Gift cards are just one among the various types of prepaid cards that are offered by banks. Other types comprise forex cards like those offered by HDFC and SBI. They can be utilized for purchases and cash withdrawals in the requisite foreign currency overseas.

Other prepaid cards are meant primarily for corporate entities and not individuals. For getting a gift card, you need to fill a basic form and hand over the identity proof plus the cash to any local bank branch. You will be issued it on the same day.

You need to check about the fees and limits, if any. Processing your gift card application incurs a fee. The amount is in the range of Rs 100 to Rs 200. It varies from one bank to another. The amount is higher in banks such as IDBI and Axis, where the activation fees are one percent of the amount that is loaded onto the card provided the card value is more than Rs 10,000.

You can get a gift card for any denomination, from Rs 500. The ceiling on the gifting amount varies depending on the bank you approach. The cap roughly ranges between Rs 10,000 (at banks likes HDFC) and Rs 50,000 (at Axis and ICICI).

Though the gift cards are supposed to be easily available at all local bank branches, this is not always the case. Smaller bank branches may not stock gift cards at all times. The personnel there may ask you to visit the main branch. Also, your cheque may take an additional day to be processed and the card will be activated only after that.

If the gift card has been presented before the activation has been done and if the receiver immediately uses it, the transaction will be declined.

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Raksha Bandhan is the occasion when even celebrities take time off from their hectic schedules and soak in the spirit of the festival.

It’s that auspicious time of the year when brothers and sisters strengthen their tender bond signified by tying of the sacred thread.

And gifts are an essential element of the festival to reflect the spirit of sharing and caring. Riddhima Kapoor this Rakhi wanted quite an interesting gift from her famous actor brother Ranbir. What was that?

As a media report stated she wanted her actor brother to come up with as many super hits this season as he can as her best Rakhi gift. The news report mentioned: “Riddhima, a busy fashion designer, wasn’t able to go to Mumbai for celebrating Raksha Bandhan. However, she sent her rakhi by courier.”

She was quoted as saying: “I would be in New Delhi and hence won’t be able to travel to Mumbai owing to my work commitments. I’ve couriered it (Rakhi) to him. Along with it, I’ve also sent to brother my good wishes and blessings. And all I want as my Rakhi gift from him is that he should give as many hit films as he can.”

On the other hand, Bebo’s (Shivshakti Sachdev) popular on-screen brothers Siddharth Bajaj (Omi) and Vineet Kumar (Daljeet) surprised the former. They visited the sets and celebrated Raksha Bandhan.

The overwhelmed actress prepared a pooja thali and tied Rakhi to them and prayed to God for their well-being and happiness. The ‘brothers’ acknowledged her emotions with a pledge to stand by her through all the good and even bad times.

A touched Bebo said, “I’m delighted that my brothers have come here to celebrate Rakhi with me. They’ve been a strong support; they’ve always offered a strong helping hand. I’m lucky to have brothers who protect and love me.”

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For the design-conscious person, a good looking mobile phone does not necessarily mean that he or she would compromise on its features. This factor should be kept in mind while selecting a device for the purpose of gifting.

Thankfully, there is no dearth of options when it comes to pick good-looking devices with handy functionalities.

Samsung Ultra Touch
An example of this is Samsung Ultra Touch, which is a step up from the plastic slider phones previously released by the company. This one is a nice mix of a full touchscreen interface, a physical T9 keypad and an 8 megapixel camera.

Priced at Rs 27,500, the Ultra Touch model sure has the potential to warm the hearts of the elite fashion-seekers. On the flipside, 2.8” display might feel a bit compressed for internet surfing and e-mailing but other multimedia needs, such as videos viewing and music listening/streaming are well served on a display of this size.

Asus P565
Another option is available in form of the Asus P565. Retailing at just a little more than Apple iPhone, it costs Rs 35,000. Asus P565 gives the same touchscreen you see on iPhone.

Asus has forced out some fairly impressive smartphones in the mobile phone market, till date. It comes with a fairly huge flash memory (256MB, to be precise). P565 has also thrown in a nice program that allows uploading videos and photos to Flickr and Youtube.

A user can directly share pictures and videos from anywhere with an internet connection. A 3 megapixel camera plus the auto-focus feature guarantees good pictures.

Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220
The new Flip is lighter than most other RIM devices. The smooth curves, metal trim plus a glossy embedded front display along with the bundled 2 megapixel camera make it a good pick. It’s priced attractively at Rs 21,990. The new built-in web browser is better than that on Blackberry Curve & Pearl handsets.

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Corporate gifting, Gifting occasions, promotional gifts, corporate gifting for employees

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In the previous blog, we introduced you to Microsoft coffee-table-sized computer ‘Surface’. As we pointed out in the last posting, there are several gorgeous options for gifting gizmos to your tech-savvy buddies or relatives.

Touch-screen is the technology that all tech-savvy people will be reaching out for. You can spot the trend for gifting a nice gizmo if you are willing to spend a bit more for someone special. It is the mobile device market that is set to witness a flood of touch phones this year. They are affordable too.

According to an ABI research report, Samsung and Motorola will dominate the market in 2009. LG products such as LG Cookie, KS20 and Viewty are also appealing. LG has been aggressively launching entry-level handsets with amazing touch-screen features, whereas Samsung has on offer premium products. Samsung Pixon (8 mega-pixel camera phone, priced at Rs 28,750; Samsung Omnia (GB)priced at Rs 35,999, and TouchWiz priced at Rs 20,899 are the three hot picks that you cam go for. Nokia’s entry-level 5800 Xpressmusic, HTC Touch series and RIM Blackberry Storm are all worth considering.

When it comes to computers, there is Asus as well. The winner of the prestigious Red Dot design award has Eee Top PC. It’s an all-in-one, catchy touch-screen device, to make computing interactive. The firm has opted for an Opera browser to allow easy-touch navigation sans mouse or keyboard.

The Eee Top costs Rs 44,000, and brings immense glitz to one’s desk. Eee Keyboard PC is another touch-based innovation. It’s not yet commercially available, though! The PC is expected to incorporate the functionality of a desktop with a flashy keyboard, weighing just under a kg.

The gizmo can ably turn a LCD monitor into a full-fledged PC & multimedia entertainment centre thanks to its amazing ultra-wide band wireless connectivity. Eee PC T91 tablet PC with a touch screen (8.9-inch) incorporates features like the one of handwritten notes jotted down and ‘stuck’ on it or dispatched to other Eee computers. It lets users flip through, organize, edit as well as upload photos quicklys. 

Tags: Gifting occasions, gifting to clients, Popular corporate gifts, Best business gifts, business gift baskets, promotional products, Worst gifts, gifting etiquette, Business etiquette, Gifting events

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Multi-touch is now the must-have feature for coveted digital devices. In fact, ‘touch’ is the new buzzword for all electronics devices today in the market.

If you’re looking to gift them to one of your tech-savvy family or business friends, there is no dearth of options. Here, we provide some clues. For instance, the craze for the Apple iPhones launch has now become all pervasive! The gizmos that are available with the touch feature latest technology features s by way of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, haptic feedback, GPS, accelerometers, etc.

Take, for instance, the new Microsoft coffee-table-sized computer, known as the ‘Surface’, is meant for retail stores and hotels. It is based on handy multi-touch finger gestures for moving digital objects like play games, photos, and to browse. Hewlett-Packard (HP) has already developed a prototype of a multi-touch coffee-table computer to be used at home.

Samsung’s latest P3 portable media player is based on true haptic feedback. Having a fantastic 3 inch TFT-LCD touch screen, it provides widescreen enjoyment of photos and video without the requirement for letterboxing. The P3 reacts with a various physical sensations with every command gesture. The 8GB and the 16GB versions cost Rs 11,900 and Rs 14,900, respectively, making it quite affordable.

The digital still camera range from Samsung sports Touch 2.0 features. The NV100 Full HD digital still camera at Rs 22,990 lets users explore commands on screen with swift finger movements.

For high-end gifting, there’s Apple’s MacBook Air touchpad allows one to move the cursor and simply click just like a mouse. It has several functionalities, making use of multi-touch gestures. One can rotate photos just by touching two fingers and shifting the images on the screen.

One may move back n forth quickly through web pages and photos by swiping fingers on the touchpad. It is possible to expand or shrink a photo, or by pinching the image, even zoom in and out on a web page. An Apple MacBook Air starts at Rs 95,000.

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We shall inform you about a range of personal alert and safety equipment that make a valuable gift simply because safety and well-being of those dear to you is always on top of your mind. Here, we recommend to you precious personal alert and safety equipment that make a valuable gift:

Personal Safety Alarm
It adds to personal safety. This is a foolproof, carry-along security gadget. To be worn around the neck while shopping, walking, jogging alone at deserted or unfamiliar locations, it secures against purse/chain snatchers. It is ideal for college-going girls, office-going females and senior citizens. Just give the rip-cord a bit of sharp tug to activate the alarm. Insert the pin, back into the socket, to deactivate.
Price (approximate) Rs 545

Personal Anti-Loss Alarm for Kids
Alarm gets activated if the child moves beyond the safe or specified distance. Distance range up to 25 m can be adjusted. It is ideal for parents and guardians. The alarm has a transmitter and a receiver. When the distance between the receiver and the transmitter exceeds the pre-defined range, the alarm goes off – 3 beeps in quick succession.
Price (approximate) Rs 695 

Personal Protection Alarm
It comes with door protector, strobe light. If a user feels threatened or needs help, he or she can simply pull the pin. The additional cord (with Door Contact Clip) is for frequently travelers, staying in hotels. The clip will act as a stand-alone door sensor.
Price (approximate) Rs 795

Personal Anti-Sleep Alert
It is designed to alert a driver and is worn behind the person’s ear, avoiding the possibility of an accident. Place it behind the ear for alert in case your head droops.
Price (approximate) Rs 125

You can also gift Personal Security Alarm and other carry-Along Portable Security products from Zicom that are reasonably priced.

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Valentine’ Day is all about proclaiming one’s love. And who knows this better than Salman Khan. He does not miss an opportunity to make public his feeling about charismatic Katrina Kaif. There is no way that he would miss out on Valentine’ Day.

As a gossipy bit in a magazine reports: “Their love is literally touching the skies. Earlier, the two used to hit the headlines for their differences and frequent tussles but now the things are something different. Nowadays, we only get to hear the romantic stories of their love. With each passing day, the two are coming closer as they are able to read one another’s heart in a far better way. They do not anymore get into any sort of unnecessary arguments or brawl.”

People would differ whether Sallu is an expert or not in wooing his lady love but he is doing everything possible to keep his Kat happy. The couple often goes out for a nice candle-light dinner. Salman Khan also brings a smile on her radiant face with a surprise visit on her shooting sets. As Valentine’s Day is approaching fast, Sallu has a fantastic gift ready for her to broaden the smile. He has decided to gift her one plush flat in the posh western suburb of Bandra, according to media reports.

The location of the flat and its design appealed to Salman Khan so much that the actor has already made up his mind to purchase it and gift it to Katrina on February 14. He actually wanted to finish the interior decoration work before he could gift her. He has reportedly given the task of decorating it to Suzanne Khan (Hrithik Roshan’s wife). Salman will also decorate the living room wall with a pretty portrait of Katrina.

So, what you are going to gift to your ‘Kat’?

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In the last blog, we discussed how women find it difficult to pick gifts for men. But then there are women who tend to take an easy way out — either by gifting cards, cash or a gift voucher. The men can utilize the gift voucher or cash to buy whatever they want.

A media professional mentions in the DNA article by doing this she ensures that none of her gifts is turned down. According to her, she either gives vouchers or takes her friend to shopping along with her. So there is no problem when it comes to understanding the persons’ likes or dislikes in terms of style, size, colors, etc. Many women opt for branded gadgets or electronics. But here again personal likes and dislikes cone into play.

Thankfully, many gifting stores and experts help you select the perfect gift. The owner of Nuggets, Anju Poddar, is willing to offer advice for buying gifts for men. Nuggets is an elaborate gifting store. The professional understands that shopping for gifts for men is often a problem since there are fewer options available. One of the safest options is a bottle of whisky or wine.

Ironically, the gifting expert herself faces a problem while selecting a gift for her husband. So what then is the perfect gift for your man, going beyond usual belts, bags, wallets, clothes and cufflinks? One way out is buying something useful. Accessories can be a safe option if you are not sure about his choice.

A partner at Gifted Lifestyles, Kanchan Khubchandani, suggests grooming products. They are a big hit, in the backdrop of the metrosexual mania. Some women simply follow their instinct, and buy what their heart tells them is right for their man, and that does the trick for them!

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Whenever a calamity or tragedy strikes, victims must be given immediate medical attention. In such contingencies, shortage of blood can hamper treatment. Generally, people understand the importance of donating blood, but hesitate or plainly avoid doing so. In the wake of the recent terror attacks, all of us must commit ourselves to donate blood to help out victims in hours of tragedy.

Voluntary blood donation prompted solely by humanitarian consideration sure is the safest, most effective way of making blood of requisite blood group and assured quality available.

Blood donation is a sign of your being socially conscious. It can save someone’s life. The doctors and medical social workers at the blood banks hence perpetually work towards encouraging voluntary blood donation. There are a large number of organizations from the public as well as private sectors, social service groups and medical institutes that organize blood donation camps on a regular basis.

For instance, the K.E.M. Blood Bank’s conducts nearly 150 blood donation camps are conducted annually. There is enormous need for blood, the people in charge point out. There is an ever-present need for blood transfusions and the demand usually exceeds the supply.

Blood collected is perishable and has a limited shelf life. Hence regular blood collection is a must to make sure a constant supply of blood to patients. Blood donated by you is replaced naturally and thus you can be eligible for another blood donation at approximately three months interval.

General conditions of the fit blood donor
- Age: 18 to 60 years
- Weight: Not less than 45 kg
- Hemoglobin percentage: Not less than 12.5 gm %

Blood donation is truly a life-saving gesture. Contact a leading blood bank or hospital in your city/town today, and give this precious gift to someone who badly needs it.

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We informed our readers about an innovative storage solution. What is that makes discgear truly special? We shall try to find out:

- discgear media storage provides a quick, unique and upgraded solution for organizing your media library with a free online disc organizing software. It prints indexing sheets for all discgear storage units. It stores the user’s collection online for future reference and adjustment.

- Its high-capacity, compact discgear unit creates more desk space by storing up to 80 CDs. They are easy to find and retrieve. discgear automatically locates and lifts out CDs, reducing scratches and fingerprints, so get them ‘when’ you need them, in seconds.

- It lets users create a customised index of CD/disc software and/or song titles, making it ‘easy to find and retrieve any title or category in a personal collection. Avid music collectors can now better organize and easily locate specific discs, leaving more time for the real job and enjoy showing-off their collection.

- The flexible discgear works so much more efficiently than a tower unit or shelf. It aesthetically integrates into the high-tech home theatre environment and takes up lesser space than furniture and zip-up cases.

Sleek, stylish and compact - distinctive discgear stands out from the ubiquitous, traditional media storage solutions, with its innovative, streamlined design and durability.
discgear is a gift that offers true value for money.

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