9 December Festive Period Survival Guide Part Two December 9, 2020By ICI Administrator Aspire 0 By Olivia Burgin, Courses and Events Coordinator, The Institute of Civil Infrastructure The Christmas festivities are just around the corner, which means you should hopefully have your gifts sorted by now, right? Well technically, no, a modern age of technology brings us the gift of online shopping. Due to some shipping delays (thanks COVID), a majority of online stores have posted their delivery cut off times, meaning you may still be able to get some gifts arriving just in time to be wrapped and placed under the Christmas Tree. Now your next question may be, ‘what the hell do I buy for so and so?’ That’s why we are here to help! Below is our top pick of last-minute, affordable gifts to buy for your loved ones; MUM The typical mum will probably enjoy a sentimental, or thoughtful gift, something that you spent time and effort to think about, and is meaningful to her. Well, in this case, you forgot about the most important person to give a gift to, and now we don’t have time for sentimental. Luckily, The Thoughtful Gift Company does have time for that. The Thoughtful Gift Company has everything from Jewellery to Framed Prints, they even have Cards for you to add to your basket in case you forgot those too. I have personally purchased the Rainbow Lorikeet Print for my Nana, and it arrived on time, in one piece and didn’t break the bank. Whatever you chose may not arrive in time for Christmas, but your excuse can be that it took forever to draft the beautifully designed and thoughtful tote bag coming her way. Personalised gifts are definitely coming up in popularity, so get in quickly. DAD Dads are difficult to buy for, and I’m certainly not the first to say so, but difficult does not mean impossible. I know the usual last-minute gift for dad is either alcohol related or humorous, well at least it is in my house, but that does not mean that they don’t deserve something amazing too! The Gourmet Basket put together Gift Baskets and Hampers for everyone, with many different varieties of goods. Whether your dad is a wine and cheese lover, a chocoholic, prefers the finer things, or wants to pretend they went on that trip to Europe earlier this year (thanks again COVID), The Gourmet Basket will definitely have something for them to enjoy. Baskets range from $40 to $500, so depending on what you’re willing to spend, you’ll be able to find a gift for your dad. The Gourmet Basket is also good as they do have same day delivery for all baskets if selected, and their delivery cut-off times are a little later than the rest of the pack, giving you even more time to think it over and select one that they’ll love. PARTNER Whether its been 5 years or 35 years together, giving gifts to your partner should be easy, thoughtful, and at least second to your parents in importance. But, for last-minute gifts, this can get a little tricky, so to keep it neutral, here’s three options; Matching Swimmers You can purchase swimwear from practically anywhere these days, especially just in time for summer. This gift is more humorous than thoughtful, but laughter equals happiness, what more could you ask for! I would personally recommend purchasing these from Budgy Smuggler, as they have good quality options, and all designs are provided in both men’s and women’s sizing. Their shipping is also extremely quick, and they even deliver on weekends, so no need to worry about cut-off dates! Photo Frame These gifts are usually picked by default when you have nothing else to give, but are always a hit in my experience. You can purchase affordable frames and prints from Vistaprint, their website is super easy to use to make your design and upload your picture. Even if a photo frame doesn’t suit the occasion, they have lots of different options, from t-shirts to stickers. Experience This one is a little more expensive, but also ticks our boxes in terms of thoughtful and sentimental, and is also super easy. Red Balloon is an experience page, you can purchase vouchers for skydiving or book 5-course meals served with wine by the Harbour. There is an experience for everyone, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a food critic, there is tons of options. Plus, no delivery fees, just a downloadable PDF that you can print, pop in a card, and place under the tree. Well there you have it, the ultimate Christmas gift list for all your last-minute needs. I hope the ideas presented give you some direction, if not for this year, maybe next year’s Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or other significant event. Have a wonderful Christmas, stay safe, and a Happy New Year too! Related Posts Festive Period Survival Guide Part One The most wonderful time of the year is approaching fast, and after the year that we have had, the holidays can’t come soon enough. Relaxing in a hot Australian summer, having a dip in the pool, and celebrating Christmas with your family, what could make it any better? Keeping Active During the Festive Season If you have been diligent with your training and rituals for the past few months you should be looking and feeling so much better than you were only a matter of months ago. The weather is warming up quickly, and the festive season is just around the corner so let’s not let the ball slip now. The Institute of Civil Infrastructure begins partnership with Western Australia The Institute has continued to grow across the country with an exciting new partnership with the Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia. As the peak body for civil construction in WA, the opportunity for ICI to partner with CCF WA is a great way to support the men and women of the industry in their professional development. Are you part of the “The Great Resignation” trend? Workplace experts are warning of an incoming avalanche of employee turnover among Aussie businesses in 2022 — known as ‘The Great Resignation’. Investing in staff to ensure they feel valued is vital at this time. Companies that put their people first and can play a key role in their development will find themselves with the most satisfied employees, ultimately leading to greater business outcomes and success. Waste Management in Civil Projects: A Guide to Minimising Risk and Impact If you're in the civil and construction industry, you're probably aware of how crucial waste management is in any civil project. It's not just about keeping things tidy; it's about minimising environmental impact, reducing costs, and staying on the right side of the law. In this article, we'll give you the lowdown on all things waste management, CEMP, and project risks. ICI Insider – Your free guide to building your teams resilience Want to gain a competitive edge? ICI Insider presentations will give you the advantage you’re looking for. Bite sized live civil industry updates you can consume in 20 minutes – without leaving your desk. Comment (0) Comments are closed.