Is Christmas Coming Early This Year?

Well, unless there's something the rest of us don't know about when Christmas is this year, some people out there appear to be pretty organised!

We've had a number of searches in the past few days on Christmas gifts, Xmas gift ideas and so on! A little surprising for those of us who tend to buy somewhat nearer the time!

But when you're working out your budgets for the festive season, a little research does go a long way, especially if you're buying for a large clan of family and friends.

Well, in keeping with the theme, we're delighted to announce our Christmas Gift Guide is available online now - so if you're in need of inspiration for Christmas gifts, not sure what to buy and looking for Xmas present ideas, then our Christmas Gift guide should help point you in the right direction.

We'll have more installments as December draws nearer, but for now, there's ideas on what to buy men, women, children, students and even teenagers. If you're on a budget there's suggestions of Christmas gifts under £20, and if you're looking to splash out there's choices for the big spenders out there.

Take a look if you're planning already, or bookmark it for the future if you're not!

How to Survive a Milestone Birthday - when they don't want to reach it!

Reaching a milestone can be tough – tough on the milestone-ee, but sometimes even tougher on the nearest and dearest! When they’re not looking forward to entering a new decade – and there’s obviously nothing you can do to stop the inevitable happening – don’t panic! We’ve compiled a list of hints and tips to try and soften the blow.

Contrary to popular mythology, reaching a milestone can be something both women and men dread. So, if they’re about to turn 30, 40, 50, 60 or even 70, you might notice some of the following signs, which indicate they’re more likely to cry than smile when they open their special birthday presents!

1. Total paranoia and terror that someone might be planning a surprise party.
2. Failure to want to make any concrete birthday plans – a lot of skirting round the issue, hmming and ‘we’ll see’s.
3. Not wanting to mention to younger colleagues or friends that this year is a special one.
4. Becoming overly concerned that they’re showing disturbing signs of similarity, both physically and in personality traits, with their parent/s.
5. Sudden crash dieting.
6. Wardrobe overhaul, and a surprising interest in what’s in fashion. Probably coupled with an unfounded decision that what they wore 10-20 years ago is what suited them best, and therefore should be regurgitated!
7. Eyeing up passers-by 10-20 years younger than themselves, without the required discretion they’ve traditionally employed.
8. Deciding on a total change of career or lifestyle. And yes, those who have the sudden urge to own a convertible red sports car do fall into this category!

We’re sure there are many more individual traits that many of you could tell us about, but we’ve gone for those that tend to be pretty widespread! And yes, we know, it’s all very good to talk about what nightmarish behaviour your loved one is displaying – but, hey, let’s cut to the chase – what should you do about it?!

To read the full article, click here Milestone Birthday Presents Article, or take a look at Cocoon Collection's great birthday presents and milestone birthday gifts.

Welcome to the Cocoon blog!

The Cocoon blog has finally arrived! Find useful hints and tips, helpful how to's, of course, the obligatory gift suggestions, party bag features and corporate gift ideas.

We've recently celebrated our one year anniversary on Cocoon Collection, and are delighted that the number of gifts on sale now exceeds 500! As you can imagine a great deal of work has been put in by the team, as we launched with just over 80 gifts in April 2006!

We're pretty happy now that we've got birthday presents, Christmas gifts, special milestone birthday gifts, new baby gifts, get well & hospital gifts, gifts for children and more - well, all wrapped up!

From pampering gifts, gadget gifts, funky presents, cool gifts, and brilliant children's gifts including our acclaimed Storybox range,there's something for everyone, whether they're 8 hours old or 80 years old!

We've come a long way in a year too, recently putting our retail experience in gifts to use in the corporate gift market with Cocoon Corporate, our Corporate Gifts website. As you'd expect, we've taken time and care to ensure the gifts we offer help companies to really stand out from the crowd - none of the same old tired stuff on this site!

Plus, we're proud to announce the recent launch of Cocoon Party, where you can buy children's party bags, adult's party bags, hen and stag party favours and unique wedding favours.

Look out for the next post which is full of great tips on what to do when a loved one's milestone birthday is nearing - and they're not looking forward to it!