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First Birthday Gift > 
Posted by Andrew on April 18, 2018
The first year is just a set of the days but one of the most important in life. A person just starts to develop himself/herself, with the help of the parents and a surrounding. He/she either makes a huge step forward or has to wait a bit to develop the personality further; no matter what is going on during the first year, actually, as we are too young to have even a tiny impact on what is happening. However, the first physical steps, the first words, awkward actions, etc. are significant too. Especially for those, who love their little children, who make everything for them to grow healthy and strong, and try to help them to start their journey properly and happily. There will be never such a period in a life, so everyone should finish it in a joyful way – in other words, to celebrate the first year birthday with positive emotions.
If you are invited to a first child’s celebration and should present something interesting to a baby (or to the parents, as a baby does not need a blender for fruits but still needs some fresh juices), then you came to the right place to find some help. You should remember that at this age, a little genius begins to investigate everything and makes it thoroughly, so a gift can be either useful, or interesting, or pretty. On this page, you will find gifts that are the examples of all that trinity. Discover them all below!
Good Gifts for 1-Year-Old
1. Books about Harry Potter
These stories have already become classic. Several generations have been growing reading these books about an ordinary boy with a unique destiny, full of love, friendship, adventures and endless dangers and pitfalls. Some people still want to be a part of that magic world; however, J. K. Rowling implied that there is magic everywhere in life. Children should know and remember this since birth – so the parents can read the journeys of Potter aloud, for the babies to start living with a nice attitude to life.
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
What can be a better gift than a perfect fairytale that educates, cheers up, and makes laugh and cry? Nothing. Additionally, the new books were redesigned, and have lost their charm. This set represents the old look of the famous stories and is as pretty, as it was years ago, when the first book was published. An amazing story for a developing mind.
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2. Baby Protective Pillow
Someone even does not know what such pillows are for, though such things are of a high importance, as they prevent a child from the flat head syndrome. The first years of life must pass with the maximum of comfort, so there is a need in high quality special materials and items. To help parents with this task, you can present a good protective pillow to their child.
Organic Cotton Baby Protective Pillow – Cloud Lamb
This soft thing is made of the high quality materials, that are fully natural and hypoallergenic. And… It is just one of the cutest things in the world, calming, making smile an encouraging to touch this plush surface. Just imagine how cool it will be for a little child, to feel all this!
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There is nothing more important for a baby than to explore and… To play. This category is dedicated to all the children that are kin on constructing something and develop their motor skills by this way.
Halilit HL400 Rainbomaker, 16 Inch
Hand and eye coordination, auditory sensory development, bright colors, visual sensory development, sturdy and easy to grab materials… We only wonder, why there were no such things in our childhood? We are sure that a lot of children and parents will be grateful for such a fantastic gift for the first birthday!
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First Birthday Gift Ideas
1. Swaddling Blankets
Good swaddling blankets allow the parents to keep their child far from different irritations and other skin problems. They will allow the young parents sleep calmly, as their baby will see the best possible dreams in the most comfort way.
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle 3-PK, Busy Bees (SM)
SwaddleMe is one of the most trusted brands on Amazon. Babies really sleep well it their swaddles – buying one of their products, you can be sure that your gift is the example of quality and coziness, and your close people-parents will appreciate such an attentive gesture.
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It is not a joke; we really advise you to present drum to a baby! We understand that the house of your friends or relatives having a child is already filled with a noise, but there is no music! And it will be produced by the little hands of the baby. Just choose the proper drum that can be regulated in volume…
Edushape Sea Sound Drum
People usually buy the whole percussion kit for the preschool boys and girls but it is still a good single instrument. It is perfect for the kid’s hands, makes a really neat sound, engages a child fully in the musical process, and just fun for the whole family! A top gift for the first birthday and the future ones!
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Musical instruments are included to the list of the best gifts for any birthday. However, the first birthdays are the special celebrations, so there is a need in something unique, simple, and educating. We supposed that a xylophone can be a cool variant for such an important event.
Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone
A growing baby has less physical abilities than a toddler – fortunately, the Fisher-Price company has noticed that and has created a classic xylophone for any age! They say that “grasping the mallet and tapping the keys help tune up eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills”, and it sounds perfect. Present this item to a little Mozart and see him or her creating the first masterpieces!
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Great One-Year-Old Birthday Gift
Shaking is one of the first moves that we make in life. A pair of pretty designed maracas that are designed especially for the babies, can help our little children develop their motor skills with fun!
Hohner MP361NB Kids Easy Grip Maracas – Colors Vary
This pair of lightweight, bright and solid maracas looks stunning and surely sounds the same! Hohner is a musical instrument company, not a toy one; choosing this item, you choose the professional thing. It has quite a natural sound that is near to the adult musical instruments – but it is less loud, what is amazing for everyone who will live with the birthday boy or girl after the one-year-old birthday. Remember that
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2. Hammering & Pounding Toys
Children eagerly learn from playing different instruments and games. Present a possibility to develop the intellectual and physical skills with a fantastic toy that demands only hammering and pounding – the most loved actions for a baby of one-year-old!
Fisher-Price Tap N’ Turn Toolbench Toy
Hammer it away! The workbench features a hammer and the bright pegs that tempt to bang them immediately! A child will be able to play this even after getting older, what means that the fun can be endless!
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3. Stack Up Cups
Stack up cups are the first toys for the children, as they are the best to familiarize a baby with grasping, matching colors and sizes, etc. You can choose from the other toys but it is the game set that is really needed in any house where the kid is.
The First Years Stack Up Cups
If you do not know what to start with – start with classic! These cups are popular for plenty of reasons: the perfectness for the early education, simplicity and fun combination, affordable price, etc. All the elements of this pack is lightweight and stackable and can be grabbed and put away easily – the baby will be playing this with the huge interest and comfort!
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Best Baby’s First Birthday Gifts
The stacking and sorting toys are the wonderful gifts for the first birthdays. They will be played anyways – even if a kid already has a lot of similar items, this number is never enough for an obnoxious baby with the endless energy resources.
Grimm’s Large Wooden Triangular Conical Tower
You will be certainly pleased with the quality and price, and the kid will be also – well, he or she will play with this toy, and it will show the true attitude. Children are the most honest persons in the world, and the customers of Grimm company prove that their children are happy with their products, that are all of vibrant colors, of high quality materials, and of a thoughtful design.
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Such cups have saved a lot of towels, clothes, and mother’s nerves. However, the wide range of these items only makes the choice more difficult. We decided to help you a bit and to offer a perfect cup for a first year that can be a wonderful gift for a birthday!
The First Years 2 Pack Disney/Pixar Finding Dory Insulated Sippy Cup, 9 Ounce
This cup consists of the two parts – so easy to clean and does not leak at all. The parents and the baby would become the fans of this cup! They would, if you buy this Disney inspired thing for them!
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3. Bottle Warmer
A lot of the parents know about such an invention as a bottle warmer. However, if your close people, who invited you to their child’s first birthday, have not heard about this thing – think no more, this is the right gift option for you!
The First Years Quick Serve Bottle Warmer
Imagine that a baby wants a bottle in the middle of the night and wants it immediately. A cold bottle will not make him or her pleased – or even worse, will make a kid cry and yell, awaking all the family members. Let your friends or relatives sleep well and present this fast working customizable bottle warmer. Can be used from birth!
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Unique Birthday Gifts for 1-Year-Old Boy
Some people adore the bathing procedures, some – not. Babies cannot express their opinion during the “silent first-year period” but they still need a good cleansing. To make this less stressful, the smart individuals have created the tubs – one of them can be a stunning gift for a family in need of such a thing.
The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn To Toddler Tub
This tub for the newborns has deeply ergonomic design and allows to hold a baby properly. It can be used both, since birth and for several years later, as it provides security in any position of a kid (sitting or lying). There is no wonder, why moms love this so much!
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2. Sleep Therapy Sound Machine
The new parents cannot remind a calm and pretty Sleeping Beauty – they do not sleep at all! Especially if they are working and there are no grannies to help them to have at least several hours of the relaxing dreams. Happily, there are devices that help anyone – a sleep therapy machine is included to the list of such ingenious things.
24 Soothing Sleep Therapy Sound Machine with Playing All Night or Other Timer Option
It can play all night. You are surprised? It is now possible with the new technologies, provided by the guys from Pictek! Natural sounds – such as White noise, New York morning, home application, Hawaii Waves, Zoo Sound, Tokyo Temple Rain, Matrix, London Storm – wait for the parents and a child. What a cool thing… Must order several, for our workers.
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3. Wooden Doll Family
Almost all the generations have played with wood – this is the most popular, wide-spread, and sturdy material for the children toys. Moreover, it is safe and natural, and it is of high importance, especially if we talk about a one-year-old baby. The wooden toys are now quite rare things, so you can be pretty sure that the birthday boy or girl has no similar toys and will be happy to get one! Or a lot.
Arshiner Poseable Dollhouse
This toy set contains seven small dolls that are easy to grasp. Parents, grandparents, son, daughter and a baby will become the persistent guests in the baby’s room. Additionally, they can be a wonderful decorative element to the area, creating the friendly and cozy atmosphere. Durable, child-safe finish, nontoxic. Fantastic.
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First Birthday Gift Ideas for Girls
1. Healthcare and Grooming Kit
We are sure that all the parents have such a kit – but not a professional one, in majority. The medical kit that we are going to offer you contains anything that can be needed to help a baby grow healthy and groomed. Check it below!
The First Years American Red Cross Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit
This is the ultimate bag of things that are needed in any house with a little kid, who is unable to do a lot of actions as clip the nails or brush the teeth. This very kit eases all the processes that are connected with the baby care and makes it skillfully and properly. Make every task with confidence!
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2. Lullaby Machine
It is so pleasing, to sing something nice to lull a child… However, there are cases when the parents cannot make this for their baby (a cold, an exhaustion, a… something other). A lullaby machine can save any similar situation and allow the parents have a rest and a kid – have a nice song!
The First Years Sounds for Silence Nursery Sound Machine
You will not sleep if your baby does not want see the dreams without your voice saying a fairytale. However, a good nursery sound machine can save you from the everyday routine sometimes. This thing can both, make sleeping sounds and sing some calming lullabies, so the parents can leave the nursery without fearing the creaky floor! A perfect nanny…
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3. On-The-Go Booster Seat
A booster seat is a perfect thing to take a baby with parents for some events or just for a walk to the nearest park – if this park is quite far away and the parents have to drive there. Some parents, unfortunately, cannot afford a proper on-the-go seat, if any. If you have the desire to really help such people – make a gift to them and to their child and buy the item below.
The First Years On-The-Go Booster Seat
The first years of life should pass with the proper comfort! The parents are magicians but they still need the energy to spell the magic. A cool booster seat can save the energy of a mom, allowing her be smiling and strong for all day long, as this very seat can appear and disappear in a moment and easily! It is definitely one of the best gifts for a child of one-year-old! And the mother.
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Memorable First Birthday Gifts
Memories are too important to be lost. Some people so not care about their memories properly and they disappear. We do not want such a fate for your close people and their babies! Choose a pretty and durable memory book for them to keep their thoughts and moments in safe!
First 5 Years Baby Memory Book + Clean-Touch Ink Pad + Gift Box
This book is of a great quality. You will like that it comes packaged in a nice box to be given as a gift. The book is very comprehensive unlike the other similar products. It goes with an ink pad for hand and foot prints – and it is awesome! One of the first gifts to get to a dearest person.
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2. Hand & Foot Print Frame
If you do not want the whole kit of a memorable book and the pad for hand and foot prints – you can buy only the latter. We advise you to consider the frame below and hope that you will love it the same as we did!
Adorable Baby Hand & Foot Print Frame Kit
It is really large! Twelve small pictures for each month to remember plus one section for a print of a baby’s hand of foot! Additionally, it is fully equipped with a double sided tape, clay, and a rolling pin. You name it – it is in the package.
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3. Keepsake Frame
The first years of a child go fast. The parents should make sure to capture all the important moments and pin them on a wall! A beautiful frame can deal with this task perfectly. Discover the frame that we have chosen for you.
Pearhead My First Year Monthly Photo Baby Keepsake Frame
This white widen frame is a unique and elegant gift. It will serve as a frame for the memories and a fabulous decorative element simultaneously! It is great for the first birthday, baby showers, and other events. Presenting this item, you can be certain that the parents of a child will have fun adding the baby’s pictures in this frame!
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Baby Girl First Birthday Present Ideas
1. Baby Bathing Sets
Again, we touch the importance of the bathing procedures. We have already seen a tub that eases and makes a bath less stressful and more comfortable. However, you should think over the proper direct care – the substances that “touch” the child’s skin. A bath set that contains only natural elements is the only one right variant for a little human.
Aveeno Baby Daily Bath Time Solutions Gift Set to Prevent Dry Skin
Aveeno is a great alternative to the Johnson’s Baby products that turned to be all synthetic. The natural components will keep the skin pampered, healthy, and free from red pimples, so even a delicate skin will be treated by this set perfectly – proved and recommended by pediatricians.
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One can say that using the regular towels is fine and enough. Believe us, this person did not use a hooded towel before! Or used a bad one, actually. We offer you to check one towel from a trusted brand that is famous with the quality and perfect customers’ reviews.
Hudson Baby Animal Face Hooded Towel for Girls
A little girl will be totally happy with this cute towel! Just look at this kid’s friendly design and the soft material… The customers say that it dries immediately, so even this will not take the time, if a petite lady will want to take a bath again (or will get totally dirty, playing at the backyard). In general, any parents will need a thick, large, and extremely well made towel, so it will be definitely a perfect present for the first birthday.
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Do you remember your old good days of the childhood that were filled with the tea ceremonies? If you are a woman – you certainly do, as it is the first thing that the ladies learn! It is so an engaging playing that develops the artistic skills and can involve all the family members into this. A pretty tea set will be an amazing gift for a little girl!
Plan Toy Tea Set (Solid Wood Version)
The tea set has a teapot, a sugar bowl, a milk pitcher, 2 tea cups, 2 saucers, 2 tea spoons, 2 tea bags and 2 pieces of sugar. Looks just like the real tea set for the adults! Uncompromising quality plus a thoughtful design – and voila! We get a stunning present for a lady.
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Best Toys for First Birthday
Toys are the best ways to keep a baby engaged into an educative process. The three toys below will make a little boy or girl laugh from happiness and immediately start making something fun with them! The first one is one of the most engaging and entertaining from all the toys variety on Amazon.
LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart
We have never seen something like this before. This ice cream cart is a thing of a true magic! It not only looks attractive and just stunning, it develops the sequencing skills, improves imagination, and builds memory. A child will learn how to count to ten with the ice cream cart by pressing the syrup pump or coin button. Colors, flavors, 22 ingredients, and numbers are voiced! We wish this thing would exist in our childhood…
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Our century is famous with the inventions. Keep calm – the creative minds took care of the children too and created a lot of the novelty toys. We would like to introduce one of the most interesting, due to our opinion. Howe that you will decide to set your sights on this!
VTech Care for Me Learning Carrier
The Learning Carrier has a lot of the pet accessories, plays music (100+ songs), and phrases. This would be the gift for the future, as the one-year-old kid cannot care about someone – he/she needs the proper care for himself/herself. However, who knows: the modern children are so intelligent and intellectually advanced than we were, so… Such a novelty toy can come in handy and will teach a baby how important it is – to take care of someone, and here this someone is cute as Heaven!
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A baby rattle is still a classic toy. Someone says that this thing lulls babies; someone says that not. We are still think that children need several rattles – just to make sure that a house is full of sounds and action!
Organic Wood Montessori Styled Baby Rattle by Homi Baby
Wooden toys are ones of the most trusted – they are sturdy, smell perfect, and are non-allergic. This very rattle is Montessori styled, totally organic, minimalistic, sanded, and sealed with coconut oil – for a child’s complete safety. It makes great interacting sounds, that will be produced even by the little shaking. A wonderful handmade gift from the one, who really cares.
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Presents for Three-Year-Old Girl
Great Birthday Gifts for 2 Years Old Girl
Top B-day Toys for Girls Age 9
Best Toys for Girls Age 8
Cool Birthday Gifts for 7 Years Old Boy
Unique home products and gift > October 28, 2014 By Rachel Newcombe 1 Comment
Have you come across UncommonGoods?
UncommonGoods are a US company based in Brooklyn, New York. They specialise in selling handcrafted gifts and uniquely designed products that are “created in harmony with the environment, without harm to animals or people.”
They stock a great range of products, including items for the home and garden, for dining and entertaining and gift ideas for men, women and kids. As their name suggests, you’ll find items here that you won’t necessarily see elsewhere, which is great when you’re looking for gift ideas. Most of the products are created in the USA and up to one third of their collection includes products using recycled or upcycled materials.
From our point of view, they’re a really good find as their website has ideas for the home that are unusual and unique. And at a time when we’re in particularly looking for Christmas gift ideas, it’s definitely useful to know about (click here for shopping inspiration).
Amongst the products that instantly caught our eye was the Cheese & Crackers Serving Board.
This board is fantastic and a great idea. Who serves cheese without crackers? Not us, for sure! It’s one of those snacks that instantly feels wrong without the other.
The board reflects this idea with a large ampersand (& shape) carved into it. The lines of the & are deep and designed to be used to serve crackers from. As you fill it up with crackers of all shapes and sizes, the ampersand shapes becomes more apparent. Here’s ours in action:
The board is made in Vermont from North American maple, with a teak oil finish, and it’s a good large size. There’s plenty of room around the ampersand for you to pop on your choice of cheeses, chutney, grapes or apples. It’s a good excuse to put out plenty of biscuits and, next time, we’ll be making the most of it with a varied selection of crackers.
When you bring out this board of cheese and crackers at the end of a meal, we’re sure it will be a talking point. It’s a lovely home-related gift and, given the style, design and quality of the piece, it’s well priced at £36.48.
The Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag is another of our top picks from UncommonGoods.
It’s a bit of a novelty item, in that it’s a glass object cleverly designed to mimic an open zip lock plastic bag. But there are plenty of ways you can use it too, so it’s much more than just a piece of art.
We love the idea of having this as a contemporary sweet bowl – wouldn’t it look great on a desk? Or you could serve chocolates in at Christmas, or fill it with nuts or other nibbles.
We think it looks good used on display in a living room too. Try filling it with some seasonal items, like pine cones, or a collection of brightly coloured glass marbles.
At just £12.54, it’s an ideal gift for a hard to buy for recipient (dare we say it, like some men). Fill it with their favourite sweets or chocolates, and you could be onto a winner.
If you’re concerned about ordering from a company based in the US when you’re in the UK, then you’ve nothing to worry about. In our case, our order was placed on a Friday afternoon and the parcel arrived the following Wednesday morning. Pretty speedy, we think. We were impressed by the packaging inside and out too:
…..and loved the little unusual shaped cardboard pieces that were included inside the box:
Overall, UncommonGoods is a great find. They’ve got loads of unusual and uniquely designed products for the home and have given us plenty of ideas to put on our wish list. Plus, they’re a good source for women’s and men’s present ideas too – why not have a browse of what’s available.
(UK product prices correct at time of publishing).
Best Gift Ideas UK
The home of the UK's top gift ideas
Electronics (14)
Experiences (5)
For Her (24)
Sushi & Sashimi Socks
Portable Table Tennis Set, including Table and Paddles
The Laundry Punching Bag
RIB Speed boat down the Thames Experience for 2
Amazon Print at Home Gift Card for Same Day Delivery
Sushi & Sashimi Socks
SkullCandy Hesh 2.0 Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
B&O Play H5 Wireless / Bluetooth Earphones
Britain’s Best Same Day Gift Experiences for Her
This is the ultimate same day gifts for her list.
Men – this is a page you’re going to want to bookmark. This page is what is going to get you points from your Mum, your wife, your girlfriend, your aunt, grandma or your sister every birthday, anniversary, Christmas and Valentine’s day. This is a list of the ultimate pampering experiences available to all of us in Britain. We’ve searched all over the web to compile this list, so you won’t find it anywhere else. This list has been cross checked with all the lovely ladies in my life, and each gift has been carefully scrutinised over before making it to the final cut. Best of all, most of these gifts are experience vouchers which are printable, so you can even order them for Same day delivery.
1) Pamper her with a Health Spa break for two
This package is a health spa break for two with an overnight stay. Choose a twin or double room and get unlimited access to all the spa’s facilities, including the swimming pool, sauna, steam room and other heat related treatments. Most locations also have a gym with exercise classes available as well. Each package comes with 2 beauty treatments each and includes a dinner and breakfast as well! Select your location on order, or let your loved one choose the location herself by buying the choice voucher, where she can login and select the best location. These spas are located in Edinburgh, Liphook, Tring, Henlow and Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
2) Relaxation hour massage
Treat her to a one hour massage in selected UK locations. Massages are all about de-stressing, detoxing and relaxing, and this is certainly what she will get with this voucher. Massages are all about individual needs, so each experience starts with an initial consultation to decide on which parts of the body need to be worked on to relieve any pain and anxiety. Locations include Edinburgh, Huntingdon, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Haslemere, Nottingham or Reading.
3) A delicious 6 course sharing menu for two at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, London
One of our most popular gifts, this 6 course sharing menu for two is bound to make her super happy, especially if it involves a trip down to London! You’ll each be given a glass of bubbly on arrival before you begin your incredibly tasty six course meal. And if you’re not too full to move afterwards, the package also includes a tour around the Fifteen kitchen, where you get to watch all the chefs in action. A steal for just £150, and she’s bound to love it.
4) Give her the royal treatment at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir
While this experience certainly isn’t the cheapest, we can pretty much guarantee this is going to be a good time. This package includes a six course menu at the two Michelin starred restaurant, where you can then retreat to an overnight stay in a Junior Suite. Wake up to a provided full English breakfast and relax in the grounds with plenty to see: a two acre veggie and herb garden, an English water garden with natural springs as well as a Japanese tea garden. Before you go, you’ll also be given a copy of Raymond’s cookery book, ‘Foolproof French Cookery’.
5) A weekend spa package for two at the Mayfair Hotel
What could be better than an overnight stay at the Mayfair? How about a luxury spa package to go along with that? This package allows you access to the spa at the hotel, including the relaxation room, aroma steam room, the herbal sauna and heated loungers. And to top it off, you get a 60 minute treatment as well – choose from a range of facial treatments, body treatments, manicures, pedicures or a deeply relaxing massage. Sleep off your incredibly tough day in a luxurious bedroom and wake up to a full English breakfast, served in your room or in the restaurant.
6) A five course lunch with Champagne at Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus
If she’s more of a Gordon fan than a Jamie fan, this is the experience for you. This voucher will take you both, for just £149, to Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus. Enjoy a 5 course lunch, accompanied by champagne in the heart of London. This is the perfect anniversary gift and will be memory that is bound to be cherished for a long, long time.
7) Dinner Cruise on the Thames for two
Having lived in London for five years now and never having actually been on a cruise down the Thames, this is still one of my dreams to fulfil. Step onto the boat and enjoy the glass roof while you sail past historical monuments such as Big Ben, the House of Parliament and the London Eye. You’ll both be treated to a freshly prepared menu, and once dinner is done you can walk around the boat and have a drink at the stern watching the city lights.
8) A delicious meal followed by a magical theatre night in the West End
Treat yourselves to a wonderful night out in London, starting with a fantastic two course dinner at a range of restaurants, then walk over to collect your top price tickets and experience London’s West End up close and personal. Theatre tickets include We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Woman in Black, Wicked or the Phantom of the Opera. Meals are booked for 6pm, with shows generally starting between 7:30 – 8:00 pm and finishing around 10pm.
9) A hot air ballooning experience for two
For a more daring day of relaxation, how about a beautiful hot air balloon ride where she can soar up in the sky and look down at the world below her? This package can be taken at over 100 different launch sites in the UK, so take your pick on what view you’d like to experience best! The day starts off with a safety session with the instructor. Once you’ve done this you can place yourselves into the basket and soar up 3000 feet in the air. Watch beautiful rolling hills and countryside beneath you as you gently glide through the sky. A celebratory glass of champagne will be given to you when you land, and you’ll get a certificate of completion as well for this momentous event.
10) A boutique Escape for two, available in over 60 locations around Britain
This package is a best seller, and allows her to escape and enjoy a beautiful boutique hotel for the night. Choose from over 60 different locations, from the Lake District to Scotland, from Cornwall to Wales. A free upgrade on the room is granted on arrival (subject to availability).
So that concludes our list of same day gifts for her, let us know what you think about this list and share it with all your friends to ensure no one is ever in the dog house again for leaving an important date to the last minute!
Click here for a complete list of same day gift retailers in the UK
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An interview with the owners of Same Day Gifts London
With yet another holiday coming up, we recently came across some data for a survey our friends at www. samedaygiftslondon. com provided. Turns out over 50% of people have forgotten a present at one point or another, and over 30% forget presents repeatedly! So today, let’s find out more about same day gift delivery in the UK.
There are quite a few retailers who can deliver your gift on the same day, but it can depend on where you’re sending your gift. In London, there are a couple more retailers than in the rest of the UK, so make sure you check them all out
The guys at Same Day Gifts London have set up an entire site dedicated to helping out those who need it the most. Whether you’ve forgotten an anniversary, someone’s birthday, or if you only found out today your wife has gotten that hard earned promotion, you can still find someone to deliver a celebratory gift for the occasion.
With a great collection of loads of retailers, you can find a gift to be delivered last minute just about everywhere in the UK. And if it’s simply too late in the day for delivery, there are also a few retailers who allow you to print out or email gift certificates, or experience days.
Same day gift delivery UK is actually far more common than you would think, with just over 10 retailers who can actually deliver your gift the same day you order it online. You can choose from retailers such as Amazon, who can email you a Kindle or Amazon gift certificate, to Interflora who can deliver your flowers same day as long as you order before 3PM. Other retailers include the likes of Red Letter Days, who sell a gigantic range of experience days that guarantee lifetime memories, such as a river cruise on the Thames, spa packages, or even 2 night romantic hotel stays in just about any location in the UK.
Also provided are last minute gift ideas for occasions that invoke mass forgetfulness, such as Valentine’s Day, Mothering Sunday, Easter, Father’s Day and Christmas. Retailers delivering on the day are listed, with their last order time shown.
Another thing they provide is information on retailers who can provide next day gift delivery, which opens up the spectrum to loads more retailers such as John Lewis, Crabtree and Evelyn, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Currys and more.
We caught up with the founder of Same Day Gifts London:
So what made you start this website?
“Well, it was back in 2009 and I was trying to find a gift to be delivered on the same day. My partner had just gotten a promotion at work and I wanted to send her a gift to celebrate. I went online to search, but found myself looking through loads of different sites – of both the useful and unuseful variety – and their delivery policies, just to figure out if they could deliver on time. And once I had found a present that I liked, I realised that the delivery cut off time had already passed. I thought that I couldn’t be the only person trying to solve a time sensitive issue like this one, so I decided to set up Same Day Gifts.”
Your site is called Same Day Gifts London, but you also list retailers who can deliver UK wide, is that right?
“Well yes. I started off making the site dedicated to just Londoners, but realised that a lot of companies actually delivered UK wide as well. This led me to add a whole new range of retailers and help a lot more people throughout the UK. There are some retailers however, such as Firebox and Treatme, who can only deliver in London same day. The majority however, do have UK wide delivery.”
Do you believe the popularity of same day gifts is increasing?
“Most definitely. As more and more of us Britons shop online, the higher our expectations become. We used to be happy paying for delivery, but now we expect it to be free. Just as we used to be happy waiting a few days for a gift to be delivered, whereas now, plenty of retailers offer a same day or next day gift delivery solution, often at no extra charge. Our lifestyles now are dominated by work and lifestyle pressure, which often means we end up leaving things until the last minute, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as we have the means to complete those last minute demands.”
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Britain’s Best Extreme Gifts & Experience Days
If you’re looking for something that breaks the mould and throws in a huge jug of adrenaline, this list of extreme gifts is for you. Forget socks, cuff-links or jewellery – this list is far more fun!
Bask in these adrenaline filled gifts:
1) Chopper Ride over Central London –
Ever thought you’d see London by helicopter? Now you can. This incredible journey lasts for an hour, which is split into a 30 minute preparation and safety session, and 30 minutes in the helicopter soaring above the London skyline. Your Captain will give you a full commentary on what is below you at all times, keeping you well informed (and safe) for the duration. Trips are available year round, just make sure you choose a clear day! This is priced per person, so if you’d like to go along too, don’t forget to get yourself one as a present for being kind!
2) Tandem Bungee Jump Gift Experience
If you’ve always wanted to try bungee jumping but haven’t quite had the courage to do it on your own, why not get someone a tandem bungee jump as a gift (and obviously take you as their partner!). This tandem experience starts with a safety induction session before you hurl yourself off a ledge with a loved one. You’re then treated to half a bottle of bubbly to celebrate still being alive afterwards, and even get a certificate to prove it to others. Available in multiple locations, including Bristol, Windsor, Huntingdon, Belfast, Salford, Braehead and Kingsbury.
3) Wakeboarding or Waterskiing Adventure – £80 – £135
Starting with an on-shore lesson at the Marina, you’ll be shown how to look super cool on water before you get taken off to prove your learning ability. The £80 session lasts for 2 hours, while the £135 lasts for 3 hours. Guests and spectators are welcome, but this package is just for one, so if you’d like to go as well, make sure you purchase an additional voucher. This offer is available only in Devon, between April and October.
4) Jetskiing Experience for Two – £150
Tour the beautiful Poole Harbour in Bournemouth by the best vehicle ever – the jetski. Speed away with the Jurassic Coastline on one side and your friend desperately clinging on to the other. This jetski experience is for two people aboard one jetski. All equipment, including wetsuits and safety gear is provided (minus a towel and swimwear). The voucher lasts for ten months, so pick it up now and prepare for your next roadtrip to Bournemouth as fast as today.
5) Jet-Lev Experience at London Docklands or Northampton – £120
When it comes to cool activities, nothing quite beats the Jet-Lev. The JetLev picks you up and launches you up into the air at 50 mph up to 45 feet up, so you’re guaranteed to get a massive adrenaline rush with this one. Before you start you get a full briefing on safety and how to operate the machine, before you get wrapped up into a provided wetsuit and tossed into the water where you’ll prepare for lift off. This is an ultimate Instagramming experience and will guarantee you more than 10 likes on Facebook, so make sure your recipient has someone around for picture taking. This experience is available from April – October at London Docklands or Northampton, vouchers valid for 10 months.
6) Tandem Skydiving Experience – £299
If tandem bungee jumping doesn’t raise enough adrenaline for you, how about a tandem skydiving experience? This extreme gift starts with a training session, where you get shown the ropes (literally) and taught things like how not to scream for the entire duration. After you feel comfortable, you’ll be securely attached to a very qualified instructor who will hurl you out of the plane with them, and pull the parachute cord at the right time (roughly about 30 seconds after you leap out the plane). You’ll be jumping from 10,000 feet up in the air, so once the parachute is up you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery as you slowly glide back down to the world below you. Available in Peterborough, Brigg, Beccles and Swansea.
7) Zombie Apocalypse Gift Experience – £198
If your friend is the kind of person that shouts out all the things people should be doing when watching things like The Walking Dead, why not treat them to a real life zombie apocalypse experience? This gift will outdo any other. When your recipient arrives, they’ll be given a safety induction before being handed a BB gun and plenty of ammo. Once armed and loaded, they’ll be introduced to their team mates and meet the opposing team (roughly 45 people in total). After a bit of friendly banter, the teams are separated and missions are put into place. The whole thing lasts for around 3 hours but is an incredible experience and one that is sure to be remembered. Available in Milton Keynes.
8) Medieval Jousting Experience Day – £199
If your friend is sick of waiting for the next season or book of Game of Thrones, this is the perfect gift to relieve them of their hard wait. This insane day lasts for around 6 and a half hours, where you’re given a riding assessment, a weapons overview and a whole host of activities and challenges to get through. This is available to people of reasonable fitness only, and novice horse riders are welcome. Available from April – October in Warwick, and vouchers are valid for 10 months from the purchase date.
9) Tank Paintballing – £96
You’ve heard of paintballing – but have you heard of paintballing in a TANK? Starting the day off with a safety induction, you’ll then be put into some sexy combat gear and shown your team (generally of 3). Each person gets a turn driving the tank, both at the top of the tank and through the periscope, and get practice shooting with a 40mm cannon. The day ends with a full on battle where each team takes on the others in the ultimate tank paintball war. This amazing experience is available in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.
10) Segway Rallying
If you’ve gotten through this list thinking everything is just that little bit too extreme – why not try out a family friendly Segway gift experience? Experiences start from £19 for one or £39 for two at 14 different locations throughout Britain. You’ll be given ample safety gear before you take your segways offroad to start racing around circuits specially made for the experience. Time on the Segway is normally around an hour.
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The 8 most beautiful Autumnal Flower Bouquets this season!
As the days grow shorter and we look closer and closer to Christmas, there are a few things we can do to cheer up the house before the Christmas decorations go up. One of my favourite ways to decorate is by using flowers, and what better than a nice vase or bouquet of Autumnal flowers to complement your living room? Today I looked through hundreds and hundreds of flower bouquets online, and found the prettiest and most interesting ones I could find to show you all here. These flowers work fantastically as an addition to your own household, as well as the perfect way to brighten up somebody else’s.
1. Traditionally autumnal, large and majestic
Traditional and captivating, this stunning long cylinder glass vase becomes home to an explosion of autumnal colours. The arrangement comes with a huge amount of orange Asiatic Lilies which are paired with a few peach and white Gerberas. Perfect for the middle of your dining table, or on the kitchen counter. The vase itself is so grand that Interflora decided it needed to come with a bottle of Champagne as well, to celebrate.
2. Gloriously British, tall and proud
One of my most favourite flowers are gladioli. They begin to bloom in July and stay blooming until it begins to frost, so they serve as a wonderful reminder of the summer that still lingers in our thoughts. This particular bouquet is also made with exclusively British flowers, which not only gives a great sense of patriotism to your household but also allows you to enjoy the flowers in the knowledge that British flowers have the smallest carbon footprint, as they don’t have to travel as far to get to you. This hand tied bouquet comes with 20 mixed colours of Gladioli, 6 pink British Oriental Lilies and some white Gypsophila to finish the look off. A vase can be bought for an extra £10.99, or save yourself the hassle by putting it into the vase yourself.
3. A modern and tropical Autumnal flower arrangement
If holding onto the summer as best you can is your aim, then take joy in these beautiful tropical flowers that put a contemporary twist onto Autumnal styling and décor. Featuring the wonderful Birds of Paradise – also known as Strelitzia, the crab claw like Heliconia, Ginger Lilies and Pin Cushion Proteas, this hand tied bouquet will transform your living room into a tropical paradise. A bonus for buying tropical flowers is that they last much longer once they have been cut, and can sometimes last up and over two weeks, depending on how fresh they are on arrival. A vase is available on purchase for an additional £10.99.
4. A compact hand tie of Autumnal Tropicals
To get that autumnal tropical feel, without the grandness of the previous flowers, how about a more compact version that sit perfectly on a kitchen counter? This compact bouquet comes with three gorgeous Ginger Lilies and two stunning red and orange Heliconia. Who knew Autumn could be so tropical?
5. Potted Autumnal Arrangement with gold tinted Roses
This cute potted Autumnal Arrangement is perfect as a gift, whether it’s to celebrate a birthday or a new job, or simply as a thank you. The arrangement is filled with the beautiful richness of golds, oranges, greens, reds and yellows that are associated with the season, and feature orange Gerberas, gold tinted Roses, red Asiatic Lilies, spray chrysanthemum and finished with gold solidago, steel grass, red oak leaves and salal. The pot itself is square but curved on the edges, and is decorated with a red ribbon featuring a dangling heart (which of course can be requested for removal if you aren’t THAT fond of the recipient and don’t want them to get the wrong idea!).
6. Summer nostalgia with Sunflowers
Again, part of Autumn is holding onto those last moments of the summer while waiting for Christmas to arrive, and what better way to do that than this cheerful Sunflower hand-tied bouquet? Featuring five sunflowers, four white pink roses, four pink roses and finished off with Solidago, Eucalyptus and Cinera to bring a bit of Autumn into the summer flowers. An additional vase is £11.99, or pop it into a short vase at home.
7. Tropical Oranges and Reds, with majestic Tropical leaves
This gorgeous tropical hand-tied bouquet features a stunning array of tropical foliage, which really brings out the tropical feel of the flowers. This features two Heliconias, four Ginger Lilies and two ‘Pig Faces’ – also known strangely enough as ‘Nipple Fruit’ and ‘Tit Plant’ due to it’s rare appearance. The ‘Pig face’ is actually an unusual bright yellow fruit, which is often used in Chinese New Year decorations, with a lemon-like appearance. Despite the strange name, the fruit gives a wonderful feel to the whole hand-tied and is bound to create curiosity as people admire the flowers.
8. The decent into Winter
This wonderful hand-tied bouquet to me, signifies the surrender to Winter’s approach, featuring white’s and purple with the last hints of orange and yellow pushing their way through. The bouquet has two beautiful yellow Freesias, two pale yellow Carnations, four orange Roses, three pink spray Roses, four blue Lisianthus and 3 white Dutch roses, with salal foliage. What better way to open up into December.
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Our Top 10 Best Housewarming Gifts & Ideas!
I once got a salt and pepper shaker as a housewarming present. I had to feign my surprise and act as if it was a great idea, when in reality, I hated it. Awkward. Awkward for both me and the person giving me the gift. So to keep yourself out of these horrible situations, take a look at our list below. Make sure you take note of what your friends already have: if they’re moving into their first student home, it’s unlikely they’ll have any kitchenware – or anything else for that matter. But if they’re moving from an existing house into a new one, find out how much space they have, or what they need. Make your gift worthwhile by checking out our list of best housewarming gifts and ideas.
Before we begin, let me say that this list is aimed at those aged around 18- 35.
The mystical Umbra Conceal Bookshelf – £10.50
This awesome bookshelf is great for people that are into fantasy, magic or simply entertaining things. A firm fixture can be placed onto the wall and then designed to be concealed by the bottom book, making it look like the books are floating. This gives a great atmospheric touch to a living room or study and will undoubtedly send all guests into a state of amazement and wonder as they try to figure out how the books float. Each shelf can hold around six books, or for exact stats – 6.8kg and up to 41cm max height. At £10.50, it’s a bargain, so get a few for your buddy to enjoy!
A do it yourself Cubic Clock – £42
How about this multi coloured cubic clock? Last time I checked, pretty much everyone has a rather standard and boring clock in their house. And if you have friends like mine, the battery probably doesn’t work either! Make your friends proud of their clock by giving them this very cool DIY clock. It comes with 13 coloured blocks which can be placed in whatever shape or form you please, so there’s no way they won’t enjoy their own masterpiece.
The original UNT mug – £9.99*
Check out the UNT mug right here
Nothing says “I love you” more than this UNT mug with a C shaped handle. Especially perfect for a current housemate that is moving out to live with their significant other, or is simply ditching you for greener grass. Made from high quality glazed ceramic, you can be sure your friend will enjoy this mug for years to come. Also features the same lettering on the back, so it works for left handers too. What could be better?
* Please accept our apologies if this offends you!
A London Skyline Wall Sticker – £31
If you’re not into offending your friends, how about a wall sticker of the London Skyline? This sticker measures 130 cm x 35 cm and is made from micron matte vinyl. It doesn’t ruin the wall either, as it can be easily removed without removing the paint underneath by using a hairdryer or simply peeling it off. This wall sticker comes in a range of colours: black, white, grey, silver, red, dark red, orange, pink, blue and green, so you can get it to match just about any colour of paint! You can buy this at Red Candy, who also stock a range of other skylines and other designs, if London isn’t the place to be.
Umbra Photo Art Display – £67
My cousin and his wife had a baby almost two years ago, and post photos constantly on Facebook of his development: him playing, him smiling, him climbing up slides. I’ve looked through hundreds of pictures of my little nephew for the past year. So last Christmas, I decided to print out a few pictures of him I took from Facebook and put them into a frame. They were so incredibly happy, and absolutely loved it. They told me that despite having so many digital pictures of him, they hadn’t ever had any printed. That’s one of the problems of living in this digital world: a lot of our kids won’t have the same experience of flicking through photobooks of childhood photos. So why not get a few printed online (you can do this at Photobox, who have great offers on all the time). Get a frame as well and give your friend(s) one of the most personal gifts you can. And as long as you don’t choose ugly photos of them, they’ll be pleased, we promise!
Yale DiGital Door Viewer – Records for Security – £159.99
If your friends are moving somewhere a little dodgy, or are just the jumpy type in general, why not get them one of these bad boys by our trusty locksmith friends at Yale. The Yale Digital Recording Door Viewer lets you see who’s waiting at your door. All visitors show up on the 3.5″ screen, and the device records everything that goes on on it’s included 512mb Micro SD card. The connected camera has an infra-red camera, so it works even at night. Never again will they have to get scared about who’s ringing the doorbell as they watch a scary movie!
The Molecular Gastronomy Starter Kit – £49.99
If your friend is a budding Heston, or someone who always wants to watch Masterchef, this is the perfect gift for them. This kit is the ultimate starter kit for the beginner molecular chef, and the best part is, you can make them try out the recipes on you! It comes with a DVD that includes 50 step-by-step recipes, including chocolate spaghetti, tzatziki spheres, mint caviar beads and luxurious lemon foam. Also included in the kit are 50 sachets of 5 types of food additives, 5 pipettes, a slotted spoon, a set of measuring spoons, a food grade syringe and 3 silicone tubes. This is the perfect alternative to traditional recipe books!
An incredible Ice Cream Ball – £24.99
Before you say it – no, it isn’t a hamster ball. It’s much more delicious – it’s an ice cream ball! Yes ladies and gentlemen, you have heard right. This awesome ice cream ball requires absolutely no electricity to create your own flavours of ice cream. The ice cream is formed simply by rolling, shaking or throwing the ball around. All you need to do is put your ice cream ingredients into one end of the ball, and pop a load of ice and rock salt into the other end – don’t worry – the rock salt never actually goes into the ice cream, it simply plays a part in the thermodynamic reaction! How Breaking Bad of you! This means the lovely Ice Cream Ball is perfect for picnics. It’ll make 1 pint of ice cream in about 20 minutes: not too bad eh? Just make sure you never actually kick or drop the ball, as this will hurt it.
Red Rubber Washing Up Bowl – £54
Have you ever known someone with a stylish washing up bowl? We certainly haven’t. And while we can’t guarantee it’ll make dishes fun, it’ll certainly add a load of style to the process. This beauty was designed by Normann Copenhagen and is made from rubber, which allows you to mould its shape to fit awkward or oversized items and allow them to soak properly. It also comes with the rather stylish wooden brush made with natural bristles. This washing up bowl comes in a range of colours: red, purple, grey, green, blue or black. It also comes with 100% positive reviews: not bad for a washing up bowl!
Veuve Clicquot Brut NV – £45 (or buy 6 and save £60)
And last but not least – a bottle of champagne. You can’t have a proper housewarming without! This bottle is our favourite - reasonably priced and delicious. It came third in the Decanter World Wine Awards and won Silver in the International Wine Challenge – says a lot! Veuve Clicquot age their non-vintage champagne for almost twice the required time, which is what gives it it’s incredible taste.
And there you have it – a list of excellent housewarming gifts, or at least some ideas for you to work with! If you think we’ve missed something out, or want to ask us any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
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Top Same Day Gift Retailers in the UK – Updated Dec 2018
This list is of our favourite same day gift retailers in the UK. If you’re looking for something with next day delivery, check out our other blog post – there is a lot more selection if you have an extra day!
After searching high and low on the internet one day (I had forgotten to get my mum’s present) I realised that no where had a list of all the retailers who could deliver on the same day. I had to search through loads of pages and double check their delivery policies before realising that same day delivery wasn’t an option. So I’ve compiled this list for everyone like me who needs a helping hand at the last minute.
Here’s my top picks for retailers who can deliver same day, UK wide. Each one of these brands has been tested by our team here at BestGiftIdeas. co. uk and handpicked for this selection (we have been indulging in some rather fantastic treats!). If you find any issues with any of these retailers, please feel free to leave comments below to help out others searching for the same thing.
1) Interflora
Interflora is perhaps the UK’s best known florist, and has a superb selection of flowers, plants, balloons and alcohol. The Interflora website works by creating a florist ‘database’ of flower bouquets, which is then sent to a huge range of local florists who are affiliated with Interflora. The order you place online will then be transferred to the nearest local Interflora florist, who can replicate the design shown on the website that you have picked.
Delivery information: Interflora delivers same day Monday to Saturday, as long as your order is placed before 3PM. There is a charge of £6.99 and above for delivery.
2) Red Letter Days
Owned by Dragons Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones, Red Letter Days offers a fantastic range of experiences for loved ones, which often makes for a rather interesting present. From zorbing to walks under the London tombs, to massages, holiday get-aways and more, there is absolutely something for everyone at this online store. The beauty of this particular retailer is within the delivery: all items can be bought online – and as they are experiences, all you need to do is print out their beautiful gift experience certificate to give to your loved one. And if you’re worried that the gift you’re buying won’t be appreciated, your gift recipient can log in online and enter the voucher code, where they will be taken to the website to view all the other gift experiences available – with the prices hidden! They’ll never see how much you spent.
Delivery information: Simply print out your gift certificate, or email it to your gift recipient any time of the week.
3) Arena Flowers
Arena Flowers is an independent florist based out of London, and have one of the most beautiful selections of flower bouquets available. They’re new, they’re flashy and they’re also very cool. With a a selection of products available for same day delivery both inside and outside of London, you’re bound to find the perfect floral bouquet, whether it’s for a man or a woman. A vase can be easily added to the purchase if you’re not sure if the recipient has one that fits or if you are sending the flowers to somewhere away from home. If you can deal with next day delivery, then you’ll get to choose from a range of a many many more as well!
Delivery Information: Arena Flowers delivers same day Mon-Fri if you order by 2pm. They have recently launched Saturday but you may want to double check if delivery can take place.
Browse the Arena Flowers range here
4) Amazon
Oh yes, Amazon finally delivers on the same day! You can get things delivered under ‘Evening Delivery’, which costs £14.99 per delivery, or £7.48 if you’re a member of Amazon Prime. Awesome. But deliveries are only available to postcodes that are within areas within the M25 in London, as well as select postcodes in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol and Cardiff. For a full list of eligible post codes click here.
Delivery information: The gifts will arrive between 18:00 and 22:00 Monday to Friday and between 16:00 and 20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Deliveries require a signature, otherwise they will be redelivered on another day.
5) iFlorist
Yes, we have listed another florist, but only because this one is particularly good. Their designs of flowers are much more modern than both Interflora and Flowers Direct and particularly suit the younger generation – though of course they do have a healthy supply of more traditional designs. iFlorist have a great customer service team, with live chat available if you have any questions on their products, and usually have a great selection of discounted flowers. Each design comes in a range of sizes, so if you think you like a bouquet but it could do with bulking up, this can be done easily with a click. iFlorist also offers a satisfaction guarantee, so make sure you utilise it!
Delivery information: iFlorist delivers same day UK wide, as long as your order is placed before 3PM online.
6) Currys
Did you know Currys is another store that can deliver on the same day? To be fair you do have to either live within London or selected postcodes, but you can order everything except for large appliances (like fridges, dishwashers, TV’s over 39″ etc). That means you can get some really cool gifts like a DSLR or point and shoot camera delivered on the same day, sat navs, speakers and even sim free mobile phones! Currys same day service is absolutely perfect for gifts for those you hold nearest and dearest – even if you did temporarily forget to get it!
Delivery information: For just £9.99, a ll postcodes within Greater London, including Luton and Stevenage are eligible as long as you order by 9:30AM GMT. It’s an early cut off but a good trade off! Next day delivery is also available if you don’t make it by 9:30AM. Find out more about delivery here
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The ultimate guide to flower giving
This guide will tell you which flowers to send for which occasion.
Which flowers to send?
If you’re not a flower person, knowing which flowers to send can sometimes be a bit tricky. Do you go with a bouquet that has roses in, even if the person you are sending them to isn’t a romantic interest? With all the different flowers available, and with each one having a different meaning, it can be a bit tough making your mind up on an arrangement.
Editors pick (pictured): Avalanche roses and purple lisianthus from Arena Flowers, from £47.99
Friendly, congratulatory flowers: So, your friend’s just celebrated a birthday. Or gotten a promotion. Or engaged. Or married. Or even had a baby. Here’s your chance to send a balloon or congratulatory baby toy alongside your flowers. Here, you want to really go with a bright and colourful flower arrangement or bouquet. Yellows, oranges and whites really highlight happiness and can be a perfect mood accompaniment to your buddy’s great day and will keep them cheerful for days to come. Think tulips, sunflowers, yellow or orange lilies, orange roses, gerberas or even sunflowers if the season is right. Gladioli are a fantastic choice in the summer, where they are high in season and rather affordable. These aren’t available so much in the winter, so try out some happy lilies or amarylis’s. Plants are also a great choice for a congratulatory gift: check out Arena Plants or Interflora have a great plant range as well.
Editors pick (pictured): A fantastically autumnal arrangement of smiling gerberas, warm roses and lilies. Vase included from Interflora for just £29.99.
If you’re not part of the family, then typically a white arrangement is perfectly suitable, alongside a card with a simple and short message to express your sympathy. Lilies or white roses adorned with ivy or similar are usually the flowers of choice for sad occasions. It is highly advisable to send flowers that are either in a basket or vase already, as these require little thought or looking after by the family in need.
Editor’s pick (pictured): A tall vase of beautiful white lilies from Interflora for £74.99
We hope this guide has given you a bit more insight into which flowers to send for what occasion. Feel free to leave any comments with any questions and we will get back to you for answers!
Unexpected Gift >Nov 21, 2014
By Shoko Wanger
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There are certain holiday gifts whose reputations precede them. Sweaters knitted (albeit lovingly) with images of candy canes and reindeer have inspired an entire sub-genre of Christmas party. Children are taught from babyhood to fear the dreaded lump of coal. Fruitcakes are the butt of many a holiday joke…although it’s questionable whether most have tasted — or even seen — one in real life.
You, dear gift-giver, can do better than that. And you can also do much better than the merely ho-hum — if not outright maligned — gifts that seem to find their way into last-minute shopping carts year after year. To help you avoid the snare of the same-old, we’re sharing our favorite creative gift ideas on Etsy, from 3D-printed cookie cutters and tongue-in-cheek coloring books to herb-infused bath oils and an oven mitt with attitude. We dare anyone on the receiving end of these one-of-a-kind finds not to smile.
Teddy bears are So mainstream. This knitted meerkat (accompanied by a tiny foldable keyboard) is sure to be a hit with music makers of any size.
An ampersand cookie cutter in classic Helvetica makes a sweet gift for a typography-obsessed pal.
When you draw the office comedian’s name in the company gift exchange, turn to this, ahem, cheeky mug.
Who wouldn’t love the softest merino-and-cashmere goose for company in the cold?
Introduce a little one to the glories of ’90s pop — or appease the friend who never stops reliving the decade — with a star-studded coloring book celebrating everyone from Aaliyah to Alanis.
This faceted felt pillow is a cut above the standard squares. The design-blog fanatic in your life will swoon.
Reward your favorite wordsmith with custom candy letter tiles, made from pure vanilla and organic dark chocolate. (You can even eat the racks!)
Dolly devotees can let their love shine bright (for up to ten hours, at least) with this portrait-adorned votive.
For those who’ve earned a pat on the back (or a perpetual hug), a hand-printed scarf embellished with a smattering of stars.
This all-natural bath oil blends rosemary, thyme, spearmint, and almond oils for a tub-side indulgence that’s as beautiful as it is beneficial.
Different moons for different moods: this celestial set boasts not two, but four sterling-silver phases.
This little cube of chocolate-on-a-stick melts in hot milk to yield a warming winter treat.
Shakers are fine for ordinary salt, but foodie friends will want to serve the good stuff — be it Sriracha-spiked or Himalayan pink — in a snazzier dish, like this quirky porcelain one, which comes with a hand-hewn spoon.
Word on the street is that chefs are the new rock stars. Prove it with a screen-printed oven mitt that brings a dash of devil-may-care attitude to day-to-day dining.
“After 8 months of saving oddly shaped Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, I was finally able to create this unique piece of art,” writes shop owner Andy Huot, whose cheese curl take on the evolution of man will impress weird-art fans and open-minded anthropologists alike.
For the friend who always has her nose in a book, here’s a candle scented like a room full of them.
Shoko Wanger is a writer living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She is the author of the blog Sho & Tell, which features a mix of quirky art, thoughtful writing, and a carefully-curated assortment of unique Internet finds. She loves books, cheese, and her friends; has an incurable case of wanderlust; and hopes to one day live in a treehouse.
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