The holidays are the time of year to share your love and appreciation to the most important people in your life. For many, that includes those people who provide support and services throughout the year. From your favorite babysitter, housekeeper or the hair stylist who always gets your cut just the way you like it, a tip - enclosed in an envelope with a handwritten note - is sure to be appreciated.
But how do you know how much to tip?
Holiday tips will vary according to your means, the city in which you live and the type of relationship that you have with the person being tipped. That being said, here are some general guidelines for a few of the outstanding individuals who might be on your list:
* Newspaper person: $15-$25 for daily, $5-$15 for weekend
* Doorman: $25-$100
* Building Custodian: $20-$30
* Building Superintendent: $30-$100 depending on building
* Housekeeper: A week's pay or more
* Babysitter: Two nights pay, or a small gift
* Hair stylist: The cost of a session, plus a small gift
* Personal Trainer: $50
* Parking Attendants: A half-month's garage rate divided among attendants; or $10-$20 per person
If giving cash doesn't feel quite right, is too formal, or policy prohibits it, why not give a small gift? Of course, the challenge of finding a gift for someone you might just know professionally or see only occasionally is you might not know what one item they would appreciate most.
Gift certificates are a versatile and personal way to show your thanks. And while the USPS does have a policy against monetary gifts to postal carriers, nobody said that you can't put a gift certificate in the mailbox. But how do you decide from which store to buy their certificate?
Imagine giving a gift certificate where your recipient can choose the store! GiftCertificates.com offers a SuperCertificate® that lets the person receiving your gift pick from over 200 top stores, restaurants, spas, jewelers and more. It's the gift that's always appreciated because it also gives the gift of choice.
Other people who might enjoy a SuperCertificate® include:
* Teachers
* School Crossing Guard
* Mail carrier (USPS Policy: "Cash equivalent can't exceed $20")
* Co-workers
* Your Administrative Assistant
By giving the gift of choice, you can make the holidays shine bright for someone special with your goodwill. Those who work so hard all year to make you smile are sure to appreciate and remember your generosity.
Showing posts with label presents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label presents. Show all posts
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Gift baskets for those special occasions
While gift baskets can be a great way to give presents, they lose some of their charm if you overuse them. However, there are many other basket-like containers that you can use instead, to save the baskets for the really special occasions.
For wine, you can put the wine in a special wine bag, decorated with wine patterns and sealed at the top, although this has the disadvantage of instantly giving away what your present is (although you could always surprise the person by putting some other nice drink in a wine bag!). Wine can also be given in a special presentation box or case, and many expensive ones come with one for this purpose, as do sets of 12 bottles.
Chocolates can be very well presented in a chocolate box, wrapped in wrapping paper with a bow delicately tied on the top – gold wrapping is lovely on chocolates, because of the way it complements the browns. If you are buying chocolate from a confectioner’s, you may be able to get them to wrap it this way for you.
Although it can seem a little clichéd, flowers often work much better in a bouquet than they do in a basket, for the simple reason that a bouquet of flowers can be easily transferred to a vase and kept for longer. Bouquets of flowers also tend to be easier to find than baskets, so you will a wider selection of different kinds of flowers to choose from.
None of this is intended to put you off giving gift baskets – but it’s best to save them for a really special occasion, like moving home, getting a promotion, Easter or birthdays. Good baskets don’t come cheap, and when you do get one, you want to be able to go all-out, not do things in half measures.
For wine, you can put the wine in a special wine bag, decorated with wine patterns and sealed at the top, although this has the disadvantage of instantly giving away what your present is (although you could always surprise the person by putting some other nice drink in a wine bag!). Wine can also be given in a special presentation box or case, and many expensive ones come with one for this purpose, as do sets of 12 bottles.
Chocolates can be very well presented in a chocolate box, wrapped in wrapping paper with a bow delicately tied on the top – gold wrapping is lovely on chocolates, because of the way it complements the browns. If you are buying chocolate from a confectioner’s, you may be able to get them to wrap it this way for you.
Although it can seem a little clichéd, flowers often work much better in a bouquet than they do in a basket, for the simple reason that a bouquet of flowers can be easily transferred to a vase and kept for longer. Bouquets of flowers also tend to be easier to find than baskets, so you will a wider selection of different kinds of flowers to choose from.
None of this is intended to put you off giving gift baskets – but it’s best to save them for a really special occasion, like moving home, getting a promotion, Easter or birthdays. Good baskets don’t come cheap, and when you do get one, you want to be able to go all-out, not do things in half measures.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Gift Ideas: Interior Décor Presents
Choosing a gift for someone to display in their home can be frustrating. On the other hand, if you're shopping for a friend or family member, you can give a present that will be appreciated.
When to Not Give Home Décor Presents
If you've never been to your friend's home, I would definitely not give a household item unless it's for a recent bride with a gift registry. Even if you're gift shopping with your friend and she points out a darling framed picture or frilly pillow, that doesn't mean the item will fit in her personal interior décor.
Perhaps you know your friend collects figurines like I do. Because of my last name, I started collecting fish years ago. However, I collect tiny glass antique fish, about one inch tall. The large wooden fish my mother gave me just doesn't fit my interior décor.
How to Give Home Décor Presents
If you have been to your friend's home and know she needs to complete her home decorating with accessories, here are some gift ideas:
1. Double check your friend's color scheme. Your gift doesn't have to match perfectly to blend in.
2. Make sure her home isn't too crowded with many small decorating items. Many small accessories make a home feel cluttered.
3. Make something yourself that has meaning to you both. For instance, make a stained glass icon to reflect light in her bathroom window.
4. Find an old snapshot of you two from the past. Get the picture touched up professionally and frame it in a frame that blends in with her home decorations.
5. Give your friend a huge candle dressed up with pearls, sequins, or seashells with a base that matches her style. For instance, if she loves silver, crystal, ceramics, or brass, choose that material.
If you give thought to your gift with these interior decorating tips, you will make your friend happy.
Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher.
When to Not Give Home Décor Presents
If you've never been to your friend's home, I would definitely not give a household item unless it's for a recent bride with a gift registry. Even if you're gift shopping with your friend and she points out a darling framed picture or frilly pillow, that doesn't mean the item will fit in her personal interior décor.
Perhaps you know your friend collects figurines like I do. Because of my last name, I started collecting fish years ago. However, I collect tiny glass antique fish, about one inch tall. The large wooden fish my mother gave me just doesn't fit my interior décor.
How to Give Home Décor Presents
If you have been to your friend's home and know she needs to complete her home decorating with accessories, here are some gift ideas:
1. Double check your friend's color scheme. Your gift doesn't have to match perfectly to blend in.
2. Make sure her home isn't too crowded with many small decorating items. Many small accessories make a home feel cluttered.
3. Make something yourself that has meaning to you both. For instance, make a stained glass icon to reflect light in her bathroom window.
4. Find an old snapshot of you two from the past. Get the picture touched up professionally and frame it in a frame that blends in with her home decorations.
5. Give your friend a huge candle dressed up with pearls, sequins, or seashells with a base that matches her style. For instance, if she loves silver, crystal, ceramics, or brass, choose that material.
If you give thought to your gift with these interior decorating tips, you will make your friend happy.
Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Gift Baskets
Title:
Gift Baskets
Word Count:
339
Summary:
One great way to let someone know they are special and being thought of is with the use of gift baskets.
Keywords:Gift baskets, flowers, special occasions, love, family, presents, gifts, co-workers, work
Article Body:
In today's changing world, we find ourselves engulfed in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To many of us, this leaves very little time to keep in touch with loved ones that may live many miles away, or even only a few miles away. One great way to let someone know they are special and being thought of is with the use of gift baskets.
The uses of gift baskets to express ones feelings are endless. Many people send gift baskets during the holidays to let family and friends know that they are being thought of. Maybe a husband wants to pamper his wife on their anniversary with a gift basket of spa goodies. A wife could surprise her husband with a golf themed gift basket.
Many times co-workers like to express appreciation for each others' efforts at the work place. A delicious fruit gift basket can be very pleasurable and a very personal gift to give or receive. Deciding what type of gift basket to give is easy. Simply think of what the person you are sending to is interested in!
A gift basket can be customized to fit almost any interest or hobby. Another great idea for gift baskets is to follow the seasons. Gardening and sunbathing items and tools for spring and summer. Skin care and moisturizing products along with warm clothing and accessories for fall and winter. The opportunities and ideas for gift baskets are truly endless. They can also express appreciation and or love for the people receiving them.
It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day live activities. Take a few moments to reflect on those special people that you have lost touch with, but mean so much to you.
Some great ideas for gift baskets:
Themed to Encourage Hobbies Gift Basket
Anniversary Gift Basket
For an Emotional / Spiritual Boost Gift Basket
To rekindle a Romance Gift Basket
Thanks to Others Gift Basket (Co-workers)
Teacher Gift Basket
Baby Gift Basket
Holiday Gift Basket
Spa Gift Basket
House Warming Gift Basket
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