1 Our new baby gift range

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:04:00 GMT

Oh what fun we had launching our new baby gift range! Both being mother's ourselves, it was important to us to choose high quality, unique gifts that would be cherished by any mum. We have carefully selected products from Alimrose Designs, Pretty Little Thing and Arbonne to create the perfect gift! We have organised our baby gift range so that you can choose from either a gift box that we have put together, or if you prefer, you can choose any number of the the individual items to be presented in a gift box. We hope that you enjoy our products and please let us know what you think as we are here to please our customers and meet your demands http://www.redribbongifts.com.au/gifts-for-bady-page. We have also added some baby specific flower arrangements as any new mum will enjoy her hospital room being brightened up by a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers.

Until next time....

Lucy and Tanya

The Red Ribbon Gifts Team

Mother's Day

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:49:00 GMT

I have always looked forward to the second Sunday in May, for the majority of my life so far it has been to celebrate my own wonderful mother and now for the past two years it has been also to celebrate being a mother myself. My mother is truly remarkable and I hope that I follow in her footsteps and my children appreciate me as much as I appreciate her. All over Australia the restaurants will be buzzing on Sunday with families out and about spoiling their mums to a delicious brunch, lunch, cuppa or dinner - us one of them, having booked a table at Eastview Estate Winery and the weather is expected to be a beautiful sunny autumn day. To all the mums out there - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! You all do a wonderful job at what is a challenging at times, but overwhelmigly satisfying and loving occuaption! Remember there is still time to order something special for your mum from Red Ribbon Gifts - visit http://www.redribbongifts.com.au/gifts-for-her to choose a special something for your special mum....and remember if you live in Armidale you receive free shippping (orders to be placed by calling 1800 733 742 by 3pm Friday, 11th May).

Until next time....

The Red Ribbon Gifts Team x

The perfect gift for that new mum!

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:22:00 GMT

What I thought was the perfect gift to receive as a new mum in hospital!

About 18 months ago I had my first baby, Lily. I was astounded at the generosity of all of my beautiful friends and family and even people that I didn’t know very well! My hospital room was quickly turned into a florist and Lily had received so many beautiful gifts from practical items, to teddy bears to clothes that there wouldn’t be the need for me to be buying her anything for quite some time. It really was overwhelming the excitement that other people have for you when you have a baby. Now expecting my second in less than a month, I have been told that this one just might not get the same amount of gifts! Now, there is no way that I could tell you what my favourite gift was as they were all equally beautiful and thoughtful but one gift in particular sticks in my mind that a girlfriend gave me.....and it was for me not my new baby! It was a delicious collection of chocolates, sweets and caramels....these were quickly hidden in my top draw in my hospital room and certainly weren’t going to be shared with any visiting guests! It was so nice to receive a little something for me, after all I was the one that had done all the hard work! A sweet selection of delicacies is a perfect gift for a new mum and I’m talking from experience!! I hope my next visit to the maternity ward I am treated to such generosity....

A great reason to purchase a sweet surprise hamper from Red Ribbon Gifts for that proud new mum!

Until next time!

Last week of Autumn Sale

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:19:00 GMT

Save 40% off all Indulgence and Pamper Gifts!

Why not spoil that special lady in your life with a beautiful pair of Sleep Sactuary pyjamas or a Diana Gibbs cashmere and silk wrap. Willow and Finch also have some great little knick knacks that could be teamed together to make a beautiful gift - shower cap, brush holder and candle.

Very limited stock left so be sure to get in quick.

http://www.redribbongifts.com.au/indulgence-and-pamper-gifts

Love the Red Ribbon Gifts Team!

Week 3 of 4 Week Sale Starts Today!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:27:00 GMT

Save 50-60% off designer jewellery. Starts today, ends Sunday 25th March.

Only a very limited supply of this designer jewellery left so get in quick.

Guys - Snap up a beautiful gift for that special lady in your life and Ladies - treat yourself to a glamorous new pair of earrings or necklace for that special occasion that will have everyone talking!

Visit http://www.redribbongifts.com.au/jewellery to view these specials available for 1 week only.

Love the Red Ribbon Gifts Team!

Week 2 of Autumn Sale Starts TODAY!!

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:49:00 GMT

40% of all Dibbern Teapots and Cups & Saucers

Starts today, Monday 12th March - Ends Sunday, 18th March.

With Autumn here and the cooler weather ready to start settling in, what better way to enjoy that cup of tea than in a beautiful Dibbern Teapot. The cornflower teapot can be matched with lavendar and pale blue cups and saucers for that extra special gift for the tea lover.

"Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company" - author unknown.

Visit http://www.redribbongifts.com.au/homewares-and-books to see the range available.

Love the Red Ribbon Gifts Team x

Autumn 4 Week Sale Starts Today!

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:13:00 GMT

Well with summer being not much of a summer, we thought that an 'Autumn Sale' might get us a bit more excited about the cooler weather coming our way. Don't miss 4 weeks of great savings on quality products from Red Ribbon Gifts starting today!

Week 1: 40% off all Alessi products. Love to entertain? Then you will love Alessi!

Week 2: 40% off all Dibbern teapots and cups & saucers. There is nothing better than an aromatic cup of tea shared with a great friendy, and what better way than in a beautiful Dibbern teapot!

Week 3: Further reductions on already reduced designer jewellery. Only a very limited supply of this designer jewellery at one off prices, so get in quick!

Week 4: 40% off all "Indulgence and Pamper Gifts For Her". There doesn't need to be a special ocasion to spoil that special someone in your life and there certainly doesn't need to be an excuse to spoil yourself....go on!!

Love the Red Ribbon Gifts Team x

A belated welcome to the New Year!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:10:00 GMT

With the New Year well underway it brings new and exciting changes to Red Ribbon Gifts, starting with new owners, Tanya Webb and Lucy Donaldson. We are very excited to be taking on this challenge from all the hard work that Kate has put into this business over the years. We look forward to meeting all your unique gift needs for women, men and corporate. Please be sure to visit our website redribbongifts.com.au to view our full range of products, we also have some fabulous designer women’s jewellery and handbags on sale.

Valentine's Day is nearly here and many of us are probably stuck for ideas about what to get that special person in our lives. The same old story is told again..."Don't worry about getting me anything this year dear"....and when you decide not to....let's just say that when a woman says this, she really means, go out and spoil me rotten with a lovely surprise gift! Spoil her with a beautiful designer wallet or handbag or you can never go wrong with a fragrant bunch of flowers.

Men love receiving gifts as much as women, so don't think that Valentine's Day is just about men buying for the women. How about an exquisite O'Hara design tie and cufflink set or something for the outdoors.

So get shopping! It's as easy as, selecting that perfect gift from our website and the rest is done for you - we wrap your gift with love and care and finish it with Red Ribbon (of course) and send it to your desired address.

Show your loved one that you care and keep yourself in the good books this Valentine’s Day.

Love the Red Ribbon Gifts Team x

Christmas Already?

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:22:00 GMT

Once again it has been a while since my last blog - never my intention to leave it so long between drinks however I do feel most justified as I am soon to have a baby ... and by soon I mean like a week and a half!

I have been busy getting corporate clients ready for Christmas 2010 which may sound surprising but by the time I have the baby and settle into life as a new Mum Christmas will be here before I know it!

The bulk of our corporate business happens at Christmas with the majority of Red Ribbon Gifts' corporate clients opting for gourmet hampers. Gourmet hampers are a brilliant option at Christmas if you follow a few guidelines as we do Red Ribbon.

Content is king - at Red Ribbon Gifts we place a strong emphasis on quality. We have all received a hamper that is full of poor quality products that Nana may like but will only end up in the back of our pantry, or worse in the bin! At Red Ribbon Gifts our hampers only contain the most delicious gourmet goods that are perfect for entertaining at bbqs and picnics throughout the festive season.

At Red Ribbon Gifts we do judge a book by its cover - our gourmet goods not only have to taste delicious but they also have to be packaged beautifully. This theme is also followed through with our own packaging. Our standard packaging is pictured below however we do customise packaging to reflect our corporate clients branding.

The hamper must be tailored to suit the recipient. Your wasting your money giving Bob the builder a Champagne hamper full of gourmet delicacies when he would much prefer a 6 pack of beer and some blokey treats like pretzels and nuts. That is why we tailor our hampers to suit the requirements of our corporate clients' recipients. Our corporate clients tell us about the recipients and we come back to them with hampers their recipients will love.

You could imagine my clients surprise when I called them enquiring about Christmas 2010 in early August. 2010 feels like it's just warming up and we are already talking Christmas? Madness! Anyway all of Red Ribbon's clients have been most obliging considering my situation.

So whilst I am due in a week and a bit babies do tend to run to their own schedule, so really any day now. That being so, it will probably be a while before my next post, unless of course I go over and get bored. Until next time!

Election Debate v's Masterchef Finale

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:57:00 GMT

WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

Unless you have been hiding under a rock the last few days you have no doubt heard the leaders' debate had to be rescheduled so not to compete with ratings blockbuster MasterChef. What does this say about the state of a nation when the only televised debate between the two possible leaders is trumped by a reality tv cooking show? Is anyone really surprised at this? Can we really blame the average joe for becoming disillusioned with national politics or should we bow our heads in shame for being more interested in people we will never know and who will have no influence over our lives?

The leaders' debate is "traditionally" scheduled for the first Sunday after the election is called and normally held in the 7.30pm time slot. The current PM decides the number of debates, rules and timing. I say "traditional" as the first televised leader's debate was held in 1984 between Bob Hawke and Andrew Peacock so it's hardly an ingrained part of our social fabric (speaking of Hawke, since watching the telemovie on Sunday night I can't erase the image of his withered old man chest - so unattractive yet in such contrast to his manly head of hair *shudder*). The debate has generally favored opposition leaders which may explain why Julia is only prepared to engage in one debate. Over the years the popularity of the televised event has steadily declined.

The MasterChef phenomenon is unprecedented. It is the most watched television show in our history. Last year 3.72 million viewers tuned in to the season finale, this year punters are predicting over 4 million will tune in. As far as water cooler shows go, MasterChef is a pearler - people obviously relate to it and love to talk about it. Michael Idato TV critic for the Sydney Morning Herald explained it beautifully on last night's 7.30 Report when he said of MasterChef "Food is fundamental part of our lives and it really taps into that without being cynical, with out being brutal, without being nasty, it's gentle and illuminating and they are very, very rare qualities". On the same show, Marc Brennan from the University of Sydney explained that one series of Big Brother drew more votes than the general election held that year which goes some way to illustrating the bond people have with reality tv over politics.

It appears to me there is a massive disconnect between our leaders and the general public. It is a sad state of affairs when the wider public feel they have more of a connection with ordinary people who ultimately have no influence or effect over our lives (ok, so they may influence the odd decision re. what to cook for dinner but that's about it). The same can't be said for our two leaders. It may not be the most interesting election campaign, it has been described in the media as the Seinfeld election, however this election will determine who will lead our country. Surely that warrants more interest in the debate? It saddens me to think of all the people who have died for their right to vote in other countries and we as a nation can't even feign any kind of faux interest in our upcoming election.

Julia suggested that she wouldn't be 'dancing nor cooking' on Sunday night and that Australians will make up their own mind as to what they will watch. Maybe she should try a little Tango? On second thoughts absolutely not. It's fascinating stuff - both Julia and Tony are pretty authentic people in so far that they both wear their hearts on their sleaves. You may not agree with either one but you can't accuse either of being fake. I may not want to see her dancing and I think Abbott's budgie smugglers get far too much air time but I do want to see a genuine attempt to reconnect with the Australian public. Abbott's appearance on Hey Hey last night was risky but he seemed to get away relatively unscathed. Personally I find it extraordinarily uncomfortable watching our leaders on variety tv but if that's what it takes to connect, then that's what it takes.

I have to admit that I am a fan of MasterChef, not the most loyal viewer but what I have seen I have enjoyed; probably because I love being able to sit back and criticise or compliment each contestant as I see fit. So being a fan of MasterChef and someone who takes an avid interest in the characters that are charged with running this great country I am grateful that the decision was made to change the debate's timeslot.

Will you tune in to either show?

Incentive and Recognition Programs

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:20:00 GMT

In late May I blogged about our Corporate Gifts including our tailored gift service. I touched on employee incentive and recognition programs and today I wish to continue that conversation. Good employers engage in incentive and recognition programs in order to motivate and retain quality staff. There are a number of reasons for wanting to motivate staff but first let's break down exactly what incentive and recognition programs are as they are often confused.

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
The principle aim of an incentive program is to promote a specific selling activity that will result in increased "Cha Ching!" sounds at the register. If you want to motivate employees to do a specific task over a short period of time, for example increase the number of widgets sold, you would need to incentivise them with a point system for every set sold. When they reach a pre determined set of points they receive a cash or non cash reward.
Incentive programs can increase performance by 44% in teams and 25% in individuals*.Generally incentive programs motivate staff to sharpen their customer service skills which contributes to improved sales.

RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
If you want to create a corporate environment that continually motivates, generates enthusiasm, fosters loyalty and increases overall productivity then an ongoing recognition program is most appropriate. Recognition programs generate a psychological benefit AFTER a specific action or behavior has occurred. Recognition programs are designed to put the spotlight on well deserving employees both on a personal and public level. Corporate values should be reflected in the work of employees that receive recognition rewards. Good help is hard to find, keeping good help is even harder to do so if your goal is to increase retention and overall productivity then an effective recognition program will do the trick.

HR MUMBO JUMBO?
I hear you asking why you would bother engaging an incentive or recognition program. Employee motivation is the short answer. There are so many distractions in the work place these days especially with the advent of the internet and social media that it's a wonder any work gets done at all!

KEY ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS
As stated an effective incentive or recognition program motivates employees to work more diligently thus contributing to productivity levels. Regardless of the type of motivational program your company engages there are a few guidelines that will ensure its success.

KISS
The program must be simply and succinctly explained to employees, so follow the time tested advise and keep it simple stupid! If employees don't understand the program how are they supposed to act upon it? Complicated rules and regulations can bring even the best programs undone. Achievable and clearly defined goals will increase staff participation rates and propel momentum.

KEEP ON TRUKIN'
Programs must be ongoing as this clearly demonstrates a level of commitment from management as well as maximising staff participation rates.

FRESH IS BEST
The type of program you engage in must be exciting, relevant and contemporary. You don't want to run the risk of demotivating staff - that would be a disaster. The best programs continually evolve and change, bringing an element of surprise to the workplace. As soon as a particular reward is expected by an employee the psychological effect is diminished.

CASH v's NON CASH
There has been much debate about the effects of cash versus non cash rewards. Obviously different people are motivated by different outcomes so what's best? Cash awards work best for short term goals that seek to increase tangible outcomes. However, cash rewards get lost in the overall remuneration package and therefore forgotten or taken for granted. Cash rewards can become expected thus losing significance. Further to this there is no 'trophy' value in cash; this is important as rewards must satisfy the need for public recognition and boost the ego.

Non cash awards are most suited to non tangible goals where the employer seeks to improve motivation, loyalty or general corporate culture. Non cash rewards recognise employee efforts in a personal way; they demonstrate to the employee that the employer recognises them a humans, not just a number! It's a great opportunity to connect with employees thus strengthening relationships. Giving an employee a personalised gift that is relevant and meaningful to them significantly increases the positive impact of the reward. Quite literally it's the thought or message behind the gift that counts.

Giving a mass produced gift with a company logo emblazoned all over it is hardly relevant to an individual; these kinds of rewards only serve to make the employee feel half acknowledged. The reward must be appropriate to the employee's output and position. Cheap and cheerful gifts will not be appreciated however extravagant gifts can generate jealousy amongst peers. The reward/s on offer must most importantly be desired and valued by employees. This is why tailored corporate gifting has become an effective method of rewarding staff.

BOULE SET $66 BBQ COOKBOOK $24.95 BBQ TOOLS AND APRON $49.95

Giving personalised gifts demonstrates that the employer recognises that the employee is not just a numbe and has a life outside of work. It's all about nuturing successful employer and employee relationships!

GET CREATIVE
Often in slow economic times rewards and incentives are the first thing to be cut. Can you really afford to do this? By cutting out rewards you are also going to cut levels of motivation, moral, loyalty and ultimately productivity which will result in decreased sales. When times get tough, get creative! Take the time to personally thank your staff. Better yet, thank them over a few friday afternoon drinks at the office. Inexpensive and personal can work a treat - you just have to take the time to do it!

* (Incentive, Motivation and Workplace Performance Study, by International Society of Performance Improvement)

COSTUME JEWELLERY SALE!

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:23:00 GMT

LOVE JEWELLERY? LOVE A BARGAIN? YOU WILL LOVE THIS ....

Red Ribbon Gifts currently has a huge sale on its unique range of costume jewellery which includes designer labels Susie M, Lisa Marinucci, Jual and Zoda.

You will save 25 - 45% off RRP - these are genuine savings so get clicking!

Everyone loves a scoring a bargain, but the BEST bargains are those that make a contribution to your wardrobe! The easiest way to update your look is with accessories and you are sure to find a beautiful necklace or pair of earrings in the Red Ribbon Gifts jewellery sale!

SUSIE M
Susie M is an Australian label that creates classic pieces that appeal to ladies of all ages. The hoops are a beautiful gift for a younger female and the disco balls in clear and blue are perfect for a more mature recipient. The range is made from the best materials so you are assured of quality and with 35-45% off all Susie M jewellery you are assured a bargain as well!


Susie M Hoops                            Susie M Disco Blue                 Susie M Disco Clear
Were $99.00                                 Were: $64.90                          Were: $64.90
Now $54.45                                    Now: $42.20                         Now $42.20

LISA MARINUCCI
You will have to hurry to score a saving on one of the last pieces from Lisa Marinucci as the designer has now wrapped up production on her stunning label in order to pursue other opportunities. Lisa Marinucci hand crafts each of her unique designs using only high quality materials. We currently have 35-45% off Lisa Marinucci stock. Each of the designs stocked by Red Ribbon Gifts is perfect for formal or cocktail wear and so the perfect gift for a special occasion.


Victorian Crystal        Precosia Earrings                        Peach and Gold Drop
Were $80                  Were: $185                                Were: $88
Now $52                   Now:$ $101.75                           Now $57.20

ZODA
Fun, fresh and fashion forward - Jual's designs will instantly update your look without breaking the bank and now you can save even more at the Red Ribbon Gifts Jewellery Sale. We currently have 25% off all Zoda so zip to it and zap a bargain - zazing!!

Aphrodite                       Athena                    Hestia                             Hera
Was $55                          Was $35                 Was $32                        Was $50
Now $41.25                      Now $26.25              Now $24                       Now $27

JUAL
Bold, captivating and contemporary are words that best describe the stunning designs from Jual presented by Cerri. Jual's specialised silversmiths use only the best materials to create their unique pieces. We currently have an amazing 35-45% off Jual. The Bombole necklace is well suited to women of all ages whilst the Pietra is most appropriate for a mature woman.


Bombole                            Pietra
Was $375                          Was $290
Now $206.25                     Now $188.50

Moving - One Of Life's Joys

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:59:00 GMT

It has been exactly one month since my last post and whilst it was never my intention to leave it so long between drinks it has been one hectic month! You know how everyone you talk to these days is just SO busy being busy? Well, I can honestly say I have been BU-SY!

The time finally came for us to pack up our things and move back to the country. I was in absolute denial about the whole affair so there were no emotional outbursts encouraged by pregnancy hormones. I decided it best to disengage a little about the whole thing so I could keep it together and get the job done. However, I knew deep down ... deep, deep down that it was the right thing for us to be doing with pending parenthood looming.

BOXES .... EVERYWHERE!

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that we had decided to move back to the country as we are due to have our first child later this year. Husband and I both have our own businesses so in order to continue operations and have our first child we decided it best to move home where we have a huge family network that could offer lots of support.

We had spent the last five years living in Brisbane and what a time we have had. We knew that we weren't going to be there forever so we worked hard and played hard. We lived in a fabulous little apartment that was in walking distance of a several brilliant dining and shopping precincts. We had a fantastic social life, there was always something on, so you could imagine my trepidation and enforced denial.

FAB FRIENDS, FOOD AND FINE WINE ... ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE! HOW COULD I NOT MISS THIS?

I don't want to paint the wrong picture - it's not like we were moving back to Hicksville. No, the town is actually quite beautiful with some great schools and a university which keeps the vibe fresh and adds an element of culture. It's just very much a change of pace .

So here I am, sitting in my new office in very different surrounds. It has taken a little while to settle in - unpacking a house and a business is well, a business! We have moved into Husband's late Grandmother's house which is at least 60 years old. It's big, old and very cold! I have decided that our generation is exceptionally feeble compared with our grandparents. Rather than complaining about the cold our grandparents would just put another jumper on and get on with it! Not us though, no, I am a self declared wuss! So much so that we had new heating installed throughout the house and to be quite honest I am happy to spend as much as it takes to keep this abode warm. I mean, I wouldn't live in Brisbane without aircon so I'm not going to live in a cold climate without adequate heating.

I have been pleasantly surprised over the last couple of weeks reacquainting myself with the town. To my surprise the coffee culture here is thriving. There are several cafes that have opened up since our departure and I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering each of them. Who has the best coffee in town is quite topical with the locals and I love the fact that there is such competition.

Viticulture is also a young but growing industry that is thriving in the area. There are a number of cellar doors that are set on beautiful grounds not too far from town. So you can imagine my delight at hearing this information. Whilst I can't drink now, I can't wait till we can enjoy some local produce!

So, we are here now, and whilst we still need a little more time to settle in I don't think it will be too long before we feel at home again.

Corporate Gifts

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:08:00 GMT

Red Ribbon Gifts started off specialising in boutique gifts for women and has since branched out into gifts for men and corporate gifts. When I started this business the thought of moving it in other directions didn't really occur to me, however sometimes small businesses can develop a mind of their own and you have to be open to new opportunities. The corporate side of Red Ribbon has really taken off and we now look after a number of small to medium sized enterprises.

The corporate side of Red Ribbon has followed a similar theme to the personalised gift side in so far that we offer high quality products and service to our customers. We didn't want to go down the cheap and cheerful promotional product path, there are already plenty of companies that have that area covered and it's not really my style. Furthermore I believe the days of the promotional pen are limited ... I mean they never seam to last anyway! Customers and employees must see value and quality in the gift otherwise you are wasting your time.

Corporate gifts should form part of your marketing plan. According to the Australasian Promotional Products Association (APPA) consumer tastes have become more sophisticated and refined. It's simply not good enough to give cheap promotional products to customers anymore. The association concludes that clients who receive products of no use or that failed to work, directly connect a negative connotation to the company. If a client perceives a corporate gift to be thoughtless or useless their respect for the company can be dramatically reduced and can do more harm than good. A tangible gift deemed appropriate by the recipient becomes a powerful marketing tool as it becomes a constant reminder of your service and continues to build goodwill for an extended period of time.

The same theory can be applied to employee gifts and rewards in so far that employees must see value in their gifts. Employers give gifts to their employees for different reasons including motivation, inspiration and to thank them for a job well done. I will delve a little deeper into employee incentive and recognition schemes over the next blog or two.

Thanks, but no thanks!

At Red Ribbon Gifts we take a more personalised approach to corporate gifting. Firstly we conduct a fact finding mission to get to know our clients and gain a thorough understanding of their company and related corporate gift requirements. We then source a range of corporate gifts that suitably reflect the company's brand, culture and values. Once the gift range has been approved Red Ribbon Gifts provide a secure company specific dedicated webpage with the range of gifts accessible 24/7 - kind of like a virtual storeroom. All this at no extra cost.

If you would like to more about how Red Ribbon Gifts can tailor a range of corporate gifts that suit your company's need please contact Kate on 1800 RED RIB (733 742) or fill out our enquiry form at our corporate gifts page.

The Baby List

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:44:00 GMT

I hope you have enjoyed the last couple of posts about gift etiquette and that a few of your questions have been answered in the process.

Today I digress as I feel a little rant coming on, yes today I feel the need to vent about my shopping experience last weekend. It wasn't just your average shopping expedition, this friends was our first attempt at shopping for our first child.

In typical fashion husband and I had left the baby shopping experience till the last minute. We had one weekend and one weekend only to purchase all the big ticket items before we move back to the country. We have been so busy in the lead up to our move we really only had one weekend to dedicate to this mammoth task. Mistake number one - creating unnecessary time pressure; good for getting assignments done, not so good for pregnant women's blood pressure.

I had done a little bit of research purely through circumstance - I put my back out last week and spent three days flat out on the couch. One of my gorgeous gal pals who has recently had a beautiful baby girl bought over some delicious soup, lamb shanks and a huge pile of baby magazines. I had only purchased one or two preggo mags thus far as at $15 a pop I find them a little hard to swallow, especially as their articles are recycled more than Bec Hewit's latest "crisis" in New Idea.

We have been very lucky as we have been given some of the big items on our baby list. The cot, all linen, bassinet and high chair are all taken care of thanks to generous family members.

Aside from that we still had quiet a list of items to purchase before leaving the big smoke. So we set out to "Baby World" full of Dutch courage and coffee last Saturday morning, which leads me to mistake number 2; baby shopping on a Saturday morning.

BONNY BABY? YES PLEASE! Image Scott Hamilton

We enter the store which is more like a warehouse full of all the baby related paraphernalia one could imagine and we are confronted with dozens of other pregnant women and their partners wandering haphazardly with not nearly enough sales staff to go round. I was completely overwhelmed, I had no idea where to start and quiet frankly had never seen so many pregnant women in the same room at one time!

I tried to make a quick run for it but Husband wasn't having a bar of that. Thank God only one of us has raging hormones to deal with. Calm, courageous and curious as ever, Husband starts at the top of the list, which was the pram. No, sorry that was bumped to second after electric breast pump on the advice of my very experienced and wise friend. "If you want any kind of freedom, life or even just a damn drink after your baby comes along get a good pump" she advised. What the what - a drink? That was enough to take it straight to number one baby.

By the time we got to the pram the only help we were able to enlist was that of one of the trainee assistants. From where we were coming from anything that came out of her mouth was going to sound genius to us so trainee or not, it didn't really matter. Lucky for us she was one of those maternal types who has had the names of her children picked out since she was 14 and knows her Peg Peregos from her Bugaboos. All I knew about the pram situation was that I wanted to leave the orange flashing light and "wide load" sign at home when we finally venture out for a spot of shopping. Oh, and a cup holder - I really wanted a cupholder. Needless to say helpful Hiedi was able to recommend a pram that did that and a whole lot more.

The fact that I have the back of a 60 year old meant that we had to spend a little more than we normally would on things such as the pram and baby carrier but it also means that we bought good quality that will see all subsequent children though. I learnt the true meaning of hand me downs that day. It's more than a cost saving exercise, hand me downs are given to children so parents are subject to baby shops when there is absolutely no other option.

BABY SHOPPING - JAPANESE STYLE! Image Pjan Vandaele

We also bought some things that others, say my Mother, may deem completely unnecessary. Like the bouncer that bounces automatically with the slightest movement from the baby. As I will continue to work from home I could easily justify a bouncer that does the work for me so I can squeeze in some work that I may not have otherwise.

By the time we finished our whirlwind adventure and bought all of our new baby wares home, I couldn't help but be filled with a true sense of joy and excitement. Three months from now we are going to welcome a new life into our family, one that we created. I'm not saying that you have to buy the latest gizmos and gadgets to give your child the best start in life, but I did feel a sense of accomplishment and anticipation that we were well on the road to doing just that. Now, to those instructions ....