The Winning Team

I was exhausted of looking for new work. I stopped counting at 19 jobs. 19 dead-end jobs with no growth potential, chance to to learn new skills or a pleasant working environment [the most important part for me]. My occupation before I landed my current position was a nightmare. It was yet another call center, despite them telling me that it was a ‘concierge’ position. Granted, the pay was acceptable but what was not acceptable was the work itself. The phone would ring non-stop with moaning clients, never pleased or satisfied with my work. Enough about that. I left them cold, walked out without even a moments notice or hesitation. It was too much, any longer and I would have been broken.

Currently, I work as the chief copywriter at ROI Media. They are most likely, Cape Town smartest and hardest working online business development team. Obviously I work for them, so I may gush slightly. Their search engine optimization skills and pure knowledge of the online arena makes them a foe to be reckoned with. It’s a fantastic team with copywriters, coders, seo experts and more making us capable of boosting any poor-performing website. I write and interact all day long and the upper management even listens to my suggestions. Well, sometimes

Anyone would be lucky to have a position like I do. Yet I worked hard and yes, I think I deserve this. You can read the further exploits and success of ROI Media on their nicely designed blog. It includes tips for, search marketing, seo and other interesting tidbits about us. With some luck, you may be working with us one day.

Here’s a round up of great and unusual ideas with something for everyone.

The main contenders – Technical Equipment

Let’s start with the serious stuff. One online shopping site claims that the following, in order, are the top 5 categories of gifts being purchased for the 2006 festive season:

MP3 Players
LCD Television Sets
Digital Cameras
Pre-paid Cell Phones
Laptops

1. If you’re looking for an iPod why not try the Apple iPod Shuffle, with 1GB of integrated memory.

2. The Sony KDL40V2000 HD ready is a popular choice if you’re after an LCD TV. The product features include an integrated digital TV tuner, a high performance LCD panel, WCG-CCFL backlight and Color Filter Side.

3. For a great digital camera choose between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10 with integrated memory, Optical zoom: 7.1 Megapixels, and an electronic viewfinder

OR

4. The Nikon D80 boasting similar features but with a sensor resolution of 10.2 Megapixels.

5. Laptops are always popular, with the Apple MacBook Pro finding a huge following of fans who love to sing its praises.

Romantic Ideas (for the woman in your life)

Men are practical creatures who see nothing wrong in receiving something that may seem impersonal, like the latest geeky gadget (more ideas later).

However, most women prefer to be pampered and it’s not too difficult to do if you use your head and plan carefully.

6. Flight tickets to exotic or much-longed-for destinations are a great gift choice, and a romantic gesture that’s bound to be appreciated. However it makes sense to determine whether your chosen country is a place the recipient REALLY wishes to visit, and whether the dates you’ve chosen are suitable.

7. Jewelry makes a fabulous choice. Once again, do your homework to ensure that your hard-earned cash is not wasted on a lover who can’t wear gold due to some allergy (yes, it happens) or whose ears are not pierced, before buying diamond earrings.

8. With sexy underwear the main thing is to get the size right. Ask a mother or sister to make sure. Also, take your partner’s tastes into account. Your ex may have loved lacey red bras while your current lover could find them tacky.

9. A voucher for a day at the Spa is always welcome – especially a treat for moms – those who stay home will appreciate the chance to have a day off from the household, while working moms will enjoy de-stressing and being waited on.

The Kids

Kids are the easiest, from the latest

10. Robo-raptor for boys to whatever

11. Barbie or Bratz doll is newest on the shelf, you can’t go wrong with good quality toys to make their eyes shine on Christmas morning.

Novelty Items

The best ideas are often the funniest, especially if you have lots of friends for whom to shop.

Here are some fabulous novelty gift ideas – all available online.

12. Sudoku Toilet Paper – the numbers game that has taken the world by storm will keep you occupied as long as you need in the little boys’ / girls’ room.

13. The George Bush Countdown Calendar 2007 counts down the months till Bush is out of office. Check the recipient’s political leanings before purchasing what may be offensive to some of your conservative buddies!

For the ‘geek’ in your life check out Think Geek for a whole range of awesome geeky gifts such as a

14. ‘No, I Won’t Fix Your Computer’ T-shirt to

15. Star Wars force FX lightsabers – no geek will be happy without one of these to ward off the dark side!

This list is far from exhaustive. For more ideas go online and find anything from household appliances to sports equipment, home and garden accessories, apparel and footwear, books and DVDs – even cars if your budget stretches that far.

Shopping has never been simpler. Make 2006 the year when you find the ideal gift for everyone on your list, and be sure to tell your friends and family which sites to check out when they’re shopping for you!