Gifts and Hampers at Smart Gift Solutions

Royal Mail Strikes

As Royal Mail is intending to hold two further days of strike action on Friday 6th and Monday 9th November we have decided to add the services of a courier for just £4.95 to our shipping options for all of you who do not wish to use Royal Mail at all.  

It looks as though if they go ahead it will be an all out strike action which will definitely result in disrupted services.  Up until now the impact of the strikes has been nowhere nearly as bad as you probably think it has been as different sections within Royal Mail have called a strike on different days to minimise the impact and we are pleased to say we have not had any parcels go missing and have had only a handful of complaints about delayed deliveries.  

 

We have used many different couriers and continue to get the best most reliable service from Parcel Force - they are not affected by the continuing postal strikes.  For lightweight items usually below 1kg we will continue to use Royal Mail Recorded 1st Class signed for service.  But for the time being both standard 1st Class and 2nd Class services will not be used.  But again if you are worried about your parcel taking days to deliver or becoming lost altogether then you will have the option to select our Courier service at just £4.95 and your parcel will not be sent via Royal Mail.

Gift Ideas for Food Lovers

 

The Best Gift Ideas for Foodies

They say the best gifts are food gifts!

Buying gifts for people who love food and drink is in theory an easy task but there are so many food gift baskets and wine gift hampers available that the choice can be quite daunting. A ‘foodie’ describes a person who has a special interest in or knowledge of food and who no doubt would have a thing or two to say if you presented them with any old food hamper. Selecting the perfect food gift basket comes down to budget, taste and content as well as what your loved one enjoys tucking into.

If you’re not sure what food and drink your loved one enjoys or if you are looking for a food gift basket for someone who is hard to buy for then check out our guide to the best gift ideas for food lovers below…

Food gift ideas for gourmet lovers

Food gift hampers are an excellent gift for any occasion including Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries as they always contain something for everyone. Gourmet food gift baskets range from the moderately priced Sherwood Gift Hamperwhich contains a delicious mix of pate, cheese, shortbread and biscuits – all with a distinct Scottish theme.  At the other end of the scale the deluxe food gift basket All Seasons Luxury Hamper features 12 delicious items. The treats in this food hamper include everything from delicious drinks such as Twinings Luxury Chocolate Drink and Montana Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, to indulgent gourmet snacks such as cookies, rich fruit cake and chocolates.  Not only will it please all food lovers but the faux leather storage box will make a fantastic everlasting gift and is great for a wedding gift or new home gift.

 If your budget is tight but you still want to treat your foodie friend then a wine gift hamper is a great way to give them a taste of luxury at a fraction of the price. There is a wine for every occasion and every accompaniment from chocolate to cheese so whatever your loved one likes you can give them a sensationally tasty gift. The popular Wine, Cheese and Biscuits Hamper costs just over £20 and contains exactly what it says – a bottle of Cotes du Rhone wine, a selection of cheese and sesame seed biscuits.  It's guaranteed to be thoroughly enjoyed by food lovers and is also the perfect pick me up for new parents or get well occasion. 

Food gift ideas for any occasion

It’s not just foodies who enjoy tucking into a hamper of lovely nibbles as a food gift basket makes the perfect gift for every occasion. If you know someone who is poorly then there’s nothing like a Cookies and Muffins Gift Box to cheer them up and keep them entertained, some of the cookies and muffin gift boxes even come with ‘Get Well Soon’ balloons to really put a smile on your loved one’s face.  Anniversary gifts can often be difficult to buy, especially if a couple is celebrating 30 or more years together but a food hamper is a great way to celebrate milestone anniversaries, especially a party hamper such as the Ashton Hamper which includes a bottle of bubbly.

Whether you are shopping for a gourmet enthusiast or if you’re looking for a unique and delicious gifts for a special occasion, Smart Gift Solutions have plenty of food gift baskets for every occasion.

Christmas Sweet Jars

 

We've just uploaded our Christmas Hampers to our online store, available to purchase now with the option to select a future delivery date nearer to Christmas. 

 

In addition to our fantastic range of retro sweet jars we have added several which are specifically designed for the festive season.

 

With personalised labelling and at a great price point of just £12.95 they are a low cost high impact great gift for absolutely anybody!

Buy Now >

Top 5 Unusual Gifts for Children

The summer holidays are just about over now, so to ease your little ones into the new term why not treat them to one of our many unusual gifts for children? Every child is unique, so don’t just stick to the usual sweets and toys and give them something they will truly love instead. Below we take a look at the top 5 unusual gifts for children which are designed to educate, inspire or to just make them laugh...

 

Crazy Shower Caps

1.    Children (especially little boys) can be somewhat shower-shy at times, so encourage them to have regular washes with the fun and funky Little Devil Shower Cap, Moo Cow Shower Cap or the super cute Raspberry Beret Shower Cap. These unique shower caps are designed to make showering fun for them and less of a hassle for you as they will keep your children’s hair dry. Unusual gifts for children don’t get more practical than these!

2.       Retro Sweet Jar

 2.    Sweets may not seem like such an unusual gift for children but this sweet jar features only the best in retro sweets, including favourites like Love Hearts, Sweet Bananas and Jaw Breakers. Your kids will soon be making loads of new friends at school when they share the playground favourites in the Retro Sweet Jar with their class mates (that is if they don’t eat them all themselves first!)

3.       Games Mugs

3.    Problem solving has never been so much fun as with these brain-busting games mugs, featuring the Squares Games Mug and Four in a Row Games Mug. Both mugs come complete with dry-wipe pens so your kids can get started with some brain training over their evening cocoa.

4.       IQ Brain Train Game

4.    The IQ Brain Train Game is the ideal back to school gift for children as it’s entertaining and educational, so it will help them get back into the swing of schoolwork in no time. This mind stretching little box contains loads of puzzles designed to train the brain and it is the ideal unusual gift for teenagers who want extra brain power to pass their exams.

5.       Antworks Space Habitat

5.    Creepy crawly little ants may not be everyone’s idea of a treat but Antworks Space Habitat, a fascinating present, is certainly an education and unusual gift for children. These industrious ants live in a space age habitat based on a NASA experiment designed to study ants in micro-gravity. As your kids watch the ants at work they will be able to apply what they see to loads of school subjects such as biology, physics and even sociology!

Children are far from boring so don’t settle for any old present when it comes to giving them a treat. Unusual gifts for children such as the ones above can be educating, inspiring, entertaining and most of all fun! We have an extensive range of fabulous gifts for children of all ages on Smart Gift Solutions so pick a treat for your children today.

Top 5 Unusual Gifts for Children

The summer holidays are just about over now, so to ease your little ones into the new term why not treat them to one of our many unusual gifts for children? Every child is unique, so don’t just stick to the usual sweets and toys and give them something they will truly love instead. Below we take a look at the top 5 unusual gifts for children which are designed to educate, inspire or to just make them laugh...

 

Crazy Shower Caps

1.    Children (especially little boys) can be somewhat shower-shy at times, so encourage them to have regular washes with the fun and funky Little Devil Shower Cap, Moo Cow Shower Cap or the super cute Raspberry Beret Shower Cap. These unique shower caps are designed to make showering fun for them and less of a hassle for you as they will keep your children’s hair dry. Unusual gifts for children don’t get more practical than these!

2.       Retro Sweet Jar

 2.    Sweets may not seem like such an unusual gift for children but this sweet jar features only the best in retro sweets, including favourites like Love Hearts, Sweet Bananas and Jaw Breakers. Your kids will soon be making loads of new friends at school when they share the playground favourites in the Retro Sweet Jar with their class mates (that is if they don’t eat them all themselves first!)

3.       Games Mugs

3.    Problem solving has never been so much fun as with these brain-busting games mugs, featuring the Squares Games Mug and Four in a Row Games Mug. Both mugs come complete with dry-wipe pens so your kids can get started with some brain training over their evening cocoa.

4.       IQ Brain Train Game

4.    The IQ Brain Train Game is the ideal back to school gift for children as it’s entertaining and educational, so it will help them get back into the swing of schoolwork in no time. This mind stretching little box contains loads of puzzles designed to train the brain and it is the ideal unusual gift for teenagers who want extra brain power to pass their exams.

5.       Antworks Space Habitat

5.    Creepy crawly little ants may not be everyone’s idea of a treat but Antworks Space Habitat, a fascinating present, is certainly an education and unusual gift for children. These industrious ants live in a space age habitat based on a NASA experiment designed to study ants in micro-gravity. As your kids watch the ants at work they will be able to apply what they see to loads of school subjects such as biology, physics and even sociology!

Children are far from boring so don’t settle for any old present when it comes to giving them a treat. Unusual gifts for children such as the ones above can be educating, inspiring, entertaining and most of all fun! We have an extensive range of fabulous gifts for children of all ages on Smart Gift Solutions so pick a treat for your children today.

Why Cookies and Muffins Make the Ideal Gift

It may seem indulgent but there is often nothing more enjoyable than tucking into a delicious muffin or cookie and washing it down with a nice cup of tea or glass of milk. If you know someone who is difficult to buy for or if you want to give someone a unique present then cookie and muffin gift baskets are an ideal choice. The great news is that you don’t even have to spend ages in the kitchen baking them yourself as we have a full range of scrumptious muffin and cookie gifts to choose from for every occasion. Below we look at why cookie and muffin gift baskets, tins and hampers make the ideal presents...

Cookies and muffins are unique

Forget the usual socks or beauty products and treat your loved one to a gift they can really enjoy with a birthday cookie box. Giving cookies as a birthday present will certainly make your gift standout amongst the other presents and if the person you’re giving them too is generous then you might just get to try one yourself!

Cookies and muffins are affordable

There is plenty of choice when it comes to cookie and muffin gift baskets so no matter how tight your budget is, you’ll still be able to treat your loved one to a tasty gift. From small tins of cookies and muffins to huge cookie and muffin tins with all the trimmings – there is a cookie and muffin gift to suit every person and budget.

Cookies and muffins are ideal for all occasions

Whether you are celebrating someone’s birthday, anniversary, wedding or christening, a cookie and muffin gift is the ideal way to mark the occasion. Cookie and muffin gift baskets can also be used to cheer people up who are poorly such as with the Get Well Emergency Cookie Gift. If you run a business or manage staff then you can show the whole team how much you appreciate their hard work by treating them to a scrummy box of muffins and cookies.

Cookies and muffins are super tasty!

The main reason why cookies and muffins make the ideal gift is that they are so delicious. Whether you prefer chocolate chip, white chocolate or fruity blueberry everyone can enjoy a sweet treat in the form of cookie and muffin gift baskets. Many of the gifts in our cookie and muffin range come complete with special little extras so you can tailor your gift perfectly to the tastes of the recipient. For example, coffee lovers would enjoy the Muffins and Coffee Gift Basket and Organic Cookies Gift Boxes would be ideal for your eco friendly loved ones who enjoy a sweet treat.

Give a different gift on special occasions and indulge your loved ones with some sweet treats with the complete range of muffin and cookie gift ideas at Smart Gift Solutions.

 

Top 5 Unique Wedding Gift Ideas

Shopping for a wedding present can be a bit of a nightmare at times as your gift has to be suitable for both the bride and the groom and even if there is a wedding gift list, do you really want to buy them a set of towels or a new toaster? Sometimes the best way to put an even bigger smile on the bride and groom’s faces is to give them a truly unique gift – one that they were not expecting but which they will love and treasure.  Below we take a look at the top 5 unique wedding gift ideas..

1. Adopt a Vine

If the bride and groom appreciate the odd glass of wine or two then don’t settle for getting them a bottle of white or red, instead invest in a grape vine just for them.  Many people dream of one day owning their very own vineyard and enjoying the harvest in the form of a nice glass of wine. With this unique wedding gift the bride and groom can Adopt a Vine for one year in a famous British vineyard and also have a pleasant day touring the vineyard, harvesting the grapes and sampling the wine.

2. Geisha Japanese Tea Set

A nice tea set is a staple of many couple’s wedding gift lists however this doesn’t mean that you have to buy them a standard set when you can treat them to this   gorgeous  Geisha Japanese Tea Set. The harmony of the Far East will be with them in their married life with this delicate tea set which makes the perfect wedding gift     and cup of tea!

3. Love Hearts Gift Box

Is there a better combination than love and sweets?  Give the happy couple a real sweet treat on their special day with the Love Hearts Gift Box.  Sometimes the most  special wedding gifts are those which don’t cost a fortune but which are thoughtful, fun and romantic just like the Love Hearts Gift Box

4. Mocha Spa Escape

Weddings can be a stressful time with all the planning and preparation before hand and making sure that everything runs smoothly on the day so most couples will need a little time out when the big day is over. The Mocha Spa Experience is the perfect wedding gift to put a stop to any post wedding and honeymoon blues and give the bride and groom a relaxing getaway.  Spa days are certainly unique wedding gift ideas as most people may think that the groom in particular won’t want to be pampered but secretly everyone likes to feel special and indulge in some ‘me time’.

5. Family Tree Gift Box Set

The Family Tree Gift Box Set is the perfect wedding gift as when a couple marry they are bringing together two different families. The bride and groom can enjoy researching the family tree together and discovering and sharing in the past lives of family members. Just make sure they leave space for future family members to be added to the tree!

If you’ve been invited to a wedding soon then don’t be tempted to stick to the usual presents, try one of the unique wedding gift ideas above as they are the perfect wedding gift for the couple’s special day.  For more unique wedding gift ideas visit our wedding gifts category today.

 

Make it personal... customise your gift!

Our newly added Personalised Gift Section is proving to be very popular!  Our Silver Star Paper Weight engraved with your personal message of up to 50 characters is by far the most popular, offering the perfect gift choice for so many different occasions.

Personalised gifts not only make the recipient feel extra special but they will be treasured for years to come as they carry your emotions with them.  A handwritten note to accompany just about any gift whether low or high value will place extra significance on that gift making it a treasured gift for years to come.

Adding a personal touch to your gift such as the recipient's name or initials provides that feeling that someone has not only remembered the day but has taken the time to buy a special gift with extra meaning.  It's guaranteed if you're unwrapping several gifts, you'll be drawn immediately to the gift that carries your name!

The most important thing to consider when choosing a personalised gift is whether the gift itself will be useful to the recipient.  Whether you're shopping for personalised baby gifts, anniversary gifts, personalised birthday gifts, personalised Christmas gifts, or personalised wedding gifts it's often a good idea to choose what will be practical and useful or conveys a special message.

If he's a golf enthusiast he's bound to be thrilled by a personalised golf ball to commemorate a special occasion such as he's birthday with a message that you think he's a great golfer!

If it's their anniversary a commemorative china plate with the wedding date together with a personal message or a pair of exquisite champagne flutes will be treasured for ever.

If it's a new baby gift celebration what better way to mark the occasion than with a charming china breakfast set. Each piece can be customised with the baby's name and after it's used can be packed away in the lovely gift box and treasured forever.

In a survey conducted by 'It's in the Stars' it seems birthdays, weddings and anniversaries are probably the top three occasions which are most popular to buy a personalised gift for.  Other discoveries which we would agree with are –

• Men consider the price most important when selecting a personalised gift whereas women consider uniqueness and durability of the gift matters most
   
• Around 50% of buyers are willing to wait up to 7 days to receive a personalised gift, half that percentage are prepared to wait up 14 days whereas 24% are prepared to wait up to 3 days only
   
• Although gift wrap is nice to have it is not essential, the majority of buyers will allow enough time to wrap the gift themselves or simply would not spend the money on a gift-wrapping service
   
• £30 seems to be about the average price point most buyers are happy to pay

The types of personalised gifts to give are –

• Items of special interest such as "World's Best Golfer" golf ball

• Photo based gifts, calendars and art being the most popular

• Items with birth date such as an astrology chart or newspaper cover

• Name based items such as jewellery or a paper weight

• Personal message items such as candles or ceramic plates
  
  Items of special interest are the highest on the list for most likely personalised gift to give.

It seems most personalised gifts are given to close family members and close friends, nearly two-thirds of personalised gifts are given to a spouse or partner.

Buyers are more than likely to give a gift to their close friend than their children and parents receive 40% of personalised gifts.

It seems that most people (88.5%) have bought at least one personalised gift in the last 12 months with 60% buying two or more personalised gifts in the past 12 months.  It seems those in the age group 44-62 years are the biggest consumers of personalised gifts with 46% buying 4 or more personalised gifts in the last 12 months.

The most important attributes about personalised gifts for most buyers are –

• Price

• Uniqueness

• Durability

• Brand/prestiage

• Number of personalisation choices

• Ego appeal

• Gift wrapping

It also seems that your birth sign may have a bearing on your gift choices as Cancers and Taureans are regarded the most likely to give gifts that really delight the recipient followed by Leos but highly discriminating Virgos seem to need a bit of help in selecting gifts that delight their recipient!

Click here for the full range of personalised gifts.

Garden Hanging Lanterns

These fabulous garden candle lanterns are just the answer to decorate your garden for a party. This is a fun way to add extra light for the party and to enhance the look of your garden. 

They'll not only add charm to the surroundings but compliment the plants as well. 

Click here to buy garden candle lanterns.

Eco-Friendly Baby Set

Welcoming a new baby to this world is one of the joys of life. When sending a gift you'll want it to be very special and to be remembered.

Not only is this a beautifully presented gift box selection for the newborn baby boy or girl but it's also made with 100% organic cotton, which means it's eco-friendly and oh so soft against the baby's delicate skin. Both organic items, a short-sleeve body suit with poppers and a matching one size bib are manufactured by Lollipop Lane who manufacture an extensive range of coordinating nursery items and baby gifts.

For that extra special touch This lovely gift can also be personalised on the satin ribbon up to 12 words. 
Click here to buy.

Father's Day Lager Gift

When it comes to gifts for Father's Day, we all want to get Dad something he'll love. So we wander the shopping centre and the sports stores and the DIY centres searching for a new tie, a new golf club, a new power tool, hoping to find the perfect gift. 

But you really don't need to complicate Father's Day!  Men love beer... simple!  Here's our most popular gift for men not only for Father's Day but for lots of other occasions too.

Click here to buy lager gift... job done, and we guarantee he will love it!