When was the last time you were given a gift that really meant something special to you? Something that spoke to your heart and made you almost tear up inside because of the sheer significance and beauty of it?

Let’s face it; it probably doesn’t happen often. But if it did, it would probably be a fantastic thing to experience especially if it comes from someone who you consider to be an incredibly special person. Whether it’s for a partner, your closest friends or a family member, we’ve put together a couple of tips on how you can give a gift that is truly special, meaningful and shows that you went the extra mile to deliver something spectacular to your recipient.

Always think about what the gift could mean to your recipient

There are plenty of gifts that you can give; just look at a gift guide and you’ll see all the newest technology, clothing brands and trends that make for nice gifts. However, what you really want to do is think about what the gift could mean to your recipient. If you’re close to your recipient then you probably know what their interests are. From their favourite books to foods, you could easily pick a gift that you think they’d like–but there’s more to it than just their interests.

Instead, what you want to do is pick a gift that hits close to home. Something special that is more than just material. A good example is how many people pick a gift that is very expensive, assuming that it will make their recipient happy. If anything, this can be taken the wrong way such as them feeling like you’re pitying them, that they can’t afford it or that you’re just showing off with your money. Don’t just think about the monetary value of your present as being the only condition to making it meaningful. Instead, pick gifts that are special to the occasion and go the extra mile to do some research and deep thinking. After all, anyone could just pick out the most expensive gift in a store–it’s not exactly difficult or meaningful at all!

Keep the gift simple but make the delivery special

Sometimes, a simple gift is all it takes to please someone, but like a good song or even a joke, it’s the delivery that’s the important part. Gifting flowers can be a fantastic example of how to take something simple yet go the extra mile to make it more meaningful. First, go to a luxury store such as The Real Flower Company and take a look at the options available. The point isn’t to pick the most expensive option, but to get more insight on how the flowers are picked, to ensure top-quality results and also to learn more about the combinations, smells and so on.

Next, handwrite a message to your recipient. You should give them a small meaningful message, tell them the occasion that you’re celebrating and end it with something heartwarming for them to remember. After all, sweet memories can last a lot longer than material possessions and something uplifting and joyful can be a much greater gift than the most expensive chocolates and clothes.

Lastly, deliver the gift in person if possible. This isn’t always possible, but it does add a special touch the gift and it means you can quite literally go an extra few miles to make the present special.

In short, you should think more about how to make the entire gift an experience. The item itself doesn’t need to be the most expensive or luxurious item ever, but the delivery needs to be spot-on and the timing has to be perfect for it to be a memorable gift that stays in the heart of your recipient forever.

Some final words

Hopefully, this article has given you a completely different view of how to give a gift to someone that truly means a lot to you. Yes, there are plenty of gift guides that tell you some of the hottest items that you can give to someone for that season, but ultimately, giving a meaningful gift comes from the heart and there’s nothing you can take away from someone that really showed they put in the extra effort and went beyond your expectations to try and give you something that is honest and special.

Just remember the old saying “it’s the thought that counts” and you’ll be able to deliver an unforgettable gift to your lucky recipient.

~A~

* Collaborative post

When you are making considerable changes to your home you may not have thought about the self-sufficient aspects. Maybe you consider it to be too time-consuming? But there are things we can do to set us and our family up for life. Growing your own vegetables may seem like one of those things that are pointless; after all, you can purchase vegetables from a shop with little hassle. But if you are looking for ways to save money, eat organically, and become self-sufficient, you can begin this journey by growing a small collection of vegetables. But how do you do this when you have no idea?

Choosing The Right Location

Location is everything when it comes to the vegetables. If you choose a poor location, this will result in poor quality vegetables. The vast majority of vegetables need 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Sunlight is essential. But if you don’t have a garden, you can still make the most of a suntrap in your home. For example, if you’ve got a conservatory, you can use this to your advantage. And in fact, you could make a miniature greenhouse out of this conservatory. Because gardening is such a messy pastime, think about the space and how you can get the most out of it. You’re going to be spreading a lot of soil, so think about removing the carpet and replacing it with a concrete floor that easy to clean. Websites like http://carrcrete.co.uk can show you the type of concrete you can lay down, making life a lot easier. Indoors is a sensible choice, but only if you have adequate sunlight. Because if you live somewhere that sees a lot of rain, you need to provide stability. This is the best environment for your vegetables, and you will taste the results!

Picking The Plot

The best piece of advice when it comes to starting your garden is to start small. If you plant more than you’re able to cope with, you won’t have any good quality vegetables. It’s far better for you to pick a handful of items that you know you can confidently keep track of. To begin with, a garden of 16 x 10 feet is enough to see you on your way. Pick crops that are easy to grow. There are many vegetables that don’t require much care, especially winter vegetables that can thrive in the roughest of conditions. On https://www.thompson-morgan.com there is a list of the best winter vegetables to grow. But with a vegetable garden of this size, you can easily feed a small family over a couple of months. And in fact, you will have a little bit left over to store in the freezer.

For The Beginner Gardener…

It can be a very intimidating thing because if you get it wrong, it’s wasted time. But for any beginner gardener, here are the most vital rules to follow…

Spacing the crops –

It depends on the vegetables you pick. If you plant them too close together, you are not giving them enough space to grow, and if you’re putting them close to other plants that will take all their sunlight and water, this is also setting yourself up for a fall. Follow the instructions!

Watering –

Don’t give them too much water, and don’t give them too little! Watering vegetables is a fine art. While it begins with good soil, if you’re looking for the ideal amount of water, it’s entirely dependent on the planet. For example, cabbage needs approximately 2 gallons of water per week.

Use the best seeds you can buy –

There are plenty of seed packets you can purchase, but if you pick poor quality seeds, you will waste money. You can buy plants to give yourself a head start but this isn’t necessary if you get the right seeds.

Pick your time right –

Timing is everything. Each vegetable has its own planting date. And there are resources online that can help you to pick the ideal date, but again, check the packets for the instructions and you won’t go far wrong!

As a way to be more self-sustaining in life, growing your own vegetables is not just a way to save money, but it’s a habit that you can get into which will set you up for life. Growing vegetables in the home is much easier than you think, and it’s something the whole family can get involved with. Yes, it can be a big leap, to begin with, but it’s a lifestyle that embodies so much of the simple things, that you may never go back.

~A~

* Collaborative post 

Settling into a new home can be a mixed experience. You might have a bit more space, first of all, and a completely new and different area to explore – but the place will certainly not feel like home right away. For the first couple of weeks, it may even feel like you’re living in somebody else’s home and pretending to live their lives rather than staying in your own sweet home.

Luckily, there are a few ways to speed things up and make sure that your new home does, in fact, feel like home rather than a new and stiff couch that needs to be sat in before it’s actually comfortable.

Here is a handful of tips to get you started with your nesting; it’s no guarantee that you won’t walk back to your old home while sleeping, but at least you’ll be able to enjoy living there and come to terms with your new quarters a bit sooner.

First: Make it personal

You probably knew this one was coming right away, but a touch of personality is so important that we might as well start off with it. There are many ways to make it personal, though, and more ways than just putting up your favourite decoratives as soon as you move in.

Start by surrounding yourself with familiar faces, first of all, by buying some of these slide in frames and equipping them with your best pictures. These ones are double-sided, by the way, so you’ll be able to save a bit of money too. Place them on an island or just move them around once in a while to change things up a bit.

Sometimes, it helps to have something familiar around you when you’re trying to settle in and, just like a kid needs his or her teddy bear to feel safe, you should bring out your favourite throws and pillows. Make them a part of your living room for now and store them away again when everything feels a bit more homely.

Next: Get cooking

While doing something you enjoy certainly helps to make everything feel more like home, cooking will make it smell like home too. Getting familiar with your own kitchen and allowing the aromas to trick you into believing you’ve been living there for a while is, in fact, a tried-and-tested trick in terms of feeling more relaxed and at home.

Another point to this is that you will need to get to know your kitchen, figure out how unpredictable that oven can be, and find a place for everything. If you never use your kitchen, you’ll never be able to do this – and it will just be there for show rather than helping you to feel at home.

Get comfortable

Finally, you’re going to feel so much more relaxed and comfortable when you’re able to be yourself in your new home. Put on some loud music, walk around naked after you had that shower, put on a face mask, and sing to your heart’s content – you’re at home, after all, and nobody can tell you anything.

Try to get these three things over with within the first days of moving into your new home, and it’s going to feel like it’s yours so much sooner.

~A~

* Collaborative post

Every year, finding the perfect gift for my partner becomes harder and harder as they seem to either have everything I can think of or he’s bought himself things he *needs* before I get the chance! So here’s a few ideas that are great for the both of, which hopefully they don’t already have!

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Every mum knows one thing: length doesn’t matter, not when it comes to babies. Put them down for a sleep at 6 p.m. and they’ll still wake up kicking and screaming. And, you and your significant other don’t get the seven hours of rest you’ve been longing for ever since becoming a parent.

Getting kids to sleep through the night is about improving their quality of rest, nit just bumping up the duration. If they’re already uncomfortable, they will be distressed for longer and that will exacerbate the problem.

Below are four tips to help you, your partner and your baby have a quality night’s sleep.

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