Do You Have a Collectible and Memorabilia Hobby?

Do you have a love for collectibles and/or memorabilia?

I have a few collectibles that I add to on an occasional basis. My collection of angels, wild cats and carousel horses are becoming quite big. When ever I am out and about, I'll pick up an item or the people in my life knowing I collect certain items, will pick one up for me.

This can be a favorite hobby for some or it can even turn into a career. I started collecting carousel horses as a kid. My favorite ride on the boardwalk at the shore was...you guessed it...the carousel. I loved the painted horses...the music.
My collection of angels stemmed from an experience that made my belief grow stronger. My tigers and lions are just a pleasure to see. Those animals are beautiful.

If you have a collection, what made you start? Are they for decorative purposes or do you have a personal reason for the theme which your collection revolves around? I know some collect for the monetary value. Collectibles and memorabilia have become big business. There are an abundance of marketers that offer many items. To make your buying experience easier and have product information, price comparisons and user reviews all in once place and at your fingertips, the best resource will probably be www.shopwiki.com. It won't be necessary for you to go through page after page.

Collectives and memorabilia make great gifts. There a literally thousands of items people collect. Sport items, TV and movie memorabilia,childhood toys, rocks, coins and stamps, Elvis memorabilia, decorative items, cards and the list can go on and on. If you know someone that has a passion for a certain item, why not pick them up an item. I am sure they would love that you took the time to add a keepsake to their collection.

My Patience Tested at Kmart

I am up very early this Saturday morning. Last night I had a horrible experience at KMart.
While I was on my Black Friday shopping adventure last week, one stop I made was to KMart.
I decided to take advantage of the lay away at KMart. I just thought it would save me some time in the store. The cash out lines were sooooo long and lay away would free up my cash for the day so I could continue shopping. Just figured I'd pick it up another day.

The transaction at the lay away counter went very smoothly, they told me it would have to be picked up on Friday, Dec 5th. Ok, I thought, not a problem.

Well...I got to the store yesterday at 6:10pm (right after work). I couldn't believe my eyes. It seems EVERYONE was told they had to pick up their lay away by the same day. The line for lay away was the length of the store! Ok..I thought, I had no choice but to suck it up...stand in line and wait.

Let me say...This experience really tested your patience. I was now already 1 1/2 hours into waiting on the line.1 1/2 hours! The lay away department was one confused,disorganized mess. Seems they weren't expecting this turnout.

Some people were getting inpatient, grumbling can be heard.The department decided to take people's receipts and get their layaway to help the line move faster. What this actually did was cause commotion. Now they wanted to call the corresponding number to the packages and allow those people to check out. What that did was allow some people, some only being in the line for minutes, to jump ahead of those people who have been waiting for over an hour (like me). Can I just tell you that that didn't go over very well... :0)

The lay away dept. quickly decided that wasn't a very good idea. I think a riot would have erupted!

Anyway, now I was in line for 2 hours and I was next. Thank GOD. I don't think I could take another minute. So, it's my turn. They hand me my stuff, I pay... finally and couldn't get out of that store fast enough.

I should mention that behind the counter were about 5 frantic people, with only room for about 2 people. They were confused, created a total mess with items all over the place and no room to check the packages to make sure everything was in the bags.

After that experience, I had gone out to dinner etc..., so I didn't get home until about midnight. I bring in my bags and begin to unpack the items. OH MY GOD! One item which is a Christmas present for my guy's daughter is not in the bag. The store already closed, I can't do anything until today.

I guess my patience will be tested again today because now I have to go back to KMart and explain what happened. Being I already paid the entire balance, I don't know what they will do.

Well, what I first thought was a brilliant idea to save time and money has turned into a nightmare, with me actually wasting time and money. I do not believe I will ever use KMart's layaway again. I sure hope the store replaces this item.

Has anyone used KMart's Layaway? What was your experience?

The Day After Thanksgiving

I don’t know what it is about the day after Thanksgiving, but you can feel the excitement in the air. The official start of the holiday season, I suppose. Black Friday, the holiday shopping lists, cleaning up the house, decorating, planning for the cooking and baking that will need to be done, the holiday parties and get togethers etc etc.

I myself have never done shopping on Black Friday. I guess it’s because I didn’t want to be involved with the lines, the traffic, the craziness of people trying to buy the most wanted sale items. This year turned out to be different. My guy needed to purchase an extremely popular video system for his kids. Being a full time Dad, he couldn’t just wake his kids up in the wee hours of the morning and let them watch what he was buying, soooooo…I offered to get up early and drive to the store.

Wow…it might have only been 5:45 am on the clock, but when I entered the store, it seemed like it was 5:45 pm instead. I always heard about the crowds, the sales etc, but I actually witnessed it for myself. I couldn’t believe how many people were shopping at the mall at that hour. I was in and out of the store within 15 minutes though. Now what? I was already awake and dressed. Do I go home and sleep for a few more hours or do I continue shopping since all the stores were opened already. Um…I decided to continue shopping.

I have to admit that I did get some pretty good deals on several items AND I was done with all my Christmas shopping by 10:30am! I couldn’t believe it. I was prepared by keeping a list of all the gifts I wanted for each person. That saved me time and in the end, money.

I did find some stores lured customers in with ads of special deals, but upon arriving, the deals weren't all that special.

Did you go shopping on Black Friday this year? How was your experience...positive or negative?

Help The Children of Payatas

I recently saw a TV commercial showing what it is like for the children living near a landfill in Payatas. It truly tugs at your heart. The conditions in which these children and families live in are horrendous. Just to survive they must pick through this landfill for any item they can sell to get money. All they want to do is feed themselves. Could you imagine if your own children had to pick through garbage to survive? There is a youtube video entitled Christmas For Payatas and the url is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUBVKLZXK3E. Please watch for yourself what these children and families must go through on a daily basis just to survive for one day!

If during the Holiday season you volunteer your services or donate to a charity, please consider Christmas for Payatas. Join the many celebrities and other organizations in their efforts to raise money this Christmas season.

The landfill in Payatas, The Philippines, is notoriously known the world over as Smokey Mountain. For over 35 years, the smoking dump site has grown to become a stark and heart-tugging reminder of the desperate conditions of humanity.

On a daily basis, children pick through newly arrived garbage to
collect material to sell. The earnings made by one child are not enough to even buy food for the day. Hence, entire families are forced to climb the mountain each day, hoping to earn enough to feed everyone. Children as young as four years old are forced to work in this daily struggle for survival.

In response to the plight of these children, Totedaddy.com is working with Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation to bring a little cheer to the children this Christmas.

Totedaddy.com has kicked off with a cash sponsorship of USD 10,000 to enable the children to celebrate Christmas. FusionExcel International has also pitched in a USD 5,000 in cash sponsorship. The money raised will help fund the projects already in place, and help fund additional projects aimed at providing better housing, and a means of livelihood for the Payatas community.

It is hoped that by creating better awareness to the plight of these children, more support can be gathered towards their betterment. Together we can bury poverty!

Holiday Shopping For "Him"

Ok, Ladies...are you looking to get the perfect gift for the man in your life? or maybe an unique gift that he would truly appreciate?

So many men are into their 'toys'...fast cars, motorcycles etc...They buy a new toy and instantly start upgrading it or add accessories. You know I am right about that. Even my son does this...

Turbochargerpros.com has a way that your man can get instant gratification by upgrading the horsepower in their vehicle. Whether it is a VW supercharger or an audi turbo...whatever model vehicle they might own, the parts are available at this website.

If you are not sure what part he may need, you can call 800-923-0413 or visit their website around the clock for help purchasing the correct part needed.

A Surprise In The Mail

My niece/goddaughter is a year and half and she is just a delight. She has brought new life to the family.

Of course my brother and sister-in-law constantly take pictures of her (how can you resist!) and try to share them with us when ever possible.

Today I received a wonderful surprise in the mail. My sister in law had gotten custom Photo Cards made and sent them to the family (and her friends)...'just because'.

What a great idea! I know my other family members were probably just as happy about receiving this surprise in the mail as I was. It sure brought a smile to my face.

I called my sister in law and she said she went to cardsdirect.com and easily ordered the customs cards. I went to the site because it got me thinking how I could use this photo card for business and use my logo or business card on the front. I was impressed at the quality of the card.

I don't have a way to show you what my card looked like, but here's the card. I took this off their site..of course mine had my niece on it. This card is sure to be a keepsake.



Cardsdirect.com offers a huge assortment of cards and photo cards to choose from:
Business Greeting Cards, Anniversary Cards,Birthday Cards, Congratulations Cards,Get Well Cards,Sympathy Cards,Thank You Cards,Thinking of You Cards Welcome Cards,Assortment Packs,All Occasion Cards,Photo & Custom Cards, Custom Greeting Cards,Photo Calendar Cards,Photo Holder Cards and Holiday Cards.

You don't pay for personalization or the custom verses and shipping is a flat $5.00. I think it's a good deal.

Next time you are sending special or holiday cards, you might want to surprise someone with a photo card and bring a smile to someones face...

Free eCards To Help Toys For Tots

Have you ever heard of the Marines Toys for Tots? This has been an ongoing tradition in the United States Marine Corp. Reserves for 60 years now! Toys for Tots delivered an amazing 19.2 million toys to over 7.6 million children.

But, there are literally over 13 million children living in poverty and Toys for Tots is asking in the name of the Holiday Spirit in each of us to help out this year.

If you are sending eCards this holiday season, here is a great way to raise money for Toys for Tots by simply sending free eCards to your friends and family. Here’s the scoop: Month2Month.com is a totally free, high quality eCard web site that has joined with Toys for Tots and will make a contribution for every holiday card that is received. Their site has no advertising, doesn’t require subscriptions, sign-ups or downloading toolbars. And the cards are great…better than what you’d find on those other sites that charge for subscriptions. This is what the holiday spirit is all about... giving. So let’s all take advantage of this and PLEASE!!!! Pass this along to everyone you know.
Here's where to find Toys for Tots free eCards

Corporate and Hostess Gift Ideas

Looking for Gourmet Gifts this Holiday season? I think I finally came up with the best idea for gifts for my associates and co-workers. I was having trouble coming up with the perfect solution.

Now that I found Delightful Deliveries, I not only found delicious gifts for my
business associates, but also for hostess gifts. When invited to a holiday party, I wanted to come up with something different this year. I didn't want to bring the usual candle or knick knack. Gift baskets that include gourmet foods, cookies and wine is a much better choice.

Delightful Deliveries also provides free shipping, so I not only save time by ordering online, I save money too.

I came across a press release that states Delightful Delivers was named one of the Hot 100 Websites by a leading Industry magazine, so I feel secure in getting great products and complete satisfaction. See Below:

DelightfulDeliveries.com Recognized as Hot 100 Retail Website

Internet Retailer Ranks Website Among Best in Nation for 2008

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DelightfulDeliveries.com, the premiere Internet Gift Retailer and America’s #1 Gift Basket Website, today announced it has been named one of The Hot 100 Retail Websites for 2008 by leading industry magazine, Internet Retailer. The Hot 100 list represents the best of what retailers are doing online, highlighting innovation and setting the standards in online for what the rest of the industry should be doing.

DelightfulDeliveries.com, a privately-held company, with one of the largest and most unique selections of gourmet gifts, ranked alongside larger sites such as Dell, Nike and Amazon.com, by building its award-winning site on selection, functionality, speed and the complete customer experience. A recent re-design has improved the customer’s shopping experience to make holiday gift-giving easy and enjoyable, including rating and reviews, behavioral recommendations and free shipping offers.

“We are extremely honored to be recognized as a pacesetter in online retailing,” said Eric Lituchy, Founder and CEO of DelightfulDeliveries.com. “We pride ourselves on using the latest technology to make gift-giving fun and easy. Being named among the best in the nation validates we are succeeding in our efforts to deliver the best possible customer experience.”

In addition to making Internet Retailer’s The Hot 100 list for 2008, DelightfulDeliveries.com was recently recognized by Inc. Magazine as part of its Inc. 5000, which highlights the fastest growing private companies.
DelightfulDeliveries.com offers over 2000 unique and delicious gifts from America’s best brands to the finest boutique shops. Consumers can easily shop the site by gift or food category, occasion, type and best-seller. Corporate gift-givers can choose from hundreds of customized gourmet treats.

For additional information, and to see a complete selection of gifts available, visit www.DelightfulDeliveries.com.

About Delightful Deliveries

DelightfulDeliveries.com is an award-winning website that began in 1998 and quickly established itself as one of the premier Internet gift retailers. Its mission is to bring great products to gift-givers, while providing world-class service. The company selects its offerings from a broad variety of fine food gift products for consumers and for corporate gifts, and gathers them in one place to make the selection process quick and simple.

What do you bring the hostess when invited to a holiday party? I would like to hear your ideas...