| Before Internet shopping, buying gifts was a pain. It | | | | rev counter alarm clock, which wakes you up in the |
| was fine if you were shopping for Granny | | | | morning with the roar of a V8 engine. Or remote |
| (embroidered hankies or a box of chocolates) - | | | | control lederhosen, which yodel and are controlled |
| because as we all know, grannies have impeccable | | | | with a knockwurst. What gadget addict wouldn't be |
| manners and believe it's the thought that counts. | | | | proud to own one of those? |
| But there was always that one person who seemed | | | | Retro sweets and nostalgic gifts |
| to eye unimaginative gifts with disinterest at best, | | | | Hands up if you remember Space Dust, Parma |
| and utter disdain at worst. When it came to buying a | | | | Violets and chocolate cigarettes... Retro sweeties are |
| birthday present for this person you'd break into a | | | | back, and they taste better than ever! Give the gift |
| sweat, knowing that you'd spend weeks traipsing | | | | of nostalgia - a bumper pack of retro sweets is the |
| round crowded shops to find an affordable gift that | | | | perfect way to celebrate the birthday of anyone |
| this person didn't already own. | | | | who was a child in the 60s, 70s or 80s. |
| Then the Internet came along and changed our lives. | | | | For a nostalgic gift with a modern twist, give |
| In the gift-buying sense, at least... | | | | recordable CDs that look just like old vinyl records. |
| These days, if you're looking for an unusual gift for a | | | | And for a big kid trapped in a 40-something's body, |
| gadget-obsessed brother or a unique present for a | | | | give a giant retro space hopper; they're just as much |
| has-it-all friend - or even an alternative to the hankies | | | | fun today as they were when we were children, but |
| Granny's usually so grateful for - all you need to do is | | | | adult sized. |
| shop online. | | | | Unique gifts for the home |
| The vast array of innovative gadgets, executive | | | | Gadgets and gizmos for the home make perfect |
| toys and nostalgic gifts that's available on the | | | | gifts for just about anybody. Like the monkey |
| Internet is staggering. What's more, there are no | | | | peeler, a monkey-shaped device which is used for |
| crowds to battle through, no waiting for the bus (or | | | | peeling vegetables, not monkeys. Or the peace of |
| for the rain to stop), and no tugs-of-war with crazed | | | | cake mould, which produces cakes decorated with |
| shoppers over the last undamaged teapot in the | | | | the CND logo. Or bath pearls, a set of three colour |
| bargain bin. And with wish list websites like Kaboodle | | | | changing, floating lights which look just like giant |
| and Boxed Up, banking great gift ideas for another | | | | pearls. |
| time couldn't be easier. | | | | Unusual office gifts |
| Be honest, now; who wouldn't swap a surly Saturday | | | | Daft desktop toys are a great distraction from the |
| girl for exceptional customer service, or extortionate | | | | tedium of working, and they're a fun way to cheer |
| car parking fees for fast, low-cost home delivery? | | | | up a dull desk. Take the crazy cat lady, for instance. |
| So, make yourself a nice cup of tea, put your feet | | | | She has a collection of cats, some of which live in her |
| up, and read our guide to buying unusual gifts and | | | | pockets. Every town has one, and so should every |
| unique presents for that special someone who seems | | | | desk! |
| to have everything... | | | | Then there's the evolving Darwin, a series of |
| Unusual gifts for mums, grannies and aunties | | | | desktop figures that celebrate man's evolution from |
| The way to warm a lady's heart isn't with a | | | | pond life to modern man, in the shape of Charles |
| diamond... do it with a Slanket, and save yourself a | | | | Darwin. Who wouldn't be delighted to share their |
| small fortune. Is it a blanket? Is it a jacket? It's both! | | | | desk with one of science's greatest minds? |
| The Slanket is a blanket with sleeves, so you can | | | | Utterly silly gifts |
| snuggle up on the sofa but keep your arms free for | | | | Watching the bemused look on the face of someone |
| drinking tea, doing the crossword or stroking the cat. | | | | who's just received an emergency yodel button is a |
| The Slanket comes in a variety of colours and is a | | | | gift in itself. Press the button to receive a realistic |
| thoughtful and unusual gift that any lady will be | | | | emergency yodel - it's totally pointless, but that's the |
| delighted with. | | | | point! |
| Unusual gifts for gadget lovers | | | | Internet shopping has changed the art of gift-giving |
| Internet shopping has made it far easier to find | | | | forever. No more queues, no more crowds, no more |
| unusual gifts for gadget lovers. Like the USB charging | | | | hankies and no more money in birthday cards. Unless |
| adapter which fits into your car's lighter socket so | | | | it's one of our million pound notes, of course... |
| you can charge your MP3 player on the move. Or the | | | | |