Are Daily Deals Good Gifts?

This year I took my girlfriend out for a Valentine’s day dinner using a Groupon I purchased. Sushi is sushi right (well maybe not on Monday)? Now, many of the deals out there exclude Valentine’s day but this particular one did not. Was it cheap of me to take her out using a coupon? Did she think less of me using it? I don’t think so but she surely didn’t leave hungry.

Getting back to my point:  Is it a good idea to give these coupon services or gift certificates as gifts? Well, there is no mystery as to what the cost of it was but if the gift makes the recipient happy, then I believe it is a great alternative to a more traditional style of gift.

From my Valentine’s experience, I think any one that likes sushi would love to get a gift certificate for a sushi dinner. Groupon, Living social, and the other numerous deal sites pride themselves on finding experiences or deal spots that fit some one’s interests. They wouldn’t being generating millions of dollars if that wasn’t the case right?

I am sure there is some psychology behind giving a discounted item that regards the gift as meaning less to the giftee just like a gift purchased from a place like Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Is there a certain stigma behind these items? I would guess that these bargain gifts are cheap for a purpose, no one else wanted them so why would I want it? But if the gift fits then I believe it is a great gift. Hey, you can always regift it right? That wouldn’t be a first!

Whether it is a 60 minute massage for the price of a 30 minute one I believe that giving a Groupon as a gift does not apply to the saying of “less is more”!  At Giftem.com we strive to help people find gift ideas for their friends and loved ones and are happy to propose lower cost alternatives to traditional ideas.

Valentine's Day! Should you give Flowers or get that “Special Someone” the perfect Gift?

From my earliest years, I can remember my father, a true romantic, bringing my mother a dozen red roses for Valentine’s day.  She was always delighted with his thoughtfulness and enjoyed them throughout the next week.  Valentine’s day is fast approaching and I am thinking “what woman wouldn't want flowers?”  But, I live in New York City and a dozen roses from a street vendor usually cost $10 on a regular day, however on Valentine's Day they go for $30+!!! And I am not even mentioning online sites where they can go for $100+.  I understand the “supply and demand” economic model, but these markups are outrageous.  I’m thinking, “SAY NO TO FLOWERS ON VALENTINE’S DAY!”

During these tough economic times, many couples are getting smarter and perhaps a little more practical. My thought is get the flowers, but not on Valentine’s day.  She surely deserves them for putting up with your garbage, but buy them after Valentine’s day when prices have dropped back to their regular price. Won’t she be surprised!  In the meantime, on Valentine’s Day, give her a gift that she really wants.   There are thousands of gifts in the marketplace that can be purchased for under $20 and $30 that show her you love her and that matches exactly what she has said she really wants!

Our new website at www.giftem.com. will help you find that perfect gift for your “special someone”.  Giftem is a social network designed to organize and manage all of a user's shopping and gift giving needs. Giftem's free service allows users to create their gift profiles by selecting Categories (and subcategories) of their gift interests like "Sports-Hockey; Shirts-Polo.”  Once you’ve signed up, you can create a subprofile for your “special someone” by clicking on some categories you know they like, such as Jewelry-Bracelets or Earrings, Hobbies-Painting, etc.  Giftem searches the internet to match the selected categories and generates gift ideas which can be found by clicking on the “Things You Might Like" button! You can select the perfect gift from these options, or you can invite your “Special Someone” to join Giftem for free and create their own profile and “wishlist”.  By forming a two-way connection with this “friend”, you will be geared up for selecting the perfect gift every time--whether it is their birthday, anniversary, or the big one, Christmas! We have created this blog to introduce you to the many facets of our new websitewww.Giftem.com and hope that you go back often to Giftem to find that perfect gift!

Using Giftem, Charlie surprised her with the Perfect Gift

My brother-in-law, Charlie, joined www.Giftem.com just before Christmas. My sister had joined earlier and had Giftem search the internet for “Things You Might Like" based on her selected Category of “Rings” and the Subcategories of “Rubies” and “Diamonds.”  These two gemstones are the birthstones of her two boys.  She hadn’t expected to find anything affordable within these two gemstone categories, but among the items generated by Giftem, she found the most gorgeous ring with a large cubic zirconium Ruby center stone encircled with glistening CZ diamonds mounted on a sterling silver ring shank She put it on her Giftem “Wishlist”, and didn’t think any more about it as she busily was preparing for the holidays. 

But Charlie, being the super caring husband and dad that he is, checked out her “Wishlist”.  He saw the ring she had selected and pressed the “Buy It Now” button.  It arrived quickly.  He wrapped it up and hid it until Christmas morning.   She was stunned when she opened it…so completely surprised and delighted having received exactly what she had wanted.

Why don’t you join Giftem at www.Giftem.com and invite your family and friends to do likewise.  For special occasions, like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays like Christmas and Hanukah, you will be envious when you see other receiving the perfect gift … for them it was a “Wishlist” gift selected with the help of Giftem!     

The Post-Holiday Season...

Ah, the holidays are over. As fun as they are, lets face it- they can be stressful. Worrying what to get people, deciding what to wear to the office party, traveling to see relatives, etc. Now, you’re likely back at work, or back to your normal daily routine. Well, with the launch of www.giftem.com, we have some things you can do in the New Year to treat yourself, as well as plan 2012’s holidays and celebrations!

Treat yourself to something. If you create a profile on Giftem and click off categories, Giftem will suggest items you may want to purchase for yourself. Its probably impossible that you got everything you wanted this year, so treat yourself!

Check out post-holiday deals. Christmas-time isnt the only time of year for good sales! Check out the Deals on Giftem for some great, post-holiday online offers.

Throw a post-holiday party. By now, its pretty cold outside, there are no more parties on the calendar, and its kind of a bummer to be honest. Throw a simple party for you and a couple of friends with just beer, or maybe wine and cheese. You don’t have to do anything fancy, just find an excuse to get together and have something to look forward to on the calendar! You can use Giftem to create your event, invite friends, and associate a wish list of beverages / snacks for everyone to bring.

Organize yourself for 2012. Did you forget any birthdays or anniversaries in 2011? Spend some time on Giftem, invite some friends, and get yourself organized for the new year!