Personalized gifts popular for birthdays and babies

The latest personalized gifts survey results are in! A new survey by It’s In The Stars on personalized gifts has found the following:

* The top 5 most popular gift occasions on which to give a personalized gift are birthdays, christenings, new babies, anniversaries and Mothers Day

* Jewellery, day of birth and art items are the 3 most popular types of personalized gifts

* The top 3 ways to personalize a gift are by name, day of birth and photography

* 63% of personalized gifts are given to partners, friends (44%) and children (43%)

* About 40% of personalized gifts are bought online with Gen Xers the most likely to buy from personalized gift websites

* Over a third (36.8%) spend $50 or more on personalized gifts with Gen Ys the most likely to spend more than $50 (42.2%)

* Over 60% have given two or more personalized gifts in the last year

* Most people would wait up to 7 days to get something personalized AND delivered to them or the recipient

* Gen Ys are the most likely to make use of a gift wrapping service and to give a gift certificate so the recipient could select their own personalized gift

* Cancerians and Taureans tie as the best gift-givers, voted as the Sun signs known for giving gifts that delight the recipient

Read the full Personalized Gifts Survey results!

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Gift ideas that happen to be tax deductible

It would be so handy if there was just one end-of-financial-year worldwide. It can range from 31 March in Canada, to 30 June in Australia  and New Zealand and I can’t quite work out if it’s 15 April in the US or not!

Usually places like Officeworks, Staples and WH Smith run endless ads for stocking up on tax-deductible items near the end of each financial year to help you maxmise your tax deductions.

But with a little lateral thinking, many of these places – and others – can create fantastic opportunities to stock up on items that are not only tax-deductible for your work, but could also make very good win-win gifts for family and friends. They get a great gift and hey presto! you get a tax deduction!

You know how your parents are always after a nice photo of you? If you run your own business you can claim photography expenses for a classic head shot you can use in your media kit etc. Frame it in a nice silver frame and voila! An instant tax-deductible gift for your parents and grandparents. (Your friends might not be so thrilled though…)

Work outside as a tradie? Buy a glam pair of super-dark sunglasses and thrill your Aries who always loves to look cool.

Run a cafe? Your Taurean foodie will get the joy of a glossy new cookbook while you get a tax deduction.

Geminis lurrrve their gadgets and the taxman won’t know if you actually kept that new iPhone for yourself or not. If you don’t want to spring for that much, there are a bunch of consumer magazines appropriate to your work area (medical industry = Good Medicine, automotive = Wheels, funds management = Money, and so on) that you could consider.

Most Cancerians are like moths to a flame in hardware stores. If you work in the building trade, it’s all the excuse you need to give them a portable handyman kit.

If you’re in the beauty trade, present your favourite Leo with an industrial-strength hairdryer for their mane or a goodie bag full of the latest beauty products.

Know a Virgo? You can give them all types of home office doo-dads from Kikki K and keep ‘em and the tax man happy.

Work in the interior design industry? Interesting evening classes on interior design and lifestyle (Coco Republic ran a successful series recently and have created some for Melbourne for June) can make for a very thoughful gift for your Libran design maven.

It’s hard to go past Scorpios without thinking of their famous need for privacy (they can’t bear people going through their things). For a left-field gift they’ll appreciate – and you can deduct – give them a paper shredder!

Many people who work in the travel industry are lucky enough to receive familiarisation trips (“famils”). Why not take your favourite Sagittarius as your guest the next time you have to check out a new adventure overseas?

If you take your laptop on work trips, it’s likely you’ll need a fancy new one which makes it ideal for Capricorns. Or what about a good business-oriented self-help tome.

Run a restaurant? Your kooky Aquarius teenager might actually like those funky checked black and white chef’s trousers.

Work in entertainment? Make use of your tax deductions for movie tickets and buy a book of ‘em for your favourite Pisces film fanatic.

If you’ve never been big on buying gifts, this is one way it might actually become kinda fun.

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Regifting keeps gift-givers in the loop

Regifting is one phenomenon that’s been gaining ground thanks to the coinciding Global Financial Crisis and the anti-clutter trend. If you can clean up your home, give someone a gift AND save money in the process - happy days.

Have a look around your home. There’s SURE to be something suitable you can pass on for someone’s birthday. Here’s a quick guide to what items you could safely regift to certain Sun signs without causing too much distress. (It goes without saying that you’re not going to regift anything that’s dirty, broken or in poor condition! Also, ideally it should still be in the original packaging…)

Jewellery – rings, bangles and bracelets (Geminis), pendants, necklaces (Taurus), gold anything that’s good (Leo), matching set jewellery (Libra), antique family heirlooms, pearls (Cancer and Capricorn), mood rings (Pisces), toe rings , “statement” pieces (Aquarius), belly chains, anything hand-crafted (Virgo), leather jewellery (Aries, Scorpio), ethnic pieces (Sagittarius).

Books – cookbooks (Cancer and Taurus), romantic novels (Leo and Libra), thrillers (Scorpio), sci-fi (Aquarius), self-help (Aquarius and Virgo), travel (Sagittarius), business (Capricorn), mystical, movie or music books (Pisces), how-to manuals and sexy potboilers (Aries)

Homewares – bookshelves, storage items (Gemini and Virgo), doonas, comforters, mohair throws (Taurus and Cancer), ornate mirrors, boxed DVD sets (Leo), antiques, crystal vases (Capricorn), BBQ equipment, Persian rugs, travel souvenirs (Sagittarius), DIY power tools, sporting equipment (Aries), filing cabinets, fur throws, breakfast in bed trays (Scorpio). terrariums, vintage equipment, computers (Aquarius), aquariums, windchimes (Pisces), cake stands, serving platters, jewellery trays (Taurus and Libra).

Clothing – vintage shoes (Pisces, maybe Leo if they’re in ultra-good condition – the shoes, I mean), scarves (Taurus), fur coats, dramatic coats (Leo), wacky 60s/70s stuff (Aquarius), handbags (Virgo), belts and hats (Libra), brooches (Cancer), Doc Maartens boots, anything red (Aries).

And if it all seems too hard, go shopping!

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Why some people are great at receiving gifts

Who makes you feel like it was all worth it when you give them a gift? It’s not every Sun sign!

As you may have realised from the previous post, some people are just not that great at accepting (let alone selecting) gifts. Again, there are some planetary signs, houses and aspects that will make some people the chosen gift-givers in your family, circle of friends and at work.

Those who should be made Master/Mistress of Gift Ceremonies are typically those with a strong Venus conjunct/sextile/trine/oppose Ascendant aspect. Venus rules love, beauty and ornaments (ie gifts) while the Ascendant is your public persona. With a lovely planetary combination like this, it is very important to this bunch that they choose something that would delight you when it’s their turn, but equally, that they show grace, charm and tact when accepting your gift (even if it’s soap-on-a-rope).

In a similar vein, those with Moon (feelings, perceptions, intuition) conjunct/sextile/trine Venus and/or Neptune makes them highly sensitive (in a good way) to your feelings. They wouldn’t want you to feel bad byseeming ungrateful – even if you gave them a tasteless, cheap, inappropriate present. YOUR feelings are actually more important. This is also true of those with Moon or Venus in the seventh house of relationships. They just want a general atmosphere of loveliness.

Those with a fun-loving Jupiter in the second or fifth house, and/or Taurus or Leo, and/or in good aspect (conjunct/sextile/trine ) to Venus, are very generous – in spirit and wallet – whether they are the gift-giver or recipient. They usually look forward to spending money and spoiling those they love. Your joy is their “payment”. They equally know how to laugh off (nicely) ridiculous items, turning it into a little joke after the event.

You might not know whether a Scorpio really likes the gift you gave him – their poker faces give nothing away. However, if you’re stumped what to get someone else, your Scorpio will be able to put you on the right track. They listen, listen, listen (in a different way from the Librans) and notice everything. Something that was mentioned years ago will mysteriously be presented on the Big Day.

Cancers, Librans and Pisceans are enormously sentimental and will keep their gifts, cards and wrapping paper as if to keep the gift experience alive. They – more than any other Sun sign – really mean it when they say it’s the thought that counts. If your gift somehow includes them – a photo, a meal etc – or something that they can keep forever to remind them of you, they’ll be utterly touched.

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

1st wedding anniversary gift ideas involving paper (sort of)

A wedding anniversary gift survey found that couples are most likely to give each other traditional wedding anniversary gifts in the first three or so years of their marriage. After that, they tend to run out of ideas, money or pressure from others to conform!

So the first one is potentially the most affordable of all – paper. That is, unless you’re giving a lovely old-fashioned plane ticket overseas (my personal favourite) and then it can cost a bomb! Here a few unusual paper-based ideas for a first wedding anniversary gift that might grab your fancy:

Create a coffee table book (ideal for Geminis who tend to be voracious readers and massive fidgeters), and consider binding your treasured family photos in a personalised, leather-bound, gold-embossed photo album to delight home-lovin’ Cancers and Capricorn traditionalists.

If you can’t spring for plane tickets, this very unusual life map which depicts geographical features along with tales of your life might delight a wanderlust-prone Sagittarius.

A raunchy novel in which you and your partner could be a winner for a Scorpio, while if you’re not good with words, but your Libra or Pisces spouse wants to hear (or at least read) your sweet nothings, get a professional romantic letter-writer to do your dirty work for you!

Flush with funds? Take your Taurus or Leo to the best restaurant you can afford, teasing them first with the gift certificate for the restaurant or tickets to see their favourite musician.

Aries love to feel sexy and in control so they might love a gift certificate for a cool sports car for the day. Anything that has their name on it tends to be a winner…

Give your Virgo the day off from cleaning and haul in a professional organiser to tackle your filing (theirs won’t need anything doing to it but the stress you stop them from suffering by looking at yours will be worth it)!

And most Aquarians are too polite to say so, but they love anything that’s a bit different! Surprise them with a gift certificate where they can learn how to fly the trapeze or do fire-twirling. Just having dinner (unless it’s a truly unusual restaurant, cuisine or location) tends to make their eyes glaze over.

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Gift cards: one in 5 would give one for Mothers Day

Have you ever given a gift card? Received one? You’re not the Lone Ranger.

The first time I ever gave my mother (who’s a home-loving Cancerian) a Bunnings hardware gift card at Christmas (she now wants them for every birthday as well), I crossed my fingers hoping I wouldn’t get a slap, but she was thrilled as she could stock up on little hardware items, plants and all the amazing doo-dads they have in their store.

As it turns out, in a survey of over 802 people about gift cards, 95% have received or purchased at least one gift card in their life with 81% purchasing one for someone else. The top three reasons people give one is they want their recipient to get what they want (85%), can’t decide what else to get (57%), and they don’t want to worry about colour, size etc (52%).

38% bought gift cards to buy something that they wanted but had not planned to spend money on, 33% bought something they would have purchased anyway while 23% used it towards an even more expensive item.

65% would use the gift card to purchase merchandise online.

The top 10 gift occasions that people would give a gift card include Christmas (75%), birthdays (73%), Mothers Day (19%), graduation and Fathers Day (16% each), weddings and anniversaries (15% each), thank yous and baby showers (13% each) and congratulations gifts (10%).

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Personalised baby gifts recommended by other blogs: part 1

The very cool blog Cool Baby Kid has just compiled The Ultimate Personalized Gifts Ideas for Kids Guide - and I’m thrilled that my BabyStars gift reports for parents has been included in the list which gathers the best around the world in monogrammed, personalised and/or customised gifts for children.

I had a great time checking the product reviews on these products! Here’s my take on what sorts of gifts for babies and children would suit the different Sun signs.

If you have a little Aries munchkin, they’re pretty unlikely to sit still during feeding time in their high chair, at the dinner table – or come to think of it, when they’re adults as well. You might increase the chances of them hanging around for a more few nanoseconds of “here’s the MiG fighter plane” as you attempt to spoon in another serve of pureed pumpkin with the personalised plates from La Plates. Watch them wolf it down to see their name on the bottom of the plate!

Snoopy’s Linus and his blanket were probably based on a Taurus child. Cuddly, snuggly tactile little Taureans love their security blankets, taking them everywhere, shrieking if you try to wash that mud-infested old thing. They love anything soft to touch and will quite happily suck their thumb and/or blanket. Give ‘em one that’s personalised all about them - 200 characters in total (that’s almost a bed-time story in itself) on all four satin-trimmed edges from  Fill In The Blankie.

I gave one of these personalised story books from Storybook Stars to my Pisces niece and Leo nephew and they were a big hit (as I imagine they could be with all children going through that “the whole world revolves around me” stage which lasts until they’re about, oh, 23). Nevertheless, it should thrill your Gemini child who loves to read and it’s a nice way to stave off the “But why, Mum?” and endless knock-knock jokes that can bring on wine-o-clock a few minutes earlier every evening.

The child who winds him/herself around his/her mother’s legs and won’t let go at daycare, is often a little Cancer child. Shy, sensitive and afraid of strangers, Cancers prefer to size people up quietly before befriending anyone. Anything that makes them feel safer is always a lovely gift. They can be slow to get off the boob (ahem, nothing really changes for the men) which makes these personalised dummies at My Pacifier a cute, inexpensive gift. A nightlight would be good, too.

Leo children were born ready for their close-up. And you might be one of those parents who take endless photos on their digital camera and never get around to printing them, or you have printed them and they’re in a shoebox or something. It’s hard to go past the service from Little Star Video which turns your photos (and even their favourite songs) into a family video that your Leos will watch over and over and over, giving you a temporary break from The Wiggles. Plus, you can screen it at their 21st or whatever.

When I saw the incredibly spotless children wearing monogrammed pinafores, I thought, “who ARE these children? Mini Stepford Wives?” and then thought hey, this would appeal to a lot of little Virgo children. Unlike Aries or Sagittarians who seem to find new sources of mud every day, Virgo kids can stay surprisingly clean, making one of these outfits not such a waste of money. They also enjoy helping you around the house, doing their homework and eating their vegetables. Although one day you might come home and they’ve alphabetised your spice rack and colour-coded your CDs… Anyway, one of those toy vacuum cleaners could be a bit hit, too!

Next post: Baby gifts for Libra through Pisces

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Salma Hayek’s generous baby gift

When it comes to baby gifts, it’s really quite hard to beat the simple act of kindness by Salma Hayek. She married billionaire luxury goods company CEO Francois-Henri Pinault on Valentines Day 2009, so she’s in a powerful position to change lives.

During her recent visit to Sierra Leone, Africa to see the poverty first-hand, she came across a starving African baby boy.

Salma is a well-known advocate of breastfeeding, but it wasn’t the couple’s 16-month-old daughter Valentina that she breastfed, but the starving baby, while the cameras for the current affairs show Nightline rolled.

Salma is a Virgo, which is the sign of service, health and work. And her Jupiter (the planet of abundance and generosity) is in Cancer (the sign of home and family). When you get helpfulness, generosity and nurturing rolled into one, it’s no real surprise she decided to give the most practical, generous gift of all.

Virgo is a real roll-your-sleeves-up-wade-in-and-do-something-useful type sign. Someone with a similar planetary line-up might choose to build or repair houses, or provide child care services, for example. Baby gift ideas closer to home could include giving the new mum a break with home-cooked pasta meals that can be quickly reheated when she’s too tired to make anything.
Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Mothers Day empty for Cancerian Prince William

When I read Prince William finds Mothers Day empty following the death of his mum, fellow Cancerian Princess Diana in 1997, I first thought, “poor guy”, then, “Mmmm, he is a Cancer with his Moon and North Node conjunct in Cancer, so no wonder” and then, “I had no idea Mothers Day was in March in the UK”.

Mothers Day falls on 22 March in the UK while for the majority of countries it falls this year on 10 May.

Cancer IS the sign of home and family so Mothers Day would be a bit of a shocker day for him – every year. It’s interesting that his long-time girlfriend, Kate Middleton, also has Moon in Cancer (when people have the same Moon sign as you, you naturally feel right “at home” with them), and Prince Charles’ wife (and long-time secret lover) Camilla, is also a Cancer.

William and Kate are peas in a pod. They share Moon and North Node in Cancer, and Mars, Saturn and Pluto in Libra which points to some “interesting” times for their relationship in November-December 2010, September -November 2011, and June-July 2012 when William and then Kate undergoes their Saturn return.

They also have a pretty dynamic pair of aspects, Venus trine Mars, and Mars conjunct Mars, in their relationship, which makes for an irresistible tie. Sex is pretty hot! So if for any reason, Queen Elizabeth says he can’t marry her, William might just do what his Dad did, and see her regardless of whom he marries.

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Has your wedding been predicted?

Well, not by me :) but by the US gurus in the wedding industry. These are the predicted hot trends for weddings for 2009:

* Smaller weddings with fewer guests (great for ultra-private Scorpios or for Leos wanting to make an impact for the same money)

* Destination weddings (music to the ears of a Sagittarius) or destination type weddings closer to home (ideal for Cancerians)

* Accent colours on dresses and cakes with the most popular being greens and blues (those sea-greens are often beloved by Pisces)

* Increased reliance on family and friends to help plan, pay, and provide some of the services (money-minded Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn wouldn’t hesitate to get people to chip in or help in some way)

* Increased use of green and eco-friendly products and services (this will probably appeal to the Aquarians)

* Simplified decorations, centrepieces and wedding invitations (Virgo usually can’t bear fussiness and prefers clean and simple)

* Increased use of online RSVPs vs. traditional mail-in RSVPs (could appeal to communication-crazy Geminis or Aries wanting to know the answer NOW)

* Off-peak weddings: mornings, afternoons, Fridays, Sundays, not in March etc – great for Aquarians wanting to be different or Scorpios who don’t want the hordes looking on

* Buffet meals, hors d’oeuvre, and cocktail receptions (Both Aries and Geminis don’t like to sit around all night at a meal so this could be ideal while Librans do like elegant cocktail parties)

* Cheesecakes, cupcakes and miniature cakes (line up, line up Taurus and Libra – the sweet tooths of the zodiac)

* All-inclusive packages (the earth signs again – keeping an eye on budgets).

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

March is the most popular month for weddings in Australia

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, March is the most popular month for weddings. It’s past the downpours of January and February, Christmas craziness in December, and it’s still beautifully warm.

So if you’ve got a wedding to attend and you’re trying to decide what to get them from their wedding list – or something not on the wedding gift registry at all, here is a quick rundown to what the bride might like according to her Sun sign. Yeah, well, it’s an unusual groom who is terribly interested what is being put on the gift list…

Aries – buy them an adrenalin-pumping experience – parachuting, scuba diving, flying a helicopter, rally driving etc. Anything that makes them scream with excitement and generates a bit of sexy competition with the groom…

Taurus – they really love their food so a gourmet hamper would be great. Music soothes their soul as does something to do with the garden – a pair of topiary trees or perhaps a beautiful wire or stone wall sconce to provide candlelit dinners outside?

Gemini – they love their books and communication devices. What about a truly beautiful coffee table book? Or coffee table? Some Geminis might be excited to get a new laptop, mobile or iPod.

Cancer – these lovely homebodies really love their house. A snugly cashmere throw, a stunning framed photograph of their family or something to do with cooking – a large Le Creuset baking dish? – could do the trick.

Leo – they love glamour and often imagine themselves as a movie star ready for their close-up. Most Leos love mirrored items so a mirrored jewellery box could be ideal. A leather-bound guest book for the hallway? A couple’s glamour photography shoot?

Virgo – health and work are two of their twin loves. If your budget runs to it, a treadmill would be fantastic. They also appreciate self-help books. They also love a tidy house – what about going in with others on a professional cleaner?

Libra – these guys are the original romance junkies. They can never have too many candelabras, crystal cut vases, or chandeliers to set the mood. Or what about a year’s supply of fresh flowers delivered weekly?

Scorpio – these sexy sorts are notoriously private about their private lives (a home safe could be a cracker of a gift) but a set of exquisite Egyptian cotton sheets could be highly appreciated. A video camera to make um, home movies?

Sagittarius – if they requested no gifts, but money towards their honeymoon instead, I wouldn’t be surprised – Saggies lurrve their travel. Think about a set of Lonely Planet books to destinations they’ve long craved to visit, binoculars, snazzy backpacks or other travel accessories. Go on, give them a gift voucher for Virgin Blue.

Capricorn – keen on their careers and being a pillar of society, they want “establishment” items. If you buy only one thing, make it the very best, but not bling-y. Antiques often go down well.

Aquarius – their friends are their family so think about things that make it easy to have friends over all the time – it could be of those outdoor mushroom heaters you see at bars, a cool BBQ set or what about a great iPod docking station? Those with a humanitarian bent could appreciate a wedding gift whose purchase helps a Third World community.

Pisces – Mystical, musical and/or movie-mad – any of these interests are things Pisces usually likes. Give them a thumping great set of speakers and sub-woofers, a feng shui consultant for their home or what about a boxed DVD set of their favourite movie stars.

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

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