Valentine’s Day seems to divide people into two camps. One group love spoiling themselves, their friends, and their significant others by planning a special event or buying gifts. The other insist that it’s a made-up ‘Hallmark’ holiday, created and encouraged by businesses which want to tell us to buy cards, chocolate, and flowers. If you’ve been reading our blog, then you should be able to guess which side we fight for. We love Valentine’s Day - what’s wrong with having one single day a year which celebrates love? After all, it’s what keeps us all connected. The world would be a better place if there was a little more love going around, we reckon. So, to get into the spirit of things, we’ve come up with a few ideas for those readers who enjoy the 14th as much as we do.
The practice of eating out with your special someone on Valentine’s Day is an old habit, and one which not everybody will be able to shake off. However, we don’t think it’s the best way to go. Everybody else is doing it, which makes it especially difficult to book a table in your favorite romantic restaurant. What’s more, these places are businesses, and they know they’re going to be full up on the 14th each year. So what do they do? Put their prices up, of course! We suggest something different. If you like the idea of a meal together, why not cook one together at home? Alternatively, you could whip up a simple picnic and take a pleasant walk to the nearest hilltop. Who wants to be in a bustling restaurant, being pressured by a waiter who wants to get the next customers in, when you could be stargazing in the peace and quiet? Not us.
Of course, you don’t need to make a meal the central feature of your evening at all. There are a hundred other activities which, whilst not traditionally romantic, can be loads of fun when shared with your loved one. We passed a hat around the office, and had the following suggestions: laser tag, small concerts, rock climbing and skydiving (for the brave!), wine tasting events, and dance lessons. Even if you don’t think that any of these are for you, you should be able to come up with something by yourself.
The classic gifts of roses and chocolate are still appreciated, we’re sure. But that doesn’t give you a license to be lazy. If you really want your Valentine’s Day to be special, think outside the box. One simple idea is to pick a flower from somewhere and press it, adding a note to your loved one. This can then be framed and become a valued keepsake. Alternatively, as it’s still the winter, you can never go wrong with one of our snow globes. This can sit on a desk or mantelpiece all year long, giving your loved one a reminder of just how special you are!
Are you passionate about snow globes? Well we sure are so as well as regularly searching the World Wide Web for serious, funny and down-right bizarre pictures of snow globes; we thought we’d do a search on YouTube for the equivalent. Having watched a plethora of videos, here are our top five favourites.
Great YouTube Video #1 – Coca Cola 2010 Christmas Commercial
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TMwBFK2qHI
So this video isn’t the most up-to-date being two years old but we think it’s hilarious. It starts out with a guy stacking shelves in a supermarket and then zooms out to show that his little world is in a snow globe, ironically being held by Santa. Santa takes a swig of Coca-Cola from one of the iconic Cola glass bottles and starts playing around with the snow globe, tilting it from side to side. Cue the shelf stacker falling into a trolley and whizzing around the streets before ending up back at his family home and tucking into a delicious Christmas dinner. Why do we love it so much? Because Coca-Cola adverts always signal the start of Christmas excitement and it’s a clever take on snow globes – as simple as that!
Great YouTube Video #2 – 2009 Super Bowl Commercials – Doritos Snow Globe
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri5mcpLd9ts
This YouTube video made us laugh out loud so it simply had to make it onto our top five list. Again not the most current video on YouTube but with well over a million hits, we’re not the only ones who love it. The advert is set in an office and a dorky guy tells his co-worker that he has a crystal ball which his friend points out is actually a snow globe.
The dork asks the snow globe/crystal ball is there will be free Doritos and then immediately throws the globe through the window of the vending machine, providing free access to the Doritos inside for all to enjoy. If that wasn’t enough, the next clip shows the co-worker rubbing the snow globe and asking if he’ll get a promotion. Just as the guy throws the snow globe through the doorway, his boss walks in and the snow globe hits him in a rather delicate place. That’s two chuckles from us and a well-earned place in our top five.
Great YouTube Video #3 – Microwave This? Is It A Good Idea to Microwave a Snow Globe?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e368QlSDitI
We dare anyone who sees this title not to watch the video, we simply couldn’t help ourselves. This video features Jory Caron who is clearly a lover of the microwave and decides to do an experiment using a snow globe and a common kitchen microwave. We won’t spoil it by telling you exactly what happens but needless to say the snow globe doesn’t survive the ordeal intact!
Great YouTube Video #4 – The Snow Globe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucjSvZSl3nw
This video starts out a little ‘tongue in cheek’ as a CEO starts telling you a little about a free snow globe the company has had commissioned especially for their loyal clients and suppliers. At first you’re not sure whether it’s a joke or a serious video but all is soon revealed as a lab-coat clad lady starts vigorously shaking the globe and the office building itself starts to shake.
You then see a succession of clips of staff falling down stairs, toppling over and coming out of the bathroom soaking wet. What makes this video really funny is that we’re under no illusion that the people featured in the video are anything but genuine members of staff. The video concludes with the CEO scrapping the snow globe gift idea and telling you all about the company’s dedication to charity work.
Great YouTube Video #5 – Snow Globe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR6xGufBzbU
The final snow globe video in our top five line up is totally different from the rest. This video features 3D animation of a year in the life of a Christmas tree. It has been done as if the tree is inside a snow globe for a festive feel. We love this video as it’s so serene and the music on the video is delightful.
So there you have it, five of our favourite YouTube videos featuring snow globes. We hope you’ve enjoyed it.
We are just a few short days away from Father’s Day. The Snomee team is scrambling to find the “perfect” gift for the men they love. So, what are we giving the men who raised us and the men who care for our children? Here are our top five favorite gift giving ideas for this special holiday.
I had a family photo made of my children and I (plus the dog and guinea pigs!) for the special father in our life. He got a kick out of seeing the funny shots of me trying to get EVERYONE to look at the camera. Have the photo printed and framed. It will make a great addition to his desk or man cave.
It’s summer time and if your dad or husband love to grill out, it’s the perfect time to add on to his personal BBQ kit. You can easily create your own kit by adding an apron, his favorite bbq sauces and the latest in grilling tools. Your dad will never leave his backyard!
Choose something for dad that he would LOVE to have but you know he’d never buy for himself. These items are typically the pricier ones but worth that moment when he opens his special gift. Does he have a favorite clothing designer? Or what about golf lessons? Tip: Get your children to pitch in. It IS their father after all. What about the allowance money they got last week for cutting the grass? It’s the thought that counts and while $10 may not even cover the shipping.....your child is learning about GIVING.
Are you at a complete loss at what to buy dear dad? How about a gift card?!?!? Gift cards have become the go-to gift when you’re running out of time or just don’t know what to give someone. Why not choose a gift card to his favorite sports shop or home improvement store? You can’t go wrong with giving him the chance to choose his own gift.
They may not be available just yet but it’s never too early to think of next year.Why not include your gift card in the hidden compartment of a Snomee? This unique gift is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only will dad be surprised by the thoughtfulness but he will forever cherish the snow globe that will remind him of Father’s Day 2013. What is your favorite gift idea for dad?
You’ve read our posts, seen graphics and even behind the scenes photos. We are now thrilled to share with you what happened when New York City met our Snomees. As you watch the video, you’ll see the curiosity of random individuals as we show them the Snomee snow globe. You’ll then see the complete surprise as they discover the hidden compartment designed especially for a gift card. The smiles on their faces say it all. “That’s CUTE” says one New Yorker.
Another says “I did not expect that!!!”.Many of whom we approached said they’d definitely give gift cards to loved ones by using the Snomee, a unique gift for all ages. Now that we’re showing actual video of our beloved Snomees, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Do you think it’s time to throw away those dull gift card envelopes and boxes? It won’t be long til you can get your hands on this special item, the Snomee launches VERY soon! In just a few short weeks, the Snomee will officially launch on Kickstarter.
This will be the only way you can get your hands on one of these adorable gifts by Christmas. Be one of the first to give a Snomee. You’ll be the best Secret Santa ever!
It’s hard to believe it’s Mother’s Day already! It feels as though we were just celebrating the women in our life just yesterday but the calendar doesn’t lie . Mother’s Day is once again right around the corner.
It is time to sit down to start on the list of boring gift ideas, which I’m certain is the same list you came up with last year. You’ve given her flowers, cards and chocolates for so long that they’ve lost all meaning. You have no idea what perfume she wears, her shoe OR her dress size. Basically, you are stuck.
If you are one of the few who keeps up with his/her mother’s clothing sizes, it’s pointless. Those gifts are boring and can’t be a cherished keepsake item.
The one gift idea that keeps popping up in your head, making its way to the top of your list? The gift card! It’s practical and convenient. Right?! OF COURSE IT IS but you’ve done that before as well. The great thing is, by 2013 you’ll have a new idea, a more exciting idea. You will have the Snomee.
For those of you that don’t know the Snomee- it is a snow globe with a secret compartment underneath the globe (in the base) to store one gift card. The Snomee makes the whole gift giving process much more memorable and meaningful. Your mother will undoubtedly appreciate this out-of-the-box idea.
This gift dome is really special and unlike anything else. Even after your mother uses her gift card to purchase whatever her heart desires, she will still have this snow globe to remind her of this wonderful gesture. Not only is this gift practical but it’s unique-surely to be remembered by the receiver.
This imaginative design has revolutionized the way that people will give gifts. One of the best things is that this will be a new addition to the gift market by Mother’s Day 2013 which will make the moment even more memorable. She’ll be the only mother on the block with such a thoughtful gift.
These snow globes are designed magnificently to rival any other. The cute and funny little characters inside are ideal for Mothers Day. With eleven different snow globe designs, you can pick something that fits your mother’s personality.
If your mother collects snow globes, then this gift dome will be even more of a great idea. If she doesn't, how many people do you know that don’t light up when they shake a snow globe?
Snomee will be available in late 2012 for purchase. If you are just browsing the net for ideas then remember Snomee for Mother’s Day 2013.
Snomee - shaking up your gift card moment.
