Gift Baskets Overseas blog - International Gift Deliveries

World renowned gift delivery company Gift Baskets Overseas invites the world to discover patience, help the needy, and rise above petty concerns with sweet treats, fine foods, and beautiful flowers—all guaranteed to bring a smile—for Ramadan this year.

Arlington, MA (Press Release) August 10, 2010 - Ramadan is just around the corner, and to celebrate Gift Baskets Overseas—the experts in International Gift Delivery—has launched a line of exquisite gifts to send to Turkey, Egypt, and UAE – among others – to commemorate Ramadan around the world with style and beauty. This year, for the entire lunar month lasting from August 11^th to September 9^th on the Gregorian calendar, the Muslim people will refrain from food and drink during the day to cleanse their spirits and practice patience. During this holiday they also send gifts to those in need to commemorate the gift of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammed. At the end of the month, there is a great three-day festival full of delicious foods, beautiful clothes, and still more charity. This year, make sure you’re a part of the gift-giving and good works by sending gifts to Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar – major countries in which Ramadan is celebrated.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the year according to the Islamic calendar; during this month the Muslim people refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking during the hours from sunrise to sunset each day. This difficult activity is meant to teach them patience, spirituality, and modesty. During this time of fasting, performed for Allah who is said to have made the practice obligatory, the Muslim people also pray more than usual to ask for forgiveness, request guidance, and cleanse their spirits. Although this is a time of spiritual enlightenment, the Muslim people are not expected to be superhuman; after the time of prayer at sunset, they are allowed to break their fast and eat whatever they want until sunrise the next day. This is the perfect time to share delicious gourmet gift baskets and decadent sweets hampers with friends and family in Turkey, UAE, and Egypt.

Charity work is also a very important part of Ramadan; during this time the Muslim people are commanded to give food, drink, clothes, and shoes to those who cannot afford them on their own. The holiest night of the year, Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree, Night of Power, or Night of Measures), is celebrated on an odd-numbered date during the last ten nights of Ramadan; although the exact night of celebration can vary according to diverse traditions, most people will celebrate it on the 6^th of September. It is said that this is the night that the Qur’an was revealed to the prophet Mohammed.

At the end of the month, the fasting is ended with a lush three-day celebration called Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast). At this time, Muslims dress in their best clothes, visit family and friends, and indulge in great feasts to celebrate the victory of Ramadan, the attainment of higher spirituality, and forgiveness. It is a time of great joy and charity, and people give gifts of rich foods and sweets to children, family, friends, and especially the needy – no one is to go without experiencing the richness of the celebration at this time.

“This Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr we’re offering rich foods, delicious sweets, and wonderful gifts to people in UAE, Egypt, Turkey, and others so they can spend their time in prayer, fasting and feasting, and sharing spiritual enlightenment rather than worrying about how their gifts are getting where they’re going,” says David Skol, Chief Gift Officer at Gift Baskets Overseas. “We want to bring people closer together—even if they are on opposite ends of the earth—by sharing gift-giving practices and making it easy to participate in them. This year we’re offering a wide selection of delicious, fun, and beautiful gift baskets. We invite everyone to send gifts to their Muslim—and even non-Muslim—friends; we offer parents the opportunity to teach their children about diverse cultures; and we make it easy for corporations and business-owners to be sensitive to the religious practices of their employees.”

Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr Gift Baskets from GiftBasketsOverseas.com are designed to meet your dietary needs, make an unforgettable impression, and share your victories with quality, beauty, and elegance—not only on sacred days, but anytime you need to send a special message. Take a look at the new catalog and find the ideal gift for your special celebration today.

About Gift Baskets Overseas

Gift Baskets Overseas is a BBB accredited company based in the United States that specializes in delivering superior quality gifts all over the world. By maintaining professional relationships with established, local florists and gift delivery companies in each region, Gift Baskets Overseas has become renowned globally for its ability to provide online ordering convenience as well as multilingual customer service, and its dedication to providing secure payment options. Learn more about the company at www.giftbasketsoverseas.com.

New Year in China is the most important holiday, a time of feasting with the family, celebration, fireworks, and gift-giving.

The Chinese calendar is based on the lunar year, so the date of Chinese New Year changes every year. In 2010 this national holiday is celebrated from February 13 up to February 20 and coincides with St. Valentine’s Day. Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days (it’s an old tradition followed mainly in countryside), starting with the Lunar New Year and ending with the Lantern Festival on the night of the fifteenth day. Each day of Chinese New Year has its own significance and set of festivities that are to take place. For example, the first day is for visiting and honoring elderly family members and welcoming various Chinese gods, while on the second day time is set aside for prayer to ancestors and deities and for married daughters to visit their parents. Other days of the Chinese New Year are for staying at home, going to the market, having time with families, reunion dinners, and visiting friends.

There’s a popular tradition in China of red envelopes filled with “lucky money”. These envelopes are given to children and unmarried adults by the married couples. The red color is considered to bring good fortune, and the money is used to buy holiday treats.

In addition to red envelopes, New Year gifts in China are also exchanged between friends, relatives or business associates. Chinese people prefer practical and useful gifts over fancy items. New Year Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes. Common New Year gifts in China are fruit baskets, gourmet baskets, sweet baskets filled with biscuits, chocolates, candies, or some other gifts. A good imported cognac, fine liqueur or wine (especially Medium Dry Wine, Dry Red Wine and Medium Sweet Wine) are some of the famous spirits that are apt for holiday gift giving, particularly for men and colleagues. Flowers and blooming plants is also a great gift idea for Chinese New Year because flowers are considered lucky in China as they signify rebirth and new growth. Along with romantic messages to beloved ones, you can also send the greetings of prosperity in the coming year with a beautiful flower basket to China.

When it comes to gift wrapping, if possible, have your gifts wrapped in red paper, which is considered a lucky color. Plain red paper is one of the few “safe” choices since a variety of meanings, many of which are negative, are attributed to colors in Chinese culture. Pink, gold and silver are also acceptable colors for gift wrap, while white, black, or blue should always be avoided.

These are only some of the gift tips to delight both your nearest and dearest and business associates on this Chinese New Year. Visit our website www.giftbasketsoverseas.com and you’ll find much more New Year gift ideas to any taste!

Happy New Year from international gift delivery company GiftBasketsOverseas.com!

Happy Holidays from GiftBasketsOverseas.com!!!

Check our Christmas Gifts catalog at giftbasketsoverseas.com!

Israel is a Jewish state, so the Jewish majority does not celebrate Christmas. They celebrate Hanukkah instead. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, because in each synagogue, a holy lamp burns above Jewish scriptures. The light represents a symbol, being the strength of God. The festival is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, and may occur from late November to late December according to the Gregorian calendar.

Hanukkah in Israel is celebrated by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the nine-branched Hanukiah, one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. Eight candles represent the days the oil of the temple lamp lasted and the ninth candle is a helping one, used to light the rest. The candles are lit just after the sun goes down and families sing a Hanukkah song while watching them burn.

During the whole festival Israeli people sing various songs and play games in the light of the Menorah. Among other traditions is playing Dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top with a Hebrew letter on each side. Most people play for matchsticks, pennies or chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus’ oppression, those who wanted to study Torah, that was illegal, would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top whenever an official or inspector was within sight.

On Hanukkah in Israel it is customary to eat fried foods because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Latkes (potato pancakes), jelly doughnuts and many other treats fried in oil are particularly enjoyed during Hanukkah.

Like many other Jewish holidays, Hanukkah in Israel is a special time for families to be together, celebrate the festivities of joy and thanksgiving and exchange Hanukkah gifts. Personal gifts for Hanukkah are quite accepted, while before giving a business gift for Hanukkah you’d better wait until you are reasonably acquainted with a recipient. The safest choice is a flower basket, chocolate basket or fruit basket. When selecting a gourmet basket or a wine/champagne basket, make sure that your Hanukkah gift to Israel is compatible with the recipient’s religious beliefs. For example, gourmet gifts for observant Orthodox Jews must be kosher. If the recipient has children, acknowledging them with a small gift, chocolate or plush toy, will be also appreciated.

Show your consideration and respect while choosing a Hanukkah gift for your nearest and dearest or business associates and they are sure to be pleased with your choice!

The Christmas season in Italy begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas. In the cold winter weather of the northern mountains and in the mild weather of the south, Christmas fairs feature fireworks and bonfires along with holiday music. Families go to the Christmas markets to shop for Christmas gifts and new figures for the manger scene. Some families set up a Christmas tree and decorate it.

During novena, the nine days before and including Christmas Day, children go from house to house reciting Christmas verses for coins. The family sets up its presepio, or manger scene, on the first day of the novena. They gather before the presepio each morning or evening of novena to light candles and pray.

On Christmas Eve, when the first star appears in the evening sky, every family sets burning candles in their windows to light the way for the Christ Child. They light candles around their presepio and pass the figure of the Baby Jesus from person to person, finally placing it tenderly in the manger. Then they enjoy a lavish meatless supper featuring fish or another type of seafood, vegetables, salads, antipasto, bread, pasta, and sweets. Later that night, everyone goes through the torch-lit streets on their way to Christmas Eve mass.

Christmas Day is reserved for church, family, and feasting. Some Italian children receive gifts from Baby Jesus or from Babbo Natale, as Father Christmas is called. Then everyone sits down to a big Christmas dinner. This often includes capon or another roasted meat. Pannettone, a yeast cake filled with fruit, and panforte, a dense honey cake spiced with cloves and cinnamon, are popular sweets, along with cassata, which includes ice cream and fruit.

The main exchange of Christmas gifts in Italy takes place on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, the celebration in remembrance of the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child. Children anxiously await a visit from La Befana, a kind witch who brings small gifts, like toys, sweets and fruit for the good and punishment for the bad.

Gifts to Italy are expected for social events and holidays, including Christmas. Italians love receiving gifts especially with prestigious brand names which are at the same time small and not obviously expensive.

Being big connoisseurs of good food, Italians would be happy to receive a fine gourmet basket filled with exquisite gourmet goodies. A good imported wine or spirits basket from your home country could be also an excellent choice as Italians are interested in learning about other countries. Such gifts along with healthy fruit baskets and classic tea/coffee baskets are particularly suitable for business gifts for Christmas, big gatherings and for men. For Christmas gifts to near relations, including women and children, the most appropriate are chocolate baskets, romantic baskets, spa baskets and flower baskets.

Show your creativity and interest when selecting a Christmas gift to Italy and it is sure to bring the recipient good luck in the upcoming year!

Christmas in Great Britain is the most popular holiday characterized by traditions that date back hundreds of years. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season begins well before the holiday and there is barely anytime for a break until the Twelfth night. There is preparation going on of foods, sending Christmas cards, decorating houses and Christmas trees, and buying Christmas gifts for friends and family members.

On Christmas Eve youngsters hang up their stockings on the fireplace or at the foot of their beds for Santa Claus (also named Father Christmas) to fill them with Christmas gifts. Presents for the family are placed under the Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve groups of singers also sing carols to their neighbors.

On Christmas morning British families traditionally open their Christmas presents, attend Christmas services at church and prepare for the big Christmas dinner which is typically served just after midday. The table gleams with the best china and glassware, and there is a cracker at every place on the table. The traditional Christmas dinner in the UK usually consists of a roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing and roast potatoes. This is followed by a mince pie and Christmas pudding flaming with brandy, which might contain coins or lucky charms for children. The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. In the afternoon the British pay visits to their neighbors and other family members and exchange Christmas gifts.

Personal Christmas gifts to UK including Chocolate Baskets, Romantic baskets, plush toys, Flower baskets, Spa Baskets meant mostly for women and family members are always welcome, whereas business gift giving is not a usual part of British business culture. To avoid embarrassment on the part of the recipient, the business gift for Christmas to the UK must be restrained, tasteful, and not ostentatiously expensive. Delicious Gourmet Baskets, healthy Fruit Baskets, and suitable for big gatherings Snack Baskets is a perfect choice for a business Christmas gift that do not appear patronizing or unduly forward. Spirits, on the other hand, are a matter of personal taste and best not given as a present. Champagne, though, is never unwelcome and can always be put quickly in the fridge for an after-dinner toast. Classic Tea Baskets is undoubtedly a good choice for any recipient regardless of your relations and will be accepted with gratitude. When selecting a flower basket, avoid red roses, white lilies, and chrysanthemums.

Show your taste and care when choosing a suitable Christmas gift to UK for important people in your life and you won’t have to wait long for their gratitude and response!

In New Zealand, like its neighbor Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays. So, as well as present-buying and parties, families are preparing for trips to the beach.

Christmas festivities begin in late November, when schools and church groups present Nativity plays. They sing carols throughout the month of December. Families decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves, and evergreens, along with the colorful flowers that bloom in summer called Christmas bush and Christmas bellflower. Some families put up a Christmas tree.

On Christmas Eve, people attend Christmas mass and on Christmas Day all families and close friends gather together from all over Australia and New Zealand for a Christmas midday dinner. As it is usually quite warm on Christmas Day, New Zealanders and Australians can eat their Christmas dinner outside. People usually have a picnic or a barbecue on the beach. Most families enjoy a traditional British Christmas dinner of roast turkey or ham and rich plum pudding doused in brandy and set aflame before it is brought to the table. The person who gets the favor baked inside will enjoy good luck all year round. In New Zealand some people have a traditional Maori hangi: they dig a hole in the ground and heat it with hot stones. Then they put meat and vegetables into this hole, cover the hole and let the food cook inside. The hangi is served in the afternoon or evening; after the delicious meal, people often sit around and sing Christmas carols.

Some New Zealanders can’t get enough of Christmas–they celebrate it twice each year: on 25 December and in July, which is mid-winter in the country. So if you go to New Zealand in July, you may find hotels and restaurants fully decorated for Christmas.

The Christmas gift giving is a popular aspect of winter holiday season in Australia and New Zealand. Christmas gifts are usually wrapped in red, green or festive wrapping paper and placed under a Christmas tree, to be opened on Christmas morning. For children, a Christmas stocking is an early-morning treat; filled with small gifts from Father Christmas, the stocking is traditionally hung at the end of the child’s bed or from the mantelpiece above the fireplace.

Personal Christmas gifts to Australia or New Zealand may include any items according to the recipient’s taste. But when choosing a business Christmas gift, it’s important to avoid highly personal and expensive items that may be perceived as bribes. Gourmet baskets filled with items unique to your home region is a great choice as well as high-quality Wine/Champagne baskets and snack or fruit baskets suitable for big companies. Imported Chocolate baskets and romantic gift boxes with plush toys and flowers are perfect for women and children and as a romantic gift.

Approach the selection of the Christmas gifts for your dear ones and business associates with all the responsibility and don’t forget that your thoughtful choice is considered more important than the actual content of the gift!

The Christmas traditions of Asia are a collection of religious practices by different religions occurring during the holiday period. Only a small part of the population of most countries in Asia belongs to Christian faith, so Christmas is not so widely celebrated there. Places where Christmas is observed people mostly follow Western customs and traditions such as attending the midnight Mass, religious services, exchanging of Christmas gifts, singing carols, decorating houses and Christmas trees with ornaments, gold paper fans, lanterns and flowers.

In Japan there is no official celebration of Christmas as less than 1% of the population is Christian. Though there is an unofficial widespread secular observance of the holiday due to the influence of the American culture. Christmas in Japan as well as Christmas in South Korea is in the first place a commercial event, celebrated mostly by the young generation and lovers. Christmas in China is also a private holiday, since the vast majority of the Chinese people are not Christian. The main winter festival in China is the Chinese New Year called the “Spring Festival,” which takes place in the end of January. In Hong Kong, on the contrary, Christmas is a big holiday, because there are Christians of most denominations. Christmas in Malaysia is both a public and a religious festival. The local Christian community here making up to 7 % of the population, observes the Advent which is a four week period before Christmas. It’s the time for prayers, Bible reading and fasting. Christmas in Thailand is hardly observed since 92% of Thai are Buddhists. There is little knowledge about the true meaning of Christmas among this nation except some well-known European Christmas customs and love for Christmas shopping.

No matter how widespread Christmas celebrations in Asia are, they are considered incomplete without beautiful Christmas gifts. Christmas gifts to Asia is the ideal way to express love and care to your friends and loved ones, and people eagerly await the arrival of Christmas gifts.

Gift giving in Asia is an intricate and important practice. Before sending a Christmas gift to Asia of any kind, you must first establish a personal relationship with the recipient. Otherwise, the gift may very well be perceived as a bribe. It’s a good idea to select a modest, inexpensive gift so that the recipient won’t feel obligated to you. The mostly appreciated Christmas gifts are Items from your home country, foreign, prestigious name-brand items, imported high-quality Spirits Baskets and Chocolate Baskets or something that reflects the interests and tastes of the recipient, e.g. Flower Basket (avoid lilies, lotus blossoms, and camellias –flowers used for funerals in Japan), Fruit Basket, Spa Basket, Tea/Coffe Basket, Gourmet Basket and others. Keep in mind, that the Christmas gift should be beautifully wrapped. Do not wrap gifts in colors such as white, blue or black as they are associated with funerals. Red, yellow, pink and green are seen as joyful colors, and are perfectly acceptable for Christmas gift wrap.

Take some time to choose a proper Christmas gift to Asia and you are sure to produce a wonderful impression on the recipient and show yourself to good advantage!