BOOKS

Subscriptions to a favourite magazine, or to a book club. Particular books to complete a series you may already have.

CLASSES / COURSES

Why not ask for, enrolment to an evening class of your choice; calligraphy, art, cooking, brick laying, plumbing, car maintenance, learn to play a musical instrument. A friend might be waiting to join you in one of these endeavor's, making it double the fun! Or for a more energetic choice, Canoeing, dancing, yoga, karate, aerobics, climbing wall, trampoline, swimming lessons, or gym membership. You can find out about what's available by looking in your local newspaper, ringing local colleges or looking on notice boards in your village hall/community centre.

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CLOTHES

Most of us love buying clothes but don't always enjoy receiving them as a present, just in case it's not quite right. Now you can ask for that specific top or scarf or pair of jeans on your present knowledge wish list detailing where to buy them, size and colour and style, it's that easy. Why not ask for store vouchers from your favourite stores too. You can also fill in your Profile info to help with those surprise buys.

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DAYS OUT

There's bound to be an ideal day out you have in mind, maybe a trip down memory lane, a shopping trip, a day at the seaside, a boat ride, a picnic, a bike ride, a day at the Zoo, a day at a leisure park, swimming, fishing, a day with friends, museums, galleries, an open top bus tour. Why not ask for someone to spoil you on your special day with a day trip of your choice!

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ENVIRONMENT

As an alternative present why not ask for a charity donation on your behalf please see also our charity picks

With new tree diseases threatening our environment there's never been a more important time to plant a tree so ....

Why not ask for a tree?
You may need to apply for permission if you are not planting it on your own property e.g. public park.

There's such choice with bulbs for your garden.
Why not ask for some daffodil or tulip or crocus bulbs? Plant them in your garden or in an appropriate place on your journey to work.

You may want to help someone else who is in far more need than yourself right now so why not ask for a contribution to ....Send a cow? for a family in a developing country. The gift of just one cow can make an enormous difference to a desperately poor East African family, enabling them to combat malnutrition with protein-rich milk and earn an income from the sale of the surplus milk. Take a look at this website to find out more www.sendacow.org.uk

Sponsor a child from a developing country, by becoming a World Vision Child Sponsor you will not only help the child you sponsor but their community as well. There's also an alternative gift catalogue where you can choose some life changing gifts too. Take a look at the World Vision website to find out more and how you can make a difference at www.worldvision.org.uk.

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EVENINGS OUT

Why not ask for tickets for your favourite show, concert, musical or film at the cinema or dinner for two in your favourite restaurant. Dancing the night away at your favourite club. Music and fireworks concerts are very popular during the summer months, local papers or the web may have details of these forthcoming events.

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FAVOURITE TOILETRIES

You obviously have a favourite perfume or aftershave that you could ask for, or what about more of the everyday toiletries you like such as shower gels or shampoos that could make up an affordable present from a younger family member, perhaps? Aromatherapy candles can add that sense of relaxation after a long day and make a real treat as a gift, light them around the bathroom whilst having a warm bath for pure indulgence!

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FITNESS / SPORT

If a trip to the gym 3 times a week isn't your idea of a good time, why not look at alternative ways of keeping fit. If all that's stopping you from taking up walking or running is your old scruffy trainers then why not ask for a new pair on your present knowledge wish list. There's loads of gadgets and gizmo's to help you achieve a washboard stomach! What about a new keep fit video you've had your eye on. If the dog isn't getting a long enough walk cause the lead needs replacing why not ask for one? If your an avid football supporter what's to stop you asking for items from your favourite teams footie strip.

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FOOD AND DRINK

If you love a certain wine/beer/champagne/liqueur, you could mention it on your present knowledge wish list and help keep your wine rack stocked. What about cooking utensils or a favourite Chef's cookbook/video? If you like to have fun in the kitchen creme brule sets can be a giggle. What about cocktail glasses and all the kit you need to make the concoction of your choice!

Ask your Auntie to bake that special cake she gave you as a child, or if you love spaghetti bolognaise, say so...you might get to sample it more often when you go visiting. Your mum/dad could compile a homemade recipe book of your favourite childhood dishes...a real keepsake for future generations.

Remember to jot down all your food likes and dislikes in your Profile so when you are invited for dinner your friends and family can look up your Profile and will have some idea's what to cook for you.

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FROM ME TO YOU

Some of the gift ideas below you can give and receive via our Profile which won't necessarily cost you too much either!

Make your own paper
and create your own greetings cards. You can buy lots of accessories in craft shops to help make your cards individual and special.

For a loved one write 10 gift ideas on 10 Present Knowledge Vouchers and fold them up, put them in a bowl like a lucky dip, get them to pick say 3 and that will be their special presents.

Whether it be, a meal for two, breakfast in bed for a week, their car cleaned, a walk in the park or fireworks at midnight, be creative.....

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For a loved one
if you have a special present in mind write it on a sticky label and stick it on the underside of a cup, make your loved one a cuppa and tell them that's their pressie. When they look confused, explain the pressie is on the underside of their cup (make sure it's empty)!

Make an audio tape
for a friend/family member and send messages from all the family

Make a video diary
for a friend/family member especially if they live some distance away.

Make an album
Photographs are a fantastic present put together an album of memorable pictures.

Find your old cine films,
get them transferred onto video tape.

Become the Entertainment's Manager for the night,
organise a night out with a group of friends using our Present Knowledge Vouchers.

The morning off
why not give this present as a Present Knowledge Vouchers

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Gardening
Do you need new plants for your pots? Seeds to plant for the new season? Maybe your pots look tired after a few summers on the decking? Ask for them...along with tools you wouldn't buy for yourself. A better hosepipe that really would make summertime easier. Does your snazzy BBQ lack a decent all-weather cover? Someone may like finding it for you. A hammock? New chairs? Ask and be specific about what you really like.

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GIFT EXPERIENCES

The sky's the limit....
let everyone know your desired gift experience, if you don't tell them it's unlikely to happen, it's up to you!

Why not ask...
to be indulged in a luxurious Pamper day, or for those who love the sky, a Hot Air balloon ride, Helicopter Lessons. For those who can yet drive, driving lessons!

Why not ask.........
to feed the Lions at dinnertime, you can find this experience by speaking to your local Zoo or by typing it into a search engine on the Internet and see who can arrange it for you.

Or for more of an energetic day............
Paint balling, White water rafting, Car Racing maybe a ride in a Ferrari, Horse Riding, A Parachute Jump, a try dive with your local Sub Aqua Diving club.

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HOBBIES

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HOLIDAYS

Time out to travel is needed by us all whether it's beach, city, jungle, desert, diving, rural, hiking, sight-seeing, camping. Whatever your dream, write about it on The Present Knowledge...someone might just make it come true for you.

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JEWELLERY

Whilst you may enjoy receiving a fabulous diamond ring or a gorgeous necklace from your nearest and dearest, how about asking for your favourite bracelet/necklace to be mended, or a ring to be re-sized/re-stoned? Maybe you could ask for a new pendant for a necklace you already own? Your partner isn't a mind-reader, after all...let's give a helping hand. Remember to include your ring measurement and jewellery preferences on your Profile too for those sparkly surprises.

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KIDS

Perhaps traditionally it falls to Mum to communicate the families present wishes. So why not make everyone's lives easier and help your kids to create a present knowledge wish list. All they need is an email address and your help. All too often, in the present frenzy at Birthdays or Christmas, children can end up with two of the same present, or something that is too old or too young for them, or something that you feel is totally inappropriate. Getting it just right can be very difficult for friends and family who may be buying your child a present. Ask for Savings Bonds, lots of relatives love to contribute to this kind of investment as they really feel they are helping towards the child's future.

How about an outing - a kind of gift experience for Kids, swimming, fun parks, soft play centres, pottery sessions, you can find loads of ideas on the web and in your local papers.

You may feel that your child has all they need so why not once in a while buy a special Birthday gift and ask people who normally buy a present for your child to make a donation to your chosen charity. At a very early age children are then able to understand that they too can help good causes.

Here at The Present Knowledge we also have an online sponsor form that you can give access to all your friends and family so they can support your child's sponsored swim or bike ride event.

At Christmas time your child can send their present knowledge wish list to Father Christmas at Lapland. They will receive a personalised reply from the man himself. The Present Knowledge works for all ages and is a long term solution enabling people to just get it right.

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MUSIC/COMPUTER

No more duplicate buys you can ask for exactly what CD's/Videos/DVD's/computer games you'd like. Even Grandparents can go and buy their teenage grandchildren the right CD/DVD or computer game with confidence knowing it'll be the right one, how cool is that!

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NEW BABY

As parents of two young boys we know how generous family and friends were around our babies being born. People really want to be a part of your happy time and want to give, but sometimes don't know exactly what is needed. So we have created a baby wish list for you to use, to ask for exactly what your baby needs. As a new parent you realise how much you need for your baby and what items received as a present would be really useful. There's always the cost of the pram, car seat and cot, you could also ask for contributions towards these bigger items that are so necessary for your baby.

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NEW HOME

Moving into a new home especially if it's your first can be an expensive move....., let your friends and family know via your present knowledge wish list some of the items you would like to help set up your new home. >From feather duster to new kettle to contributions to the new stairs carpet. You can also fill in Profile details letting people know the colour schemes in all your rooms, if they wish to give you a surprise house warming gift.

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NOVELTY IDEAS

Why not ask for a novelty gift: there are some great things out there: You can 'name a star', buy a share in a leading company, have wine/champagne labels personalised. How about magnetic games to put on your fridge to pass the time while waiting for your pasta to boil. You can now buy magnetic picture covers to help brighten up a tired fridge or freezer or washing machine! You can even buy individual tags for wine glasses, so when you have friends around you each have a tag on your wine glass to distinguish whose glass belongs to who.

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PHOTOS

Ask for a family portrait with a local photographer, or a makeover session with a portfolio of pictures. You may even want an artists drawing of your much loved pet.

As a gift why not give a "Watch me Grow" photo package for a niece/nephew/grandchild.

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SWEETS

Favourite chocolates/sweets What about your favourite childhood sweets? chocolates -dark, milk, plain, Peppermints, Turkish Delight... Jellies,......Boiled sweets. You can let people know your favourites on your wish list.

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TEENS

If you're fed up with presents from friends and family that just don't suit you, then The Present Knowledge is just what you need! No more nasty jumpers or naff bubble bath. You can let your mates and family know exactly what you want and still be surprised on those special days.

And when you're short of cash and you want to give a present, why not print out a Present Knowledge Voucher ? Maybe you could promise to wash the car, baby sit for a younger brother or sister or unload the dishwasher occasionally? Maybe give your best mate a voucher which lets them borrow your best jacket/CD/DVD! The possibilities are endless.

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TOYS / playtime

Generally you know what toys you would like, you've seen them on TV in a magazine or a friend, or your Nursery or School have one. If you need a few more ideas then read on we've come up with a few more ideas to help you fill in your present knowledge wish list.

Wooden Toys are always a favourite trains, cars, door plaques, especially if they are personalised with your own name. Balloon and bubble machine's can give hours of fun at play time as well as dressing up clothes and hand puppets to make up your own plays and shows? What about a ride-on pedal car? A make-your-own talking teddy? Pogo stick, skateboard, scooter? Maybe a traditional toy will last longer than the latest trend. You could even ask for store vouchers if you have a particular toy in mind that you'd like to go and choose yourself, it may be a little bit expensive for one person to afford so you could put a couple of vouchers together that you've received.

What about story tapes to listen to at bedtime to give your Mum or Dad a night off. A Stationery set so you can write all your thank you cards and stickers of all your favourite characters. If you like to make things what about painting sets or stencils. If you collect a certain type of toy or want to add more parts or accessories to an existing set you already have (maybe a train set or dolls house) put it on your Present Knowledge wish list.

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WEDDING

Planning your wedding day is one of the most exciting times of your life....but can also be one of the most stressful. To help ease one of those stresses why not start your wedding wish list here at the present knowledge. You can include the gifts you would really like from your friends and family that may not be found on a conventional high street gift registry. You may like to detail store vouchers from your favourite place or ask for contributions to your honeymoon or house savings fund. You may like to include your preferred charity for your guests to make a donation on your behalf instead of purchasing a gift.

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see also our charity picks...