A telescope for your star gazer?

Do you dream of reaching the stars?

With Nasa recently sending back pictures from Saturn (left) your ideal gift is the essential tool required for any potential star gazer: a telescope.

The latest telescopes on the market are marginally less powerful that those used by Nasa but even so you can still get to see what the average Martian is getting up to in their back garden.

Whatever your level of interest in star gazing and astronomy there are telescopes out there to meet your needs and your budget.

What level of astronomy are you at?

To get an idea of what to expect from a telescope, you first have to make an honest assessment of your abilities and needs. Are you a newcomer to the hobby of astronomy or an old hand at it? What is your level of interest? Are you a casual stargazer or a real space cadet?

Will this be your first telescope? (or at least your first good one)

If this is to be your first telescope, your choice of the right one depends greatly on you. There are a number of telescopes available, with the better ones costing slightly more than the simpler telescopes. So it really boils down to how serious you think your friend or loved one will become.

How much money do you want to spend on the telescope?

Less than £100
Unfortunately you do need to spend slightly more for a good telescope, although having said that there are some good telescopes available for around £100 and a minimum budget of about £100 is a safe guide when buying your first telescope.

£100-£200
There are many excellent first telescopes in this price range, search around to find one that best meets the requirements and budget for your friend or loved one.

£200+
There are many excellent telescopes from which to choose in this price range, but stop for a moment. Do you really want to spend this much money on a casual hobby? If you do then don't forget to stock up on some good astronomy books to help the budding star gazer know her Leo from her Libra.

A telescope makes a fabulous gift for all occasions. Looking up at the stars can be both romantic and humbling and will provide hours of fun to the right person.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation: 4/5

Switch off, plunge in, veg out...

Switch off, plunge in, veg out...

It is 8.15 on a bright winter's morning and a group of women old enough to know better is re-enacting Monty Python's Ministry for Silly Walks across the manicured lawn and past the icy pond. Our feet are crunching on the hoar-frosted grass as we fling our legs forward and elbows back, to the evident bemusement of the resident muscovies and mallards.

"Swing those arms!" urges Nathalie, our personal trainer. "Push those feet!" After 15 minutes we are striding, mincing and giggling so much it's difficult to remember the serious purpose behind our contortions.

We have come to the special chill out spa day at the UK’s newest luxury health retreat in Essex.

I have always held health farms in mild contempt, being deeply suspicious that they were simply female ghettos of shameless self-indulgence where grown women wandered about in dressing gowns all day. Until, that is, I actually visited one.

And now, dear reader, I can categorically - joyfully - confirm that yes, they are, truly, female ghettos of shameless, dressing-gowned self-indulgence.

Destination, I rapidly discover, means just that; hence the staff looked at me very oddly, when, on arrival, I brightly asked about outings to local places of interest.

For most women with jobs, husbands, babies and dogs that are never walked enough, doing nothing is utterly alien - lovely in theory, impossible to put into practice.

To salve their consciences, then, the spa day has wall-to-wall classes; fitness, dance, meditation, pilates and floating about gracefully with a Chinese wand. The gym is invariably empty; women here prefer the motivation - and the cameraderie - of a class.

The idea is that you have your lovely, princessy pampering sessions where you can be massaged, pummelled, plucked and exfoliated to your heart's content. In between, you just slip on your exercise kit and turn up to classes. Or not.

I meditate. I swim more than three lengths (a personal record). Moreover, within 24 hours I have developed an alarming crush on Eva, our South African exercise instructor. I'm reminded of Stockholm Syndrome, the term coined to describe the way in which hostages, against all logic, are emotionally drawn to their kidnappers. I find myself hanging about, hoping to squeeze in just one more agonising class.

In between bursts of activity, I begin to discover that doing nothing isn't just the preserve of men (who do come to the spa day, with their partners, but are very much in the minority); women can do it too, under the correct laboratory conditions.

Thus mobile phones are banned, there are few mirrors and even fewer clocks, creating a tranquil cocoon from the outside world. There are spacious sitting rooms where it's perfectly permissible to hog a sofa with a novel all afternoon. In the "retreat rooms", furnished with day beds and counterpanes, talking is forbidden.

The white fluffy dressing gowns are a godsend. Not only are they a marvellous social leveller, but everyone's bottom looks big in one, so even the most body-conscious can briefly set aside their paranoia. The result is that we relax. We stroll about in them; we eat breakfast in bed, buffet lunch and a la carte dinner in them. I enjoy wearing mine so much that I fear it may have to be surgically removed.

On the subject of dinner, my real complaint would be the food. It's far too tasty. Really. Which person, offered an expanse of white plate and an even greater expanse of buffet, isn't going to heap swordfish salad on top of chilli pork, red mullet atop feta cheese fritatta?

A discreet sign indicates whether a particular dish is virtuous, a bit naughty or downright wicked. According to the management, the emphasis is on moderation and guests are encouraged rather than compelled to choose the healthy option and to exercise self-control.

But let's face it, if any of us had a shred of self-control we wouldn't be here in the first place. Everyone I chat to agrees that the meals are, frankly, a temptation too far.

A lot of guests come here to lose weight. Perhaps some (less greedy than I) actually do. But, ultimately, I suspect that most women who come to the spa day will successfully shed something far more cumbersome: guilt.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation : 5/5

Click here to book your very own spa day

Diamonds are forever

Is there a special someone in your life?

Poets, singers and lyricists have all described and waxed lyrically about the beauty, joy and pain of love.

You've finally met the person of your dreams and you just can't wait to show them how much you love them. There is no better way of doing this than with diamonds.

Diamonds, the magical gem

Diamonds. The mere mention of the word fills the mind with a multitude of concepts and images. Diamond is a mineral, a natural crystalline substance, the transparent form of pure carbon. Diamond is something superb, the peerless "king of gems" that glitters, dazzles, and symbolizes purity and strength. Diamond is for engagement and the 75th wedding anniversary, for a commitment to never-ending love. Diamond is indomitable, the hardest surface known. Diamond is exotic, formed in Earth's interior and shot to the surface by extraordinary volcanoes. A diamond is likely the oldest thing you will ever own, probably 3 billion years in age, fully two thirds the age of the Earth. Diamond is a strategic and high-tech supermaterial for our technological society. Diamond is a shape. This exhibition presents the fascinating story of the nature of diamonds.

Diamonds are a girls best friend

Diamonds, so they say, are a girl's best friend and a diamond ring is certainly the first choice for thousands of young lovers every year.

This gorgeous jewel is reputed to bring peace and serenity to the wearer and it also signifies constancy, fidelity and innocence. Diamonds are also reckoned to be the appropriate token or gift between estranged lovers … so if you had a bit of a bust-up with your boy friend you might hint that a diamond could well help mend your broken heart.

Diamond jewellary comes in many shapes and sizes. Regardless of your loved ones tastes a diamond will always go down well. Whether it's a diamond ring, diamond necklace or diamond earings it will be a treasured and memorable gift.

Understanding your diamonds: The four C's

Diamond Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions. Of the 4C's, the cut is the aspect most directly influenced by man. The other three are dictated by nature.

Quite often the cut of a diamond is confused with its shape. Diamonds are cut into various shapes depending upon the original form of the uncut diamond, which is referred to as "rough." Whatever the shape, a well-cut diamond is better able to reflect light.

A diamond's ability to reflect light determines its display of fire and brilliance. Diamonds are usually cut with 58 facets, or separate flat surfaces. These facets follow a mathematical formula and are placed at precise angles in relation to each other. This relationship is designed to maximize the amount of light reflected through the diamond and to increase its beauty.

Diamond Colour

The best colour is no colour. Diamonds allow light to be reflected and dispersed as a rainbow of color. This light dispersion, or color flash, has no effect on the technical grading of color. The absolute finest colorless stone carries a D rating, descending through each letter of the alphabet to Z, designating a diamond of light yellow, brown, or gray. We recommend selecting a diamond with a color grade of K or better.

Diamond Clarity

Almost all diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmarks known as inclusions. To determine a diamond's clarity, an expert views it under 10 power magnification. In addition to internal inclusions, surface irregularities are referred to as blemishes. These two categories of imperfections-inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external)-make up clarity.

The fewer the imperfections, the rarer and more valuable the diamond. Many inclusions are not discernable to the naked eye and require magnification to become apparent. A laboratory-certified clarity rating of SI2 represents the point at which inclusions are technically not apparent to the average naked eye.

Contrary to popular belief, higher clarity does not always mean more beautiful. If the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, a higher clarity does not really improve the appearance of a diamond but rather the rarity and price. A higher clarity is more desirable and valuable, but knowing that you have selected the right clarity for the right reasons is most important. We recommend a clarity of SI2 or better.

Diamond Carat Weight

Most people compare carat weight to size. The larger the diamond the more it weighs. The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. The word carat originated from the carob tree or Ceratonia siliqua. The tiny seeds of this tree are well known for their uniformity and consistent weight. Traditionally diamonds and gemstones were weighed against these seeds until the system was standardized, and one carat was fixed at 0.2 grams. One carat is divided into 100 points. A diamond weighing one quarter of a carat can also be described as weighing 25 points or 0.25 carats. Points are generally not used to describe weights over one carat.

Whatever its size or quality diamonds make a truely lasting memory and a wonderful gift for your loved one that they will treasure for ever.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation : 5/5

Keep your red wine warm this winter

Do you hate having to wait for your red wine to warm up?

At this time of year as the harsh winter nights draw in on us a regular proplem is that of keeping your red wine at a nice warm temperature. All the wight wine buffs who like a nice chilled tipple mock our problems but for true red wine lovers the right temperature is essential. Have no fear however for help is at hand with the wonderfully titled therm au rouge.

What is the Therm Au Rouge?

The therm au rouge is a wonderfully simple devide that you wrap around your bottle of wine and warms it to your desired temperature in just a few minutes. If you've seen the devices you can put your coke cans in to keep them cold then you'll get the picture of how the therm au rouge looks.

So how does it work?

I won't pretend to understand the exact science behind the therm au rouge but the basic procedure involves the instigation of a chemical reaction within the sleeve that warms your wine to the desired temperature. The reaction is instigated by a simple click of a button and the therm au rouge is then placed in water to reverse the process and enable you to use the sleeve again and again.

How much does the Therm Au Rouge cost?

The therm au rouge is a snip at just £9.99, which includes free postage and packaging and a nice gift boxed packaging thus making it a great gift for the red wine lover in your family.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation : 4/5

Click here to get your very own therm au rouge

Wedding Gift Ideas

Wedding Gift Guide

Getting married is one of the most special occasions anyone will experience. The pledging of their eternal love for each other is both an intense and joyous experience.

A wedding can be a great family occasion watching such happy, in love people get married. Weddings are great because they remind all of us how much the people in our lives mean to us and how lucky we all are.

Finding the perfect wedding gift

To get the perfect, suprise gift a subtle approach is required. Pay attention to what your friend or loved one says and does. Often they will provide clues regarding the wedding gift that they would like, or at least give you some clues regarding the general area to look in.

Once you have a rough idea about what wedding gift they would like, don't be afraid to think laterally to find the perfect wedding gift. Often you can find an ideal gift in the most unlikely of places and the fact that you've thought so hard about the wedding gift will make it extra special.

Remember, it really is the thought that counts

Possible wedding gift ideas

There are a number of quite innovative wedding gifts currently available. If the happy couple are interested in space then what better wedding gift than an acre of the moon or even the chance to name a star!

Maybe an olive tree would be nice to symbalise the abundance, glory and peace shared by the newly wed couple. If the couple are wine lovers then what better wedding gift than a share of their own vineyard, complete with their own labled wine from some of the best vineyards in France.

From here much of the work is down to you. You know your friends and loved ones better than anyone and you alone can choose the perfect wedding gift for them. Nevertheless there are several online gift shops that offer a good range of wedding gifts at good value.

Good luck with your shopping. Babs

Own Shares in your Football Club

How would you like to own part of your favourite football team?

With the football season well under way and the World Cup coming up in the summer, football is bigger than ever.

What better time to give your football crazy loved one a gift they'll never forget - shares in their favourite football team.


Owning shares in their favourite football team will allow your loved one to have a real say in the way their favourite club are run. They will be able to go to shareholder meetings and voice their opinions on the manager, players and everything else to do with their favourite club. Of course the shares can also prove to be a great investment and earn your loved one some additional money.

What clubs can I buy shares in?

There are currently 19 clubs available to buy shares in. Several teams from the English Premier League are available, including Manchester United, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Some Scottish clubs are also available, including Celtic.

What do I get with my share certificate?

There are numerous gift options when purchasing shares in your desired team. A number of frames are available to allow your loved one to hang their deeds to part-ownership of their beloved football team on their wall, including gold frames, black frames and pine frames.

The share certificate also entitles the owner to shareholder perks, benefits and even dividends. Most people have at least one club that has a special meaning for them, and a share certificate of that club can make a great gift. For some clubs the actual certificate is especially attractive as well.

All in all shares in a football club make a cool and truely unique gift to your footie mad loved one.

Good Gift Guide recommendation : 4/5

Check for shares in your team here

Historically Inspired Gifts from Past Times

Do you or your loved one adore historical items?

If you or your loved one love items from past times then the Past Times website is ideal to help you find that perfect gift. Past Times sell a wide range of gifts under the themes of past times, from Saxons to Victorians. As the name of the shop suggests the contents cover all past times, different ages through British history particularly. The Elizabethan theme produces some lovely gifts, luxurious throws, tudor jewellery and even a fabulous pewter armada clock

What kind of gifts to Past Times sell?

From luxurious nightwear to stunning jewellery, books, stationery and treats for the home and garden. Past Times has lots of perfect gift ideas for family and friends. Some of Past Times goods are authentic replicas of historic originals and most are exclusive to Past Times. All are of the finest quality and great value. Delivery is within 7 days in the UK and everything is guaranteed without question. Past Times is the online division of the well known, leading multi-channel retailer. With over 70 stores in the UK supported by an incredibly successful catalogue the strength of the Past Times brand stretches worldwide.

Past Times Gifts for Him

A new and exciting addition to the Past Times range this year is the James Bond collection - amazing gifts for the blokes, model cars, books, pictures, even a limited edition boxed set of Ian Fleming 007 novels for £70. More for the chaps - Motor Mania - fun on four wheels, classic car memorabilia from books to mugs to a limited edition Stirling bear. More gift ideas aimed at the gentleman can be found in the World War II, Classic British Sports and Lowry collections, the range of ideas is so diverse it can make choosing very difficult!!

Past Times Gifts for Her

Now for my own personal favourite areas - the Toy Chest with its old style pop-up books, snow globes and musical boxes, the Nursery with Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh and the Fairy and Flower Gardens selection - amazing things to be found here, garden ornaments, wind chimes, plates, lanterns, fairies to inhabit the end of your garden - just right for my mother in law who adores everything fairy orientated!

Some other products sold by Past Times

Past Times Jewellery

Earrings, necklaces, jewellery sets, broaches, rings, scarf rings, hair decorations, watches, bracelets.

Past Times Books, Videos

Books, videos, classic films, classic TV series, childrens videos, docummentary videos, modern classics, box office hits, fictional books, hobbies and interests, childrens books, spors books, history.

Past Times Home Accessories

Lamps, vases, cache pots, photograph frames, prints, plaques, candles, snuffers, clocks, mirrors, soft furnishings, ornaments, trinkets, tablewear, floor covrsings, rugs, bedroom furniture, nursery decorations, living room, furniture, chairs, tables.


Past Times Garden Ornaments & Furnishings

Garden ornaments, fairies, buddhas, statues, garden furniture.

Past Times Gifts

Bath and body, gift vouchers, food, bears, pot pourri, models, gifts for him, gifts for her, stationery, sports.

Past Times Clothes And Accessories

clothing, scarves, ties, bags, purses, Tshirts, nightware, accessories.

Past Times Red Letter Day

Orient Express, Chelsea Flower Show, Summer Concerts, Wine Tasting, Classic Car Driving, Pilot A Classic Biplane, Sail On A Replica Of The Endevour, Play Golf, Ride The Flying Scotsman, Visit The Royal Ycht Britannia.

Past Times Games

Chess sets, board games, jigsaws.

The diversity in this shop is amazing to behold with surprises around every corner, expect the unexpected with Past Times.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation : 5/5

Past Times Website

Customised Watches

Have you ever thought of giving a customised watch as a gift?

Watches are one of the most popular gifts to give at Christmas and with good reason. Few items match a watch in terms of importance and significance. A watch has long moved on from the days when it was used solely to tell the time. Now a watch is a fashion accessory. Your choice of watch reflects the person that you both are and the person you want to be. The watch you choose to wear speaks volumes about your taste, personality and achievements.

Now it is possible to design your very own watch to truely and accurately reflect your personality. You no longer have to trawl through shop after shop on the off chance that you might find the perfect watch for you, you get to call the shots and design the perfect watch for you.

These watches can't be as good as high street watches can they?

Timissimo are the European leader in the customisation of watches on the Internet. Using Swiss watch making technology and know how Timissimo produce extremely high quality watches. Each customised part is ordered individually from quality manufacturers thus allowing Timissimo to manufacture your customised watch itself from the finest components.

How exactly can I customise my watch?

Timissimo provide a wide range of options for customising your watch. A wide range of themes are provided to cater for a wide range of possible interests. Possible themes include classic designs (my favourite), sporty designs and kids designs. You can even upload your own photo to provide the backdrop to your customised watch.

Once you have chosen a theme you can change the colour and style of your watches case, dial and strap. You can even add a short message if you wish to. You can alter the colour text used in the message, the font and even the positioning of the message. The range of options is staggering and provides ample scope for you to sharpen your design skills and put in their place the designers who charge hundreds for their brand name watches.

Sounds great, must be expensive?

You may wish to sit down for this part. A fully customised watch from Timissimo costs the grand sum of £27! A fully customised watch made from the finest Swiss watch components for just £27! Makes you realise quite how much you pay for the branding of many high steet watches. Even better is that for a limited time you can buy a second watch for just £10, so you can buy your loved one a great gift and get a great watch for yourself as well.

Overall this is a truely unique gift idea and one that your loved one is sure to adore, and all at a price that is affordable to all.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation : 5/5

Something Saucy this Winter

Would you like something to help keep you and your partner warm this Christmas?

If you would like some gifts to spice things up for you and your partner this Christmas then there are a great range of products available, just for you.

Christmas is undoubtably a time for sharing and giving. There are loads of great gifts that would help you give your partner the best gift imaginable: YOU. So whether you are after something sexy, sensual or downright naughty there is something for you.

Festive Lingerie

There is nothing quite like celebrating the festive season by wearing some festive lingerie. There is festive lingerie though and there is festive lingerie. The festive lingerie by Amanda Kiss is sure to get your partners heart racing. There is a great range of sexy festive lingerie for both him and her, all at really good prices.

Sexy Gifts

There are also a vast range of great sexy gifts that you can buy your loved one. From lingerie to handcuffs, there is bound (no pun intended) to be something for you and your partner.

Sensual Gifts

The sensual gift selection is my personal favourite. It has loads of great gift ideas for you and your partner, from body paints and massage oils to sex games and sexual accessories.

Of course there are plenty of other great products available on the site and you will undoubtably find something for you and your partner, regardless of your tastes. The packaging provided with your gift is both discrete and unbranded, thus preventing any awkward moments with the postman.

There are many sex related shops on the Internet but Amanda Kiss are one of the classiest shops online and provide you with good quality products without making the process seem at all seedy.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation : 4/5

Check out Amanda Kiss for some great products

Dress like the stars

How would you like to dress like a movie star?

If you would then As Seen On Screen is the site for you. The As Seen On Screen site has a host of great products with the catch that they have all been 'as seen on screen'. So whether your favourite star is Victoria Beckham or Brad Pitt there is a chance that you will find a great gift at As Seen On Screen.

What products are available?

The As Seen On Screen site offers a wide range of celebrity fashion and accessories for both men and women. The As Seen on Screen Site is regularly updated with the latest fashions for that season so you can buy the perfect winter gift for your loved one (or stock up your own winter wardrobe!).

The As Seen On Screen site has an easy to use navigation system letting you shop by product or by the designer if you know your way around the fashion world. The ordering process is a synch with nice big images of all products provided to show you exactly what each product looks like.

Celebrity Fashion must be expensive?

The really great thing about As Seen On Screen is that they offer really trendy gear at high street prices, so you don't need to break the bank when buying that great gift for someone. They even offer free delivery if you spend over £50. Its very hard to buy a gift for someone without adding a few things for yourself so the free delivery option is a cool feature.

All in all As Seen On Screen offers a great, affordable way to dress like the stars.

Good Gift Guide Recommendation: 4/5

Own part of a vineyard

How would you like to own part of a vineyard?

For wine lovers everywhere this is the perfect gift. Wine Share offer you the chance to rent a row of 50 (or more) vines at some of Frances premier vineyards. Owning part of a great French vineyard makes a perfect gift, regardless of whether you are looking for a birthday gift, leaving gift, anniversary gift or any other kind of gift. You can select one of their special gift packages to suit your budget and affections to find that ideal gift for the special person in your life The vineyard gift packages start at £70 for rental of 50 vines for one year, all the way up to 36 bottles of specially labelled wine in a custom gift pack for under £300.

So what are the benefits of giving Wine Share registration as a gift?

By renting vines your loved one gets to drink the wine from their very own French vineyard! The wine made from their grapes is blended with the wine of other row owners. It may be red, white or rosé. They may also buy wine with their own personalised label if they wish. Can you imagine a more unique gift than a share of a vineyard with their own wine, complete with clearly numbered and labelled bottles of wine?

To be member of WineShare you rent a row of 50 vines for just £70.00 a year. The price is fixed for 10 years thus ensuring your WineShare membership becomes better value every year. Should, by chance, there be a poor harvest they will guarantee to provide you with up to 10 cases from your vineyard or refund your membership for that year. Members may order as many or as few cases, as often as they wish, at any time throughout the membership year.

Where are the gift vineyards?

Château Constantin-Chevalier in Provence, Domaine du Grand Mayne, Côtes de Duras in the Dordogne, Château de Pizay in Beaujolais and Castello Vicchiomaggio in Tuscany. Whichever vineyard you choose for your gift, you have the security of knowing that you are investing in an award-winner that is personally managed or overseen by Wine Share. The vineyards are equipped with the latest technology, every aspect of the grape’s life, from pruning and tending the vines to making the actual wine, is fastidiously controlled. The wine for your gift is some of the finest in France and is made all the more special by the fact that they will fully own the wine made from their vineyard!

The award winning wines

Wine Share have a total commitment to quality that has been rewarded by top awards for their wines, both in England, France and Italy. For two years running they have scooped the ultimate accolade in the French wine-buyer’s bible, the Guide Hachette, winning their top recommendation, a Coup de Coeur, and John Matta of Castello Vicchiomaggio was awarded the Italian Wine Maker of the Year Trophy in 2002.

How WineShare works as a gift

Whichever option you choose, your rent is fully refundable for 28 days from receipt of the gift, should you have a change of heart. Membership may be surrendered at any time.

You give WineShare membership as a gift for the enjoyment of drinking ones own wine, meeting other members and having fun at wine related events that Wine Share stage in both England, France and Italy. They do the work; you just sit back and enjoy the perks of owning a vineyard!

How you order wine and what it costs

Once you receive your subscriber number you may immediately order wine and continue to do so throughout the year. Three times a year you will receive an order form detailing the wines available and a full-colour newsletter giving the dates and descriptions of the activities and events that are such a vital and enjoyable part of the WineShare year. All members are welcome to bring guests to any of our activities and events.

If you collect your wine from our warehouse in Calais or from your vineyard in France or Italy, your wine will always be a bargain. Under the Single European Act if the wine is for personal consumption and import, no UK duty or shipping costs are payable, thus saving you nearly £2 per bottle.

This year the cost of wine collected from France is:
Domaine du Grand Mayne from €4.15 - £2.96 per bottle
Château de Pizay from €4.50 - £3.21 per bottle
Château Constantin-Chevalier from €5.75 - £4.11 per bottle
Castello Vicchiomaggio from €4.99 - £3.56 per bottle

Should you prefer the convenience of having your wine delivered, duty (£14.28 per case) and shipping costs are then payable. The delivery charge to your door is £5.50 per case, free if you order more than 5 cases. Shippers charge extra for deliveries outside mainland UK.

The UK price of wine in 2003 is:
Domaine du Grand Mayne from £4.65 per bottle
Château de Pizay from £4.85 per bottle
Château Constantin-Chevalier from £5.75 per bottle
Castello Vicchiomaggio from £5.85 per bottle

Excellent value for a single vineyard domaine bottled wine.

Why not try WineShare wines before you give the gift?

WineShare membership is excellent value for money. However, should you wish to try a few of their wines before you join, you may order individual bottles from their selection of 18 wines from the three vineyards. They also offer Special Tasting cases from (12 bottles, £70 delivered), which has a selection of current and older vintages, again from all four vineyards.

Visiting the vineyards and the WineShare activities

Hundreds of WineShare subscribers have visited the vineyards during the vintage in September and helped to pick the grapes, taste the newly fermenting wine and enjoy a weekend of traditional French lunches and dinners. Slightly nearer home there are tastings, dinners and other functions in the UK. However, you don't have to wait for the trips or special days to visit your vines. Any time you are nearby, you may taste the wine and have a personal tour of the vineyard. WineShare will willingly advise on local hotels, or you may wish to rent the luxury 5-bedroom house at the Grand Mayne vineyard for a holiday, with its spacious grounds and a welcoming swimming pool; it is only available to WineShare members.

It is now possible to own a part of a vineyard in some of the best wine regions of France. So if you or a friend love your wine then Wine Share is a wonderful gift idea.

Good Gift Guide recommendation: 5/5

Romantic Gift Guide

It is a commonly held belief, mainly amongst men, that romantic gestures are only given on Valentines Day. This shouldn't be the case however, and a romantic gift or gesture given at any time of the year can make your loved one feel really special.

Is it really the thought that counts?

As far as romantic gifts are concerned it really is the thought that counts. Often the most effective romantic gifts cost very little money but require effort to think of and implement. Good examples of this kind of romantic gift are a candle lit meal, a nice bubble bath or a massage. Whilst not big gestures done without notice and they will still mean alot to your loved one!

Don't wait for a special occasion

An element of suprise is also essential to a good romantic gift. People expect romantic gifts on Valentines Day and anniversaries, which tends to take some of the edge from the gift. Be proud to show your loved one how special they are every day of the year. By spoiling them with a great romantic gift every now and then it will make both them and you feel great.

Romantic gift ideas

There are some great romantic gifts out there providing you know your loved one well. Jewellary is always popular as a romantic gift. Every girl loves a romantic break to somewhere exotic to be spoilt by their man. A bunch of flowers are a good gift providing the suprise element is present. Maybe your partner would like to spice things up in the bed room with an erotic gift. Maybe they would like some perfume or skincare to make themselves even more beautiful.

A bit of thought and an element of suprise go along way to finding the perfect romantic gift. That combined with the understanding of your loved one that only you have. You know what they love and what they find romantic. I have provided some good web sites for you below to help you find that perfect romantic gift.

Suggested websites

Prezzy Box | Perfume | Erotic | Jewellary | Romantic Holidays

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Mothers Day is a time for commemoration and celebration of all the mums out there, without whom the world as we know it would surely cease to function properly.

Let your Mum relax

The best way to celebrate Mothers Day is to give your Mum the day off. Let her take it easy and relax while the rest of the family does the work.

The traditional way to begin Mothers Day is by giving your Mum breakfast in bed. Let her sleep in late whilst you prepare a Mothers Day breakfast for her. The Mothers Day breakfast can be absolutely anything your Mum wants and likes. The Mothers Day breakfast is usually decorated with Mums favourite flower.

For the rest of Mothers Day it is important to continue in giving Mum the day off. Chip in with the house work and any other domestic chores that you normally leave to her and generally help out where possible.

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

The evening is traditionally spent taking Mum to her favourite restaurant or having a special Mothers Day meal at home. Mothers Day gifts can also be given at this time, although many families also do it in the mornings.

There are hundreds of great Mothers Day gift ideas to really show your Mum how special she is to you. I have listed a few good sites below to help you find that perfect Mothers Day gift.

Suggested websites

Buy A Gift | Find Me A Gift | Flowers | Perfume

House Warming Gift Guide

Moving house is supposed to be one of the most stressful things you can do in life. A housewarming party is therefore a chance to celebrate both the end of the stressful moving period and the joy of a new home.

If it is a friend or loved one that has recently moved house it will be an opportunity to have them back to normal and not obsessing about all things house related!

House Warming Gifts

There are a number of potential house warming gifts. Every room in the house offers a host of great house warming gift ideas - from bedrooms and bathrooms to kitchens and living rooms.

It goes without saying that each house is unique, as are the people living there, so some thought will be required to find the perfect house warming gift.

Possible House Warming Gift Ideas

Art is always a popular house warming gift as it can be used in practically any room in the house. Plants and other garden things are also popular, although it obviously depends on whether they have a garden or not! There are also plenty of furniture and accessory stores selling high quality gear.

Each person is unique so from here it is down to you to find the house warming gift that will best suit the friend or loved one for whom you are buying it. Nevertheless I have provided some excellent web sites to help you find that ideal gift below.

Good luck with your shopping. Babs

Suggested websites

B&Q | Heals | Laura Ashley | Art | Plants

Graduation Gift Guide

A persons graduation, be it from school or college, is the result of years of hard work, dedication and no small amount of brains. Thus the celebration and jubilation is well earned.

In many cases the graduation marks a transition into adulthood and the world of full time work. Thus the graduation gift must take account of this 'coming of age'.

Graduation Gift Ideas

There are numerous possible graduation gift ideas for your brainy friend or loved one.

It is often said that your school days are the best of your life and the friends you make will stay with you forever. What better gift than to get the graduation day photos printed and framed for friends and family.

With the world of work looming large your friend or loved one will need to be looking at their professional wardrobe. Suits are therefore a must have addition to your budding professionals wardrobe. A careers guide might also be a worthwhile addition to ones book shelf.

Alternatively one last grab at the student lifestyle might be a good graduation gift. There will be few other times in life when a holiday will be so practical.

Suggested websites

Fathers Day Gift Guide

Fathers Day is the one day of the year when you can really show your dad how much he means to you.

Dads spend 364 days of the year looking after you so its only right that you spoil them rotten one day of the year

Fathers and Gifts

Whilst most fathers are notoriously difficult to buy gifts for a bit of thought can produce some great gift ideas. Don't be afraid to club together with brothers and sisters to afford the perfect fathers day gift.

Give some thought to your fathers hobbies and interests. Pay attention to see if he gives you any subtle hints when he's talking.

As most fathers don't expect a great deal from their fathers day gift a good one will really please them.

Fathers Day gift ideas

There are numerous good ideas for Fathers Day gifts. It might be an oldie but a box of chocolates are a safe bet. Activity gifts are a possibility for the more active father with gifts such as driving days and hot air balloon rides available. I'm sure we've all had to listen to our dads waffle on about how great things were in their day. Retro gifts might therefore provide a great trip down memory lane for your father. If your dad is a football fanatic then a framed share in his favourite team could make a great fathers day gift.

Nobody knows your Dad like you though so it really is down to you. The following websites all contain some good fathers day gift suggestions to help your quest for that perfect Fathers Day gift.

Suggested websites

Buy A Gift | Firebox | Argos | WH Smiths | Activity Gifts

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is a magical time of year, both for kids and adults. They say that the joy of Christmas is the giving, not the receiving of gifts and the look of happiness on someones face once they've opened their perfect Christmas gift is indeed a wonderful sight.

Give the Christmas gift some thought

In order to achieve those joyous looks however much thought is required. A hurried Christmas gift will almost certainly lead to disapointment.

To achieve the desired effect the gift must be something that they both want and don't expect. If the Christmas gift has been asked for or requested then it shows a lack of thought and imagination on your part.

Getting the perfect Christmas gift

To get the perfect, suprise gift a subtle approach is required. Pay attention to what your friend or loved one says and does. Often they will provide clues regarding the gift that they would like, or at least give you some clues regarding the general area to look in.

Once you have a rough idea about what Christmas gift they would like, don't be afraid to think laterally to find the perfect gift. Often you can find an ideal gift in the most unlikely of places and the fact that you've thought so hard about the gift will make it extra special.

Remember, it really is the thought that counts

Each person is unique so from here it is down to you to find the Christmas gift that will best suite the friend or loved one for whom you are buying it. Nevertheless I have provided some excellent web sites to help you find that ideal gift below.

Good luck with your shopping. Babs

Suggested websites

The following websites have tons of great gift ideas plus you get cashback from each purchase you make.

Firebox | Argos | WH Smiths | Boots | Curry's

Birthday Gift Guide

A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved one precisely how much they mean to you and how special you think they are.

A little thought into your friend or loved one's personality will help you to understand what kind of gift they would really love for their birthday.

What does your friend or loved one like?

It sounds obvious to buy a birthday gift that your friend or loved one will like but many people buy gifts that they think that their friend/loved one will like. This often translates into what you think they should like, which might be very different from what they actually want.

If you don't know then there are a number of things you can do to find clues.

• Listen to them for verbal clues as to gifts they may like


• Observe what they do, movies they watch, sports they play etc.


• Look at what they already have and think of complimentary gifts

What makes them so special to you?

Think of this birthday gift as your way of showing your friend/loved one how special they are to you and how much they mean to you. Thus your birthday gift should represent your love for the special person in your life. Buy them a naff gift and you'll be in the dog house for a long time!

However if you spend the time to buy a really special birthday gift that they will love, your relationship will truely benefit, both from the gift and your greater understanding of your other half.

Find a quality birthday gift at a great value

Each person is different so you are the best person to decide what kind of gift would be best for your friend or loved one. Nevertheless there are shops out there that will sell the ideal birthday gift, whatever they are into. If they love there food then a box of choccies are always popular. If they are altruistic then they might like a charity gift. There are activity gifts for the adventurous or concert ticket for music lovers.

If none of those ideas take your fancy then try some of the sites listed below for your perfect birthday gift.

Suggested websites

Buy A Gift | Firebox | Activity Gifts | Jewellery | Holidays

Baby Gift Guide

Having a baby is one of the most amazing things than any couple can possibly do. The parents look at their child and see a little living, breathing miracle. Therefore it is only right that the occasion is celebrated.

Choosing the right gift for a baby shower is a tricky task but if done correctly can give the baby a great start to its life. The most important thing is to try and understand the parents mentality when choosing a baby gift for their newborn.

What do your friends or loved ones think?

The most important thing when choosing a baby gift is to find something that meets the parents happiness at having this wonderful thing in their lives and that matches their ideals for raising the child.

If you don't know these things right now there are a number of tricks you can use to find out:

• The parents, especially the mum, will be only too happy to talk about their baby and how they plan to raise it. Try and pick up ideas and suggestions.


• Observe the way they are preparing for the baby. Things such as the decoration of the babies room etc. are all good clues.


• Look at what they have already bought and think of complimentary gifts

Show them how happy you are for them

Having a baby is one of the greatest times in a couples life. Your baby gift is your chance to show them how happy you are for them. Buy them a really great, considerate gift and show them what a great friend you are to them.

Find a quality baby gift at a great value

There are numerous retailers selling traditional baby gifts such as clothes or toys.

From here much of the work is down to you. You know your loved one better than anyone and you alone can choose the perfect baby gift for them. Nevertheless there are several online gift shops that offer a good range of baby gifts at good value.

Suggested websites

The following websites give you cashback with each purchase:

Boots |
Argos |
Debenhams |

Anniversary Gift Guide

An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved one precisely how much they mean to you and how special you think they are.

The list at the bottom of this post shows the traditional anniversary gifts for each of the major wedding anniversaries. Even within this structure there is substantial scope for you to get your loved on the perfect anniversary gift.

A little thought into your loved one's personality will help you to understand what kind of gift they would really love.

What does your loved one like?

It sounds obvious to buy a anniversary gift that your loved one will like but many people buy gifts that they think that their loved one will like. This often translates into what you think they should like, which might be very different from what they actually want.

If you don't know then there are a number of things you can do to find clues.

• Listen to them for verbal clues as to gifts they may like


• Observe what they do, movies they watch, sports they play etc.


• Look at what they already have and think of complimentary gifts

What makes them so special to you?

Think of this anniversary gift as your way of showing your loved one how special they are to you and how much they mean to you. Thus your anniversary gift should represent your love for the special person in your life. Buy them a naff gift and you'll be in the dog house for a long time!

However if you spend the time to buy a really special anniversary gift that they will love, your relationship will truely benefit, both from the gift and your greater understanding of your other half.

Find a quality anniversary gift at a great value

There are numerous retailers selling traditional anniversary gifts such as jewellary and flowers.

Don't be afraid to think laterally however in your search for that perfect anniversary gift. For instance a paper gift could easily be a concert ticket, a romantic holiday or even a charity gift.

From here much of the work is down to you. You know your loved one better than anyone and you alone can choose the perfect anniversary gift for them. Nevertheless there are several online gift shops that offer a good range of anniversary gifts at good value.

Suggested websites

All websites listed below offer great gifts and they give you cashback on each purchase

Firebox | Boots | Figleaves | Majestic Wine |

Traditional Anniversary Gifts
1st: Paper
2nd: Cotton/Straw
3rd: Leather
4th: Books/Flowers/Fruit
5th: Wood
6th: Iron and Sugar
7th: Copper and Wool
8th: Bronze and Pottery
9th: Pottery and Willow
10th: Diamond jewellery
11th: Fashion jewellery
12th: Colour Gems and Pearls
13th: Furs and Textiles
14th: Gold jewellery
15th: Watches
20th: China
25th: Silver
30th: Pearl
35th: Coral/Jade
40th: Ruby
45th: Saphire
50th: Gold
55th: Emerald
60th: Diamond
70th: Platinum
75th: Diamond