Phew! After all that research into cars I’m ready to tackle another topic that’s been hot on my mind – anniversary gifts!

Anniversaries are the perfect opportunity to show someone special how happy you are to be with them – and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a wedding anniversary, a friendship anniversary or one of those really cute ‘month-i-versaries’ that so many people celebrate. It’s just nice to treat someone you love to a special gift that will light up their day.

So with this in mind I’ve compiled my top three gifts for couples, just for you – perfect to give to a newly-wed couple or a pair celebrating their 50th anniversary! These are also ideal gifts for you to give to you partner, or to give to a friend who is celebrating a special day.

First and foremost every couple deserves to be pampered and treated like royalty, and what better way to do this than with a luxurious Hamam with afternoon tea? I was really blown away by how luxurious everything looks at this top London location – watch this video and see for yourself:

Completely delectable! That’s really a fantastic indulgence and would make an amazing gift for best friends and couples. this is a fabulous gift for newly-weds as well – it’s something they can enjoy together after their wedding.

The second thing on my couples to-do list are salsa dancing lessons! This is such an energetic and sensual dance that you can’t help but feel transported to another time and another place when you watch it out on the dance floor … and even more so when you’re actually doing the salsa yourselves. Its’ a great way to bond over something fun.

And finally, the third thing on my list is a fabulous cooking course for two. You can learn how to make your favourite cuisine such as deliciously tasty Thai food or delectable desserts, and you can then implement your skills in your very own kitchen! Everyone knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so make sure that this relationship is for keeps with top notch fine dining!

If you’re looking for a fabulous driving day for the special guy (or girl!) in your life then I’ve got some good news for you! One of my good friends was treated a fabulous gift for his recent birthday and he had the rare opportunity to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo around a race track. Now it sounded like it was an amazing day, but I think I have something even more exciting to tell you.

… now anyone can drive one of their dream cars around a real race track at a very reasonable rate! He came across the best deal and was nice enough to share it with me so I could share it with you. I can only imagine what kind of gift-doors this special bit of information is going to be opening in the near future! Treat friends to a Ferrari challenge and lads to a Lamborghini day, give your aunt the keys to an Audi R8 or go the Full Monty with a tank driving phenomenon! I’m just so excited, I can’t wait to show you what I’ve found!

First of all, let’s have a look at Sean’s Lamborghini that he won’t stop talking about. He keeps saying that it’s something you’ve got to experience for yourself and that no words can describe it. Not very helpful, is he? Have a look at this video to see for yourself what it must be like to drive this dream car:

Looks pretty good doesn’t it? I love cars that bend neatly at the back like that, looks very supercar-ish.

Okay, they also offer a range of other super cars so you can pick out your particular dream vehicle and have a go. I must say, I’ve always been captivated by the styling of the Porsche Carrera 911 so I was quite excited to see that they have this one there as well. And what a good deal!

I could get used to driving one of those! Makes a big change from my Verso I love that there are videos to watch, it makes it so much easier to see what’s actually going on.

There’s also a Ferrari 360 on offer for Ferrari fans. I was recently dragged to the popular Ferrari Shop in London and I must admit, there’s something very appealing about the tell-tale red paint (which is even branded as Ferrari red!) and the very sleek contours.

That looks really exciting! I’m glad to see that other girls like cars too… Mind you, I’m more about what it looks like on the outside than on the inside. I wouldn’t know a carburettor if it fell on my foot!

Then there’s the Aston Martin DB9 which is the car most famous for being James Bond’s first choice. Okay, it’s probably more famous for something else but that’s why I know about it! I am a self-confessed Ian Fleming fan.

Look at it go:

Wow! I love the way they highlighted the red in that video, very neat – it makes it quite distinctive from the Ferrari red, don’t you think?

Let’s not forget the Audi R8 which is a very popular choice for ‘big kids’ and businessmen. It has won hundreds of awards and when I went to ask my colleague why it is that he chose to drive one of these to work every day, he answered simply: ‘It was Playboy’s Car of the Year’. Goodness!

Finally, the last ’single’ car driving experience that you can choose takes place in a Ford RS. You see a lot of these on the road – they’re unmissable with their distinctive orange, green or white paint jobs and their cheeky styling. But I have it on good authority that they’re a whole lot of fun on the race track as well! Sean got taken out for a ‘practice lap’ in one of these before they let him loose in the Lamborghini, and he said it was quite a beastly car.

Look at it zip around! Now if you thought that you’d been given a world of choice here, think again. There’s more where that came from! The clever people behind these fun driving days came up with something for the die-hard drivers out there.

That’s right, I’m talking about versus days. That’s when you take two of the biggest names in race driving and put them head-to-head to see which one handles better, which one is faster, and which one you like better. For example, you might compare the Ferrari with the Lamborghini.

Now that’s going to be a driving day worth doing! What a treat for big car fans. And you know what else could be fun? What about if you put a Aston Martin against Ferrari? Can you imagine James Bond going up against the legendary Jody Shekter or Kimi Raikkonen!

Look at that! You can really let your imagination run wild when you’re coming up with fun versus days!

If you’re looking for a car that has a bit more ‘raw power’ than these muscle machines we’ve already been discussing then you’ll probably appreciate the next item on our line-up: the Aston Martin Vs the Nissan GTR! The GTR is hailed as the Sports Car of the Year, the Motor Trend Car of the Year, Supercar of the Year, Automobile of the Year… etc. I don’t think I need to keep telling you, just watch this video and you’ll understand:

Wow! Did you hear that – a top speed of 195mph! That does seem to put up a bit of tough competition for the Aston Martin. Which one do you think will do better?

Not to be outdone by it’s rivals, the Ferrari makes a come-back to our line-up with a stunning versus day in the form of the Ferrari Vs Audi R8 challenge.

I can’t imagine which one would win – they’re both such super rides! I guess that’s why they let you drive both of them around the track … so you can see for yourself!

And finally, I’ve got a little ‘kicker’ surprise for you. I saved the best for last! If you’re looking for the ultimate driving day for a car enthusiast then you simply have to treat them to a fantastic ‘Full Monty Tank Day’! This one is a winner in my books, and it pulls out all the stops as one of the best gifts I’ve come across:

This is quite a comprehensive video which details everything the lucky guy (or girl) will get to do on the day. I must say, I’m sure every little boy dreams of driving a tank over a real car! Wow.

So there you have it folks. Thanks to Sean for telling us about these great deals! I hope that you all manage to use these as gift inspiration and gift ideas for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions and important events.

Hi Stacey, I really like your blog, there are so many good ideas here! I have a question for you and I hope you can help because it’s not strictly about birthday gifts… It’s my daughter’s 12th birthday coming up and I already have the perfect present… I just don’t know what to do for her party! She wants to bring her two best friends with her, whatever she decides to do. Please help! I have three giggling girls on my hands and I have no clue what to do with them!

Sharon (Kent)

Dear Sharon,

This sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun! Luckily, I do have three great ideas that I think you might find useful!

The first thing I’d recommend is a Kids Deluxe Makeover and Photoshoot – you’ll have to buy a ‘ticket’ for each little diva but I can assure you, it’s affordable and the girls will adore it! They’ll get their hair styled, their nails polished and their make-up done before they take to the stage for their diva debut! I can think of nothing my niece would like better!

The second thing I can recommend to you is a fun day at a recording studio. This one is for a minimum of five people so it could be a lot of fun to get the other mums involved and have a whole mum-daugher sing-off! If you click on the link there you’ll see a really good deal that works out to just under half price per person when you make a group booking of 5 or more people. I think that’s a fab idea! The best part about this is that the girls will get a recording of their “hit single” on CD or mp3 to take home with them. The mums will all love to hold onto that as a charming keepsake!

And lastly, (this is my personal favourite) why not treat the three of them to a fun cupcake making and decorating class that will let them express their inner-creativity (and you won’t have to bake a birthday cake either!). This is such a fab class, just look at what they’ll be able to learn:

I hope this gives you the inspiration you were seeking Sharon!

x Stacey

Easter is synonymous in contemporary society with two important things: Easter Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts. Most guys aren’t comfortable with buying their mates a stash of chocolately treats, and chances are you’re not going to convince them to go on a treasure hunt either. So if you’re looking for some fab Easter activities that everyone can enjoy then I’ve got some ideas for you!

Water Skiiing. Let them ski across the water and have the time of their lives this Easter! This is a fun way to get up and take advantage of the good weather that’s heading our way. Give your mate a fun-filled day that he’ll really appreciate!

Monster Trucking. This fast-paced, powerful sport is full of action-packed adventure and your friend will love being able to take on the likes of the legendary Grizzly (in the photograph to the right). This is one Easter activity that he’s not likely to forget in a hurry!

A treasure hunt with a twist. Don’t feel like hunting around for Easter eggs? Then why not spice things up with your mates and enjoy a fun city-based treasure hunt that takes place in central London? You get a special pack of questions and clues, and then you communicate with the ‘quiz master’ via mobile text. Just have a look at these two having a go:

I didn’t even know some of the answers to those questions! I think we should probably all go out and get to know the city! … and what better way than on a special treasure hunt? It’s just like being little again!

If you’re looking to spend some fun in the sun with your dearest aunt then I might have just the thing for you!

My nieces surprised me last weekend with a special treat: they decided to get me up and out of bed early on Saturday morning because we were headed out for some hot air ballooning fun! Now I’ve never been fortunate to try this before so it was a completely new experience for all of us!

It was such an amazing experience, it leaves me rather speechless. We were all so excited to be flying in a balloon basket (I was sceptical at first, but you get over it quite quickly) that we quickly forgot about how scary it might be. We were very fortunate that there weren’t that many clouds which meant that we had very good views! Unfortunately after a little while the wind picked up and it started getting very chilly so our ‘pilot’ brought us down again, but it was well worth it anyway! I’d highly recommend it to anyone – just check the weather forecast in advance to make sure that your trip isn’t cut short like ours was.

My nieces are so sweet! This was their ‘thank you’ gift to me for helping plan a big surprise do for their mum from them. I must say, I could get used to this kind of treatment

Hi Stacey. Hope ur well. I need2get something4 my uncles bday. He’s turning 50but he’s a bigger kid than I am! lol. He just got his skippers license so thought maybe water related like a cruise or a yacht day or something. Any ideas????

Becky

Dear Becky,

Luckily it’s getting towards that time of year when water sports are becoming a lot more popular. I think I have a few ideas that might help you out of your predicament. See what you think:

First of all, if your uncle already has his skipper’s license then he has probably enjoyed quite a bit of yachting or cruising! That’s why I’d recommend something a bit more action-packed than a leisurely afternoon at sea. That way he can enjoy a totally different experience and still be out on the water!

He might enjoy a bit of water-skiing where he’ll learn the basics behind standing up and manoeuvring  behind a moving boat. This will also be incredibly useful if he plans on getting his own boat later on – especially fun for summer days!

He might also get a kick out of jet skiing which I hear is quite a lot of racy fun! This is idea for the adrenaline junkie or ‘big kids’ like you say your uncle is. I’m sure he’ll love every minute of it!

Lastly, one of the  most popular water sports at the moment has got to be white water rafting. I’ve found a video that will show what this is all about, so do take a minute to watch it below and see for yourself! I think this could be a lot of fun for anyone who loves being outdoors! It looks like it gets really wet but I’m sure that the wetsuit will keep you nicely insulated.

It looks like so much fun! I might even give it a go… Becky, it  might be quite a lot of fun if you went with your uncle on this kind of adventure – he’d have such a great time!

Best of luck,

x Stacey

Easter is a time of family bonding and festivities, but that doesn’t meant that you should forget about your friends! On the contrary: it’s a great time to celebrate all of your special relationships that you are grateful for, even those that you share with your best girl friends. I’ve always said that family is family but friends are family too. That’s why I think it’s important that you get together and enjoy some Easter treats with the people that you appreciate most!

You could go the traditional ’sweet things’ route but instead of getting them giant chocolate eggs (that are just going to be put away and enjoyed alone!) you could treat them to a delicious afternoon tea that you can enjoy together. Afternoon tea is really delicious too – the pastries, scones, sandwiches and tea are all a lot better than a few Easter eggs Just look at this scrumptious picture!

If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting a lot more unusual then take two of your best friends with you to experience the thrilling Reverse Bungee Sky-Screamer ride! You’ll be able to experience the force of 5 Gs (which is more than what a fighter pilot would feel when he’s travelling at the speed of sound!) while you’re strapped into a rotating cage. I couldn’t think of anything scarier but I hear that this is a ride of a lifetime!

Finally, you could take your girls out for a fab cupcake class where you’ll all learn how to make some delicious treats with expert tuition. You’ll be guided through various decorating techniques and you’ll be able to take home everything you make. Very yum! This class is really fab and I’m recommending it because I’ve actually done it myself so I know that it’s a great bonding experience for good friends It’s also a really nice blend of Easter treat traditions and modern-day living (giving and receiving cupcakes would be a much nicer idea, don’t you think?).

Have a look at this video and see for yourself:

Let the good times roll this Summer when you plan ahead for a ‘guy’s day out’! I’ve been getting a lot of requests lately for ideas for a day out for the boys, so I thought I’d give you all a TOP FIVE list of summer activities to help you find the right gift for the special guy in your life.

5. Leap off a 160f Bungee Jump. This is a crazy activity! I could never imagine throwing myself off a bridge or a crane, but I do see how it is incredibly popular with big kids and boys of all ages! This is one of those ‘must do’ activities for adrenaline junkies on hot summer days.

4. Go Hovercrafting. This is the hottest summer day fun! You get to ‘drive’ the hovercraft over land and water in a series of time trials. This is a great idea for guys who are competitive and who love to try new things.

3. Go abseiling in a cliffhanger adventure. This looks really scary but my nephew who loves this kind of thing tells me that it’s quite an adrenaline rush! [This looks like the perfect gift for my brother, now that I think about it.] Have a look at the picture to the right to get an idea of how amazing the views  must be!

2. Go sphereing. I keep coming back to this activity experience but that’s just because it’s such a popular choice for fun-loving guys and girls! There are three kinds of sphereing: aqua sphereing (with water inside the sphere with you), eclipse sphereing (inside a completely dark sphere, must be terrifying!) and air sphereing (takes place inside a wind tunnel like a giant pinball machine). You can choose to give this to a single person as a gift, go with them and make it an experience for two, or even include a third friend to literally let the good times roll!

1. Take flying lessons in a real aeroplane. This has got to be the best thing you can do on a fun summer day! You’re going to want to treat yourself to this one too… The pilot will give you basic flight instruction and then he’ll guide you through the take-off, the flying and the landing! Wow! The really nice thing about this lesson is that it counts towards your pilot’s license if you want to take it more seriously after your first taster experience.

I’m so excited that summer is on it’s way! It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? Even as I type this out the rain is coming down outside my window But we must stay positive and plan ahead for some fun summer day activities that will really make the wait worthwhile! Here are my top three  summer day activities that you might keep in mind when you’re looking for a gift idea for your girl friend.

1. Learn to play golf! Who says golf is only for guys? I say ‘phooey’ to that silly old adage that says ‘golf’ stands for ‘gentlemen only, ladies forbidden’. If that’s so, why are some of the world’s top golfers women? Come on girls, get out and about in your finest golfing gear and enjoy the greens at top golf courses in the UK. What are you waiting for?

(2) Learn how to fly an aeroplane. Impossible is nothing. Treat your friend to a day she’ll never forget when you go with and be a passenger in her first ever pilot flight. She’ll have the time of her life and you’ll have the most amazing views as you look out over the beautiful summer day.

(3) Take a cruise on a luxurious powerboat. Soak in the sun and enjoy the amazing sea scenes! This is a fabulous way to welcome in the summer with your best girl friends while you enjoy the majestic views and the unparalleled power of the Sunseeker.

Yo Stacey, please help if you can. It’s my best mate’s birthday and I want to get him something rocking!! Wanna get him a course in something cool. Also, it’s got to be somewhere in London cuz we’re in uni there and we can’t mission 2far out. Any ideas? Thx!

Eddie.

Hi Eddie,

I’ve got three ideas for you.

The first comes highly recommended by my nephew who is also in uni: he says it’s the best thing he’s ever done. I’m talking about a Ministry of Sound DJ Course. It’s a full-day course in one of the world’s greatest venues with tuition from some of London’s top DJs. The best part of it is that your friend will be given a special Ministry of Sound Goodie Bag that’s filled with useful DJ things like CDs and Vinyls!

If that’s a bit out of your price range then you might consider the second thing which also comes highly recommend (by a colleague) – an introductory course to Flair Bartending. Your friend will be able to develop his own unique flaring style in the Cocktail Academy’s special ‘Red Bull room’ (it’s lined with bounce mats so you don’t break anything!). Apparently this makes for quite a cool party trick

And lastly, why not treat him to something interesting and sporty like archery lessons? He’ll be able to indulge in this awesome ancient sport right in the heart of central London!

Let me know if you need anything else,

x Stacey