Labor Day Gift Ideas

August 30, 2007

Labor Day weekend is coming up, and it’s time to celebrate the favorite workers in your life. Or yourself!

It’s a popular end-of-summer holiday, so it’s everyone’s last chance to get out, get some sun, and get some relaxation. Many people have barbecues on Labor Day weekend, so a great gift idea would be to give something that’s related to barbecuing. Perhaps a brand new grill for the backyard? Or a cookbook with recipes to have the perfect BBQ? Martha Stewart or Paula Deen have great home and backyard entertaining tips. Also, maybe a trio of gourmet barbecuing sauces? The possibilities are endless.

Also, because Labor Day is a celebration of America’s workers, you might consider giving a gift that will help your friend/relative/etc. with his or her job. For example, maybe a fun desk toy or stress-relieving bean bag. Or perhaps an ergonomically correct wrist pad or mousepad or chair. Little cubicle accessories are great, too, perhaps catering to your gift recipient’s favorite things, such as TV shows, movies, celebrities, sports, etc. Perhaps your teenage niece working as an office assistant would like a Zac Efron cubicle poster. Or your sports-loving friend would like a daily sports quotes calendar, etc.

Of course, you can always give the generic (or themed) gift basket that is apropos for Labor Day. Maybe one featuring coffee and snacks, for consumption at the work desk. Several Web sites sell gift baskets themed to Labor Day. Keep on the lookout for great deals.

However you choose to celebrate the day off for Labor Day, make it special and memorable with a fun themed gift!

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Good Gift Ideas

August 9, 2007

Today we’re going to talk about good gift ideas.

No, not “good” as in the gift recipient will like it a lot. Good gifts as in it does good for the world. For example, consider giving a donation in somebody else’s name. Some charities will offer certificates of donation, and you can present that: “This certifies that John Smith has donated $500 to the American Cancer Society.” It’s a gift that helps a charity and is like sharing the good karma that comes from helping a good cause. There are even agencies that will help you take care of everything. For example, Charity Checks allows your gift recipient to donate to a charity of their choosing, while you get the tax deduction.

Coffee that's fair trade

Also, consider gifts that are ethical or fair. For example, fair trade items help producers in other countries be paid a fair wage and price for their products. The most famous example are coffee and bananas. Other food products have recently been marketed as fair trade. Do your research and make sure you understand that it’s actually fair trade and the terms of the fair trade agreement before buying just because it says “Fair Trade.”

Give a pound of fair trade coffee as a gift to a coffee drinker. Or, consider fair trade arts and crafts. There are several sites, such as Cebra or Global Crafts, dedicated to selling arts and crafts and clothes from people who otherwise might not have an opportunity to make a living from their handiwork. Look for a company that is ethical and pays the craftmakers a fair wage.

Tree seedling

Finally, give a gift that can be helpful to the environment or the world. For example, plants are often a good gift because when planted in a garden, they can continue to offer visual and environmental benefits. Trees, in particular, will grow tall and be a gift that will be remembered every time it is seen. Also, some charities allow you to donate money to preserve an acre of rainforest, or donate money for the restoration of destroyed environmental habitats. Perhaps you could try donating money in the name of your gift recipient, and that would benefit part of the world.

Give a good gift today, bring joy to your gift recipient, and help the world!

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