Give a Gift That Keeps Giving

Years ago I remember reading a Footrot Flats Comic  in which Aunty Dolly gives Wal two female kittens - and "the Dog" says "A gift that keeps on giving!", but seriously, when it comes down to those mums that are difficult to buy for, sometimes an ongoing gift rather than a one off, is a good way of letting them know how much you care all year around.

For many years, giving a magazine subscription has been an option, but now the people at Endless Gift have come up with other options. The first is the Never Ending Cookie Jar Subscription.

For one fixed price, a stylish, glass Endless Cookie jar filled with cookies is delivered to your recipient’s door, then a top-up supply of differently flavoured cookies is delivered every month until the subscription is finished. The flavours offered at the moment are:

• Chocolate Chip - crunchy goodness with pockets of chocolate bliss.
• Triple Chocolate Chunk - the name says it all, a chocolate-lover’s dream come true.
• White Chocolate & Macadamia - a truly sublime combination.
• White Chocolate & Cranberry - sweet and tart, totally more-ish.
• Lemon Butter Shortbread - melts in the mouth with a sweet citrus flavour.
• Chai & Lime Shortbread - a special mix of aromatic spices with a hint of lime.

Prices start from $89.95 including delivery. The EndlessGift.com.au website is simple but easy to use, and the cookies themselves taste great.
Dad Rating

Stevo
Share the love all year round.

Ty
Good cookies. Would be good to see some other choices.

On the walls

For better or worse, the modern dad also has a roll to play in the home's interior design, and while for some of us, that extends only to hanging a framed Wallabies jersey "in the pool room", for others, it extends to all the walls of the house.

We recently saw a great product which can be customized for you, your kids or your wife or anyone else you can think of. Called Life Scrolls, and made  in Cootamundra in country NSW, and available as a poster or framed print, simply let Jodie know what you want to say, or if you need help, she has heaps of great ideas and suggestions.

Surprisingly affordable (A2 Posters start at $40 and 12" x 18" framed canvas from $79 plus P&H) and delivered in just a few days anywhere in Australia, you will certainly be top dad (husband or son) if you give someone you love such a thoughtful gift.

For more information, contact Jodie at lifescrolls@gmail.com or visit her LifeScrolls Facebook Page.

Still on walls, another great product that we're seeing around are wall decals and the pick seems to be the Australian made ones from Wall Allure .

Wall Allure has a  great range of wall decals made right here in Australia, they are continiously releasing new designs and there is bound to be something that will suit your home.

We particularly liked the Photo Frame Decals. These antique style frames can be used in different ways. For example you can use just one on it's own on the fridge or a collection of them on a wall. Best of all, they are non-permanent, easy to remove and non-wall damaging.

Prices start from just $24.95 for a two pack. You can purchase Wall Allure wall decals online or see the website for stockists.

Dad Rating

Stevo
Modern and stylish these would suit the walls of any contempary home.

Mark
 Either will make a perfect mother's day gift.

How to be a Happier Mum & The Ideas Book

Still on the mother's day theme (Australian Mum's Day is Sunday 8 May 2011) we just received a review copy of a book called "How to be a Happier Mum!" (New Holland).

Now this sort of self-help book is probably not for everyone, but it does contain inspiring stories and strategies that can help parents, especially mums live a happier and more fulfilling life.

With chapters such as Mummy Overwhelm, Nutrition and Exercise, Work and Career, Yoga and Meditation and Wildflowers, the book covers areas of exercise, nutrition, relaxation, beauty, goal setting, cultivating happiness and relationships. Author Nicky Arthur is  also a workshop presenter, motivational speaker, yoga teacher and mother of two girls.

RRP $19.99 available at all major retailers and online at nickyarthur.com

Another bright idea for the house proud mum is "The Ideas Book" from designer and author of "Australia Vintage Living!",  Bronnie Masefau. 

Written to inspire and designed small enough to fit comfortably in to a woman's handbag, Masefau's The Ideas Book has handy interior design tips for all areas of the home from the kitchen and dining areas to bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge rooms and even laundry areas. Its more than just a book though, its a place to store ideas, with spare pages after each chapter for mum to scribble her thoughts. There's even an area to jot down the addresses of favourite shops and design outlets.

The Ideas Book is available online at Bronnie Masefau's website for $24.95 plus postage & handling!

Dad Rating

Steven
Well written and easy to read books.

Ken
Make mum's day a little happier & a little easier.

Chocogram Says it with Chocolate

Forget about saying it with flowers, this Mother's Day, how about saying it with Chocolate - literally!

We recently leart about Chocograms, which are just so much better than a box of cadbury roses. Simply choose your message (write your own or select a standard one) and order your Chocogram online, and the next day, your mum will receive a beautiful belgian chocolate "chocogram" delivered to her door.

The Chocogram.com.au website is easy to use, delivery is quick and there are heaps of choices for those looking for inspiration.

Dad Rating

Matt
New twist on an old idea.

Mark
This is what mum is getting this year.

Mum's love Baileys Irish Cream

We've been looking at some great gifts for mum (yours or your kids :) ) this mother's day, and one that we know many mums love, is Bailey's Irish Cream.

For many years this Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur has been a favourite, and recently they've been experimenting with new flavours. One new flavour that will be quick to become popular is the Bailey's Irish Cream Hazelnut .

The new flavour combines the silky smooth taste of Baileys Original with a scrumptious hazelnut tone!

Baileys Hazelnut will hit stores from early April and is available at select stores including Woolworths Liquor, BWS and Dan Murphy's .

Dad's Choice encourages the responsible consumption of alcohol.

Dad Rating

Sean
The ladies seem to love it.

Stevo
Perfect after dinner treat - serve it over ice.

Home Delivered Meals for Mother's Day

One of the big things about mother's day is that mum shouldn't have to cook! But what about if you're not close enough to drop around and cook mum dinner or take her out? What if you can't cook and for what ever reason your mum can't or won't go out?

If that sounds like  your mum, then take a look at Gourmet Dinner Service. Established back in 1995, the team at Gourmet Dinner Service pride themselves in delivering fresh and healthy meals to your door. They have literally hundreds of meal combinations to choose from - for example, how about  roasted lamb shanks with lots of roast garlic and red wine sauce accompanied by slow roasted potatoes and followed with a Tiramisu?

We tried the Gourmet Dinner Service Lamb shanks ourselves and they tasted great. Prices are comparable to restuarant prices - the Lamb shanks costs $17.90 with a side serve of garlic mash for $5.50 (plus delivery).

Preparation is easy, simply defrost for about 15 minutes in the  microwave and then heat for approximately  2 to 3 minutes. These aren't just frozen dinners though - Gourmet Dinner Service claim to use only the freshest ingredients and you can taste the difference.

Orders are delivered in an insulated box and are avaliable to addresses in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and regional areas such as Southern Highlands, Central Coast, Wollongong and Newcastle . Check out the Gourmet Dinner Service website for details. 

The website is easy to use and full of informative information including recommendations and dietary information.


Dad Rating

Ken
Good option for the mum who can't get out.

William
Dinner delivered to your door.

Nespresso Pixie Delivers Great Coffee Every Time

It's getting to that time where we all have to start looking at helping the kids choose Mother's Day presents - this year, Mother's Day in Australia falls on Sunday 8 May 2011.

We recently field tested (or should that be kitchen tested?) the great new Nespresso Pixie coffee machine from DeLonghi.

The first thing that hit us was just how attractive this little coffee machine this is. If you or your wife fancy yourselves as having a sense of style, then this will be sure to suit your kitchen.

The second thing is how easy the Pixie Nespresso is to use. By day two, even the 8 year old could make mummy her cup of coffee in the morning, with no fear of scalding or mess. It's also quick - The PIXIE heats up in less than 30 seconds and according to the manufacturer, uses 40 per cent less energy than other coffee machines!

You do need to be aware that the Nespresso range use patented coffee capsules or pods, which do cost about $1 each, so factor that in before you give this gift that keeps on giving! If you have your coffee with milk, you'll also want to heat your milk, either in the microwave or the handy coffee heating accessory.

The new Nespresso PIXIE range is available in in electric steel blue, lime, aluminium, indigo, red and titan and would be perfect for Mother's Day this year.

Dad Rating

Simon
Surprisingly good coffee.

Streven
Easy to use and no clean up!.

Mum & Me Recordable Book

Many might say that Mother's Day (8 May 2011) is a "Hallmark Holiday" so perhaps it's fitting that this year Hallmark has released a mother's day gift with a twist. Called "Mum & Me"

Recordable Storybooks allow your wife  and your child to record their voices on every page, creating a lasting keepsake.  Hallmark has both mums and grandmothers covered with three titles - Mum & Me, Grandma & Me, and I Love You Grandma.

The books include simple prompting questions, which your kids record answers to e.g. "If mum won a million dollars, what would she do with it?"

The Hallmark Recordable Storybooks are available for $34.99 at retailers and also online at the Hallmark website.


Dad Rating

Matt
Novel Idea.

Stevo
Fun for the littlies.

Mother's Day Suggestion- Simply Gifts Hamper

With Mother's Day soon upon us (this year, Australian Mother's Day falls on Sunday 8 May 2011) its time to help kids make the right decisions.

We don't really understand why, but Mums just love herbal  tea  - something about pampering and time to themselves I guess. If your wife is one of those sorts of people, you should get the kids to take a look at SimplyGifts.Com.au  - this fast, secure and easy to use website has heaps of pamper hampers for your wife or mum. Simply click on the "Mother's Day" link on the right hand side for lots of idea - we loved the "mum's favourite tea" hamper.

Items arrive quickly and beautifully presented in gift wrapped boxes. Orders placed online prior to 2pm are received next business day, anywhere in Australia. Couldn't be easier!


Dad Rating

Mark
Well presented and well priced.

Steven
Easy to use website and fast delivery.