Making breakfast every morning can be a cumbersome exercise if you are on your own; more so when you are in a real rush to leave for work or college. For those who really care for their friends and colleague, this presents an excellent gift option! Here are some Kitchen gadgets that are worth gifting to your bachelor friend or colleague…

A machine can toast your bachelor friend’s waffles to perfection. You can consider the KitchenAid Nickel Pearl waffle iron. The gadget comes at roughly at about Rs 12,000. The handy accessory rotates for evenness. It offers browning options. You can buy on the Internet the Breville Panini Griddle and BBQ for preparing bread and coffee combo.

You may buy the Morphy Richards Food Fusion, for your friend who wants a glassful of fresh juice or even a nutritious smoothie. It comes at about Rs 8,000. The pick of the lot is the Vita-Mix CIA Professional Onyx Bar Blender that comes at about Rs 29,000. It will chop, knead, grate, mince, juice, purée, blend as well as mix - everything to change the texture of food!

The Egg and Muffin Toaster is another perfect solution. In a matter of minutes, it can boil or poach two eggs, simultaneously toasting bagels, bread, Muffins or something else can fit into the toasting slots. The Egg and Muffin Toaster will save your friend from a hungry morning rush.

There are some more interesting options from Morphy Richards India that sure are good gift options. One among them is 2-Slice Sandwich Press (Price: Rs. 3995). Its floating hinged top plate can toast different types of breads. Its adjustable height control is perfect for open sandwiches and melts. Other features are ready to cook and power on neons; and easy to clean non-stick plates. 

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‘What do get as a gift for your man?’ This the question women often ponder over with no definite clue. Though there is no unique or even generalized solution, you can certainly learn from experience or get tips from your more experienced friends. 

In fact, there was an interesting article on this topic by writer Joanna Lobo titled ‘The ordeal of buying gifts for men’ that appeared in the DNA News recently. The writer had a rather curious statement to make.” Ask a woman to climb a mountain, she will willingly do it. Ask her to climb it backwards; she may not do it, but will definitely give it a try!  However, ask the same female to get a gift for her husband/brother/boyfriend, and she may perhaps balk at the idea. For most females, getting gifts for their men is rather an arduous job.”

The main reason is non-availability of ideal gifts and also the fact that most men tend to shy away from memorabilia. Women will gush over how the clothes, jewelry, or a small knick-knack gifted to them. They will exclaim that it fits perfectly in so & so place or how the gifted item will match one of their particular outfits.

However, gift a showpiece to a man and his first question would be “where to put this?” The article quotes computer engineer Sandeep Bamane who faced this dilemma. Two of his enterprising friends presented him with a penholder.

It was a skeleton that held a basketball. “They thought it would be useful for me. But I hated it,” was his reaction. Many may believe that gifting a guy something weird and wacky is preferable. But that again does not always hold true. So what is the way out? We shall check out tomorrow…

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You will be busy celebrating and welcoming the New Year with your friends, family and colleagues - texting and calling them as well. This also is the perfect opportunity to share our joy through exchanging wishes and gifts.

The New Year gift basket is a not to be missed ritual. Here we offer some off-beat ideas and basic suggestions for you to create a gift basket for your boss, colleagues and friends.

• Always keep the hierarchy factor in mind. For your immediate bosses, the gift basket should be a tad bigger, and the gifts, that much more expensive.
• The basket that you gift your owner or MD should be the most impressive. Come up with a bottle of his/her favorite perfume; buy a branded shirt or get a classy pen set.
• The gifts you give may not be that much more expensive than the ones you give your colleagues, but should be packed creatively and presented in person.
• Decorate the handle with a bigger bow or shinier ribbon and you’re sending a sub-conscious message about his status.
• Find out what the person likes is looking to acquire before making a choice and that person really wants to possess. It is not always about buying a costly gift.
• If you want to be conventional, stick to office essentials like deodorants, classy pens, desk-top clocks, miniature calendars, etc.
• Colleagues in your department should be given the same gifts or goodies; you can skip the other departments unless you have forged special ties with some of them.

Make an impact with an impressive gift basket and after that, no one will be forgetting you in a hurry. Last but not the least, do your bit for society, when buying your gifts. Buy some products from an NGO.

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Being eco-friendly and socially conscious is the new trends when it comes to celebrating and gifting.Many websites are thriving on this concept. One of them is GiveIndia that involves a simple procedure for being part of this new movement. Once you are registered with the site, you just need to state the cause you wish to support and the contribution you wish to make. The web link is then promoted. For example a newly married, a member of the site, printed an appeal on their wedding card for donating money instead of showering them with personal lavish gifts.

Many members have been raising funds in this manner through the website. You can pass the link to your colleagues, relatives, friends, and social forums. One of them informs to have collected Rs 60,000 for a social cause. Many see this as a chance to remember their near and dear ones who are no more in this world.

Corporate gifting pattern is changing as well. Corporate entities instead of merely ordering a consignment of cards from NGOs are making a contribution to help NGOs. The Concern India Foundation has a donor match program for both corporate world and individuals who approach them with a pre-set budget and a wish list of the cause they wish to support, and the foundation helps match these requests with the NGO concerned.

Even festive celebrations are turning eco-friendly. Coexist provides an environmentally friendly solutions through a range of eco-sensitive handmade decorations in cloth and hand-made paper.

Bollywood starlet Genelia D’Souza is one celebrity who believes ‘Green Christmas’ is a fantastic idea. She stated: “I think it would be a great idea to try out the eco-friendly material for decorating the tree.” Choreographer Marc Robinson and his wife Waluscha get their decorations and even the tree from New York. and do not buy new stuff every year.

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As Christmas approaches, Santa Claus is eagerly awaited by children and so also the goodies and gifts he brings along.

It is interesting to note that the popular view of Santa we all have today - with the sleigh, the reindeer and the chimney – was derived largely from Clement Moore’s ‘The Night Before Christmas’, the 1822 book, further reinforced further by an advertising campaign.

The Santa Claus story combined with the modern retailing phenomena and consumer culture has grown since the turn of the century to make gift-giving an integral element of the Christmas celebrations. Incidentally, there was no elaborate exchanging of gifts until late 1800’s.

The Christmas tree – apparently a German tradition – began in the early 700AD century. The tradition of a Christmas Tree gradually moved to the UK and US. Since Victorian times, people had been decorating trees with candies and cakes hung with ribbon, ornaments and candles. The first electrically lighted Christmas tree appeared in 1882. Mistletoe, representing the goddess of love (Frigga - Scandinavian), was used as a decoration in houses for thousands of years and is also associated with many pagan rituals.

The 12 days of Chistmas are the ones that separate Christmas day (December 25) from Epiphany celebrated on January 6, marking Christ’s baptism (the Catholic tradition) or the day when the wise men visited baby Jesus with their gifts. This includes great fanfare and singing. The Anglo-Saxon tradition revolved around gathering together for small, serene choirs on the scenic village green lawns to sing carols and popular Christmas songs that would entertain and please the passers-by.

This joyous festival truly enlivens our hearts with warm revelry that extends well into the new year! Gift your near and dear ones, the little children, your friends and colleagues to spread the joy of Christmas.

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One’s home is one’s castle, goes the saying. But homes nowadays won’t normally feature drawbridges, moats and ramparts, to keep off unwanted visitors. Now, a house alarm, preferably a full-fledged and managed home security system, is an essential feature to make sure that one’s family and possessions are safe.

A Business Standard news report by Priyanka Joshi & Aabhas Sharma (December 6, 2008) mentions: “The electronic security market is worth Rs 1,800 crore. It is clocking a CAGR growth of 30 per cent.” It quotes vice-president & business head of Godrej Security’s equipment division D E Byramjee: “Today people demand a doubly safe, easy to operate and cost-effective security solution for their homes. Even if there’s a watchperson at the gate, owners still want to identify the person at their door.”

For this purpose, Godrej has introduced video doorphones. These are priced in the range of Rs 8,000-15,000 that help users view every caller at the door and even talk to them before opening the door.

Security systems that you can consider for yourself or for your family, friends and colleagues as a gift item are:
• Burglar alarm systems
• Video surveillance & doorphones
• Wall-mounted air sensors
• Motion detectors
• Two-way key fobs
• Wi-Fi cameras

According to the software implementation and support head of Micro Technologies, Milind Londhe, “Security is something that cannot be compromised on. People now have realised this hence are looking to implement effective security solutions.”

Security solutions manufacturers like Honeywell Security have been coming up with intelligent video systems. There are multiple benefits of such systems. Starting at about Rs 22,000 (per camera), they are getting fast popular. With Bluetooth and infrared, most security gadgets are now available in wireless mode as well.

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Delving into the topic of celebrities and gifting, we just came across an interesting news report ‘Akshay’s gift for hi son Aarav’ that mentioned the busy actor is fast rushing through the remaining portion of his first animation film so that he is able to host an exclusive premier for his six-year-old son along with his friends before anybody else could get to see it.

And he has to do it fast, as the report mentions, quickly as Aarav is now losing his patience. Akshay wants to fulfill his son’s ardent wish and has been desperately asking all his colleagues to dub the film as soon as they could so that he can hold the screening.

He has been quoted as saying: “Yes Aarav (his son) wants to see Jumbo. He is so very excited about watching the film.” But there is a cute story behind what made Akshay’s beloved son come up with this request to his dad.

The report adds: “After coming back from Cape Town, Akshay has been carrying most of the voice rehearsals of this movie at his home at Andheri. And Aarav used to be there and sit beside his father while the rehearsals went on. The whole exercise of everyone shouting in some strange voices amazed the little boy. He giggles and claps throughout the sessions. He ensures that he does not miss any of these rehearsal sessions whenever he is at home.”

Aarav reportedly likes animation films. His favorites are Kunfu Panda and Shark Tale. Jumbo is a family tale. It talks about family values. Aarav got very excited after seeing the portions of it and he went up to his dad immediately, and screamed that he wanted to see the film along with his friends as soon as possible on the big screen. His wish has been granted.

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We list the art and craft varieties of Kerala, which will make a perfect gift if you are willing to acquire them for your friends, relatives and office colleagues: 

Treasure Chest (Netturpetti): It is the ethnic jewel box of the women in Kerala, and was once a majestic mark of the influential families of the land. The casket (petti) originally designed in Malabar’s Nettur region is testimony to the skill and patience of the artisans.

The box made of rosewood is handcrafted. Every joint, screw and lock is shaped and chiseled by hand. The wooden box is varnished and later fixed with brass frames. This richly embellished box (with its conical lid) is today a collector’s item. The casket is fast turning a rare object.

Murals: Kerala is among India’s leading states including Rajasthan that boast a large collection of murals based on ancient Indian mythological themes. The Kerala murals have the stamp of unique aesthetic composition and techniques. Most of these murals were painted in the period between 15th and 19th centuries.

You could buy one at Rs. 2000 per sq ft onward depending on the complexity of the picture and its size. (Stop by at the Vasthuvidya Gurukulam, Parambarya Thachu Sastra Chuvarchithra Samrakshana Kendram, Aranmula, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.)

Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram: It is a uniquely crafted golden ring. Shaped like a knot, it is considered a sacred ornament.

Check for more shopping options in Kerala…

You can visit any handicrafts emporium and pick up the article of your choice. Fore more details, contact:
Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala
Park View, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India - 695 033
Phone: +91-471-2321132 Fax: +91-471-2322279
Tourist Information toll free No:1-800-425-4747
Email: info@keralatourism.org , deptour@keralatourism.org

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The holiday season is in full swing. Shopping for friends and relatives is an inseparable and the most enjoyable element of holidaying. We suggest you some exclusive and ethnic gift ideas. We start with Kerala. Here is what you can get as a gift from the state:

Kathakali masks: The Kathakali masks, an icon of Kerala’s culture-scape, are available as little, pretty souvenirs and showpieces. The painted face as well as long black hair of the costume, complete with the elaborate headgear, these curios are usually made in plaster of Paris, papier mache or clay. The masks are available at the government owned emporiums across Kerala and also at handicrafts showrooms near most famous temples and tourist destinations in the state.

Sandalwood sculptures: They are a tad expensive, but they bear the mark of the fragrance of a rich land and its and memories. The sandalwood sculptures are among the most popular souvenirs like the icons of Ganapathy, the elephant headed god; the trinity of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Mahesh), little snake boats and elephants.

Vaikkol chritrangal (straw picture): The beautiful backwaters and the evening sky, huts and hamlets, hills and valleys, boat race, village fairs, festivals… all these spellbinding sights of Kerala are superbly captured and brought to life in straw art. This craft of pasting straw cut to different sizes on canvas or cloth to create fabulous images is termed vaikkol chritrangal (straw picture).

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You may love astrology or hate it, but cannot ignore it. There are peculiar gift giving ideas relevant to each sign. Whether you are deliberating over what to gift your boss, your friend or mate on his/her birthday or any special occasion, their zodiac signs will give you clues for the suitable gift. Here, we consider Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces!

CAPRICORN
Boss: Ambitious and Practical, a Capricorn boss prefers things, which are elegant, albeit understated and classy. Great gifts comprise silver desk clocks, finest vintage wine, sculptures, antiques and any such artwork.
Friend & Family: They like their finances to be in order and are interested in monetary matters to do with savings and investments. Thus, ideal gifts would be books on stock markets, gold bonds, and money management courses. They are genuinely conscientious workers and a good reputation means a whole lot to them. You can help them enhance their image by gifting clothes (suits in grey color), smart accessories like tie pins, cuff links and wrist watches.

AQUARIUS
Boss: Anything one-of-a-kind, exclusive and unusual gift will please an Aquarian boss. See to it that your gift too is unique; not necessarily expensive. Aquarius is an earth-friendly sign so eco-friendly items also appeals to them. They also love technology, and won’t mind receiving the latest electronic gadgets.
Friend & Family: They can be quite individualistic (quirky!) in nature. They are intellectual type. You thus need to gift them things, which will keep them engaged, occupy their minds, and stimulate their brains. Complex games, telescopes, hypnosis kits, electronic gadgets, etc. make good gifts. They like experimental technologies as well as alternate therapies, hence meditation books, astronomy CDs/books are well liked by them. Variety is the spice of life when it comes to an Aquarian. To add a touch of dynamism, gift them an MP3 player, Ipod, cell phone, etc.

PISCES

Boss: They are passionate, poetic and artistic nature. They have a fanciful personality. Even a Pisces boss will harbor several fantasies and dreams. Try to fulfill one of them, and your boss will get pleased no end!

Friend & Family: The gift to a Pisces partner should be subtly romantic, carrying a sentimental value. A picture collage with photographs of the two of you - along with hand written love poem – will be perfect. He or she would love a music CD compiled with his/her favorite love songs. This sign is represented by the feet. Gifts like a pair of shoes, and gift certificates for a foot massage are recommended.

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