Are you looking for a unique wedding or anniversary gift?  Do you want to offer a gift that is fun and brings laughter in the bedroom? Well, I think I have the right gift idea for you!

The “His & Hers Sheet Set”

His & Hers Sheet Set from www.BedHog.com

If you want to stay away from any conventional gift and offer something fun and unique, I suggest the “His & Hers Sheet Set” from www.BedHog.com. The set is made of 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases. The 100% cotton sateen sheets are white with a stylish “His” and “Hers” print on them. A line down the middle will delimitate the two sides and help reveal who the real Bed Hog is!! The flat and fitted sheets are reversible so partners have a choice on which side they want to sleep.

The set comes in King ($119.99) and Queen ( $99.99) sizes. I wish they had a California King size to fit MY bed! hahaha Anyway, this would be an excellent choice for a unique and special gift! One of my favorites!

For $29.99, you can buy a separate pillowcases set; they even offer pillowcases sets for Gay Couples or singles who like to have the bed all to themselves!

Who is Behind BedHog.com?

photo courtesy of BedHog.com

The story goes that Sue and Patrick were newlyweds when all of a sudden they had an important debate in the bedroom. The topic: who was hogging more than their fair share of the bed?! In order to find out, they created the Bed Hog sheets. So, now they are sleeping on their own Bed Hog sheets and are happier than ever!

To read more about their story please visit www.BedHog.com  

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Photo courtesy of Alice J-T

Sure, Christmas is still more than two months away, but since budgets are tight this year planning is even more important. Gift giving can get extremely expensive. However, with some preparation you’ll know exactly how much you have to spend on each person on your list.

Make a List

No, this is not a list of what you want for Christmas. It’s a list of who you plan to buy gifts for. Include everybody– whether the gift is small or large.

Get Ideas

Generate a few ideas for each person on your list. Would they like an iPod? A sweater? A magazine subscription? Come up with some gift possibilities for each person.

Estimate Cost

Now that you’ve got an idea of what a good gift might be, estimate how much that will cost. Do a little online research to find out what you could be spending to buy that gift.

Make a Budget

Add up those estimated costs for all of the gifts you want to buy. Does the number scare you? Then try brainstorming lower cost gifts. Come up with homemade ideas for some of the people on your list. Get that number down to something you can afford.

Save, Save, Save

You’ve got a budget so now is the time to start saving. Planning ahead means you won’t face unexpected gift expenses. The important part is setting aside some extra money each week or month so that you’ll be able to Christmas shop without the stress.

Start Shopping

Carry that gift list with you from now until Christmas. Keep an eye out for sales or bargains that include the items you’re looking for. Since you’re not waiting until the last minute you can keep your eye out for the best deal possible.

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

Halloween is all about ghosts and goblins, but it can also be about gifts. Spread some spookiness or some sweetness this October. Here are a few suggestions for Halloween gift-giving that will make it an extra special holiday.

cat costume

Know someone with a dog or a cat? Pick out a super-cute costume for their furry friend like this one that is reminiscent of the “Puss n’ Boots” character from Shrek. It’s hilarious and at less than $10, very affordable.

Pumpkin Candles

Headed to a Halloween costume party? These pumpkin candles from Pottery Barn make a great hostess gift. They’d be great lined up on the dining room table or by the front door. Plus, they don’t lose their shape as they’re burned.

Sweet Treats

What would Halloween be without the candy? Try making some homemade treats to give your friends and neighbors. Try this recipe from Cooks.com for popcorn balls.  This recipe for caramel apples at Epicurious.com will take you less than a half an hour.

Pumpkin Carving Tool

Forget the steak knives. Pumpkin carving has become much more sophisticated. For less than $30 you can give this Dremal cordless pumpking carving kit. It includes ten carving templates and two a year warranty. Let your family members turn pumpkin-carving into an art form.

Scary Movie

Thirty years ago one of the scariest movies ever haunted theaters everywhere. Halloween was released back in 1978 and this month a limited edition (only 20,000 will be made) commemorative set will be released. Pre-order yours at Wal-Mart.com. The set comes with a latex replica of the Michael Myers mask.

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

It’s your sister-in-law’s birthday. Today. Even though she’s two time zones away, you can still give her a gift before the day is over. With the help of the Internet, she won’t even know it slipped your mind. So don’t panic– take a deep breath– and start clicking to find that perfect long distance last minute gift.

Photo courtesy of Tanakawho

Flowers

Flowers are a safe gift that fit varying levels of relationships and interests. Just about everyone likes flowers. Another great thing about giving roses or tulips is that you can do it last minute. Check out VirtualFlorist.com where you can easily browse through bouquets and pick a price and style you like. The best part is, if you place your order by 2pm they can deliver it that day.

 You can read some of our reviews and suggestions on the best online florists in a previous post: A Token of Love: Flowers! Online Resources

Gift Card

It may be too late to throw a gift card in the mailbox, but you can still get it delivered to their inbox. Try GiftCertificate.com. Buy gift cards from one of dozens of merchants, or give them a SuperCertificate that they can redeem for the gift card of their choice.

Movies

Give the gift of movies almost instantly through Blockbuster Online. Simply select a gift subscription plan and duration (they start at $11.99), customize an e-card and click send. Then your recipient will be able to redeem the subscription at any time.

Dinner

Even though you can’t be there to take your friend or family member out to dinner for this special occasion, you can still give them a meal out on the town. Hook them up with an e-gift certificate from Restaurant.com. Better yet, sign them up for the Dinner of the Month club. A three month subscription is just $30 and you’ll receive a $10 gift certificate just for being so thoughtful.

E-Card

Sometimes a few well-written words can mean the most. Select an e-card at Hallmark.com, include a personalized note and click send. Your birthday wish will arrive right on time. Other choice for e-cards would be: Zany in the City E-cards.

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If you have more ideas on how to give long distance last minute gifts, please leave us a comment! Also, if you have used any of the above websites and have any feedback (good or bad), we’d love to hear from you!

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

 Raspberry Fizz Laptop Case

The perfect gift for a college girl or any young lady!

Pretty protection for your laptop (holds most 15″ portable computers). Includes a full, zippered front pocket and two comfortable handles. 

If you don’t like pink or would prefer something darker, at least  15 other  choises are available, from floral to geometrical, even animal designs. Read more »

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

Do you really need crystal goblets or fancy place settings? If your answer is no, then you may want to consider registering for your honeymoon. Honeymoon registries are a popular trend among soon-to-be married couples. Read more »

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

Gifts are great, especially when you can use them. The worst type of present is the one that never gets used. It’s a picture frame that doesn’t quite go with the decor, a shirt that’s too small, or a kitchen gadget that’s resorted to collecting dust. Before you give a gift that just ends up earning a couple bucks at a future yard sale, consider these practical gift ideas.

For the New Mom

It’s so fun to pick out little pink or blue outfits, but practical gifts are great for new parents, too. New babies can use up to ten diapers a day and if you’ve walked down the baby aisle lately you know that is a major expense. Wrap up a big box of diapers- it’s a gift that really will get used.

For the Graduate

College kids typically don’t have the best cars, yet they can spend a lot of time on the road. Buy them a AAA membership and it might come in handy during a difficult situation. Instead of being stranded on the side of the road with little cash, they’ll be able to use that membership to get help. Plus it comes with lots of other perks, like discounts and coupons.

For the Younger Child

It’s never too early to start saving. Teach a youngster about money by giving them a cool bank. Start them off with a few dollars in change. It will get them excited about saving.

For the Homeowner

Looking for a good gift for newlyweds, new homeowners, or anybody that’s too busy to mow? Try treating them to some free lawn care. Have a service cut their grass, trim the hedges and pull some weeds. Taking care of this chore will be a welcomed gift.

Photo courtesy of Siti Saad

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

You want to give your family and friends the best, but the best can often come with a hefty price tag. There are ways to save money while being your thoughtful, sweet, creative self. Here are a few ideas.

Plan Ahead

One of my best friends is getting married in a couple of months. I knew she would be having a bridal shower so back in February ago I got to work. I bought a Sharebook like this one on sale at Hobby Lobby. It’s a great product because it takes a lot of work out of putting the scrapbook together. It comes with envelopes and pre-made pages so you just have to send them out to friends and family members and wait for them to return to you. I included about ten of her closest family members and friends, assembled the book and shipped it to her so she could open it at her shower. The entire thing probably cost me under $30, but she told everyone it was her second favorite gift. (Her favorite was a handmade cookbook complete with family recipes that her aunt had compiled.)

Shop Smart

There are several sites that will pay you to shop with them. One to check out is Ebates.com. Just for signing up for an account they’ll give you a $10 gift card to a store like Target or Sephora. Then, you just shop online like normal. You’ll get cash back (usually 1-4%) from the sites you already probably shop at. It’s a cool way to get a little something back when you’re buying gifts for others.

Buy in Bulk

Come across the perfect gift that just about everyone will love? Why not buy it in bulk? Maybe a case of wine? Or a box of jam made by a local farmer? That way it’s ready to go when the need for a gift comes up. Plus you’ll save money by purchasing a large quantity.

Photo courtesy of scrapbookexpress.com

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

You stopped buying bottled water. You recycle just about everything. You even drink organic coffee. Now it’s time to turn your gift giving just as green as the rest of your life. Here are seven ways to be thoughtful to you friends, family and the earth.

1.    Give an edible gift. Check out your local farmers’ market and pick up some fresh fruit and veggies for an organic and yummy homemade gift basket. Edible gifts are great because you know they’ll be used.

2.    Look locally. When shopping for presents support local craftspeople. Make sure the items are made with non-toxic supplies.

3.    Give the gift of nature. For the outdoorsy types, why not give them a pass to the national parks. For $80 they’ll have access to dozens of parks across the country.

4.    Look for earth-friendly gadgets. There are plenty of them at Terrapass.com. Check out this personal wind turbine. It’s a great way to charge your cell phone or iPod without using electricity.

5.    Think about what they’ll actually use. It’s important to buy items that will be used, not wasted or thrown away.

6.    Give them some land. For just $50 you can adopt an acre of Costa Rican rainforest, an area threatened by development. It’s a gift that they may never get to touch or so, but they’ll definitely appreciate it.

7.    Think about the wrapping. Before you go snag some pretty paper and ribbon, think about what it’s made of. Avoid cards and wrap made with chlorine-bleached paper. Look for a PCF (processed chlorine free) label or products made from recycled material. Better yet, re-use paper and gift bags or put the Sunday comics to use.

Photo courtesy of TerraPass.com

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My husband and I decided tickets to Costa Rica were a little outside our budget. And a road trip to New York City would probably cost as much as a real Gucci hand bag. So instead we decided to do something different for our summer vacation. We will spend a week riding our Vespa around the Carolinas, raising money and spreading the word about an amazing organization, Hydromissions. They are working to give children and families in third world countries access to clean drinking water.
We met the founders of Hydromissions, Steve and Jennifer Lorch, a few months back. The idea for Hydromissions came to Steve about five years ago. Steve, a surgical nurse, went to the Dominican Republic to help out at a medical clinic. In just three days he treated 800 patients and 85-percent of those people had problems that were water related. Tired of just treating the symptoms, but not the problem, Steve and Jennifer decided to do something.
Using sets of 100-year-old encyclopedias as research tools, Jennifer and Steve started inventing water pumps and drills out of bicycle parts and cheap items you might find at Home Depot. In just five years since the organization formed, Hydromissions has worked with close to 100 agencies in 30 different countries. Currently they fund all of their trips (about four a year) by selling soap they manufacture in their garage. Because we were so inspired by HydroMissions’ practical approach to this massive problem (1.1 billion people around the world don’t have access to clean water) we decided to do what we could to help them out.
The problem is huge. The statistics on the lack of access to clean water are astounding:

• At least 1 in 3 Asians has no access to safe drinking water.

• Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease. That’s 5 million children a year.

• At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.

The problem may be big, but we can do something about it. That’s why we created 2 Wheels 4 Water. The idea is simple. We are combining a topic that’s on everyone’s mind (high gas prices) with an important mission (providing access to clean drinking water.) This summer my husband and I (and whoever else wants to come!) will spend a week logging hundreds of miles through the Carolina’s on scooters, spreading the message of 2 Wheels 4 Water: Save Gas. End Thirst. With soaring gas prices, every mile driven on a scooter costs just 3.5 cents. Every mile driven in a typical car costs about 17.5 cents. We’re asking people to pledge the difference: 14 cents for every mile we cover. That money would directly fund Hydromissions’ efforts to bring access to clean drinking water to third world countries.
You can give the gift of clean water by logging on to the 2 Wheels 4 Water website, our Facebook page or our MySpace page and supporting us either through a donation or by spreading the word. It’s hard to imagine life without clean water, but for 1.1 billion people in the world, that is reality. Join us in our commitment to make a difference.

Photo Courtesy of Hydromissions.

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!