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Category Archives: gifting

Boss-trology: A Sun Sign Guide to Your Boss!

Aries

Remember the little powerhouses barreling across the playground full steam, back when you were a kid? The grown up version is your Aries boss. Dynamic; inspiring; trailblazing; the Aries boss is a natural leader and a demanding one at that! You can have a tough time keeping pace with an Aries boss, so if you’re the quiet, dreamy sort- pull up your socks or run! On the other hand, your Aries boss will hugely respect your individuality and be open to ideas and experimenting.

You Aries boss can be more than a ‘little’ demanding!

Gift your fiery Aries boss an outdoor barbecue grill, a deluxe Swiss army knife or a dart game for the office- just make sure you stay in their good books or you might have those darts buzzing around your head!

Taurus

Bossy? The adjective derived from boss? That’s the Taurus boss for you 😉 Slow, stable and hard working, your Taurean boss will take their own sweet time to give you direction but when its done expect it to be set in stone. Hugely trustworthy, fair and honest you can be sure your Taurean boss will always have your back.

BOSSY? You’ve got a Taurean for a boss!

Your Venus-ruled Taurean boss will appreciate tickets to a musical event, vintage art or a particularly unique antique find.

Gemini

Be prepared to be charmed; Gemini bosses are quirky, fun and super smart. Flexible and easy to work with, Gemini bosses are not natural born leaders, they prefer working at an equal level and enjoy being part of teams. Gemini bosses will be happy to delegate authority and let things run their course, but make sure you keep them in the loop on important decisions.

Keep your Gemini boss in the loop, always!

The latest best-selling book, a funky travel accessory or a snazzy tech toy are perfect gifts for your Gemini boss!

Cancer

Ever had a boss who would nit-pick your presentation in gory detail, down to the exact shade of font colour used? Cancerian! Extremely particular and demanding, your Cancerian boss will have high (sometimes unrealistic) expectations from you. Also very emotional and empathetic, it is important to be on the same emotional wavelength as your Cancerian boss.

Your Cancerian boss can be a tad emotional!

A classic desk accessory, a vintage cookbook, a new coffee maker; even your Cancerian boss will have little to find fault with these perfect-for-Cancerian-boss gifts!

Leo

All hail the king of the corporate jungle! Natural born leaders, Leos just lurrve being bosses! Fair and impartial, Leos take great pride in their work. Intelligent, resourceful and natural risk takers, Leo bosses are typically the centre of attention at the office coffee machine- and don’t they just love that!

Leo bosses just LOVE being the boss!

Your Leonine boss loves luxury; think a posh silver visiting card case, fine champagne or limited edition tickets to an event which has drama and flourish!

Virgo

Get ready to crunch! Not food silly, numbers! Pragmatic and great realists, Virgo bosses are great ones for facts and figures- so make sure you have yours at your fingertips. Hugely focused on results (sorry, excuses won’t make the cut!) Virgo bosses go for logic and evidence. They may seem unemotional at times, but they will hugely respect your time (as well as their own!) so you can expect to have a good deal of that elusive ‘work life balance’!

Virgo boss? Get, set, number crunch!

Virgo bosses will love an exciting new tech toy, a travel reading light or an intellectual book.

Libra

Um, this one is a tricky cookie! Perceptive, intelligent, charming, the Libra boss can be a pleasure to work with. As long as things are going well. But the minute conflict arises; disaster! Eager to please everyone and be liked, Libra bosses find it very difficult to handle conflict. If they’re able to get past that bit though, and it may just take an eternity, they are one of the most sociable bosses around!

Libra bosses are great to work with- until conflict strikes!

Anything to do with music works well for the Venus-ruled Libra boss; a portable music dock with speakers, a unique music collection, or a smart new electronic calendar to help them organize their dates.

Scorpio

Powerful and dominating, your Scorpio boss will set high expectations from everyone including themselves. Your Scorpio boss will push you hard and draw the best out of you, but will also protect you from unreasonable demands and reward you abundantly when deserved.

Your Scorpio boss has high expectations from you!

A classic book (thrillers or crime stories), a tarot deck or a tech security device will be sure to get your Scorpio boss’s attention; in a good way!

Sagittarius

It’s difficult not to like a Saggi boss! Optimistic, open, warm, they can cheer you up even on a blue funk Monday morning. On the flip side, they tend to be dreamers with their head in the clouds and a bit touchy, so make sure your lines of communication with them are clear and open.

Everyone likes a Saggi boss!

A sporty watch, a stylish passport case or a Swiss Army compass make for great gifts for your Saggi boss.

Capricorn

All work and no play makes for the serious Capricornian boss! Serious and hard-working, you don’t want them to catch you goofing off at the water cooler. Gifted and persevering, your Capri boss is awesome at cracking the toughest problems. Delegation doesn’t come to them naturally though, you may have to twiddle your thumbs a bit with your Capri boss!

The Capri boss can be a tough nut to crack!

An intriguing historical book, a chess set with ivory pieces or a useful hiking accessory will have you a very happy Capri boss on your hands!

Aquarius

Creative, versatile and hugely independent, your Aquarian boss secretly hates being a boss! Hugely independent, Aquarian bosses don’t do so well with hierarchy and are happy doing stuff on their own. They are happy for you to do the same, as long as you’re resourceful and work on your own steam, no breathing down the neck here!

Aquarian bosses are fiercely independent and like working on their own

Your Aquarian boss might just wander off to get stuff done on his own!

Funky new speakers, a telescope to view the stars, a boxed set of their fave TV series; the funkier and more unusual, the better!

Pisces

Sensitive, moody, intuitive, Piscean bosses can be a bit of a mystery! Fluid and empathetic, Piscean bosses can make for excellent bosses. They can also be a tad overprotective and touchy, so its important to strike the right emotional chord with them.

Piscean bosses have a shroud of mystery around them

Your Piscean boss might just be surrounded in mystery!

A book on photography, a fitness accessory, a soothing aromatic water fountain will appeal to the artistic soul of your Piscean boss.

Any sun sign for boss tips you’d like to share too? Tell us!

6 Unique Birthday Ideas For Your Husband

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Flowers…expensive cologne…fancy schmancy dinner…B.O.R.I.N.G. Does the thought of your husband’s upcoming birthday evoke a sense of blah instead of excitement because you’ve been there, done that? After all, when you’ve been together for what seems like forever, thinking up creative ways to celebrate each time can get tricky! Which is where WE come in with our specially curated countdown of fabulous, unique birthday ideas for his next big day! Go ahead, tick, tick…PICK!… one-or many!- this year and bring on the celebrations already!

6. Organize a karaoke night!

Organize a fun karaoke night for your husband's birthday

Karaoke your way into his birthday this year!

There’s nothing like letting go of those inhibitions with some good karaoke fun! Throw in some wine and good food, great company and sing in the birthday wishes for your beloved. Oh, and don’t forget to include all of the birthday boy’s favourite numbers; we can bet you’ll have him dancing to your tunes (quite literally!) by the end of the evening!

5. Organize a boy’s night out…

Organize a boys night in for his birthday with loads of munchies, beer on tap, his best buddies and endless TV!

Beer, snacks, TV and his friends; his idea of bday heaven!

…or in; much less stressful for the birthday boy when you don’t have to worry about picking up the tab or getting people back home safely! Put a bunch of his boys together in a room filled with beer, munchies and lots of TV/ video games- birthday boy gets to pick!- and they’ll think its heaven redefined! Let him hang out with his buddies and bond over boy stuff while you take care of all the party planning and organizing. It’ll be a fun-tastic birthday he’ll always remember and thank you for!

4. Turn him into a scavenger

A unique birthday idea: Plan a scavenger hunt for his birthday with the clues leading up to YOU!

When all the clues lead up to YOU!

By which we mean scavenger hunts, but of course! Remember the treasure hunts you played as a child? Set up one for him along similar lines but with lots of twists and some adventure thrown in for good measure. Make him work hard and get around a bit (take him back to your courtship days;)) and then lead the last clue towards YOU, with a special gift for all that effort (need gifting inspiration? check out our guide!).

3. Go on a picnic!

Unique birthday idea to celebrate your husband's birthday; organize a romantic birthday picnic

Organize a bday picnic for your little big boy

When was the last time the two of you let your hair down at a carefree picnic; the kind of stuff childhood fantasies are made of? Well, why not whisk him away for a surprise birthday picnic? Put together a personalized picnic hamper with the birthday boy’s favourite treats (we’re thinking silverware, champagne, smoked cheese and truffles, washed down with some strawberries and a spot of purple love); pick a spot where the two of can get away from the hustle and grind and watch your sweetheart turn into a little big boy again.

2. Take a class…

Get your Salsa moves on for his birthday!

No, we’re not kidding! And hey, we don’t mean to take you back to your boring chem lab days…we’re thinking something fun like a cocktail making workshop, a cooking workshop if the two of you are foodies, or even a dance class (Salsa, anyone?)…anything that interests you. Sign up for one together, its a great way to have some fun and amp up the bonding!

1. Go on a long…elaborate…

Unique birthday idea to celebrate your husband's birthday; gift him a staycation

Gift him a stay-cation this birthday!

Staycation! Remember all the times you’ve hounded him for a vacation or a trip (we’re guilty as charged too!). Well, bust all that guilt by bringing the vacation to you! Organize a stay-cation with home turned into temporary resort and make it all about him. Sleep in till noon, birthday brunch in bed, movie marathons all day long (he gets the remote!)…you can even hire a butler-for-a-day to make the experience come alive! All you’ll have to worry about is getting him back to the normal routine when the birthday ends!

So forget the blah and boring for his next birthday and pick one of our ideas to truly make it a birthday to remember. And who says you have to stick to just one day? You can even make it an EPIC week long celebration with a countdown to his birthday! And don’t forget to write in and tell us how he felt!

Corporate Gifting: The Ultimate Guide

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What? Whom?? When??? How much????

No, those aren’t the ramblings of a confused mind, that’s US doing our corporate gift planning! Diwali is round the corner and if, like us, you’ve got corporate gifting on your mind, you know that selecting the right gift for those you work with is not always straightforward. With all the stakeholders involved: employees, clients, vendors, investors, other business associates; the last thing you want to do is make an embarrassing gifting gaffe! If in doubt about whether to give or not to give, take a look at our corporate gifting guide.

Get the full low-down on gifting etiquette at your workplace

Gifting can work very differently at different offices. Gift giving is a strict no-no at some companies; some have an elaborate gifting tradition during the festive season; whereas others may have a more middle of the road approach. Most offices do have specific rules when it comes to corporate gifting, so find out what works and what doesn’t at yours.

A gift for the boss? And super boss?

Is it appropriate to get your boss a Diwali gift?

Diwali gifts for the BOSS! To gift or not to gift?

Even if gift giving during the festive season is customary at your office, find out the policy about whom you may/ may not gift to. Gifts for everyone including the boss? Or just your peers and subordinates? Check with your colleagues or HR about specific gifting etiquette. You don’t want to be the one gifting the boss a smart tech toy, only to find out it’s against the rules to get him even a box of candy (there goes the promotion!). Similarly, with your clients or business partners, make sure to check the company policy and stick to that.

How much should you spend?

Again, when it comes to the budget, every office is bound to have its own corporate gifting etiquette. In some places the budget over which you cannot exceed is clearly specified; at others you have to stick to gifts of the same amount for everybody and at yet other places you can select gifts based on the individual’s level and your interaction with them. Play it safe and ask around so you’re clear on the guidelines. A good idea is to ask your colleagues what they gifted/ received as gifts the previous year.

When in gifting doubt, PEP!

So you have the office gifting protocol sorted. But what on earth are you going to get your boss/ colleagues? Remember the golden rule: PEP. Keep it professional, be equitable, and where appropriate, personalize. Stay away from overtly personal gifts or even remotely inappropriate ones. Professional items like desk or travel accessories work well and food items like gourmet arrangements are a fabulous idea too. Need inspiration? Check out our earlier post on uber cool corporate gifting ideas!

Gourmet arrangements are a wonderful corporate gifting option

Gourmet arrangements make for great corporate gifts!

If you know someone at work really well, you can tailor the gift to their preferences as long as you stay within the professional realm. A set of tea infusions for a colleague who is a renowned tea aficionado, for example. And lastly, make sure to keep things equitable. Whatever you gift a person at a certain level, should be gifted to everyone at that level. You can choose a larger gift for your personal assistant or your core team members. When it comes to the boss, keep the relationship you two share in mind while selecting a gift. Personalized but professional gifts work best, but if you’re unsure about what to get, play it safe and opt for a simple yet classy card or handwritten note.

Gifting is meant to be an enjoyable process. Don't let the stress of corporate gifting make you forget that!

Don’t forget to ENJOY the process of gifting!

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the gifting process. Heartfelt gifts are the ones that convey your wishes in the best possible manner!

We hope we’ve helped demystify the Complex Corporate Gifting Conundrum (known to give some peeps sleepless nights!). If YOU have any tips you’d like to share, do tell us in the comments section!

Corporate Gifting Ideas to ROCK this Diwali!

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Close your eyes and picture the first thing that comes to mind when someone says ‘Diwali gifts!’ Chances are, nine in ten people see a shiny gift box full of mithai. The ubiquitous mithai gift box and Diwali have been together since forever. And if you work in an office, come Diwali, you probably feel like a halwai with all those mithai boxes masquerading as Diwali gifts crowding up your desk. Why not take your corporate gifting from the banal to the brilliant this year with some of our unique corporate gifting ideas? Read on!

People, who work in offices need stationery, right? But hang on- we’re not talking dull as mud paperweights or stress busting balls (ugh!) here. What if you could chase that Monday morning funk away with some stylish stationery? We love this Very Brief Case (Rs 600) for stashing away those stacks of visiting cards that keep floating around like UFO’s in the office space and this uber cool Loudspeaker Pen Stand (Rs 500); perfect for dumping those evil critters that constantly roll off desks when you most need them.

Fun funky stationery corporate gift ideas

Image courtesy www.happilyunmarried.com

And there’s this too; super Diwali gift for that snide little office know-it-all *evil laughter*

quirky fun stylish corporate gifting ideas for Diwali

Image courtesy www,happilyunmarried.com; Rs 150 wonly!

Tech is an inevitable part of work life. It’s also a pretty cool thing to gift! And tech gifting never goes out of style! Check out this baby; a Portable Charger (Rs 7,750) that makes sure your Apple phone is never out of juice and with an awesome speaker to boot. And for those forever freezing in the office AC, these USB Heating Warmer Hand Gloves (apprx. Rs 600) which keep those fingers warm while they type away with ease are the perfect way to say ‘Happy Diwali’!

Unique corporate gifting ideas for Diwali, for tech lovers

Image courtesy amazon.com

Remember those cheesy birthday cards you made when you were a kid? Turns out they’re a great corporate gifting option! Um, no we didn’t mean the scrawny stick figured ones you churned out as a seven year old. What we had in mind was more like this beautiful gift pack of 3D pop-up Diwali cards(Rs 300), to convey your Diwali message with a touch of sparkling class. A truly unique corporate gift idea, especially in situations where you may be unsure about the gifting etiquette. Remember, when in corporate gifting doubt, you can always card it!

creative unique corporate gifting cards for Diwali

Image courtesy Konkan Mart

Remember how your granny kept telling you that almonds are good for you? She was right. But an overdose of even the good stuff can totally kill the Diwali spirit. We’re thinking a sea of dry fruits, threatening to drown you. Yup, dry fruit boxes are a close runner up to mithai boxes in the boring Diwali gifts round up. How about you do something non dry fruit-y this year? An edible bouquet, perhaps? How about this luxurious and sinful bubbly delight (Rs 1,500) to show your employees or clients some Diwali love? Combining a melt-in-your mouth cake pop bouquet, hand-crafted like gorgeous flowers, with a keepsake golden bucket and a beverage of choice (no vino though!), you can’t go wrong with this one.

Oh and did we mention that everything at Con Affetto is baked-to-order and made in an egg free environment? Just adds the icing on the cake pop.

creative and unique corporate gifting idea. Try these edible bouquets today!

Pop and sparkle this Diwali with this unique gifting idea!

‘Tis the time of light and sparkles and Diwali décor is what everyone needs this time of the year. Style up your corporate gift baskets with these bee-yoo-tiful Ganesha diya plates (Rs 800) or this absolutely stunning pooja thali(Rs 2,000). Everyone loves a little extra Diwali bling! What’s more, your clients/ employees will send some special Diwali cheer your way each time they light a diya!

Unique and creative corporate gifting ideas. Stunning Diwali pooja thali

Image courtesy www.fabfurnish.com

We hope you’re feeling inspired to ring in the festivities with our creative corporate gifting ideas. Liked what you just read? Spread some love in the comments below! And don’t forget to watch this space for our next feature on corporate gifting; coming your way very soon!

Master the Art of Gifting in 7 Simple Steps

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Have you ever trawled the malls the day before a friend’s birthday in desperate search of the perfect gift? Does the thought of finding suitable presents for everyone and their aunt send you into a tizzy each time the festive season rolls around? Or maybe, you’ve been at the receiving end and gotten a gift you absolutely detested? If you answered ‘YES!’ to even one of the above, fret not. We’ve put together a snazzy little guide that will help you master the art of gifting in no time!

1. A little gift planning goes a long way…

Seems silly to start thinking about Diwali gifts when you’re just packing away the winter woollies? A little advance planning doesn’t hurt! You don’t have to actually start shopping for gifts months in advance, but you can start thinking about what you might want to gift your in-laws for their anniversary, or your soon-to-be-married friend, a couple of months before the actual event. When it comes to corporate gifting, planning well in advance is the norm and it totally makes sense! Think about it; you never know when you might get lucky and hit upon some awesome deals or find that one in a million gift idea. Sure beats that headache inducing last minute trip to hunt for gifts, doesn’t it?

2. It’s the thought that counts

Anyone who’s ever been gifted a gym membership (ouch!), or worse, a hair removal cream (true story!) knows what I’m talking about. Chances are, the message you send out when you gift something like that is all wrong, no matter how noble the intention!

Putting some thought into gifting is way more important than spending truckloads of money.

Consider the recipient’s personality, likes and even dislikes. Do you have an overweight, terribly sensitive friend who you know could do with some feel good? A relaxing massage or a bottle of her favourite perfume might be what she likes best, instead of the gym membership you think she really needs.

3. Personalize your gifts

Personalized gifts are truly heartfelt and show it. One of the latest trends when it comes to corporate gifting as well, personalized gifts are a great way to gift something that has utility, yet make it special at the same time. A set of towels are elevated to another level when they come embellished with the recipient’s name. A box of cookies with the flavours, shapes and designs customized are so not going to get lost in a sea of cookies! Superman cookies for a super duper employee, for example. Customized gifts are a unique, sure shot way of saying ‘I care’.

4. Try DIY gifting

Ever been gifted a batch of home made cookies? Or a painting lovingly created by a friend? Nothing tugs at the heart strings more than a gift into which you’ve invested time and effort. And its not like you have to be the next MasterChef or Picasso to put a DIY gift together. A collage of photos capturing memories; a compilation of some favourite tracks or even a handwritten letter all count! After all, it’s the thought you’ve put into it that’s most important, remember?

5. Be a little adventurous!

Try something different and gift an experience to remember. Your globe trotting husband might like an exotic cruise or a safari; for your sleep deprived new mommy friend, a massage at a nearby spa might be what hits the sweet spot and for your own mom, something as simple as a coffee date with you might just be the perfect gift. Let your imagination run riot and create memories that will last a lifetime!

6. Take your gifting online

With e-commerce taking over pretty much every aspect of our lives, there’s really no reason you shouldn’t use the plethora of ever expanding online options for gifting. From funky accessories; home décor; gourmet baked products to unique corporate gifting solutions, you’ll get it all online. What’s more, several companies give you the option to customize your gift, making it that much more special.

7. Un-box your gifting

No, that doesn’t mean getting rid of the gift wrapping; it means thinking out of the box when it comes to the way you gift. Some of the best gifts have a true spark of creativity behind them. Hand written gift vouchers for your beloved to redeem his/ her favourite treats (your special walnut brownies baked to order!); personalized mobile USB chargers for your employees; or an author signed copy of your brother’s favourite book….do away with the boring and think up something unique! Edible blooms like these instead of regular ol’ flowers. Customized gourmet baskets for corporate gifting instead of done to death dry fruits. When you begin to un-box, the possibilities are endless!

At the end of the day, gifting is so much more than the mere exchange of material objects. When you give someone a gift, you send out a message that can strengthen a bond and cement a relationship. Do YOU have any tips for finding that perfect gift? Tell us in the comments; we’d love to hear from you!