Gift Idea for Everyone

Ah, the twenty-first birthday. It’s a momentous occasion and one that garners more celebration than any other. It is also considered by many as traditionally marking the passing of adolescence into adulthood. So unlike gifts of the past, you have the freedom to give a more mature, worldly gift. Be selective and walk a different path when choosing a gift for this memorable event and extraordinary individual. If you’re stumped, here a few to consider:

One Share of Stock: Stock entitles your twenty-one year old shareholder to declare dividends, access annual reports and more. You’ll be setting a great example and putting their financial future into motion. Personalized framing is frequently available so that your recipient can proudly display their ownership. Before ordering, make sure that you have the recipient’s correct social security number and mailing address.

Adventure: If you’re looking for an unforgettable twenty-first birthday gift, why not give the gift of an experience such as bungee jumping, skydiving or hot air ballooning. The latter two tend to be pricey, so you may want to pool your resources with a few other gift givers. Check your local yellow pages or jump online to find unique adventure gifts. Because experience is all about creating a day to remember, supplement your gift with disposable cameras and a gift card for developing the photos.

Solar Real Estate: Ever wish that you could give someone the moon? Well, now you can! Through the Lunar Registry, you can thoughtfully give that special twenty-one year old a piece of orbital real estate. You can select and buy them an acre of moon property, complete with a personalized deed certificate, a satellite photograph, geographic information for use with a telescope and more. Visit the Lunar Registry online at www.lunarregistry.com and give a gift that is truly out of this world!

Hotel Reservation: After this birthday gala, your young adult will probably enjoy getting away for a relaxing night or two. Purchase them a hotel gift certificate and have it all wrapped up!

There are so many possibilities for birthday gifts, particularly on the years with extra meaning attached to them. Keep in mind that birthday number twenty-one isn’t just about transitioning into adulthood, but also about a new beginning, the start of a journey. So on this special day, make your gift unforgettable and one that will be remembered for a lifetime.

For most, a secure and happy retirement is a worthy goal. It’s a turning point and a new beginning. Once reached, it can be overwhelming, yet very exciting. To help ease the transition and honor someone for their years of service, friends and family members often throw retirement parties for the soon to be retired. If you need a gift that suits the individual and his or her plans for the upcoming years ahead, read on. You’ll find a host of ideas that are both practical and usable. After countless years of working, when people finally retire they often spend the "golden years" dong the things they enjoy the most. For instance, retirees often embark on a hobby or two that they seldom had time for before. Popular hobbies and activities among retirees include gardening, golfing, traveling, collecting, bird watching, cooking and photography. Any gift related to their newly found pastime is appropriate and will be appreciated. Some ideas include topic-specific books, supplies, memberships and gift certificates. With time to spare, many people take their retirement on the road. In fact, more and more individuals of retirement age are joining the recreational vehicle (RV) craze. RVing is popular with retirees as it offers them a laidback way to see the country and is far cheaper than traditional travel which includes the cost of a flight, accommodations and eating out. Great gifts that go along with the RVing lifestyle include two-way radios, cordless gadgets, a campground directory, maps, atlases and foldable organizers. Also consider gift certificates for gas, coffee and oil changes. Inactivity is one of the greatest threats to physical and mental health - especially in our later years. Keep your retiree in the game with a gift of fitness. Gifts that immediately come to mind are gym memberships, treadmills and videos/DVDs. Or opt for the less traditional with a yoga kit, an ab wheel or pedometer. Giving a gift that will help someone lead a healthier life is one of the most rewarding gifts you can give. By now, most people are passionate about a specific charity or worthwhile cause. Why not give a donation in their name to their favorite non-profit or charitable organization? Are they supportive of the Red Cross or the Salvation Army? Or is the wellbeing of our environment a top priority? Whatever it may be, this is an act of kindness and generosity and is a gift that will not be forgotten. Don’t fret over finding the perfect retirement gift. Use the recipient’s personality and lifestyle as your guide. A gift that promotes a favorite activity, like gardening or traveling to Europe, or one that encompasses a future need, like a portable GPS device for someone looking to spend a lot of time on the road, are great retirement sentiments.