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A truly personal Anniversary Gift is a letter of love.
Apart from proving to a loved one that you can write, it’s also a unique gift and an item that can be treasured for ever.
We’ve put together 5 top hints and tips that might be helpful.

1) Stationary
Use quality writing paper and a good pen for your final piece - i.e. it’s always best to practice on scrap paper first as this allows for errors and gives you the opportunity to make changes. Quality materials (paper, envelope, pen) are available from good stationers and we also sell a pretty stationary box for such occasions under Paper Anniversary Gifts on our website.

2) Beginning the letter
Begin informally, with an endearing greeting such as ‘My darling William…’ or ‘My dearest Alice’, using their first name, or pet name.
Then start by telling your loved one the reason for writing. Be bold and not timid. Don’t belittle yourself by saying, ‘you must think I’m mad’, or offend them by saying, ‘you probably don’t think this way’.

3) The Main Letter
Don’t be too casual, this letter will be one of respect that tries to convey hard to express emotions and you want it to be treated in the manner in which it was created. Be sincere and confident in expressing how you feel.
The following ideas are also useful to include:

• recall the time you first met.
• remember special times shared.
• tell them how you feel when your apart.
• highlight the things you like about them and what sets them apart from others.

4) Ending the Letter
Close with a positive and upbeat paragraph, ‘The times that I have known you have been the happiest…’, and then end with a heartfelt goodbye such as, ‘All my love, forever…’

5) That Little Extra
Add a small gift, it doesn’t have to be expensive (flower petals / a photo of you / or tickets for an event).
Another unique idea is to get a photo of the 2 of you created as the stamp on the letter - this is available from Royal Mail’s website details of which can be found here.

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Flowers make great Anniversary Presents and they’re readily available, but what makes a perfect bouquet?

We’ve put together 5 Top Tips to make the buying process easier and offer
advice on how you can avoid any pitfalls, so that you come up smelling of…
you get the picture!

1) Look for Freshness!
The stems should be strong and firm, the leaves green. Any hint of browning or crushed stalks and the flowers are already on their way out.

2) Unopened buds.
A fully opened bouquet looks great, but it’s not going to stay that way long. Make sure that the majority of the flower heads are in bud, or just opening.

3) Colours.
Stop a minute and try to remember what your lover likes. Are they into pastels or bold colours? Try to choose something that fits their personality and don’t go fo the most obvious or flashy display on offer.

4) Scent.
The first thing most people do when presented with a bouquet is smell it. Aim to buy flowers that have a pleasant aroma.

5) Packaging.
Check to ensure that it isn’t soggy or torn. Bad presentation can ruin the entire gesture.

Of course, if you really want to impress with a safe choice, then why not pick from one of our selection of fresh bouquets. We source these from a top UK supplier who has a fantastic attention to detail that will ensure your gift lights up a loved one’s day!

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In anticipation of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 60th (Diamond) Wedding Anniversary next month, Royal Mail are issuing a series of stamps with images that span the 6 decades of their marriage.

HM The Queen becomes the first reigning Sovereign to celebrate her Diamond Wedding Anniversary and the royal couple will attend a service of celebration at Westminster Abbey on Monday November 19 - the day before their anniversary.

The Diamond Wedding Anniversary stamps are available at post offices throughout the UK or via the Royal Mail website at www.royalmail.com

COUPLES celebrating their Diamond Wedding anniversary in 2007 are invited to a special event at Winchester Cathedral next month. The service will be hosted by the Dean and Chapter of Winchester Cathedral and is open to all couples who were married in 1947 and who live in Hampshire.

Starting the day by making your lover breakfast is a great way to show them you care and it doesn’t have to cost you the earth…

Heart-shaped poached eggs on toast is a healthy, tasty and easy dish to make that sets you up for the rest of the day and looks great on a tray.

Equipment that you’ll need:
Frying pan, Butter, Eggs, Amore Cookie Cutters (from our Tin Anniversary Gifts), Salt & Pepper, Bread

1) Fill the frying pan with water so that it’s 2 inch’s deep and bring to the boil.
2) Take the 2 largest Amore Cookie Cutters and smear some butter on the inside (this is to stop the egg sticking) then place in the pan of boiling water and reduce to a simmer.
3) Crack an egg inside each cookie cutter. The amount of time you leave them in the water determines the hardness of the yoke - generally speaking: 4 mins for a firm yoke, 3 for medium and 2 if you like them runny.

4) Pop the toast in the toaster and have a plate ready on a tray, perhaps with a cup of tea or coffee.
5) Once the toast pops, spread on some butter and check the eggs.

6) Once they look done, scoop them out with a slotted spoon so that the water drains and add to the toast.
7) Season with salt and pepper and then carry the food and drink on a tray to the sleeping beauty.

That’s amore!

A Scottish man has received the gift of a new kidney on the eve of his wedding anniversary it was announced this week.
The UK’s first paired Kidney transplant - meaning two unrelated couples have donated and received kidneys from each other, has been carried out. Incredibly this has only been possible since 1st September 2006, when the Human Tissue Act (HTA) was amended. Prior to this patients could only receive a live transplant from a relative or close friend.

There are about 6,500 people awaiting a new kidney in the UK and enduring regular dialysis, but last year around only 2,000 transplants were completed. The couples hope by publicising their involvement that it will encourage other’s to sign up to the register, of which there are only 31 pairs so far.

Further information and links to the HTA can be found by clicking HERE.