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.

Aries birthday season starts from 20 March

If you have an Aries in your life, the Sun moves into Aries on Friday 20 March which means it’ll be their birthday soon enough.

So what does an Aries like? If they’re a typical little Ram, in conversations they’ll joke, “Enough about me – what do you think of me!?” When they’re excited and on a roll, it’s hard to stop their excitement about their plans. And if you haven’t made any plans for their birthday, they’ll be crushed.

Aries of a “certain age” might appreciate a do-it-yourself autobiography while others would be happy with personalised items. Red is usually their favourite colour – what about a red handbag, gym bag, shirt, t-shirt, or killer boots? Or get them something cool from the RED range and support AIDS vaccines getting to the people in Africa? (Or, ahem… LoveStars reports have a red hardcover and they’ll be all about your Aries and you…)

Most of them fancy themselves as GI Joe action men/Bond girls on the loose etc so give them something that makes them think they’re out conquering the world or at least polishing up their spy skills (hmmm, well to be honest, Scorpios make better spies as they can keep a secret – most Aries are painfully honest).

They tend to have a high sex drive. like to be seen as sexy and appreciate lots and lots of ego-stroking so a sexy novel in which they star, could be music to their ears (come to think of it, it would be a great gift for read-everything-in-sight Geminis, too).

Do NOT under any circumstances, give them something you’ve re-gifted, gotten at a garage sale or dusted off from your mum’s attic. It’ll kill ‘em. They prefer brand-new – every time.

Read the monthly stars for AriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPisces.

Gifts and inheritances – are they worth the cost?

Gifts and inheritances – as well as deceased estates -  attract capital gains tax in Australia, but fortunately not yet death duties as in other countries.

I was thinking about Australian businessman James Packer who inherited the very weighty gift of a multi-billion-dollar estate by his father, the late Kerry Packer when he died on Boxing Day, 2006.

Like other mutable signs this year (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) born in 8-18 March, June, September or December,  Virgo James is being affected by the Saturn in Virgo-Uranus in Pisces opposition. Unlike other signs, he also has a lot more to lose – billions, in fact.

On Today Tonight, they profiled the progress of his Crown Casino in Macau, and his yet-to-be-finalised City of Dreams Casino opposite. It seems the only thing that is being hammered is his super-sized wallet. Building has paused thanks to the global financial crisis, and China is cracking down on the exit of funds from its banks.

James has natal Jupiter (fun, generosity, enthusiasm) in Leo (love, children, recreation and gambling). He is a generous-spirited man who really puts his heart into his pet projects. While he is not a actual gambler like his famous Sagittarian Dad, he IS gambling on the casino being a huge financial success.

In February, transiting Neptune (illusions, glamour and addictions) opposed his natal Jupiter suggesting there are elements to his massive casino project that he’s not aware of. In mid-April, his natal Jupiter will oppose transiting Jupiter in Aquarius. Jupiter rarely knows when to say no and stop which suggests his exuberance for the project may get him in trouble.  He could easily “go for broke”.

Also in February, his natal Pluto (power, obsessions, taboos) conjuncted with transiting Saturn (the stern school principal/cop/grumpy grandfather of the zodiac). It’s likely people behind the scenes were warning him to stop or at least reduce his expansion plans (or were secretly undermining his ability to succeed). As Saturn is retrograde until 19 May, he can “look forward to” a re-run of this in August when Saturn has retraced its steps.

This month, James is also currently being hammered by transiting Saturn in Virgo conjuncting his natal Sun (a prime time when everyone wags their finger at you disapprovingly),  and Uranus in Pisces opposing his ntal Sun (making him incredibly impatient to be independent and blast his own course).

It’s hard enough right now to be a mid-month-born mutable sign, feeling frustrated or disappointed thanks to the lingering Saturn-Uranus opposition effect, but when you’re a famous figure like him with all the world able to see and judge your mistakes, my bet is he cannot WAIT for 2009 to be over.

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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