Posts Tagged ‘fragrance’
Brand-name Gifts
Why do we buy brands? If you ask my MBA marketing professor, we purchase brands not just out of affinity or loyalty. The habit of buying brands lowers the risk of dissatisfaction. Nobody wants to get the wrong thing, so we stick with the brands we trust to deliver results.
So what brands does your gift recipient love? Chances are, buying their preferred brands (while more expensive) may lead to a delightful present. For example, I check web sites and stores for my wife’s favorite brands when considering gift ideas.
- Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.
(the charm bracelet I gave on her birthday remains a favorite) - Baskets: Longaberger
- Bakeware and housewares: Pampered Chef, Crate & Barrel and Williams-Sonoma
- Small kitchen appliances: KitchenAid
- Pottery: Little Bit of Bybee
- Chocolate: Godiva
- Perfume: Chanel Allure
- Music: Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and Jim Brickman
- Scarves: Burberry
- Wine: Chateau Ste. Michelle
- Liqueur: Baileys Irish Cream
- Slippers: Uggs
- Floral delivery: ProFlowers
The next time you’re stumped for a gift, try composing a favorite brands list for inspiration.
Tags: chocolate+candy, clothing, flowers, for her, fragrance, gift ideas, jewelry, music, wine
It’s Christmas Eve, and you just can’t break away from the 24-hour “A Christmas Story”
The solution: a last-second e-gift card. I’ve compiled a list of 43 e-gift card sites to send online now, noting which e-gift cards allow for online and/or in-store shopping.
- Ale in the Mail Wine Club Gift Announcement (online only)
- Amazon.com Gift Card
(online only)
- Ann Taylor E-Gift Certificate (higher-end, polished clothing) or Ann Taylor LOFT E-Gift Certificate (more relaxed styles in an “upper moderate” price range). Online only for both.
- Bath & Body Works E-Gift Card (online only)
- BedandBreakfast.com Getaway E-mail Gift Card (select B&Bs only)
- Bloomingdale’s E-Gift Card (redeem online, from catalog and in stores)
- Blue Nile E-mail Gift Certificates (jewelry; online only)
- Coldwater Creek E-Gift Card (women’s apparel; redeem online, from catalog and in stores)
- Cooking.com E-mail Gift Certificate (online only)
- Clinique eGift Card (cosmetics and fragrances; redeem online or by phone — but not in stores)
- eBags E-mail Gift Certificate (purses, handbags, backpacks and luggage; online only)
- Gardener’s Supply Company E-Gift Card (online only)
- Kohls Department Store E-Gift Card (redeem online and in stores)
- Lady Foot Locker E-mail Gift Card (redeem online or by phone — but not in stores)
- Lands’ End E-Gift Card (apparel; redeem online and in stores)
- Lane Bryant E-Gift Card (plus-sized women’s apparel; redeem online and in stores)
- Lenox.com e-Gift Certificate (fine china, tableware and collectibles; online only)
- Liz Claiborne Online Gift Certificate (women’s apparel; online only)
- L.L. Bean E-mail Gift Card (redeem online, by phone, from catalog and in stores and outlets)
- Macy’s E-Gift Card (redeem online and in stores)
- Magazines.com E-Gift Card (annual magazine subscriptions; online only)
- Martha Stewart Crafts E-Gift Card (online only)
- Match.com Gift Subscription (online dating subscription; online only)
- NetFlix DVD Gift Subscription (online only)
- Nieman Marcus Virtual Card (redeem online, by phone and in stores)
- Nordstrom Virtual Gift Card (redeem online and in stores)
- PajamaGram Electronic Gift Certificates (online only)
- REI E-Gift Card (outdoor recreation gear and sporting goods; redeem online, by phone and in stores)
- Restaurant.com E-mail or Printed Gift Certificate (select restaurants only)
- Saks Fifth Avenue Virtual Gift Card (redeem online and in stores)
- Scrapbook.com Electronic Gift Certificate (online only)
- Sephora E-Gift Certificate (beauty products; online only)
- SpaFinder Gift Certificate with E-mail Announcement (select spas only)
- Stella Maternity E-mail Gift Certificate (online only)
- Talbots e-Gift Certificate (women’s apparel; redeem online, from catalog and in stores)
- Tea Forté E-mail Gift Certificate (gifts for tea lovers; online only)
- Uncommon Goods E-mail Gift Certificate (online only)
- Victoria’s Secret eGift Card (online only)
- Wine Enthusiast E-mail Gift Certificate (online only)
- World Market e-Gift Certificate (online only)
- Yankee Candle Gift Card (both e-mail and physical gift cards are sent)
- Zappos.com Electronic Gift Certificate (shoes; online only)
- Zazzle E-mail Gift Certificate (upload images and create custom T-shirts, mugs, posters and more; online only)
While some of these links above may apply to men, I also have a similar list for the guys: Better Than Tube Socks: 21 Last-minute Online Gifts for Guys.
Tags: bath+body, candles, christmas, clothing, for her, for mom, fragrance, gift cards, gift ideas, gift sites, jewelry, mother's day, movies, wine
Dining in the restaurant from our first date, I excuse myself, claiming that I need to take two cold tablets. Fifteen minutes later and I’m back — dressed in a black tuxedo with two dozen roses and an engagement ring. Now I am down on one knee. She did not see it coming. Great gifts are surprising.
How do you discreetly plan your surprise? First, present gifts in unexpected ways. Use a ribbon to tie the gift around the car steering wheel before he or she leaves for the day. Ask for help folding the laundry; the top towel in the basket hides the present. Have the gift delivered at work (keep it safe for the office, of course). I’ve even done the cliché of giving my wife the practical blender — which she really did want for Christmas — with a Tiffany’s blue box tucked into the blender’s glass container.
Second, you can give gifts spontaneously. Figure out your giftee’s half birthday with the Half-Birthday Calculator and offer a surprise gift. Send flowers just because. Buy her preferred perfume or his favorite cologne, placing it next to the near-empty bottle.
Third, make your gift choice unexpected. If you can, avoid asking what the giftee wants. Pay attention to clues and write down this reconnaissance in a gift dossier. If your giftee does offer direct suggestions, upgrade the gift idea by buying the higher-end version (if appropriate and within your means) or provide an additional gift that could go along with the suggestion.
Tags: choosing gifts, dining, dossier, fragrance, giftology, half-birthday, jewelry, surprise
Not done with your Christmas shopping? You’re not alone. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, about one-quarter of shoppers will wait until today, Dec. 23, 2007, or later to complete their shopping. About 10 percent will finish up on Christmas Eve.
To avoid the crowds at brick-and-mortar retailers, try a few online gifts. The shipping deadlines for most online shopping sites have passed, so these gifts will arrive as e-mail. You choose whether to send directly to your giftee or print out the gift certificate and give in person.
The clock is ticking, so quickly consider these 25 online gift-giving options.
- Amazon Gift Card
Choose a simple e-mail message or a holiday-themed e-card to the “Earth’s Biggest Selection.” - CafePress “Gift This Cart”
Shop for quirky tees that your giftee would love, adding them to your cart. Then at checkout, write your gift message and click the “Gift This Cart” button to complete payment. CafePress will send the list of paid-for gifts to your recipient, who may choose to accept your selected presents or shop from the amount of the cart. Or you can just send a regular e-mail gift certificate. - iTunes Gifts
If you and your giftee use iTunes, you can select songs, albums and videos to send. Or you can e-mail a gift certificate sent via the iTunes Store. - JustGive.org
Donate online to a charity that matches their passion or let them choose the charity with an online gift certificate. See my post on this topic. - GiftCertificates.com
E-mail a SuperCertificate letting your giftee select from a variety of gift cards. However, avoid the MasterCard gift cards — here’s why. - OneShare.com Gift Announcement
The stock certificate will not arrive for a few weeks but a printable gift announcement will. See my post on this gift idea. - The Gift of Flickr
Upgrade a Flickr photo sharing account to pro status. Read my post for details. - Restaurant.com Gift Certificate
Give online certificates to restaurants near your giftee at discounted rates, such as a $100 gift certificate for $40. - Sephora.com e-Gift Certificate
Allow your giftee to shop online for favorite cosmetics and fragrances. Please note the gift certificate cannot be redeemed in Sephora stores, only online. - Lenox.com e-Gift Certificate
Lenox is renowned for its china, crystal, flatware and vases. My wife and I love our Lenox Courtyard Platinum china set we received as wedding gifts. - Uncommon Goods E-mail Gift Certificate
A great source for eclectic gifts and unique home accessories. E-mail gift certificates ship within 24 hours. - Ticketmaster Printable Tickets
Order and print concert tickets using TicketMaster’s ticketFast service. - Cabela’s Electronic Gift Certificate
If you know someone who enjoys the great outdoors, they know Cabela’s outdoors outfitter. Give an e-mail gift certificate towards hiking, boating, hunting, fishing and camping gear. - Lego e-Gift Card
Legos are among my favorite toys. After all, the package does read “5 and up.” At the office, I keep a small Lego set in my top desk drawer to help break through mental blocks. Lego offers an e-Gift Card valid for LEGOshop.com or phone orders, arriving within four hours after placing your order. - Bed and Breakfast.com E-mail Card
Send an e-mail card announcing your lodging gift to more than 4,000 B&B and inns in the U.S. and Canada. - Southwest Airlines Gift Card
Give travelers an e-mail gift card for airline tickets. - Fandango Movie Bucks
Treat your giftees to a movie at a local theater with these e-mail movie bucks. Check the zip code search on the Fandango web site to make sure local theatres accept Fandango Bucks. - Broadway.com Gift Certificates
Broadway fans who frequent the Big Apple will enjoy a gift certificate good for any current Broadway or off-Broadway show in New York City. Each of these e-mail certificates cost $145. - Netflix Gift Subscription
Delight the film buff on your gift list. Choose the number of months for the Netflix online DVD rental service. Six months costs $53.94. A one-year subscription is $107.88. Then print the certificate or send via e-mail. - Eddie Bauer E-Gift Card
You have until 4 p.m. Central time on Christmas Eve to send an e-card to this clothing store favorite. - Callaway Golf E-Card
Offer golf fans a choice of accessories from the online Callaway Golf Store with an e-card. - L.L. Bean E-mail Gift Card
Select from boots, outdoor clothing, backpacks and tents from this classic mail order company in Freeport, Maine. No expiration date or added fees for this e-mail gift card. - Nike Store Digital Gift Card
Give Nike athletics shoes and apparel with a swoosh via e-mail. - DisneyStore.com Online Gift Card
Recommended by Scrooge McDuck for those Mouseketeer gifts. - NFLShop.com Online Gift Certificate
Rally football fans with e-mail gift certificates that reach e-mail in-boxes within hours.
Tags: charitable gifts, christmas, clothing, dining, dvds, for couples, for her, fragrance, gift cards, gift ideas, gift sites, golf, guy gifts, lists, movies, music, photos, shopping, shopping online, stock, toys, travel
Gifting Report 2007, a survey and study released by Unity Marketing this month, tabulated the top gift selections for 2006.
Top Ten Gift Choices for 2006
| Rank | Gift Type | Purchase rate |
| #1 | Videos/DVDs |
25%
|
| #2 | Books |
21%
|
| #3 (tie) | Women’s Clothing |
20%
|
| #3 (tie) | Chocolates |
20%
|
| #3 (tie) | Bath & Body Soaps & Lotions |
20%
|
| #3 (tie) | Toys, Games, Dolls |
20%
|
| #4 | Children’s Clothing |
18%
|
| #5 (tie) | Men’s Clothing |
17%
|
| #5 (tie) | Candles/Candle Accessories |
17%
|
| #6 (tie) | Audio/CDs |
15%
|
| #6 (tie) | Dining Experience |
15%
|
| #6 (tie) | Flowers, Plants, Garden Accessories |
15%
|
| #7 | Baby/Infant Clothing |
14%
|
| #8 | Other Consumables |
13%
|
| #9 (tie) | Electronic Games |
12%
|
| #9 (tie) | Fragrance/Perfume |
12%
|
| #10 (tie) | Gift Baskets |
11%
|
| #10 (tie) | Liquor & Spirits |
11%
|
Tags: bath+body, books, candles, chocolate+candy, choosing gifts, clothing, dining, dvds, flowers, fragrance, games, gift baskets, lists, movies, music, surveys, toys, wine
