Online shopping blog from Shopsafe.co.uk

Sell Your Old iPhone

2011-10-14T10:10:00.000Z

The fifth version of the iPhone is out today, and the iPhone 4S is already causing queues outside some mobile phone shops. If you pre-ordered yours, your new iPhone it should be arriving today. But what will you do with your old one? Put it in a drawer? Chuck it in the bin? No chance! If you sell an old iPhone 4G 32Gb it's worth up to £287.

You can use a mobile phone recycling site such as Sell My Old Mobile Phone to get the best price for your old phone - the site compares what cash you can get for old phones at over 20 different mobile phone recycling sites. Doing a comparison like this can earn you an extra 30% for your old phone. And don't forget - recycling your phone not only puts cash in your pocket, it saves the planet too.

2012 Shopsafe Awards

2011-09-21T11:16:00.000Z

We'll be announcing the winners of the 2012 Shopsafe Retailer Awards soon. This year we will be making awards to exceptional sites in the categories of fashion, gifts, white goods, ethical / organic, children, home and garden, and one winner will be crowned our retailer of the year. So watch this space!

Retailers Must Strike the Right High Street / Online Balance

2011-06-28T08:24:00.000Z

The future of UK High Streets must be maintained by a more balanced mix of internet and town centre retail, say directors of www.shopsafe.co.uk, one of the country’s leading online shopping portals.

Read the rest of our latest press release.

History of Father`s Day

2011-06-06T16:11:00.002Z

From humble beginnings...

Father's Day is now an important date in the British calendar, but like many of the newer occasions celebrated in the UK the day originated in America. Sonora Dodd thought of the idea in Washington in 1909 after listening to a sermon on Mother's Day in Church. Sonora had been raised by her father William Smart following the death of her mother and wanted to show him how special he was to her.

As William Smart was born in June, Sonora elected to hold the first celebratory Father's Day in her hometown of Washington on 19 June, 1910. She would surely have been very surprised to know how the day originally conceived for her father would be adopted as a day for fathers across the world more than a hundred years later!

Officially recognised

The idea slowly took off and in 1926 a national committee for Father's Day was created in New York. The day was later recognised by Congress itself in 1956 and in 1972 President Nixon agreed that there should be a permanent national day to celebrate and observe Father's Day. It was agreed that Father's Day would be held in the third week of June each year. So Sonora's idea grew to become a long-standing national tradition where children celebrate and honour the roles that their fathers have in their lives.

Moving to the UK

Father's Day then started to be recognised around the world, although different cultures initially viewed it differently. With men traditionally being seen as the macho providers, the celebration was initially parodied and mocked. Some people also felt that the day was simply a ruse by greetings card manufacturers and other retailers to sell more products and add another celebration day to the calendar. However, Father's Day is now over a century old and celebrated in the UK on the same date as it is in the US. In the UK it is traditional now to give your father a card and maybe a present, or perhaps to take him out for the day. Increasingly with modern lives being so busy and fraught, Father's Day is thought of as a good opportunity for fathers and their children to spend some quality time together and for this reason the day is celebrated on a Sunday.

Celebrated around the world

Australia and New Zealand mark Father's Day in September, while in Belgium and Spain the day is celebrated on 10 March. Other countries such as Sweden mark the occasion in winter. The day has also been extended recently to celebrate and mark the involvement that different male figures have in a child's life - including uncles, step fathers, granddads and other family friends and male relatives. It is common for little gifts such as socks or mugs to be given in the UK, with a wide variety of gifts going on sale in shops weeks before the event itself. Wherever you live in the world, Father's Day is a great excuse to pamper your dad and let him know just how special he is in your life.

Comparing Prices on Shopsafe

2011-04-26T08:18:00.000Z

Some of you may be wondering where our price comparison service has gone? We decided to remove it from Shop Safe because we felt it wasn't in keeping with the service that we're trying to give to you.

Our compare prices facility was provided by a third party, and there were problems such as broken links, errors and the fact that we were showing you the same information that was on many other sites. At Shop Safe we want to provide you with a high quality destination, full of information that you trust, and we were afraid that the poor experience of the price comparison service was cutting into that.

Don't worry, our shopping directory is here to stay, you can still trust Shop Safe to be your online shopping guide.

Thanks for sticking with us,

Warning: Buying Roses for Valentines Day can Leave you Brokenhearted

2011-02-09T10:32:00.001Z

Sending flowers for Valentines day is close to everyone's heart, but if you've an eye for a bargain, it's worth shopping around. There are some spectacular differences in prices, so take care or else you could find that you overpaid for your Valentine's roses, or even that the roses you bought weren't up to scratch at all.

The Very Expensive

Interflora are selling the Ultimate 100 Rose Hand-tied. They say it's "A truly magnificent display of 100 Grand Prix roses". I should hope so, it's a whopping £499.99

If that price is enough to induce a Valentine's heart attack, Interflora also have the Unforgettable 50 Rose Hand-tied. 50 large-headed red roses hand-tied with palm leaves and steel grass and finished with Valentine’s gift wrap and a voile ribbon. Only £169.99

The Expensive

At Serenata Flowers you can buy the Mass of Red Roses for £99.99

Flowers Direct have 24 Luxury Red Roses, 24 large headed Roses arranged with deep green-leaf foliage, for £89.99
And Clare Florist sell the Promised Roses, This spectacular arrangement of two dozen red roses captures the very spirit of romance, for £89.99

At a little more value for money than their other bouquets, Interflora have a Dramatic Two Dozen, Two dozen large-headed red roses is designed to make a huge romantic gesture to your Valentine, for £79.99

And Crocus have a sparkling range, including the
Diamonds are Forever. Each of the 12 large-headed red roses holds a diamonte pin at its heart, which will surely put a sparkle in the eye of your loved one. Priced £74.99

Arena Flowers sell the traditional dozen red roses, called Romance is in the Air, for £69.98

Value

At the value end of the market, Bunches are selling the Heart of Roses, six specially selected Upper Class Red Roses together with a keepsake heart for £25.99

And John Lewis are offering a Dozen Kenyan Roses Bouquet for £29.50
Eden4Flowers have the Stolen Kisses, 10 classic A-grade fresh red roses for £32.90

Serenata Flowers will sell you A dozen red roses for just £19.99

And at Flowers Direct you can get Simply Valentines, twelve red roses paired with delicate Gysophilia in this traditional and elegant display, for £19.99

Looking for a Romantic Gift? Or Trying to Save Money?

2011-02-04T10:27:00.003Z

Our Valentines Day newsletter was sent out today to our subscribers, with romantic gift ideas, our favourite Valentine's Day shops, and voucher codes to save you some cash.

If you don't get it, you can register here. As well as signing up for the newsletter, you can save your favourite shops to the "my shopsafe" area, receive voucher codes for your favourite shops and write reviews.

Brit Award 2011 Nominations

2011-01-14T14:07:00.000Z

The Brit Awards 2011 will be held at the O2 in London on 15th February hosted by James Corden and the nominations have now been announced!

Male Solo Artist:

Female Solo Artist:

Breakthrough Act:

Group:

Mastercard Album Of The Year:

International Male Solo Artist:

International Female Solo Artist:

International Breakthrough Act:

International Group:

International Album:

Top Shops of 2010

2010-12-29T19:54:00.000Z

OK pop-pickers, here's our rundown of the Shopsafe top ten shops of 2010, according to customer comments, customer feedback and number of click-throughs mixed with our own factors of web site design, style and usability:

10 Very
9. Early Learning Centre
8. Empire Stores
7. Debenhams
6. Currys
5. Argos
4. Marks and Spencer
3. Prezzybox
2.Amazon

And at the top of the pile, it's

1.John Lewis

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.

Get a Six Pack for Christmas - Shaping up without the Gym

2010-12-23T10:32:00.000Z

Asda’s Bodysculpt vest has beaten a range of more expensive support garments to be named best at hiding the wobbly bits.

60 per cent of women consider their partner has a beer belly, while 52 per cent want them to do something about it. Consumer experts at Which? tested six vests for wearability and to see how they lived up to claims to improve posture, firm the chest, flatten the stomach and narrow the waistline. The cheap version from Asda, known as a Shape Enhancer T-shirt and which promises to contour the chest and compress the love handles, came out on top

The bargain buy beat a £55 Spanx Cotton Compression Crew undershirt, judged to deliver a noticeable improvement to the chest, into second place. Two items from Marks & Spencer - the Bodymax and Bodymax Plus short sleeve vests - were said to ‘offer little advantage compared with a fitted T-shirt’ and came bottom of the league.

Get the Bodysculpt for just £7 from Asda and shape up without hitting the gym

Still got Presents to Buy? Use Currys Collect in Store

2010-12-21T12:46:00.000Z

Have you still got presents to buy? Choose Currys and PC World’s great Reserve and Collect Service. You can reserve online and collect in store within 1 hour. So make sure you Reserve and Collect to get all of your presents in time for Christmas!

Hot at Currys:

Selling Fast at PC World

Winter Driving Tips from the RAC

2010-12-21T12:30:00.001Z

With Winter officially here, the RAC have put together some answers and tips to the most common questions about maintaining your car and driving during the cold weather:

Q. How can I keep my cars’ battery in good condition for the winter?

It’s a good idea to purchase a good quality battery charger to keep it topped up – RAC have several suitable products that can be purchased easily from racshop.co.uk or local stockists and will keep your battery in good condition all year round.

Q. How can I prevent my washer bottle from freezing?

Use a suitable screenwash additive and top it up regularly. Also, keeping the vehicle in a garage will normally prevent it from freezing. If the washer bottle has already frozen, try pouring warm water in to help defrost it.

Q. If I use my wipers to clear snow and ice from the windscreen, will it damage them?

It’s advisable not to use the wipers to clear heavy snow and ice, as it may cause the fuse to blow. This is because the wipers may not be able to cope with the weight of the snow, or may be frozen to the glass.

Q. If my locks freeze, what should I do?

Lock de-icers are available, but if you don’t have any available, use warm water poured over the lock barrel area. Also, it’s worth gently working the key in and out of the lock a few times to help free it off.

Q. My handbrake sticks on in the winter, what should I do?

It’s possible that the handbrake has frozen on. Remove the rear wheel trims (if fitted) and carefully pour hot water all over the wheel nut area. This may take a few attempts, but should help free off the handbrake.

Q. What checks should I be doing on my vehicle for the winter?

There are several easy checks you can carry out yourself such as:

Tyre pressures (including the spare)
Tyre tread depths
Oil, washer fluid and anti freeze / coolant levels
Lights are all working correctly
Check front and rear wiper blades for wear or splitting

Q. What should I do to avoid skidding in the snow or ice?

When you know the roads are icy or covered in snow, try to avoid any heavy braking and use the gears to slow down. Make sure you drive in the highest gear possible to help keep control of the vehicle.

Q. I know I can’t use boiling water to de-ice my windows, but what should I use?

If no de-icer is available, use warm, tepid water and try and clear the screen quickly to prevent refreezing.

Q. When should I use my front and rear fog lights?

Fog lights should only be used when visibility of the road ahead is less than 100 metres and switched off as soon as visibility improves.

Q. What should I be carrying in the car for a winter journey?

A must-have list for your winter car kit should include: a torch, blankets, wellies, an ice scraper, de-icer, battery jump leads and a first aid kit. These are all worth keeping in the car all the time, but especially in the winter. For long journeys, it’s always worth having a flask of warm drink just in case the worst happens and you get stuck or break down. Make sure you have plenty of fuel before you start out, in case you get stuck in traffic.

By carrying out a few basic checks motorists can potentially prevent a breakdown. RAC advises motorists to make the following checks:

Check tyre pressure (spare tyre too!), tread depth, at least 3mm is advisable in winter conditions, and oil level
Check all lights are working correctly and remember to keep them clean
Check front and rear wiper blades for wear or splitting
Screen wash additive should be added to prevent freezing

Happy, and safe, driving.

Christmas Delivery Dates affected by Weather

2010-12-16T11:45:00.000Z

On our Christmas shops page we always list the last delivery dates for Christmas, so you can make sure you order your Christmas shopping in time. But with mail deliveries only just getting back to normal after the backlog caused by the snow, and more bad weather forecast for this weekend many retailers are unable to give a last Christmas delivery date, putting many Christmas gift deliveries in doubt.

Traditionally, you could order right up until a couple of days before, but families are facing disappointment this year, with millions of goods that have already been bought still not delivered. As of 1.30pm yesterday there was a buildup of four million items still with private couriers. And with another four million a day expected to enter the delivery system, Santa may not be able to deliver all those presents for Christmas.

It's not all bad news though. In Scotland, some traditional retailers are expecting a bumper Christmas after Tesco suspended deliveries. With the bad weather subsiding some areas are anticipating a last minute rush to the real shops.

Christmas Bargains Favour the Unprepared

2010-12-15T23:16:00.000Z

If you walk though your local high street, or shopping centre, you might be surprised that with still nine days to go until Christmas, so many shops seem to be having sales.

Call me old-fashioned, but I remember when the Boxing Day sales started on Boxing Day. (I even remember when they were January Sales!) The recession and the weather seem to have had such an impact on Christmas shopping that we're now seeing pre-Christmas sales with over a week still to go, especially in the clothing and fashion arena. Some notable sales right now:

New Look - get up to 50% off
Dorothy Perkins - 20% off everything and free delivery
Debenhams - up to 40% off and free delivery
Coast - save up to 50%

See more Sales on now. (And they may not be called "sales", but there are some pretty hefty voucher codes available, to save you a pretty penny.)

We wrote a blog a couple of weeks ago called What Kind of Christmas Shopper Are You? where we said:

If you wait until a week before Christmas, you are truly asking for it...

It occurs to me now that if you wait until a week before Christmas all you are asking for is a discount. For those of you yet to start your Christmas shopping, big bargains await! Happy shopping.

Make Christmas Shine with Matt

2010-12-13T13:47:00.001Z

Will X Factor winner Matt Cardle be the Christmas number one? We hope so, we've bought the single already, have you?

You can get Matt Cardle, X Factor Winners Single: When We Collide (CD Single) for £3.99 from Play.com. Put it in someone's stocking...

What not to buy this Christmas - Absolute don'ts

2010-12-13T09:38:00.001Z

There are a few things that people get for Christmas should have never been put in that box and wrapped. Some presents just aren't suited to the spirit of Christmas. Sure, Christmas is all about giving and receiving. There isn't much of a better feeling than giving. However, some people just get confused as to what they should give.

The biggest no-no for any Christmas present is that of a cleaning implement. You, as a husband or as a wife, do your fair share of the work around the house. Giving your significant other a tool that is used for cleaning, such as a vacuum, is a slap in the face. It's basically saying "Here's your toilet bowl cleaner. Enjoy it and make sure you clean the toilet on a weekly basis!". You may need a new vacuum or a new toilet bowl cleaner, but those can always be bought after Christmas. No bloke wants to be reminded of how much of a pain it is to keep the house clean.

Another Christmas present that just doesn't cut it are certain types of clothing. Sure, if you know the style that the receiver of the present wants, then you can get them a sweater or a shirt. However, there are some boundaries that just aren't meant to be crossed. For example, if you're a parent that is getting clothes for your High School daughter, you should reconsider your plan of action. High School females are very particular when it comes to buying clothes. There's nothing wrong with being particular, they just have their own style of clothes they want. Parents rarely buy the right clothes for teenage children. Socks are also another thing that not many people are going to want. Sure, if you're husband is an avid skier then a nice pair of skiing songs would be absolutely perfect. However, the day to day socks that everyone wears just shouldn't be given for Christmas.

The biggest way to tell if the present you're about to give is good or not is to ask yourself if you'd want to receive it or not. You must dig deep down and try to imagine yourself opening said present Christmas. If you imagine yourself feeling disappointed in the slightest, get a different present. If you're completely unsure what to give, then just ask. It's better to ask then to give a bad present.

Does Using Voucher Codes at Christmas make you a Scrooge?

2010-12-06T10:58:00.000Z

With Christmas season quickly approaching, you have probably found yourself looking ahead and already designing your Christmas shopping game plan. It really does make sense when you consider how hectic and confusing preparing for the holiday season can be. Organization is an absolute must. Planning ahead can really help you keep all of your holiday commitments and help make your Christmas experience more enjoyable overall.

For many people, the Christmas season can be very expensive. Between just dinners, parties, and presents, you can rack up quite a bill. A family of only four members can expect to spend over £2,000 on holiday related expenses. With the economy being as questionable as it is, everyone seems to be interested in saving as much money as they can this Christmas season.

A great way to save some money during this expensive holiday season is to make use of voucher codes for your gift purchases. Many people avoid using these voucher codes at Christmas time for fear that using these money savers will make them look like a Scrooge. However, using these money saving vouchers for gifts may actually have the polar opposite affect.

When you use a voucher code to purchase a gift during the holiday season, it makes you look extremely intelligent because you are saving money. Everyone is interested in finding ways to save money all year long, Christmas is no exception. If people do notice that you have used a voucher code for a gift, they may want to try to save some money themselves by using these cash saving codes too. Don't be surprised to find some financially minded friends asking you for advice on obtaining or using vouchers. You may even want to mention this Christmas cash saving tip to anyone you think might be interested in saving a little holiday money too.

Making use of voucher codes for gifts also makes you appear organized, experienced at budgeting, and overall like you know exactly what you want and how you are going to get it. You simply have to be an organized individual to even consider using a voucher to purchase a gift. You can expect to have to keep track of the actual voucher, finding a store that carries the gift you want and will honor your voucher code, and timing this process perfectly so you do get the gift in time for the Christmas celebration.

What to do with Unwanted Christmas Presents

2010-12-03T21:47:00.000Z

In our lifetimes, most all of us will receive an unwanted present for Christmas. There are several solutions on what to do with these unwanted gifts.

The receiver can take the unwanted gift back to the shops for a return. If the present was given with a receipt, this makes returns an easier process. Without a receipt, some shops will not issue cash refunds, but will offer a credit note or the opportunity to exchange the present for a similar item in the shop. Beware, without a receipt or a gift receipt, many shops will not offer a full return price, but will give the customer returning the item a refund in the amount of the new, post-Christmas sale price on the item.

The person who received an unwanted present can sell the present on the Internet. For instance, e-bay is a popular auction site where the seller can list items for sale in auction style listings or at a fixed price. Amazon.com has a sellers' area where the individual can list the unwanted gift at a fixed asking price. There are fees to list goods on both of these sites. One can also save the unwanted present and try to sell it at a local car boot sale.

The unwanted Christmas present can also be re-gifted to another person. First, make sure any indications of the gift's second-hand nature are erased (for example, gift tags are removed), and that the gift looks in good shape, including the packaging. Repackage or wrap the gift and present it to another person as, perhaps, a belated Christmas gift. Ensure that the present is not re-gifted to the person who originally gave it, or his or her immediate family members or friends!

The receiver can also donate the unwanted Christmas present to a charity shop. If the individual provides the shop with his or her taxpayer details, the shop can use GiftAid to claim back the taxes, thus increasing the charity shop's take on the item.

If all else fails, why not have an unwanted gift exchange with friends? Invite family members or friends over for a post-Christmas unwanted present exchange gathering. Either avoid inviting the person who gave one's unwanted gift in order to avoid hurt feelings, or ensure that everyone attending has a good outlook on such a gathering and will not be offended if a gift they gave shows up at the exchange.

Love saving money without being a Scrooge

2010-12-01T22:12:00.000Z

Saving money without being a scrooge can sometimes be a hard balance to strike. But the good news is that in 2010, being thrifty is cool!

Until the recession kicked in, we had become a nation of spenders who thought of shopping as a leisure activity and had the credit card bills to prove it. Cheap and easy to access credit meant the tills were ringing wildly every weekend as consumers demanded more and more. Products became cheaper and more disposable as households tried to keep up with the latest fashions for home design, clothing and technology.

Luxury became the order of the day and 'special' lines at supermarkets were standard fare for many shoppers. A whole generation was splurging on credit without any thought for the consequences. Indeed, it became almost a badge of status to have as many credit cards as possible! The economy was overheating; house prices escalated, banks lent 125% mortgages, retail parks boomed and online shopping surged. Britain was on a spending frenzy with little thought for what might lay ahead.

Since then the credit crunch and recession have bitten deep and lessons have been learned. With bankers bonuses and politicians expense scandals hitting the headlines, living a life of excess is scorned rather than celebrated.

So does that mean living like a scrooge is acceptable now? Not entirely. It's all about keeping a balance and using some common sense. Examples of common sense advice include keeping some money aside for emergencies, spending within your means, avoiding the lure of credit and thinking about what is really an essential before you buy.

If you are in debt, be harsh and cut up those credit cards. Avoid minimum repayments unless you want a life of penury and find ways to overpay on debts to clear them quicker. See a financial advisor or seek free help from your local citizens advice bureau.

Even if you're in the black, learn to budget so that you have control of your finances. Review your direct debits to make sure you're not spending money on products or services you don't use. Create a budget that allows you to live a little but try to put something aside in a savings account each month so you have something for a rainy day.

It is still possible to have a social life whilst saving money - look out for voucher codes for restaurants and shops and try to think of things to do that don't involve spending money. Think walks in the park, trips to free museums or outings to the seaside in summer.

If you're keen to expand your social circle, try to meet new people by joining projects and groups rather than via expensive socialising and nights on the town. And seek help where you can. Advice and strategies from those who manage their finances successfully can help you enjoy life and save money without becoming a scrooge.

Warning: Christmas Shopping can Damage your Health

2010-12-01T14:18:00.000Z

The Christmas season is supposed to be one of peace and giving, but for many holiday shoppers, it is anything but that. Not only can Christmas shopping damage the balance of your bank account, but it can also damage your health. The damaging health effects of Christmas shopping are directly related to stress, your body's response to physical or emotional internal and external factors. Studies have shown that stress is the greatest contributor to premature aging because of the many health problems that it can cause.

For many people, the stress of the holidays is more than enough to increase their blood pressures and to send their heart rates soaring, both of which are factors that put you at an increased risk of having a deadly heart attack or a stroke. Even if you only have a slightly elevated blood pressure reading, you could be setting yourself up to develop long term, chronic problems like kidney disease, eye problems, migraines, and circulation issues. The symptoms of high blood pressure are very difficult to detect, which is why it has earned the nickname the silent killer.

But how does Christmas shopping actually increase your stress levels and your blood pressure? For many people, thinking and worrying about finding the perfect gift for a loved one is enough to lead to a rise in blood pressure and heart rate. It may seem silly, but a lot of people worry for days over the smallest things such as if the gift will fit, if the colour is right, or if the gift will be liked. In an effort to avoid disappointing a loved one with a Christmas gift, many people are driving themselves to an early grave. Not only does worrying and panicking over gift giving increase a person's stress levels, but also the physical aspect of shopping itself can take its toll on the holiday shopper. Finding a parking space during the busy Christmas shopping season can be a real source of anxiety as you have to fight off all the other shoppers that are competing for only a handful of parking locations. After that, you have to deal with the crowds, the loud noises, rude sales associates, and scouring the stores for what you want. All of these factors can put you on edge, which will increase your stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.

In recent years, however, many Christmas shoppers are turning to online shopping to meet their holiday gift giving needs. Shopping online doesn't take away the mental stress of finding the perfect gift, but it can help with the physical aspects since you can search for your gifts from the comfort of your own home and at your leisure. In the end though, it's important to remember the old saying that when it comes to giving gifts, it's the thought that really counts.

Best Shops for Stocking Fillers and Christmas Gifts

2010-11-30T22:49:00.000Z

Buying stocking fillers and Secret Santa presents can be just as hard as finding the right Christmas present for friends and family, so we thought we'd give you a bit of a helping hand. These are the Santerrific web sites we think Yule love...

Presents Under a Fiver

Prezzybox - get a novelty gift for under a fiver from Prezzybox.

Thorntons - have some luscious treats for just a few quid.

Tesco - order a good bottle of wine for under a fiver at Tesco.

Father Christmas Letters - a great surprise for the little ones.

Presents Under a Tenner

Toys R Us - your first stop for Christmas prezzies for the kids.

IWOOT -visit I Want One of Those for some cute stocking fillers that will raise a smile.

Dorothy Perkins - have some lovely accessories at surprising prices.

Boots - you can grab some bargains in the 3 for 2 Christmas store at Boots online.

Presents Under Twenty Quid

Chocolate Trading Company - yummy treats for all the family.

Early Learning Centre - fun toys or educational toys? That's your choice to make!

Oddbins - for festive fizz and Christmas cheer.

Marks and Spencer - get some gift ideas from Marks and Sparks, well worth a visit.

Amazon - as well as cheap CDs and DVDs Amazon now sell everything you can think of.

Oxfam Unwrapped - special gifts that guarantee giving the gift is a better feeling than receiving it.

Presents Under Fifty Quid

Firebox - some great gadgets to lovers of all things tech.

John Lewis - if Christmas is on your mind, click through to John Lewis. They sell everything you can think of, all delivered free to your door.

Figleaves - Superb choice of ingerie, pyjamas and slippers.

Hampergifts - Everyone loves a festive hamper at Christmas.

Debenhams - have a gift matching tool that actually works! Try it.

Argos have an unbeatable range of gift ideas, from stuff to the kids to toys for big boys and girls.

Ticketmaster - treat someone to a gig, concert, theatre trip or night to remember.

Presents Over £100

Red Letter Days - give a gift experience that they'll never forget.

Thomas Cook - whisk someone away for a romantic weekend or spa minibreak.

Comet - if you want to impress someone, splurge on something amazing like a 3d tv or a top end iPod sounddock.

Should You Find out What Your Christmas Presents Cost?

2010-11-25T16:04:00.002Z

Christmas is a season for giving. Gifting is a symbol of the affection and love that we have for the dearest ones in our lives on one hand, and on the other hand, a practical social grace to say thank you to other friends and acquaintances. Should a price be put on your love or affection? Should you impress your friends or co-workers with a present? These are questions that require a personal answer, as each giver's situation is different. Financial issues might prevent someone to gift an expensive present, even when that person would want to give more or get a better present. Some people love to make their own presents as they feel that it is more personal and comes from them, and not from a commercialized source. There are many reasons why a person chooses a particular present; however, it necessarily does not signify that a person's affections towards the recipient are less or more . The popular adage - "It is the thought that counts" expresses it best.

Commercialism has clouded the meaning of gifting. Presents are viewed for their monetary value and not the sentiment attached to it. A person might want to know how much someone else spent in the gift he/she received for many reasons. One of them is to reciprocate at the same level. This is a personal issue as well, as present price-matching has never been the intention behind gifting - on the contrary, the intention is appreciation.

Another reason to want to find out how much the gift cost is a less humble one - the receiver just wants to know how much the person spent and if the present is worth it. Many people will re-gift a present to someone else for many reasons. In that case, they want to know the monetary value to ensure they are re-gifting an expensive or brand item. However, presents were meant to be presents. These days a simple online search will reveal the cost of a present, at least the potential cost.

In simpler times, people were happy to be thought of and the object of receiving a present; today, many people do not appreciate the thought, and much less, if this thought does not have certain monetary value attached to it. For those individuals, finding how much a Christmas present costs is second nature. Others, who value the present for what it is - and act of love and friendship - will never go there - they just do not need to know. Presents are as individual as people are, and finding out what your Christmas presents cost is a personal issue.

What Kind of Christmas Shopper Are You?

2010-11-23T22:32:00.000Z

Christmas is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, but the events leading up to Christmas can also be the cause of the biggest headaches of the year. It is easy to determine how much stress you are going to be feeling this Christmas season; it is all in the type of Christmas shopper that you are.

There are four types of Christmas shoppers, and everyone falls under one of these categories:

1. The Early Bird -- everyone has heard the saying, "the early bird catches the worm," and these people believe in it. Early Birds can take two forms: the first, is the shopper that searches for gifts year round. This shopper is smart; they know that buying certain items in "off-season" will mean lower prices. These off-season items include bathing suits, other weather-appropriate clothing and electronics that have already made their big debut. The second form of the Early Bird is the shopper that begins shopping just before the holiday season. As stores are putting out fall decorations and preparing for Thanksgiving, the Early Bird is thinking ahead to Christmas.

2. The Stress-Less -- the Stress-Less shopper is also referred to as the Average Joe. This type of holiday shopper engages in a more high-risk-procrastination strategy than the Early Bird, but still manages to make it out alive. The Stress-Less shopper is not looking for items throughout the year and they enjoy watching fall turn to winter without thinking about Christmas shopping in great detail. When the Stress-Less shopper finally begins thinking about the upcoming holiday, they are beginning to hit some crowds. These average shoppers look for after Thanksgiving sales and need the holiday music to kick them into gear.

3. The "Asks-For-It" -- if you wait until a week before Christmas, you are truly asking for it. This type of shopper is starting to really feel the stress of the holidays. Procrastination haunts these shoppers and makes the one or two weeks before Christmas quite a headache. At this point, the shelves are becoming bare, so choices are limited. Don't worry, though -- it is the thought that counts, right? The "Asks-For-It" shopper usually comes down hard on themselves for waiting until the last minute again this Christmas, and promises Early Bird techniques in the future.

4. The Stress-Mess -- oh, the Stress-Mess is quite a sight. These shoppers are characterized by the look of shear panic and frustration on their faces. How could all the best toys and gifts be gone already? There are still 2 days before Christmas! The Stress-Mess shoppers are habitual procrastinators and next year will be no different. The biggest headaches will befall this holiday shopper, but all the unwanted Christmas items may be marked down!

Aim for a stress free Christmas and do your Christmas Shopping online.

How to Use Voucher Codes to Save Money this Christmas

2010-11-22T17:19:00.000Z

With the holiday season fast approaching, a key question in shoppers' minds is how to make the most of a Christmas shopping budget. One of the best ways to do this is by using voucher codes to save money. The concept of voucher codes is simple: a voucher code, also known a promotional or coupon code, is simply a code that you enter during checkout with an online retailer. These money-saving codes make hassle free shopping simple and easy. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of money saving voucher codes:

Watch for Seasonal Voucher Codes

As the Christmas season approaches, more and more retailers offer special voucher codes that aren't available at other times of the year. While you may have used voucher codes throughout the year to save money, you can often find voucher codes that can either save you a fixed percentage on a purchase with a certain retailer, on the purchase of a specific item, or give you free or discounted shipping. Some retailers limit the number and type of voucher codes you can use, so you'll want to be savvy in determining which will save you the most money on that perfect Christmas gift.

Check Voucher Codes Daily

In an effort to draw more customers and increase profits during the holiday season, retailers are constantly adding new offers and voucher codes for online purchases. While you may see a certain voucher code today, it's important to check back frequently since retailers will continue to sweeten their online deals as Christmas time approaches.

Make Purchases Online

Since voucher codes are, by definition, for use with online purchases, you can maximise your Christmas shopping savings by doing most of your Christmas shopping online. What's more, you'll avoid the long lines and encounters with frustrated shoppers that are often the bane of the Christmas season. Making purchases online makes economic sense, and will save you the time, hassle and frustration of dealing with holiday shopping crowds.

The bottom line is that voucher codes not only save you money, but they free up time so that you can prepare for the upcoming holidays with less hassle and headache. A convenient, money-saving shopping experience with voucher codes lets you spend your time enjoying the holiday season with the people you care about, all the while providing you with a means to find the perfect gifts at the perfect prices.

Shopsafe in the Mirror

2010-11-16T12:49:00.000Z

Shopsafe featured in today's daily Mirror article describing how to save money on food bills.

Charlotte Ward wrote "Food bills are due to rocket with the average family facing a £200 hike a year. So to save some money on your weekly shop, follow our essential guide." In the "Be a voucherista" section she wrote "Use reputable voucher code sites for savings. Not all sites that offer such codes check the validity of each offer, often leaving consumers disappointed, but sites such as www.shopsafe.co.uk, www.moneysavingexpert.com and www.vouchercodes.co.uk are industry leaders and are generally safe bets."

See the full Tackling your food bills the easy way article