Americans (well, most anyway) love to shop. Could be the socialization, or maybe it’s just an escape from life’s everyday routine.

But we recently added a fun “Power Shopper” sign that would make a great gift for someone that you know who loves to shop.

And just because you took the time to read our blog, we’ll give you $5 off that “Shopper” sign if you order by August 31, 2008. Be sure to use coupon code pshop5 at checkout. Afterall, if you’re reading this, maybe you’re a power shopper?

But have you considered that even though shipping prices are getting a bit higher too, they may save still us money?

When you order online, you’re saving the cost of driving your car to and from downtown or the shopping mall. You’re saving time too. Time that could be spent with your family, your friends, or a nice long bubble bath.

According to a study done by AAA and published in March in 2007, the average cost to drive a car one mile was 52.2 cents. And that was a year ago! But let’s use those “cheaper” gas prices of 2007. That means, it would cost you $10.44 LAST year to make a round trip 10 miles each way to your favorite mall. Now add your time, and remember that maybe you found what you wanted, and maybe you didn’t.

Shopping online is still a great value. You get great gift choices that you often can’t find locally, can order what you want, and can shop 24 hours a day from the convenience of your home or office.

So next time you shop online, know that you just might be saving more than you’re spending!

For a limited time, we are offering $20 off any stepping stone, or engraved rock (medium or large size only) IF you use one of the over 100 dog breed images we have available on your stone. The catch? We will use a picture of your finished stone on our website.

Offer is first come, so will be available for a limited time. Use the coupon code dogstone at checkout when your order your stone.

Offer good only for items over $50 when the above words are included with your engraving.

At checkout, use coupon code mom to get your savings.

Offer ends April 30, 2008.

Your groomsmen and bridal attendants are important people in your life. When purchasing an engraved gift for them, you make their gift personal, and that’s always appreciated.

Popular ideas for engraving include names, nick names, and short pharses with special meanings. Many brides and grooms are purchasing gifts for mom and dad too these days.

But there is one mistake we see often. We frequently see YOUR wedding date on THEIR gift. We suggest skipping this. Though your wedding day is important to them, it is your big day and not theirs. Keep the gift personal by making it important to them. They’ll get more use from the gift, and you’ll still have a thoughtful and affordable gift of thanks for your bridal party.

Each teacher may teach between 20-150 students every school year. When choosing a gift to thank a teacher for their hard work in the face of long hours, challenging students and tedious testing requirements, creativity goes a long way! For ideas on the perfect gift, pay attention when going to school open-houses and parent-teacher conferences. The way your child’s teacher dresses, decorates the classroom, and things on their desk are clues to their personality. Use these clues to lead you to a perfect gift. Be personal, yet not intrusive in your gift giving. Following are ideas available for every interest and hobby.

–A stepping stone for a teacher’s garden, engraved with an inspirational quote and the year makes a wonderful gift.

–A picnic backpack for when the teacher escapes school for the weekend!

–A gift card for a local restaurant or spa gives the gift of relaxation.

–A letter to the local paper copied to the school board, and the school principle shows true appreciation for a teacher’s hard work.

Always check with your school first, as some schools may have restrictions on gifts to staff.

Whatever gift you choose, your effort to make the gift personal, and honestly show gratitude for the teacher’s time and talents goes a long way. Everyone who works long, hard hours appreciates it when someone notices how hard they try. And some teachers really do make a difference.

Applications for the 2008 Epic Teacher Award are being accepted through April 8th, 2008.

To create a piece of art that will be forever part of a garden, consider your recipient’s interests beyond gardening. If your intended loves to read, a quote by Dickinson or Frost is in order. If the family’s faithful feline hangs out in the garden, an engraved cat silhouette pays tribute to this “gardening assistant.” (Every chipmunk chased away, is a lily flower saved!) Golfing fanatics will smile when receiving a series of stones with “birdie,” “fore” and “Hole in One” engraved into them.

Personalized stepping stones make great gifts for non-gardeners as well. Commemorate special occasions by having a stepping stone engraved. Celebrate a new birth with the newborn’s name and date. Help new couples remember their wedding, and a proud bowler his first perfect game! Engraved stepping stones in landscape beds near a house’s front door tell stories of the family inside, each a reminder of important life events. The gift of an engraved garden stepping stone for a special occasion will be appreciated long after the event, and will give the best gift of all. Each time the recipient steps over the stone, it will conjure memories of joyous times past.