Gift Ideas for Father's Day, 18 June 2006

Copyright 2006 Michael Hanna Dads, and in fact men in general, are notoriously difficult to buy for. And Father's Day is a tricky one – it's not as personal as a birthday, but you can't really ignore your dad on the day when every other father in the land is getting a new tie. The secret of a good Father's Day gift lies in thoughtfulness. You may not feel comfortable telling your dad that you love him, or that you are grateful for all that he does for you, but you can express a great deal with a hand-made card, or a carefully chosen gift. Put yourself in his shoes Think about what your dad likes, and needs. If he has an important business meeting coming up, maybe a new tie or shirt, from somewhere like T.M.Lewin (http://www.tmlewin.co.uk ), will be appreciated. When the meeting comes around, you can remind him to wear your gift, and tell him that you will be thinking of him. If, on the other hand, your father is a stay-at-home dad, who spends his days in jogging bottoms and a t shirt, then maybe he needs some time and space to himself once in a while. What about a gift he can keep? Perhaps you would prefer to buy your dad a keepsake for Father's Day. There are plenty of affordable gift ideas out there, and many of them are easy to get hold of from websites. H.Samuel (http://www.hsamuel.co.uk ) is a familiar high street name, but you may not have realised what a huge range of gifts they have. There's bound to be a store near you, and you can also try out their website – you can find what you want by shopping by price, by brand or by category. Ideas for Traditional Dad... If your dad is the traditional type, who wears a suit and tie to work, then maybe he would like a smart new watch to complement his business attire? Classic brands such as Accurist and Seiko are perfect to add a sophisticated touch to his look. You could also consider a pen set – it's not the most exciting of presents, but if you have it engraved with your dad's name or initials, it will become something much more special. Cool Dad... Does your dad still reckon he's hip with the kids? Then treat him to a poker set, just make sure he doesn't play for money, or he might fritter away your inheritance. Alternatively, why not get him something from one of his favourite brands? Well-known names such as Ben Sherman and Puma are now producing funky gifts, jewellery and watches. Young Dad... For the younger dad, you might like to think about buying some jewellery. Of course, not all men go for jewellery, but if you know that he wears it, you could give him something a bit different like a silver dogtag necklace or a chunky bracelet. Again, engraving these gifts can make them extra special. Or why not find a cool, sleek photo frame to give him? Add the personal touch with a precious photo of the two of you. Older Dad... Cufflinks are always a good bet for Father's Day, and they are getting more stylish. It's up to you to choose whether your dad would like fun, novelty cufflinks, a traditional discreet pair or some designer ones from a top fashion brand like Police or Ben Sherman. Another great present, which will be appreciated by the many dads out there who like the odd tipple, is a tankard or hip flask. Thanks Dad Whatever you choose to get your dad, the most important thing about Father's Day is that it gives you a unique opportunity to tell you dad just how much you love him, and what he means to you. It may be that those words won't actually come out of your mouth, but the perfect present will do the talking for you.

Buying a Wheelchair Lift

Buying a wheelchair lift can be a daunting task, especially if you are newly disabled or are purchasing a wheelchair lift for a loved one. There are many types of devices that are referred to as wheelchair lifts but most fall into two broad categories; vertical platform lifts or vehicle lifts.

The most elaborate and expensive type of wheelchair lift is the vertical platform lift. You may have seen this type of wheelchair lift at a commercial building or government office. This type of lift allows the wheelchair user to roll on to a platform and activate a lift mechanism by using controls mounted on the frame. A vertical lift can cost several thousand dollars and requires an expert to install. Additional inspections fees may also be associated with the installation of one of these lifts, depending on local codes and ordinances.

If you are planning on buying a vertical lift, be sure to verify the building codes in your area before laying down the cash. It would also be a good idea to bring in a private contractor to verify that you will be able to safely install the wheelchair lift on your existing structure while still complying with local codes.

Another type of wheelchair lift is the vehicle lift. There are literally hundreds of variations of the vehicle lift. Some types are only for vans with side entry. Other types utilize a boom to lift the chair into the rear cargo area of a smaller mini-van or SUV. The type that you require will depend on not only your needs, but on the type of vehicle that you own.

Most vehicle lifts sold today are of the smaller variety that is primarily used for lifting power wheelchairs or mobility scooters into the trunk of a car or the rear of an SUV. These lifts use a boom or swing-arm to lift the device up and over for easy loading. Then boom itself can be motorized or manually operated and will require a special docking device designed to couple with the specific type or brand of power wheelchair or scooter that you are using.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the types of wheelchair lifts on the market you can now begin searching for a distributor that will be able to meet your needs. More and more consumers are finding that, even with large items such as wheelchair lifts, shopping on line can safe you hundreds of dollars. Often the installation or measurement can also be included, since many on line resellers have nationwide networks of installers.

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

Buying a Used Lift Chair

When buying a lift chair, as with buying anything else, you want to be sure that you get the best quality, at the lowest possible price. You may wonder about purchasing a used lift chair to save potentially hundreds of dollars off the price of a new one. When choosing your lift chair, however, there are some points to be addressed as far as used versus new.

Although a new lift chair may seem like an expensive purchase, buying a used one may ultimately be just as expensive, if not more. For instance, if the motor stops working, you will pay over $300 to purchase a new one. That is without the hand lift control, if you need both, then your price will be closer to $400. Keep in mind, this is only for the part, you may also need to pay a repair man to install the new motor, which may set you back another $100 or so.

Considering that you may have saved a couple hundred dollars off the price of a new chair, this does not seem like such a bargain after all. You also need to consider that you can not be certain of the true condition of a used lift chair. You may be told that it is in pristine condition, however, you will not fully be able to judge the condition until you have used it. There will also likely not be a guarantee with a used lift chair, as you will receive with a new one. If something goes wrong with a new lift chair, you can rest assured that it will be repaired, or replaced if necessary, at no cost to you. With a used chair, you do not get a guarantee of functionality.

You should also consider the cosmetic condition of the chair. A used lift chair may have worn places and/or holes that will reduce the attractiveness of the chair. Of course, appearance is not the reason that most people use in their decision to purchase a lift chair, however, if you are spending hundreds of dollars on this chair, then you obviously want it to look as good as possible. Speaking of appearance, most people who purchase lift chairs choose colors that will accent their current home décor. When buying a new lift chair, you can be assured of many choices in colors and styles in which to match your new chair to your current furnishings. If you choose to purchase a used chair, your choices of colors and styles are decreased considerably.

Saving money is never a bad thing, however, saving money on something that you truly need, only to be disappointed with the result can be very frustrating. Before you decide to purchase a used lift chair, keep in mind the overall problems a used chair may possess, as well as the fact that, in the long run, you may just end up spending more to repair a used chair than you would have spent purchasing a new one.

Entertainment center

That is, they form the central point of room for this room and hence it is important to choose good pieces such as oak, cherry, antique, maple or customary styles to the present modern styles and finishes. Not only can it be used to keep the electronic components there, but also items such as decorative pieces and books. In countries like America and England, the entertainment centers are preferred by the people at their homes rather than the normal living room furniture. The video equipment and the home video make up most of the home theatre experience, but the entertainment center is what makes up the room. Make the most of the living space in your home by using armoires and TV stands that have space for all the home theatre elements. Entertainment centers can also be installed in offices and other recreational centers. An entertainment center offers a complete range of furniture that can beautify your home. Home entertainment brands like Schroers & Schroers, Bello, Inc, Becker Designed and Omni Mount are the most popular. These companies are very well known for their striking designs and high quality constructions. With the various range of Television entertainment centers, they are chosen for various unique purposes like adding traditional decoration to the room, hiding the television, giving the room a sense of lavishness and adding of extra shelves for more home storage or décor. Entertainment centers allow decorating your office or the home with whatever design we want. Like the television entertainment center which allows focusing on the entire available space in the room by taking the center off attention off the television. Now a day’s, armories are beginning to be used as an entertainment center furniture. These are made up off the same great style and quality and fits perfectly into the room. It adds a certain extra bit of style that wasn’t possible with the traditional furniture. Entertainment center at home serve as a gathering place at any home and hence it is very important to plan the furniture carefully. Firstly the cabinet has to be chosen made of either glass or woods. These cabinets are either used for TV of the PC depending on their size. These cabinets also have storage space for CDs, DVDs and other accessories. Also the design of these cabinets has to be carefully chosen keeping in mind the latest technologies and trends. While deciding on the entertainment center furniture, the furnishing of the rest of the room has to be kept in mind so that the center doesn’t stand out awkwardly and blends aesthetically. If a person has opted for the custom made entertainment furniture center, than it is better if the professional designer or the cabinet designer can come up at your place to take the measurements of the available space in the room.

Buying a Snow Blower - here are a few tips to remember

Some people love snow and welcome its arrival, while others wince at the back pain they have to look forward to. Its not surprising that these 2 people fall into 2 groups: those with snow blowers, and those who shovel. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the white stuff once again.

Know Your Snow Job
Just like a car, there are many makes and models of snowblowers (or snow throwers as they are also commonly known as). Each car is suited for a different purpose, and snow blowers are no different.

How long is your driveway? How much snow do you anticipate receiving each year? How heavy is the snow? How wide a space does your snow removal needs cover?

For most city dwellers, who have just a driveway and a sidewalk to clear off, a single stage gas blower will do the trick. These types of snow blowers will touch the ground, so be aware of the area you are clearing. Most single stage gas snow blowers retail for $300 to $900.

However, if you find that you get a lot of snow, or have a larger area to clear, a two stage gas blower will save you time and help avoid further back aches. These types of snow blowers come equiped with wide augers to clear off larger areas, while throwing the snow further. Depending on the type of two stage gas snow blower you are looking at, prices can range from $600 to over $2000 according to Consumer Reports.

If you have a gravel driveway, you'll want to ensure that the auger doesn't touch the ground (thus picking up rocks which can be hard on the snowblower, and cause harm if to items near the path of the blowing snow. Most two stage blowers are perfect for gravel driveways.

If you find that you only get a few inches per snowfall, or have a relatively small area to clear, you may find that a single stage electric blower will take care of your needs. Electric snow throwers range between $100 and $300 and will clear an area of about 11-18inches.

Take It For A Spin
While a retailer wont let you clear off any snow at your house to test it out, they will let you push the floor models around. Find one that suits your strength. The larger snow blowers are normally very heavy. While it may be fun to have the largest snow blower on the block, it doesnt make sense to buy it if you cant push it around without hurting your back.

Are the handlebars adjustable to your height? You have to remain in control of your snow blower at all times and the handlebars will help you to move around corners. You should also pay attention to the chute control. By adjusting the direction of the chute, you can angle the snow where you want it, not in front of you or on your neighbours driveway.

Play Safe
If you purchase a single or two stage gas snow blower, remember to start it up outside. Carbon monoxide poisoning is an invisible killer. Clearing snow is tough enough without having to worry about carbon monoxide.

Do you have a set of ear plugs? You'll need them, especially with the larger snow blowers.

Remember not to wear anything that is loose fitting. Its very easy for a scarf or sleeve to get caught in the snow blower and the results are not very nice.

Its obvious, but many people loose limbs because they dont watch what they are doing. If your machine gets clogged, turn it off. Only when the engine is off (or unplugged if you purchase an electric snow blower) should you attempt to clear the clog. Use a wooden broom handle or hockey stick to clear out a clog. Better you have to buy a new broom or a new hockey stick than to have to explain why you no longer have an arm.

Other than price, buying a snow thrower is no different than buying a car. In both cases, you buy the one that meets your exact needs and fits within your budget. Take it out for a test drive and remember safety first.

Start enjoying snow again. Think of how envious your neighbours will be when they see your new machine purring down the driveway, without a care, and without a worry of a sore back.

Buying a Mobility Scooter Online

Buying a mobility scooter is a major decision, and one that will ultimately help you to become more mobile and give you more independence than you could possibly imagine. That being said, with the onslaught of the internet over the past few years, you should know that purchasing products online has become much easier and much more secure than ever. You should also know that it is very possible to purchase a mobility scooter online, and receive a high quality, brand name scooter, often at a lower price than you might expect to pay.

Buying a mobility scooter online gives you the convenience of browsing through several stores, as well as searching for several models at once. While there are many styles and models available, it could potentially take you days to see each one if you were to travel to the different stores in order to view them. By shopping online, you have the convenience of being able to view multiple scooters at once, thus cutting down on the time that it takes you to see all available models.
Being able to shop while sitting comfortably at home is important for a number of reasons. If you are one of millions of people who find it hard or even painful to travel, then buying a mobility scooter online will have many benefits. If you were to travel to a traditional store, and find that they do not have the select model that you have chosen, you would be forced to do even more traveling, thus enduring more pain and discomfort. By shopping online, however, if you come across a store that does not carry your selected model, you can simply move to another store, all without actually moving.

You also have the added convenience of being able to compare the pricing and features of several models at once. By looking at more than one model at a time, you can get a side by side comparison of price, features, and quality. This gives you an advantage over shopping in a traditional store, simply because you can see all models that you are interested in at once, and compare the features to ensure that you choose a model that suits your needs individually, as well as your individual budget.

With the many styles and models that are currently available, buying a mobility scooter online affords you the comfort and convenience of looking at every available model before making your ultimate purchase decision, which would be very difficult if you were to travel to individual stores in order to make your comparison. You can do more research into each individual model to ensure that you have chosen the perfect mobility scooter, one that fits your needs in terms of comfort and functionality, and one that meets your budget.