Then one day I stumbled upon Gift Republic, whose website can be found at http://www.giftrepublic.com/.
As I soon found out, this website offers inexpensive gifts for the budget-conscious gift shopper.
Though there aren't that many different types of gifts, they are all wonderful.
For instance, the Growing Gifts was divided into three sections, with a number of boxed planting sets to choose from.
The Grow Me section had small gift boxes of all type of plants. I smiled at the variety: sunflowers, beer hops, "money trees," good luck clover, hot peppers, coffee plants, snore-easing eucalyptus, basil, sweet peas, cat grass (which provides vitamins, helps digestion and the removal of fur balls), roses, and camomile! It was magnificent.
The Sow & Grow section had the same-sized gift boxes, but different things. I found a Magical Fairy Flowers that contained sweet pea, poppy, and "fairy flower" seeds. There was another box of sunflowers. The Butterfly Garden had thyme, lavender, and "butterfly flower" seeds. The Veg Patch had carrots, peas, tomatoes; the Monster Plants had snapdragon, asparagus, "moving plants" seeds; the Bug Eating Plants had Venus flytrap and pitcher plants; the Wild West had mixed cacti seeds; and the Beanstalk had different types of green beans. I kept looking at the monster plants, the bug eater plants, and the cacti, but I resolved to look at everything before making a decision.
In the Grow It section, I found much larger boxes than the previous section. I took note of chili peppers, olives, fruit (), lavender, sunflowers, peanuts, Christmas trees, cacti, wild flowers, vegetable patches, herb gardens, bonsai trees, tea & coffee mixes, and more carnivorous plants. Once again, I was drawn to the carnivorous plants, but I almost felt a pull to the peppers, cacti, bonsai trees, and the tea & coffee mix.
The process looked relatively painless. I can order and pay for the plant I selected, they send me a gift box with my plant (each box comes with seeds, coconut husk starter pots, coconut husk compost discs that grow when watered, plant markers, and growing tips), I plant the seeds, and then... Voilà! My plant is alive and happy.
It was a cool idea and I kept it in mind, but I continued looking. There had to be something cooler than just gardening.
Next was the Personalized Sections. There were four sections there. The Personalized Classics looked fun. I could choose Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Pride & Prejudice, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, Romeo & Juliet, Dracula, Treasure Island, The Wind in the Willows, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Wuthering Heights, Emma, or Frankenstein.
Once a story was chosen, I could substitute the names of the leading characters with my name, my sister's name, and so on. After that was done, I would have to follow the registration directions online or by mail and as quickly as possible, my book would be created and sent to me!
Personalized Fairy Tales were the same. If I decided to go with one of these stories, I could have chosen between Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood, and Puss in Boots. The best part? The story books contained the original vintage, full-color pictures! How cool. Like before, the cast is changed, the book is reprinted, then sent to me.
But what if I wanted to adopt an animal? Sure, the adoption would only be for a year, but the cost was super cheap! Hmm. But what would I want? I gave in and perused the adoption lists. I wondered if I could even choose between a penguin, meerkat, pony, donkey, cat, big cat, bear, monkey, shark, owl, sea turtle, horse, British hedgerow, or a dog more? Sure, I immediately crossed off the British hedge, meerkat, pony, and shark from my mental list. That still left a lot to choose from. I kept looking.
Ooh. More personalized stuff! The last category, in fact. I wondered what I would find there. Turns out, I could buy a beer, wine, or whiskey connoisseur package, but I've had practice with alcohol for many years. I know what I need to know.
I could get a little prints on canvas deal where they print my pet's prints onto canvas; I forgot that one, though, because I see my mischievous cat's paw prints enough as it is lol So... I continued on.
I could get myself a little Family History tin, but since I am the family genealogist, it would be pointless to get that.
There was an IQ test package where I would have had to fill in the information, return it to the company, then await my results; however, I know I'm not an idiot (SAT scores prove that one), so I giggle and move on.
Man, it was getting to be a tough choice. I had already seen so many things I wanted amd there were still three tins left. One said I could name a unique rose or have a tree planted and dedicated to me.
"Very good idea," I thought to myself, "in theory."
I figured if I wanted to do something like that, I could just plant a rosebush or a tree on my OWN property.
That's when I see it. My present.
This gift tin, once I registered it and waited a few weeks, was everything I'd been subconsciously looking for: it was inexpensive, AWESOME, and I didn't have to do more than fill out a few boxes.
The Become a Laird or Lady gift tin legally bought me a 1ft. by 1ft. plot of land at Dunan's Castle in Scotland, thereby granting me the legal right to use the title of "Lady" or "Laird" whenever I chose.
I had a moment of thought during registering. Did I want to keep the traditional term "Laird" for myself (women and men both use the title in Scotland) or did I want to become a "Lady" as I had always dreamt of? I smiled when I realized what I was debating with myself.
I continued filling out my form online, submitted the information, and waited.
I was excited. I would have free lifetime access to the ravine on the Dunan's side, along with fishing rights (though I don't fish at all- I can eat fish, I just can't commit the necessary murder- I thought it was cool). I would have free use of the Dunan's insignia; it incorporates elements from the Stewart and Fletcher clans, along with elements from the current Laird's family crest. I would have my own stationary, business cards, letterheads, and so on. I would get my own email address.. -my real name- @ladyofdunan's.com. I would be granted access to the Laird's and Lady's Only area on the website where there would be additional Laird and Lady's merchandise, etc. The most exciting part was the free tour-for-two of Dunan's Castle granted to me.
After the registration, there was not much to do but wonder when my Certificate of Ladyship, my Proof of Title, and directions to Dunan's would arrive. This was the greatest gift I've ever given myself. Believe me, people, if you want to give someone a completely unique gift, give them this! It's easy to do, it's only $32, and it has so many perks!
I could go on and on about how excited I am about this, but I won't. Though it is quite late, the night's just beginning for me. So goodnight, all, and keep this website in mind!!!! :)
-Lady Jaspre Rose.
