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How to Fill a Gender Neutral Gift Basket

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Filling a gender neutral Christmas hamper can be a daunting task. It can be difficult to know exactly what to put in a gift basket which could go to a girl or a boy. Finding presents for a girl or a boy is easy but finding a present which would suit both can be a challenge. Finding enough presents to fill a basket can seem impossible. However you don’t have to worry there are plenty of things you can put in a Christmas hamper which will delight both boys and girls. These days’ toys are not as gender specific as you may think.

 One great idea for gender neutral Christmas hampers is stationary. Both boys and girls need pencils, pens, markers and paper and both boys and girls enjoy drawing and colouring in. Plus you will also make their parents happy because it saves them a trip to the shops before the school term starts again. If possible it is always a good idea to try and make your gifts practical as well as enjoyable.

Depending on the age of the children that your basket will go to, stuffed toys and teddy bears can also be a great gender neutral gift. Children under the age of eight generally enjoyed playing with stuffed toys no matter what their gender. Just make sure you avoid overly girly colours like pink and purple and you’ll be fine.

Books are a great present which can be given a child of any gender. Books like the Narnia Chronicles, Harry Potter and the Hobbit can be given to children of any age even if they can’t read. These books are not gender specific and will delight both boys and girls. The parents will also be delighted because your gift will encourage their children to read.

DVDs and music can also be great non-gender specific gifts. There are many mix CDs available which feature a wide variety of songs which will appeal to just about any child or teenager so you don’t need to worry about the music not matching their tastes. There are also a wide variety of gender neutral movies released each year which can be enjoyed by both males and females. Including one of these DVDs in your hamper is a great idea.

Vouchers are another great thing you can put into a gender neutral Christmas hampers. This way no matter whom your Christmas basket is given to, they can go and buy what they really want. However consider being more specific with your voucher as opposed to just giving them a generic shopping mall gift card. Movie tickets are a great gift for anyone especially children because it allows them to go and see whichever movie they really want to. Vouchers for music and games for a child’s phone is also a great thing to include because it allows them to customise their phone in whatever way they want.

Finally one great thing a friend of mine suggested when I was assembling a gender neutral Christmas hamper was blowing bubbles. These provide hours of fun for young children and are suitable for both boys and girls. Silly toys like these which are simple but that children get great enjoyment out of are a great thing to include in a gender neutral Christmas hamper.

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  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=gift%20basket&ex=2

About Author

Sam has written this article on behalf of Gift Basket Company,Australia’s premier Gift Basket and Christmas Hampers network with distributors across Australia.

Amazing Technologies for Home

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These days there are things in our homes that we would have never thought possible. It’s as though our dreams are literally coming true. If you feel as though your home needs something new to spice things up then you are going to be glad you found us. Today we are going to focus on just a few of the most popular and really impressive things that can make your home simpler and much more exciting. Your guests are going to definitely enjoy hanging out.

Video Games To Get Lost In

If you and your family enjoy video games but haven’t bought a new consol or upgrade in quite some time then a lot of things have changed. These days, video games are much more interactive than ever. For example, with the Kinect by Xbox not only can you use a controller to play games but your body can actually be the controller as well. On top of that, the system can detect who is who based on your body type so you don’t have to ever log in. This is going to make dance offs and other games much easier than ever. No wonder so many people choose to play Kinect instead of work out. It’s fun so you don’t feel like it’s work.

A Whole New Movie Experience

These days, there are so many fantastic features when it comes time to watch your favorite movies and shows. If you are still using standard definition, you may want to consider upgrading to a minimum of HD. This is going to give you a clear picture that you have to see to believe. You will literally be able to see every blade of grass and every wrinkle on someone’s face. Plus, fast-paced programs look much better on an HD screen.

Now, if you really want to be blown away, then you should invest in a 3D television. This is a great way to really get lost in the moment. Scary movies are going to become so much more terrifying; trust us, it was hard to sleep those first few nights!

Smarter Televisions Than Ever

These days, electronics are smarter than ever. They are able to do things for you to make your life easier. For one thing, many sets these days can detect when everyone has left the room so they can turn off on their own. Some are also able to brighten or dim depending on the current lighting of the room so you never have to strain your eyes again.

Better Than Ever Security Systems

Security systems these days are pretty intense. You can literally lock your doors from anywhere simply by logging into your account via your phone, computer or other device. If you have videos installed, you can literally see those areas of your home as well. This is great for those of you who have recently purchased your first home or have a new pet that you want to check in on.

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Kelly Smith is an interior designer by profession. She has been associated with Grant Elevators for the past few years.

How To Protect Your Garden From Frost Damage

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It is frustrating to nurture plants all year round only to have them destroyed by frost. However, the arrival of frost shouldn’t throw you into a panic as there are measures to protect them from frostbite. This can easily be done using readily available materials so you don’t have to spend money while you cushion your garden from the effects of frost. Before you can employ any protection techniques, you need to know exactly what frost does to plants. The soil upon which the plant is dependent for growth, is frozen making it impossible for water to reach the roots. Plant cells are also ruptured by the freezing cold resulting in a slow death. However, plants are affected differently so you should take time to find out which plants are weak and prone to weather damage.


Having understood the effect of frost, you can start preparing for its arrival by staying alert for weather warnings. This way you can water your plants before frost strikes to help it get enough moisture. Watering needs to be done lightly if you want to avoid the formation of frost.

Wet soil encourages absorption of crucial nutrients by the roots. Covering plants is a simple way to protect them and if done right, your garden will emerge bright and healthy after the danger is gone. Use burlap sacks, sheets or blankets to cover the plants. This helps to lock in the moisture by preventing entry of cold air in the garden. It should be done with extra caution because; heavy covers like blankets can crush plants if draped over without a support. Remember to use stones or wood to block spaces near the ground. You should always remove the covering at daybreak lest all your plants die of suffocation. The way you prepare the garden could also make the difference for your plants at the onset of frost season.

The secret to healthy plants after an episode of frost is the levels of humidity. The lack of moisture in the air during cold days leads to slow death of plants. This is why experts advocate for measures to protect plants form such damage. Moisture is easily preserved through mulching. This is an ancient agricultural practice that employed the use of leaves, bark, straw and grass placed on the soil to prevent moisture form leaving the soil. If there are plants that can be moved, relocate them to a safer spot from the direct touch of frost. Place potted plants in a warm place away from the decapitating cold. Plants with soft leaves are more prone to frost so the gardener should give them first priority and take extra care when handling them. Sturdier plants don’t suffer much but they should not be ignored because excess exposure will leave them vulnerable. Don’t worry if some plants appear dormant when it’s cold because it is only an adaptation method to avoid damage.

Jessica is really passionate about gardening and loves to share her passion with others too. You can have a look at her site on Wall Fountains at Water Fountain Pros if you want to get more information on Logo wall fountains.

Why You Don’t Want Ants in Your Garden or Lawn

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Ants are generally a big nuisance. They get into your sugar bowl; they readily collect where there’s a spattering of juice; and they spoil your favorite desserts. Ants – you really don’t want them inside your home; but what about outdoors? Well, they’re outside, so leave them be, right? If you are an avid gardener, you know that ants are tiny machines of destruction. They can readily destroy your most prized plants and infest your lawn to the point that you can no longer have picnic outdoors or have your kids play in your backyard.

Ants Create Numerous Mounds

So, how can ants wreck your yard? To start with, allowing an ant colony to firmly establish itself in your yard or lawn is not a good idea because these insects can easily overrun your space in a matter of weeks. If you don’t pay attention to your ant problems, you could end up staying indoors all the time. You won’t like to go outside and enjoy your plants because as soon as you step onto your yard, you might accidentally tread on one of their mounds. That’s not a pretty picture, especially if you’ve just disturbed a large group of red fire ants. These kinds of ants won’t just crawl all over you; they’ll bite you – and a fire ant’s sting is painful and very itchy. So, instead of being able to enjoy your garden, you would think twice about venturing outdoors in case you step on one of their mounds. What if you have kids? You certainly wouldn’t want your children playing in a yard crawling with fire ants. In addition to this, mounds are unsightly and they affect plant growth and development.

Ants Sting

As mentioned, ants sting when disturbed. The injury is typically itchy, inflamed and painful. Sometimes, minute pustules or blisters form on the site of the bite. Although ant bites readily resolve in time, some people are hypersensitive. It is also exceedingly rare for fire ants to attack humans. They usually just sting when they are bothered. However, there have been exceptional instances when fire ants have harmed people. Babies, the elderly and incapacitated individuals could be target of ant attacks, particularly if there is an extensive infestation in a specific area.

Ants Could Kill Plants

Are your prized orchids swarming with black ants? Have you noticed that your zinnias are failing to bloom because the buds are teeming with ants? Are your dahlias no longer blooming? Many kinds of ants are attracted to the sweet nectar produced by flowers. Some people say that ants are harmless because they don’t eat flowers. Well, this may not be entirely true. Based on my experience, the black ants that swarmed all over my beautiful ground orchids also brought with them lots of aphids. Ants farm these creatures because they eat the honeydew produced by aphids. Aphids cover stems or leaves, and they deter plants from absorbing sunlight. Black mold also form on the parts that also get coated in honeydew, which further prevents sunlight absorption.

In addition to farming and protecting aphids, ants affect plants’ root systems too. These insects don’t eat roots, but they damage these when they burrow or create tunnels under the ground. Ants’ underground activities pull the soil away from the roots which means that these won’t be able to absorb water well.

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Claire Brent is a freelance blogger who often writes about pest management. She covers many issues, including termite and ant control, diseases caused by insects, green pest control methods, and other pest-related issues. She also provides material for Preventive Pest, a company that provides solutions to difficult pest problems.

Different Types of Concrete Flooring

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When many people think of concrete flooring, they picture ugly, grey, rough surfaces with little aesthetic appeal. It’s generally acknowledged that concrete is a durable and easy-to-maintain floor surface, but its unappealing appearance is enough to put many people off. However, there is a lot more to concrete than that, and there are actually a multitude of attractive styles and finishes available, which can add a touch of class to any interior. Here are just a few of the choices available:

Polished Concrete

The dull, grey, lifeless concrete many people imagine is not as common as it seems. In fact, it’s very easy to install polished concrete flooring, which is very easy on the eye. Polished concrete is made from natural materials, and its shiny, smooth surface ensures it’s low maintenance, easy to clean and very durable – which means it rarely needs replacing! As a bonus, it’s also repellent to dust, so there won’t be many dust bunnies lurking around, and it can even be non-slip!

Floor Sealers & Coatings

Floor sealers and coatings are an excellent way to add a little extra life to concrete flooring that has already been installed. It’s possible to colour code areas, which can be useful for huge buildings such as hospitals or the offices of corporations. The sealers not only protect the floor, prolonging its life and increasing its hardness –they’re also highly light reflective, adding a bright and airy atmosphere to any room.

Different types of sealers and coatings can be applied, each with their own unique selling points: some offer increased resistance to dust and dirt, others are highly resistant to chemicals, meaning flooring won’t become discoloured or fade easily. Almost all of them increase the hardness of a floor, further improving its resistance to heavy foot traffic too.

Spray on Paving

Spray on paving is generally easier and cheaper to apply to concrete flooring than other sealers and coatings, yet it still offers numerous benefits. Spray on paving is most commonly used to apply a moisture barrier, which can protect the concrete from future problems such as cracking and warping. Food grade systems are an important type of spray on paving for any kitchen or food environment, as they are incredibly hygienic, being solvent free, non-tainting and very easy to clean. There are also anti-slip options, chemical resistant coatings and anti-graffiti coatings.

Designer Finishes

Designer finishes are probably the most sought after type of concrete flooring, as they can add a real touch of glamour, and can improve the appearance of a room many times over. Designer finishes are highly customisable, and so can suit a wide range of styles and tastes. Almost any colour, texture, design or pattern a person could want is available, making it a highly desirable option, both in terms of style and durability. As with any other concrete surface, designer finishes are still highly durable, easy to maintain and easy to clean.

Anyone who has previously had doubts about concrete flooring may change their mind when they realise what a wide variety of options are available!

Laura Heinz is a reputed name in the interior designing business. She is also a part time blogger who likes blogging about things that would help you to make your house look beautiful. She believes that polished concrete surfaces adds a kind of finesse to your house.

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