As the school year progresses, parents will be doing their best to encourage their children to study hard in anticipation of their exams. Many A Level students will be working hard throughout spring and summer, revising into the night to try and make sure they secure that all-important place at university; and with competition fiercer than ever, the best grades will be needed to guarantee students get on the course they want.

It has become common for parents to reward good exam results with gifts – or to blackmail their children into studying harder with promises of a present should they succeed. Not everyone can afford to buy their teenagers a new car or to send them on a holiday with their friends, however, so what are the alternatives when it comes to finding a promised gift that will provide just the right amount of encouragement?

Parents don’t need to splash out on a holiday in the sun to help their children relax after a tough summer of studying and revision; there are plenty of treats in the UK that are only the fraction of a cost of a foreign holiday but will make teenagers feel just as special and just as grown-up.

Girls will love a spa day with their friends where they can get massages and have their hair and make-up done before heading out for a night on the town. Personal shoppers can be hired for a couple of hours to take teenage girls around city centre shopping malls, picking out the latest fashions and helping them to buy a fabulous new outfit.

Boys, on the other hand, would probably prefer an adventure activity day, trying out different extreme sports or the chance to get behind the wheel of a sports car for a few hours. If your son is a music fan, send them to spend the day at a local recording studio with their friends where they can record their own song or a cover version of an old favourite.

Finding the ‘perfect’ gift for a loved one, a friend or a colleague can be a real trial.  You don’t want to bore them with one of the ubiquitous items that everybody already has at least one of, but you don’t really know what they want, and it’s quite likely they don’t know either.  Here’s a great gift idea for almost anyone – if you don’t decide to keep it for yourself:  magic.

Yep, magic, as in one of the ‘executive’ magic kits designed to tweak the interest of even the most jaded and over-gifted individual.  Instead of the humdrum everyday run of ties and desk organizers or the too-expensive categories of jewellery, watches and the latest electronic devices, try something that’s as old as the human imagination but offers something new every time it’s used.

There is a wonderful variety of magic sets available that can be customized to fit the special interests and talents of almost anybody.  If you go online to search for magic kits, you’ll find a wealth of information, helpful tips, suggestions and personal customer service that’s truly amazing.

Of course if you happen to know the intended recipient has an interest in magic, you can look for specific props and tricks that will reflect and enhance that area of interest.  However, if you don’t know any specifics, you can find a great array of kits intended for adults that include good quality props and different tricks that are relatively easy to learn and perform.

An added attraction is the price; for less than thirty pounds you can find some fabulous magic sets that come with all the props and instructions a novice magician might need.  Top secret vanishing gimmicks, astonishing close-up magic with rubber bands, how to ‘levitate’ objects and even yourself, hundreds of card tricks with decks such as the Svengali deck and the Stripper deck, and an endless selection of other deceptions to awe and entertain the audience.

Magic is by definition an unusual and fascinating subject for most everybody.  The ability to perform magic is something most of us would dearly love to attain, and the great thing is that it’s not that hard to do.  There are instructions and advice from professional magicians who are willing to share the secrets of their success, even online seminars with question and answer sections.

Whether you’re looking for a really novel gift that is sure to entertain and delight the recipient, or perhaps you’ve always longed to confound your friends and associates with magical skills, there is magic in store for you, literally.  There’s nothing like a little magic to brighten up the day, and you can rest assured that the gift of magic will never be boring.

In the UK many people commute to and from work, and for most this means spending a significant amount of time on public transport. Many people enjoy reading books and newspapers while travelling to work. A major problem that people face on public transport is often not enough seats, and you will have to use one hand holding on to a railing which means that it is impossible to read a book or newspaper.

Turning pages or navigating a newspaper is very tricky with one hand, especially in a confined space of a bus or train. Another problem with newspapers, especially those that are provided free, is that they will often leave newsprint on your fingers which can easily be transferred to your clothes and face.

Another problem with traditional books and magazines is that they require a lot of space and this can be a problem if you are travelling abroad as there are often luggage restrictions. If you are taking a long flight packing a couple of magazines might not be enough.

Until recently there was not really a solution to this problem faced by travellers, commuters simply accepted that they would not be able to read if they were standing up, newsprint on the fingers was a part of life and travel without enough reading material became standard. The development of e-book readers has provided a solution to people you have to travel regularly. In the last few years these devices have really taken off and several have become available from popular manufacturers. They vary greatly in price and features and there is a great deal of choice for consumers.

Many people think that e-book readers are simply limited to books that you can download, however they are also capable of reading magazines and daily newspapers. On some it is even possible to check your e-mails. Other e-book readers come with a feature that allows the book to be read to you, this is a great feature for those who have sight problems or for those who are in a situation where they cannot easily read.

E-book readers are incredibly flexible as they allow the reader to adjust the size of the text and the spacing of the lines. For those standing up on the train, pages can be turned with just the press of a button. For those travelling you can fit an entire library onto the device and it will still weigh less than a typical book.

Cost savings are mostly reaped if you intend to read a newspaper on the device. Subscribing to the digital service which will be delivered to your device every day means that you will save about half on the cost of a newspaper. E-books also attract some savings, but the addition of VAT which doesn’t apply to print books means that they are around the same price.

Gardening is traditionally something that was pursued by those who are little older. However, in times when people have less money, and with the rising cost of organic products and food it is something that is making a comeback among the young.

This is meant that gardening gifts are becoming much more popular. They can be a great gift for men especially because there are plenty of gadgets that can be used in the garden. There are many gadgets to choose from such as power tools, lawnmowers and plenty of other things to fill up a garden shed. A great gift choice might be ’50 Ways to Kill a Slug,’ which would be an interesting and entertaining read. If you buy him the right gardening gift, it is unlikely he will want to keep it hidden away in the shed, and will soon be showing it off to his friends.

Just because you don’t have a garden, does not mean you cannot enjoy the pleasures of gardening. Pot plants can be a great way to bring colour to a house and lets you enjoy some gardening inside or on a balcony. These often come in sets so all you will need to do is water them occasionally and they will grow into beautiful plants. These can come in many types from Forget Me Nots to Marigolds, these little potted plants will be sure to turn any man’s fingers green very quickly.

Having a barbecue in the British summer is a great way to spend an afternoon. It provides an occasion few to get together with friends or family and enjoy some great food in the outdoors. A great option for gardeners is a gift of ‘ Luxury Personalised Gardeners Champagne,’ this is a great way to celebrate a special occasion even if that is just Britain having some nice weather.

While gardening is a very appealing part-time it does have its difficulties. Those who pursue it will find they encounter many bugs, might suffer from back pain, gets dirty fingernails, and find their clothes are a little more grass stained than usual. Despite these drawbacks gardening is a pastime that is well worth pursuing, the rewards from growing your own flowers and vegetables are great. A great gift idea to ease one of the pains of gardening is a knee pad. These come in many different varieties and often have funny sayings written on them.

As for those buying a gift for a woman, flowers are often a popular choice. This year why not go for something a little more unique and by the soil and seeds that she will need to grow her own flowers. These often come in attractive boxes and are very easy to grow.

Finding the perfect gift for that special someone can often feel like wading through a quagmire blindfolded. It also seems that  the longer you have known a person it gets harder as you have given them numerous birthday and Christmas presents over the years and the pressure to keep coming up with innovative gift ideas is immense.

The last thing you want to do to is go down the repetition route, giving the same gifts on a rota system where you repeat the same gift every couple of years as you can’t think of anything else. There are some ways that you can always choose the perfect gift however, and by following these few tips you will find it a lot easier in the future.

Looking for a gift that suits the personality traits of the recipient will be much appreciated. If they are an ultra-competitive person this is even easier, as there are so many adventure days you can get gift vouchers for, like paintballing. For the fitness freak, a day on an assault course where they have to conquer the obstacles and the mud as well as their competitors will appeal.

We all know someone who constantly puts others first and are selfless in their quest to help everyone else and put their own needs on the back burner. These people’s champions would never dream of going out and spending money to treat themselves so why not do it for them?  A day at a spa or an aromatherapy massage will make them take time out and relax for a while, something they would never do themselves.

If you think this would overwhelm them, go down the indulgence route. We all have our favourite indulgences, be it chocolate, fine wines or the like. Put together a hamper to create a full evening’s pleasure, with luxury bath products so they can first pamper themselves then a selection of their favourite things which they can relax and enjoy and not feel guilty for spending money on themselves.

Some people are kind enough to drop hints as to what they would like, inadvertently or otherwise, and this makes life a whole lot easier. If this is a woman whose favourite bottle of perfume is down to the dregs, don’t just rush out and replace it, why not treat her to the opportunity to create her own personal fragrance?

Linking a gift to a favourite past time is always well received. If they love grabbing the mike at a karaoke and are always singing, there are some great packages available where you go into a recording studio and be like a pop star for a day.

If the recipient is a practical joker or just loves a good laugh, get a spoof front page of a newspaper produced with pictures of them and stories about them, this will really appeal to those with a sense of humour.

Precious gems including diamonds have a way of adding great elegance to someone’s appearance. Generally expensive items, they are not affordable to everyone. Diamonds and other precious stones are found in countries like, Nambia, Cambodia, Thailand, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, New Zealand and Belgium.

Precious gems are created when various elements in the earth’s crust combine over a period of time. Some stones take a relatively short time to form, around 5 years, whereas other will take longer than 100 years before they form the sought after gems people mine the earth for. The various elements that can combine to make these gems can include magnesium, carbon, platinum, iron, silicon and selenium. Gems get their varying colours and strengths from the different elements that form them.

Some of the different types of gems can be crafted into wonderful gifts for loved ones. Firstly, Aquamarine, which is a stone that symbolises honesty, generally it is generally a deep blue in colour. This stone is given for those celebrating a 19^th wedding anniversary.

Coral is known as a stone representing youth, many people also use this stone for its practical application of aiding in digestion and improving blood circulation. It comes in many varieties of red, from a light rose to a deep red.

The stone of joy is Jasper, a stone with a reddish brown colour. This stone is often used in the construction of various items, including lamp shades, the decorative work on jewellery boxes and for making the base on mantle clocks.

Emeralds usually appear in a variety of green shades but they also appear in blue sometimes. They are a symbol of everlasting love and normally given to people celebrating 20 years of marriage. Emeralds are also the birthstone of people of the Taurus zodiac sign.

Moonstone is a gem which is usually colourless or is a very pale grey or white. Moonstones are often used in making pendants, key chains or earrings. They are also known for providing protection to babies and bringing emotional balance to adults.

Another gem that is known for brining emotional balance is Garnet. This stone can also bring passion and vitality to a wearer’s life. This gem is usually a deep red in colour and is made into pendants. Garnet can also help people heal, especially those suffering from pituitary disorders.

It is always a good time of the year to give gifts. Summer for example gives plenty of inspiration for ideas for gifts, whether it be a BBQ for the couple that love to cook or a pair of flashy sunglasses for the teen that is like most fashion conscious. Whether your gifts are for an engagement, anniversary, birthday or just a nice gesture there are gifts for the outdoors, indoors and for those that like to travel there is simply put something to suit all tastes.

Despite the summer in Britain thus far being quite non-existent the UK is known for the occasional heat wave to roll in and give us a balmy night or two. Key to gift giving is being practical and summer makes it easier to give very useful gifts like a household fan for example. Somewhat affordable and good value for money, the fan will keep your recipient cool and happy at the same time.

Your recipient may like shade and there is an array of parasols and other large umbrellas that may do the trick. There is never a better time than summer to give plants or flowers so they can enjoy the warmth of the summer sun. If you happen to be a green fingered gardener you could plant sections of foliage or flowers for the recipient.

While it is usually Christmas that wins the prize for the season for greedy you may just want to rethink that notion. Summer is filled with lazing in the sun and juicy veggies and fruits of all kinds. With the smell of freshly cut grass in the smoke rolling off the BBQ of nearby neighbors during the early evening haze a BBQ may just be the answer.

That little extra spent gives you the comfort level that you know your gift was a great one and one that may be around for a long time to come. It will cook plenty of burgers. You may want to add to the BBQ by including a great summer hamper of sausages, beer and moreish crisps.

An Advertising Feature

If your little darlings are hitting the teenage years then you may be fearful of what is yet to come.  How should I handle the tantrums?  Should I tell them about safe sex?  These are just some of the questions that may be running through your mind.

The main thing to remember is that you were a teenager once yourself so try and think about how you felt at that age.

It is probably harder for kids these days when they are going through these changes – there is an expectation for them to succeed in school, to have lots of friends and pressure from their peers to start dating boys or girls from an early age.

The majority of teenagers do not know what they want to do as a career, and often do not know entirely what type of person they are or want to be.  They are bound to make mistakes along the way, and these are needed to help them understand what is important to them.

If you are worried your teenager will start hanging round with the wrong crowd then try and limit the amount of free time they have to do this.  They will not like to be told what to do, so instead try to encourage them to join an after school club or take up an extracurricular activity such as dancing, drama, music or sport.

If it is something they enjoy doing they are also likely to meet like minded people, and getting involved in something outside of school is a good way to help them manage their time to get ready for adulthood.

Try and be a good role model too as teenagers want to be treated like an adult and if they see their parents drinking alcohol excessively a number of times a week, they are likely to think it is okay to do that.

Teenagers often lack focus and you may find they sit in their room listening to music or watching films a lot of the time.  To maintain a level of interaction ban your children from having televisions in their rooms, or PlayStations, and get into the habit of eating dinner around the table as a family every day.

If your stroppy teen is battling with acne or dandruff then this could be chipping away at their confidence, so take action and help them know they are not alone.  Shampoo such as Head and Shoulders does wonders for a dry scalp and can instantly make them feel better about themselves, as for teenagers, image is everything.

Most women would love their fellas to surprise them with a gift of sexy underwear, and just as many men would like to do the same, The problem is, however, that most men haven’t got a clue how to pick out the right lingerie for their woman. Some admit to not even knowing what size their partner is, so it’s no surprise that most women end up buying their own underwear.

The first thing a man should do before scampering off to the shops is to brush up on the different types of underwear available and what they are called. Babydoll nighties are short and sheer with thin shoulder straps. These are often sold with matching briefs to make a bedtime ensemble. Bustiers are akin to old-fashioned corsets. They are all in one garments that combine a bra with a figure shaping body that accentuates womanly curves.

Another popular item of lingerie is the camisole. There are different kinds of camisole depending on whether they are intended for day or nightwear. A camisole for use through the day will have a bra fused into it. These are light and extremely comfortable to wear and are intended to make the wearer feel cool and relaxed. A chemise is another light garment that can be worn as lingerie or even as evening wear on warm, balmy nights.

If your partner has been hinting for a corset do your research. These are tight fitting undergarments that are very rigid. They will have boning of either metal or hard plastic and are intended to mould a woman’s body into an hourglass. They are often worn by women who have saggy bits and want them pulled in, this is to give them a perfect silhouette in their clothing.

If all this is a bit daunting, sexy knickers always make a good gift. You should know the type of knickers your partner wears, and she may be one of the million who prefer a thong. Also known as a g-string, these scant articles fit snugly around a woman’s bottom so that there are no visible pantie lines, or VPL’s, showing through their clothes. Make sure you know the size first though before you go rushing off.

Whether your dad is a man of few or many words, there’s no mistaking your meaning when you present him with a framed Scrabble-tile montage to let him know he’s a “VERY SPECIAL DADDY”.

Finding a high quality gift to show a cherished father how much he means to you is a challenge. Copperdot Designs’ stylish, minimalist artwork makes a long-lasting and contemporary keepsake that looks as good on a desk in the workplace as on the wall in the family home.

Copperdot uses vintage-style Scrabble tiles to create quintessentially English art. Creatively arranged on a simple backdrop and framed to the highest standards, their work gives a modern twist to these iconic objects. Based in Northamptonshire, the company sources materials locally where it can, including its frames.

For Fathers’ Day, the simple VERY SPECIAL DADDY design has a very personal feel. But if you’ve more to say, ask Copperdot to come up with a bespoke piece featuring the words or phrases of your choice. The company will style them in a unique design that’s finished and framed to the highest standard. You can spell out a truly personal message that your own or your child’s father will treasure for decades to come. Experiment online with different word combinations at www.copperdot.co.uk until you come up with the perfect expression of your feelings for him.

At the heart of Copperdot’s ethos is quality. The framed word-tile art is designed to last and assembled using painstaking craft techniques. The tiles are mounted on conservation-level backboards and acid-free deep recess mounts to ensure the artwork doesn’t age with the years. Deep moulding keeps tiles away from the 2.5mm clear float glass, giving a crystal-clear finish. The design is presented in a handmade, plain white frame measuring 35x30cm and taped and sealed on the rear. A combination of meticulous attention to detail and minimalism make it the perfect gift for the most discerning of Dads.

Every piece is made to order so Copperdot advises commissioning early to receive your gift in good time for Father’s Day on Sunday 19 June 2011. VERY SPECIAL DADDY is available to order online now for £69. Bespoke artworks are priced individually, from £69. Copperdot also offers a range of Scrabble-tile gifts: the initial letter wine glass charms (£12 each) make contemporary and useful gifts that any vinophile dad might appreciate too.

Browse the full range of Copperdot Scrabble-tile designs and examples of bespoke artwork at www.copperdot.co.uk or call 01933 426 261 for more information.