweets will melt down and fill the hole in the oven and then reset once cool. If you want these for tree decoration ONLY you can prelong their life by replacing the sugar in the recipe with salt and adding a couple of tablespoons of PVA glue to the mix (do not eat after doing this option!!) Prior to baking make a small hole in the top with a drinking straw - once cooked and cooled you can thread ribbons through for hanging. Printable version Easy, Last Minute Christmas Fruit Cake by Jean This cake has no added sugar or fat (suitable for a range of diets) but is still really sweet and rich. It should be stored in the fridge and eaten within one week. 8oz/250g/2 cups of cooking dates with the stones removed 10 fl.oz / 300ml/1 and a quarter cups of water (you could substitute a quarter cup of brandy or sherry for a quarter cup of the water if you like) 6oz/175g/1 and a quarter cups of wholemeal flour 1 lb/450g/3 cups of mixed dried fruit of your choice - including lots of dried apricots works very well 2 teaspoons of baking powder 1 teaspoon of mixed spice 4 tablespoons of orange juice For decoration: You can either do a traditional marzipan and white icing topping or use rows of different nuts such as walnuts, pecans, brazils and almonds. Heat the dates and water until the dates are soft. Remove from heat and mash with a fork. Add all the other ingredients and mix well. Spoon into a greased 2lb/900g cake tin and level top. If using the nut topping place rows of different nuts on top of the cake prior to cooking. Bake at 170C/340F for about an hour and a half until cooked. Once cooled the nut topping can be glazed with a little syrup (melt some sugar into hot water) or you can ice traditionally. Printable version Cranberry Ginger Bars by Luree Filling: 3 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries 3/4 cups each of raisins, dried apricots and crystallised ginger 1 lb/450g/3 cups of mixed dried fruit of your choice - including lots of dried apricots works very well 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup apple juice In a large saucepan combine all ingredients. Bring to a gentle boil over a medium heat. Stir for about 5 minutes or until the cranberries have popped. Let cool. Base and Topping: 2 cups flour 3/4 cups brown sugar 1 and a half teaspoons of ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1 cup of margarine or vegetable shortening 1 cup of rolled oats 3/4 cup of raw sunflower seeds Mix all ingredients together. Set aside 1 and a half cups of crumb mixture for topping. Press the remainder into a 9" by 13" baking pan. Bake at 180C/350F for 15 minutes. Spread with cranberry mixture and sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Bake for another 30 minutes. Yummy! Printable version Chocolate Yule Log Cake (for people who can't do swiss roll!!) 1 chocolate cake baked in a loaf tin - basic chocolate cake recipe here (or 1 chocolate swiss roll if you can do it!!) 1 batch of vegan chocolate 'butter' icing: Beat together half a cup/130g/4oz vegan margarine with 1 and a third cups/210g/7 oz sifted icing sugar and one tablespoon of cocoa (also sifted to avoid lumps). Beat in a few drops of natural vanilla extract. 1 tablespoon of icing sugar for dusting 1 festive cake board or large plate and decorations of your choice (fake flowers or berries, holly leaves, small baubles etc.) Cake Assembly: Cut the corner off one end of the cake and turn it round to look like a branch (excuse rough drawing!) - arrange on the cake board or plate. Secure the branch with some of the icing. With a knife smooth off the corners of the log to make it rounded. Cover the entire cake with the rest of the icing, then use a fork to make lines and knots like a log :) Dust with icing sugar. Decorate to your hearts content. Printable version Little Chocolate logs 1 chocolate cake prepared in a large square tin so it will not be too deep ( visit the chocolate room if you need a recipe for this) vegan marzipan maya gold (preferably though any dark vegan choc. will do) icing sugar for dusting glace cherries and crystallised angelica for decoration or children might prefer Whizzers chocolate beans or other sweets Cut the cake into small rectangles ( 10 cm. X 4 cm. and 2 or 3 cm. deep). Cut thin pieces of marzipan and place on top of the cakes. Pour melted chocolate over the top of each log, decorate to your hearts content and then dust with the icing sugar (snow!). Printable version Easy chocolate-rum truffles Some left over cake, crumbled - about 2 cups 2 tablespoons of Apricot jam 2 tablespoons of rum (or rum flavouring) 1 teaspoon of cocoa 50g./2oz (half a large bar) of vegan chocolate, melted Coating of choice - cocoa, chopped nuts, coconut etc. Mix everything together and then squeeze into balls (about 5 cm. diameter) and roll in the coating. Place in petit four cases. Printable version Festive Sweets Making your own sweets is actually quite fun - children have a great time with this too. They are also nice gifts if placed in a pretty box or packet. Vegan chocolate - I recommend Maya Gold for these - it's orange spiciness is perfect for this time of year. Nuts of your choice (hazel, walnut, pecan, almond, brazil) Vegan marzipan (many supermarkets stock this) Dates Dessicated coconut Cocoa Icing sugar Crystalised angelica Glace cherries Flaked almonds It's very simple! Melt the chocolate and then dip things in it - nuts, marzipan balls, dates - and then place them on a sheet of grease-proof paper to set. Decorate with angelica, glace cherries (can be made to look like holly) and flaked almonds before the chocolate sets and then you can sprinkle with cocoa, coconut or icing sugar. Dates can be destoned and stuffed with marzipan for a non-chocolate treat. Place in petit four cases and enjoy! Printable version Also see Chocolate Fudge icing or soft fudge Mincemeat by Catriona 1lb/450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped 8oz/225g shredded vegetable suet 12 oz/350g sultanas 16 oz/450g dried apricots 12oz/350g soft dark brown sugar grated rind and juice of 2 oranges grated rind and juice of 2 lemons 2oz/60g whole almonds, slivered 4 tsp mixed spice 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon half a nutmeg, grated 6 tbsp vegan brandy Mix all ingredients ,except the brandy, together in a bowl then cover and leave for 12 hours. To prevent fermentation place the mincemeat in a 120C/ 225F oven for 3 hours. Then allow to cool, stir in brandy and put in clean jars and seal. Printable version Christmas Pud by Catriona 12oz/350g sultanas 4oz/120g glace cherries, halved 10z/300g ground almonds 4oz/120g plain flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp mixed spice 8oz/230g dark brown molasses sugar 4oz/120gsoft, fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs 8oz/230g vegetable suet grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp black treacle 4 floz/125ml/half a cup soya milk sherry soak the sultanas in plenty sherry Grease a 2 pint pudding basin. Put the soaked fruit, cherries and ground almonds into a large bowl. Add the flour, salt, spices, sugar, breadcrumbs, suet, lemon zest and juice, treacle, soya milk and 4 tbsp sherry. Mix well to make a soft mixture. Spoon into the basin, cover with two layers of greased foil and tie down. Steam for 4 hours. Cool. Cover with a circle of greaseproof paper and two layers of tinfoil. To reheat steam for three hours as before. (I have to say that when I make it I prick the pudding and feed some more sherry or brandy into it...) and don't forget that after it is reheated pour MORE brandy over it and set it on fire. Printable version Vegan Trifle also by Catriona I loved this so much before I was vegan that I veganised it one year and it is excellent... you can leave off the 'cream' layer if you like but I think it makes it! Make a plain vegan sponge and sandwich it together with jam. Slice it up and put it on the bottom of a trifle dish ( or other suitable deep dish) drain a tin of fruit and put on top of the sponge (or use fresh fruit. I like raspberries). Next make up a vegan jelly and pour on top of everything... leave to set. Make up custard with soya milk and pour that on top of the set jelly. Leave that to set. Now put on a thick soya cream made with...2 tbsp cornflour, 2 oz/60g vegan margarine, 1 oz/30g sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence and 1/2 pt/250ml/1 cup of soya milk... blend the cornflour with a little soya milk. Add the rest of the milk gradually and transfer to a saucepan. Bring to the boil gently and stir until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool. Cream the margarine with the sugar until pale in colour. Beat in the cooled cornflour mixture a little at a time. Add the vanilla essence. Put the cream layer on top of the chilled custard layer. Decorate with fresh fruit and then eat voraciously. The cream can also be turned into brandy cream by adding a spoonful of brandy...serve with Christmas pudding. Printable version top Links and Books for other recipes and ingredient sources. 'Vegetarian Christmas' by Rose Elliot. Not exclusively vegan but there is a plethora of vegan delights included and most of the lacto-ovo recipes are easily 'veganisable'. Our favourite Christmas dinner of Chestnut and Red wine pate en croute is one of many included here along with lots of advice on taking the work out of Christmas catering. This book is full of ideas for lots of special touches which can be prepared early and frozen - a firm favourite. Buy UK or Buy US 'Have Yourself a very Vegan Christmas' by James Mays. A book choc full of totally vegan Christmas recipes at last!! It is only available from the American branch of Amazon - though they do ship internationally, it may take a few weeks to arrive if you live outside the USA. Buy US 'Cooking by the Seasons - simple vegetarian feasts' - a beautiful collection of recipes divided into the four main seasons. Most recipes are either vegan or very easily veganised - there is even a tofu salad especially for vegan goddesses! Information is given on the eight major sabbats (summer solstice, Yule etc.) along with suggested menus - suggestions for Yule include mulled wine, winter solstice pumpkin soup, red, white and green lasange and hazelnut ice cream and many, many ideas for everyday feasts. There is a really good vegan version of macaroni cheese - baked shells with brocolli and tomato. Yum yum yum. Buy UK or Buy US Festive Children's Books - some recommendations from us. Frugal Christmas - economical ideas for Christmas - shopping, recipes, cards and decorations. Nutties - a great range of vegan hampers including Christmas ones. Kinnerton Confectionery are producing some dairy and nut free advent calendars on a first come first served basis - for full details email g.phillpot@kinnerton.com The Redwood Wholefood Co. - UK based company with turkey roasts etc. - all vegan, available by mail order and in health food shops. Wicken Fen - UK makers of vegetarian foods such as sausages and burgers which are available in many UK supermarkets - most of the range is vegan. Tofurky.com - an American site offering online ordering of vegan turkey substitutes. Kansas' Vegan Christmas Cookies - festive cookie recipes, from Snickerdoodles to Expresso Fudgies! Vegan Christmas Recipes from Parsley Soup - both sweet and savoury festive home cooking. Gift Ideas We like to support vegan companies and charities by doing, at least some of our gift and card shopping with them: UK organisations (most do international orders too) Vegan Family House Gadget Shop - our vegan designs on t-shirts such as the one on the right, mousemats, bags and aprons - you can change the colours, styles etc. to suit yourself or even design your own personal items. Our CafePress Store we have a larger range of products available here - babywear, t-shirts, caps, cards, magnets, badges, bags, mugs and even undies! They ship from the USA but arrive very quickly and have reasonable postage rates. VIVA (Vegetarians and Vegans Voice for Animals) chocolates, wine, toys, books, mugs, badges, clothing, cards. Online ordering. Animal Aid chocolate, wine, clothing, footwear, toiletries, books, cards, mugs, magnets. Online ordering Veganstore.co.uk lots of food items (yes, including chocolate!), T-shirts, books, footwear, badges and magnets, candles, toiletries - now stocking foil wrapped tree decorations and chocolate snowmen!! Online ordering. UK Vegan Society - T-shirts, mugs, chocolates, footwear, wine, candles, games, books, e-mail or phone them on 01424 427393 to request a full catalogue. Respect for Animals - merchandise sold in aid of this campaign against the fur trade - includes mugs, T-shirts and vegan chocolate. Dr.Hadwen Trust - boxed chocolates, fudge, chocolate dipped honeycomb (non-animal), turkish delight - mail order or available online at Cruelty Free Shop American Organisations A Different Daisy - online vegan store selling many different products. Snooty Jewelry - vegan jewelry online. And don't forget our own Bookstore with vegan cookbooks, parenting, nature, spiritual and health titles and fiction section and The Kid's Bookstore (with great titles from Harry Potter to Herb the Vegetarian Dragon and Dr. Seuss !) (International shipping from both the UK and the USA) Have a good festive season home . vegan . kids . surgery . bookstore . kids books . fiction . support . celebrity . earth kitchen . printable recipes . chocolate . soups . salads . sauces . entrees . cakes . foodlinks Daniel . Charlotte . furry friends . family photos . festive . Christmas . Easter . winter . summer links . kidslinks . banners . what's new? . webrings . email . mailing list . guestbook . add a link

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Wedding Shower Gifts for the Bride Wedding Guest Books Ring Bearer Pillows Flower Girl Baskets Wedding Accessories Wedding Pictures Create Account | My Account | My Shopping Cart | Checkout | Order History | Logoff Going to a bridal shower? Looking for some creative gift ideas? You've come to the right place! Wedding Shower Gifts has eveything you need to plan a fun and unique party. With theme ideas, favor ideas and gift ideas you will find no where else. Resources Gift Ideas Wedding Shower Themes Bridal Shower Favor Ideas Wedding Shower Games Bridal Shower Gift Ideas Tips for a Stress Free Wedding Day Creative Gifts for Your Bridesmaids How to Make a Ring Bearer Pillow How to Make a Flower Girl Basket Wedding Hair Styles Ring Bearer Pillows Flower Girl Baskets Ceramic Guest Book Platter Bridal Handbags Gorgeous Garters Hair Accesories Personalized Photo Pillows Paint Your Own Wedding Cake Topper Watercolor Paintings Based On Your Wedding Pictures Created using wedding pictures or engagement pictures sent in by the bride and groom, watercolor paintings make a unique and sentimental wedding gift idea. Watercolor wedding paintings make a great gift for the groom or gift for your parents . Wedding gift certificates are available! A great, last-minute gift idea! Purchase a gift certificate and let the recipient choose the pictures to recreate. Enter our gallery for samples of our work. Ceramic Wedding Guest Books - Signature Platters Ceramic signature platters make unique wedding guest books . Guests sign a hand painted, personalized platter with a special black marker. Fire in your home oven for 30 minutes and you're done! We currently have four wedding guest books available: an oval platter, an extra large oval platter, a heart shaped platter, and a round platter. Great for wedding anniversaries , bar mitzvahs , retirement parties , family reunions and more! Bridal Garters Our bridal garters make a great keepsake item to pass down the generations. This collection is offered in white or ivory with your choice of ribbon accents. Bridal Hair Accessories Our crowning glory (literally!), the bridal headpiece is made with a combination of small and large hand-sewn satin rosebuds with austrian glass pearls and ribbons in your choice of color. Bridal Handbags The bridal handbag is our personal favorite item in the collection. Hand-sewn, satin rosebuds with austrian glass pearls and imported European lace make this the classiest little number around. Wedding Keepsakes Wedding Guest Book Platters Wedding Pictures Personalized Signature Frame Kit Signature Photo Quilts Custom Photo Quilts Family Tree Platters Custom Wedding Figures Personalized Photo Pillows Wedding Gifts Family Portrait Platters Personalized House Pictures Recipe For a Happy Marriage Wedding Accessories Ring Bearer Pillows Flower Girl Baskets Crystal Bouquets Wedding Tiaras and Bridal Headpieces Bridal Jewelry Resources Wedding Reception Ideas Wedding Shower Ideas Relationships Gift Ideas Tips & Advice About Us Our Team Company Info Testimonials Shipping Privacy Return Policy Product Templates Contact Us Proud Supporters of CCI and puppy raisers of Gretchen IV Thank you for visiting WeddingShowerGifts.com Wedding Guest Books | Ring Bearer Pillows | Flower Girl Baskets | Wedding Pictures | Bridal Jewelry Wedding Tiaras and Bridal Headpieces | Wedding Garters | Wedding Accessories Signature Photo Quilts | Personalized House Pictures | Personalized Signature Frame Kit Bridesmaid Gifts | Wedding Gifts | Wedding Shower Gifts | Flower Girl Gifts Fresh Cut Wedding Flowers | Wedding Hairstyles | Wedding Colors | Wedding Reception Ideas | Bachelor Party Ideas Related Links | Awards *** We sell Anniversary Gifts , Birthday Gifts and Christmas Gifts Wedding Gifts and Wedding Accessories Home Our Company | Shipping | Privacy | Returns | Contact Us Reach us Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Pacific Standard Time at (888)216-GIFT (4438) or email us _

Birthday Gift Suggestions Berkeley

Berkeley Parents Network: Birthday Gift Suggestions Berkeley Parents Network Home Members Post a Msg Reviews Advice Join BPN Help/FAQ What's New Search Birthday Gift Suggestions Berkeley Parents Network Advice Birthdays Bday Gifts Birthday Gift Suggestions Gift Ideas for 3 year old Dinosaur Gifts for 4-y-o 50th Birthday Gift Birthday Gifts for Grandparents Gift Ideas for 3 year old Oct 1996 About birthday gifts for 3 year olds-- my daughter turned 3 this summer asdid four friends. I finally settled on Playschool flashlights from Toys R Usfor under $10 ($14 at Mr Mopps.) They turn white, red and green, & go off automatically after so much timehas elapsed. One family even used theirs during the summer west coast poweroutage as it was the only flashlight in the house. Good for boys & girls.Also my friend got kites for her gifts--gets kids and parents together too.Tavie At this age (and later, too) we usually give the birthday child eithera jigsaw puzzle or a couple of books. If you look around you can findsome good puzzles in the $5-$8 range, and a couple of picture books,soft cover, will be about the same. That way you don't get into issuesover guns, barbie dolls, etc. Of course, if you know the kid personallyyourself, and know they have a particular interest in collecting bugsor some such thing, then you can look for something along those lines.Dianna To Karen - shopping for a 3 year old girl's B-day party - I often askthe parents when I RSVP to the party if their child has any particularinterests (or aversions), and that prevents buying weapons or Barbie dollsfor families that forbid that type of thing. Having a 7 year old and a 4year old, I am now at the point where I let them choose the gift within acertain price range if they know the child and have an opinion. When indoubt - art supplies are always good - for 3 year olds, play dough or newcrayons, a pack of construction paper, or that type of thing is alwaysappreciated. ToysRUs actually has some good art sets with crayons, pencils,etc. for under $15. Price wise, I try to stay between $10 and $15 unlessthe child is a family friend. Hope this helps. It gets worse as they getolder, as they get invited to more and more parties. I'm hoping with myolder one to have a small slumber party this year and limit the number ofkids and the expectation of a huge haul of toys. Good luck!Helen I am a mother of a 5 year old boy and a 7 year old girl. I have beenfaced with many birthday gifts so far and have come up with thefollowing suggestions. The simplest way to chose a gift for a child is to ask the parentswhat the child likes. The parents are usually appreciative of yourthoughtfulness and always have an idea or two. A general price rangeof $10 to $15 is safe, more than that is unnecessary. If you have aboy of the same age, ask yourself which toys does he like that a girlmight like too. You would be surprised by how many things would workas a gift for both girls and boys.Sharon Home | Reviews | Advice | Members | Post a Message Join BPN | Help | What's New | Search Please send questions and comments to Berkeley Parents Network . Last updated: Mar 27, 2004 © 1996-2005 Berkeley Parents Network The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network . Please see our Disclaimer for details.

wedding gift: cash toward

MSN Money - A practical wedding gift: cash toward a home MSN Home My MSN Hotmail Shopping Money People & Chat Sign In W eb Search: Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Planning Home Retirement Savings Insurance Family/College College Tools Scholarship Search College Search Resources Decision Centers Commentary Index More Tools Related Links Message Boards Print-friendly version Send this to a friend Get market news by e-mail See if refinancing works Personal finance bookshelf Find It! Article Index Finance Q&A Tools Index Site map Related Articles Marriage means updating important documents Romance can wait; first, talk cold, hard cash Tie the knot without busting your budget Related Resources Decision Center: Essential homebuying guide Decision Center: Love, money and marriage See if youre carrying too much debt Stay at home or work? Try our calculator Related Sites Bankrate.com The Basics A practical wedding gift: cash toward a home advertisement If anyone asks what you want for a wedding present, you might try 'cash for a down payment.' Its legal, if you follow the rules, and asking for cash even meets the Emily Post test for politeness. By Bankrate.com June is the busiest month for weddings, and a forest's worth of invitations either already has been mailed or soon will be sent. A lot of couples want money for wedding gifts. A wedding-day cash infusion can make putting a down payment on a home easier. With prices appreciating rapidly in much of the country, lots of couples need all the help they can get. There are formal and informal rules governing gifts of money to help newlyweds buy a house. First, the informal rules: Is it OK to ask one's wedding guests for money? "It's not rude to request money as a wedding gift," says Peggy Post, author of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette. "However, it's extremely important to ask politely." Peggy Post is Emily's great-granddaughter-in-law, the wedding etiquette expert for WeddingChannel.com and the main spokesman for the Emily Post Institute. She says one of the most common challenges that couples face is how to request money as a wedding gift. Doing so is acceptable, if done politely. If you seek down-payment money, get the word out through family and friends, Post recommends. Just don't include that info in the same envelope as a wedding invitation. "If you are asked point-blank what you would like for a gift, you might say, 'Whatever you choose will be wonderful, I'm sure, but money for a house down payment is on the top of our wish list,'" Post says. It's OK to say what it's for Go ahead and tell people what you want the money for. Who knows? If you let people know that you plan to spend the money on a down payment, rather than on a honeymoon in Tuscany, they might be more willing to open their pocketbooks. Wedding guests who insist on giving you yet another toaster or wicker picnic basket or a set of rosewood corn holders should be thanked anyway, even though they aren't helping you buy a house. "You should always accept any gift graciously, and remember that the choice of what to give really belongs to the gift giver," Post says. With the etiquette question out of the way, that brings up how to get the money from your guests' pockets and into the hands of the folks who eventually sell you their house. It's not simple, because mortgage loan programs have differing rules on the use of gift money in making a down payment. So know the gift rules Generally, you are expected to be able to make a down payment of at least 5% from your savings, excluding gifts. But what if you are too impatient to wait that long? Some mortgage programs allow you to use gift money if you can't scrape together that 5%. Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration allow you to use money from gifts to make a down payment of as little as 3%. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two biggest purchasers of home loans, offer similar programs through lenders. Fannie Mae's program is called "Flex 97" and Freddie Mac's is called "Alt 97." If there is a problem with these loan programs, it is that they limit whose money you can use. The FHA, Fannie and Freddie allow you to use money from family members. In the FHA's case, givers have to be members of your "immediate family." It's up to the loan officer to figure out who is family and who is immediate family. What about friends? Can you use gift money from, say, the woman who has been your mother's best friend since kindergarten? Technically, no. The money has to come from family (or from a nonprofit or government agency, but they don't give wedding gifts). It wasn't always this way. In 1996, the FHA encouraged lenders to offer "bridal registry accounts," where couples could stash gifts from friends and family. "Then, when the newlyweds purchase their new home, the money will be available and documented through a lender-supervised account," the FHA said. A few lenders responded enthusiastically, establishing account programs specifically for newlyweds complete with gift cards that could be returned to the bank with a check enclosed. One such lender is SunTrust Mortgage, a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks. Through SunTrust Mortgage, you can open a bridal registry savings or checking account at SunTrust Bank. When a wedding guest makes a deposit, the bank sends a card to the bride and groom to let them know. Ready to find a mortgage? "When they're ready to go ahead and make that first home purchase, they access those funds and we get a mortgage for them -- and we hope they remain a SunTrust banking customer," says Cheryl Nolda, senior vice president of marketing for SunTrust Mortgage. In the last few months, about 500 brochures have been given to prospective couples, Nolda says. The lender usually sees an upsurge in interest in the two months before June and October, which tend to be the busiest months for weddings. Despite their success at SunTrust, bridal registry accounts never really caught on. You can always open a regular old savings or money market account to hold your down payment fund, but you might need to document where the money came from. That's easy enough when the money comes from your paycheck. If some of the money comes from gifts, be prepared to document the source. Encourage gift-givers to give checks from their personal accounts. And don't forget to write those thank-you notes. 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