Latest news with #giftgiving
Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
The thank you letter is dying. Here's how to write the perfect one
When I was growing up, the moment I finished opening my birthday or Christmas presents, my mother would press stationery into my hands and urge me to write my thank you notes. She even kept a detailed logbook. But in this digital age, is the proper handwritten thank you letter becoming a lost art? That would be a real shame on two counts. It's a lovely way to show your appreciation for someone's hospitality or gfit-giving. But, more selfishly, it can benefit the thank-you-note sender. A new study published in the journal PLOS One suggests that writing a grateful missive can actually enhance our mental well-being. 'It definitely gives you a justified feeling of virtue,' says Liz Wyse, the editor of Debrett's. 'Also if you're projecting positivity, and taking the time to savour a pleasant recollection of a good evening, that boosts your own mood. It's a win-win.' From tone and timing to enlisting a reluctant child or spouse, Wyse offers her expert advice on the etiquette of the thank you note. Keep it short and sweet A thank you letter needn't be inordinately lengthy, advises Wyse. 'The old-fashioned formula still applies: open with your thanks, being specific about why you appreciated the gift or hospitality, then move out into something more general, and come back for a reiterated thanks and sign-off. It shouldn't just be a bald thank you, so include some news or chit-chat, but you can do all of that in two or three paragraphs.' Avoid empty clichés Wyse cautions against slipping into banal phrases such as: 'Thank you for having me, I had a lovely time.' She explains: 'It has the effect of sounding very dutiful and uninspired.' The tone of your letter should reflect your existing relationship, she adds. 'You will probably communicate very differently with your grandmother than your best friend.' So while you might begin both with a simple 'Dear...', she explains, you could then be more informal in your phrasing with a friend, such as referencing a shared long-running joke, to make it part of an ongoing conversation. Wyse recommends picking out a specific aspect you enjoyed and injecting a note of real enthusiasm, punctuated with an exclamation mark: 'You made my favourite dessert even better by adding fresh berries from your garden – what a treat!' Crucially, your letter shouldn't sound rote – or AI-generated. Your sign-off should sum up the spirit of your letter. Don't even think about deploying a boring 'Best wishes' or 'Yours sincerely'. Instead opt for the warm, affectionate 'Much love'.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The 36 Best Father's Day Gifts For Husbands, According To Our Own Spouses
Procuring the best gift for your one and only is no easy task: What do you get the guy who has it all—and does it all? Our gifting experts sought out the best Father's Day gifts for husbands that show how much you adore him as a dad and as a partner. He obviously has everything he could ask for already: you and the kids, who are probably hard at work as we speak crafting some adorable, sentimental present that will be hard to top. But guess what? No one knows him as well as you do, and that means you're already ahead of the gift-giving curve. We've gathered the best Father's Day gifts for your husband that show how much you appreciate him as ... More a dad and as a partner. Still, like most dads, if he's not the type who's been dropping hints about his wish list, it can be nearly impossible to choose a starting point. There are so many categories to choose from, especially for the multifaceted guy who's a fan of everything from golf and grilling to craft beer and the latest tech gadgets. To get your shopping started, we've found 36 of the best Father's Day gifts for husbands, according to the men in our lives, that will show some major love to your spouse come June 15. And if you're looking for even more gift-giving inspiration, check out our guides to the best Father's Day gifts for every type of dad. Boarderie Any charcuterie-loving husband will be pleased to be presented with this pre-made Father's Day platter from Boarderie. The ready-to-eat assortment comes artfully arranged on a wood serving board—which makes things easy on you, too—and is overflowing with enough cheeses, meats, dried fruits and snacks that he won't even know where to begin. Although he should probably start with the slices of white cheddar that spell out '#1 Dad.' Managing editor Emmy Favilla notes how much her husband loves receiving these boards: "My husband is a huge charcuterie fan, and he loved this Boarderie assortment. All the meats and cheeses were fresh, and even the smallest size board comes with a varied array of goodies, including delicious olives and rosemary crackers. It's the gift that keeps on giving (for a few days in your fridge)." Filson If your husband is a man on the move, he'll appreciate and adore a good-looking yet rugged briefcase that fits his personal style. Surprisingly light, yet crafted of premium waxed duck canvas with leather hangs and a woven shoulder strap, this bag is equal parts attractive and durable. Inside you'll find plenty of zippered and stow pockets, plus a padded compartment for a 15-inch laptop and any other accessories he needs. My fiancé has owned this bag for over a year and raves about how much he loves the look and the functionality. He'll never go back to a traditional briefcase. Courtesy Not only does this portable cooler fit perfectly in the seat behind you while you're on a road trip, but it's still big enough to tote along all the essentials. It's even tall enough to fit a chilled bottle of wine. Our editors (and their husbands) love Yeti coolers for their innovative, spill-proof design and ability to keep all our favorite beverages chilled for hours. ASSOULINE If he loves the moody vibe of a good candle, he'll love Assouline's Library Collection. This leather scent replicates the nostalgia of a roaring fire paired with the masculine scent of polished mahogany, perfect for a library or his home office. The elevated amber-glass vessel seals the deal. I had been burning this candle in our home for several weeks until I noticed it went missing—only to discover it in my fiancé's office. Harry & David Show your husband some love and thank him for being the best dad ever with Harry & David's Seven Days of Dad Jokes gift box. Each hidden compartment opens to reveal delicious snacks—caramel popcorn, trail mix, cookies, hickory-smoked sausage, cheese and more—and is labeled with a sweet but cheesy dad joke. Courtesy He can finally ditch his phone and use the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to take photos and videos, chat with Meta AI, listen to music and more—all through voice commands, a tiny touchpad or the capture button. They function as regular glasses, too. Read our full tested review of these innovative shades that will easily earn you the 'Wife of the Year' award. Bespoke Post If your husband loves a gift that keeps on giving, then one of the best subscription boxes for dads is the answer. This Bespoke Post bundle is specifically geared toward his interests, and after he fills out an initial quiz, he'll receive a monthly box of goods with everything from barware and travel essentials to clothing and accessories. The entire assortment will be based on his preferences, and he can even preview what's in each box (and can update his color and size choices). Parkit This is, without a doubt, the ultimate dad chair. Parkit's popular Voyager Outdoor Chair is ready to join your husband on all of his summer adventures, from the beach to the woods. The performance seat was designed for maximum comfort and element-resistant durability—plus, it folds up into a backpack for easy carrying and has an integrated insulated cooler that will keep his beer cold for more than eight hours. Courtesy Lightweight, stylish and incredibly resistant, the Tumi International Carry-On will be his go-to piece of luggage every time he packs from now on. Bonus points for the built-in USB-C charging port, the recessed dual spinner wheels to glide easily through the airport and a convenient zipper expansion so he can fit all the gifts he bought on his travels to bring back home to you. Halfday A convenient travel bag is always a good idea, especially for the guy who tends to throw everything in his suitcase without giving it too much thought. Halfday's hybrid duffel allows for an effortless packing experience, thanks to its innovative design: an outer garment bag compartment—which can fit a suit or tux—zips closed and around to create a spacious interior for the rest of his clothes and shoes. It could also be a great gym bag for the husband who heads straight to the office post-workout. Eberjey As much as we're sure you love his well-worn sweats, step up his loungewear game with a fresh pair of pajamas this Father's Day. This set from Eberjey is great for summer, featuring a short-sleeve crewneck and relaxed pants, both made from a soft and breathable modal-spandex blend. It also happens to be the ideal outfit for family time on the couch. Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. If your caffeine-loving husband is also a dog lover, the Sunny Spot Cold Brew Essentials set from Grounds & Hounds will win him over. It comes with a cold brew maker, a bag of special-blend coffee (whole bean or ground), a set of reusable metal straws and a dog-decorated glass for sipping frosty java. As with every G&H purchase, a portion of proceeds are donated to helping shelter dogs, which makes this gift even more thoughtful. Snake River Farms This mouthwatering limited-edition gift box features a Smithey No. 12 skillet with its signature polished interior (the ultimate pan for searing steaks) alongside four Snake River Farms Black filet mignon steaks and a garlic and black pepper salt set. The Original Craft Beer Club One of the many wonderful things about a subscription box is the joy it delivers on repeat, long after the holiday has passed. Your hubby will love receiving this monthly delivery of 12 different craft beers on his doorstep—each shipment featuring four unique styles—from small breweries in the U.S. You can choose between bottles or cans based on his preference, and the frequency is customizable. Goldbelly The foodie dad will appreciate this monthly subscription box from Goldbelly, featuring a rotating selection of delectable meals from popular and award-winning restaurants around the country. From spicy barbecue feasts to Dad's favorite toasted bagel and schmear, you can choose from savory or sweet—or a combo of both—to be delivered to his door at the beginning of each month. The Spice House The griller in the family will love to experiment with this collection of seasonings from The Spice House. The set features eight specialty blends created in collaboration with James Beard Award–winning pitmaster Rodney Scott, so you can rest assured there will be plenty of delicious family barbecue nights this summer. Shinola If your hubby is sporty but stylish and always seeking out his next adventure, the Duck sporting timepiece will be right up his alley. Shinola has reimagined their best-selling adventure-proof, water-resistant sport watch in vibrant new colors like this yellow rubber strap with basket weave texture. He'll love the stainless-steel case with a screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel, sapphire crystal dial and custom caseback featuring an etching of the Duck's namesake in action. Mark & Graham For the husband who—outside of family time—is happiest on the golf course, what could be better than a personalized gift related to his favorite hobby? This set from Mark & Graham includes a dozen golf balls that feature a custom monogram, as well as dozen tees and pencils, all housed in a personalized display case that's sure to make his golf buddies jealous. Foot Locker Add some spring to your husband's step with On's Cloudswift 3 AD sneakers. Whether he wears them on his daily run or just on errands, he'll be as comfortable as can be, thanks to the brand's signature CloudTec cushioning—so you already know that they're going to become his new go-to. Amazon Even if he isn't training for a marathon, your husband will appreciate this air compression system from Hyperice. The ultimate wellness tool, it uses precision pulse technology to massage overworked leg muscles, increase circulation and reduce swelling. Plus, he'll just feel downright cool when he kicks back and zips it up. Amazon Petite and sturdy, with big sound and a long 18-hour battery life, the brushed-aluminum Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 is just over 5 inches in diameter yet packs a tweeter and a woofer. The device's IP67 water-resistance rating, handy water-repellent leather cord and nine color choices make it an ideal accessory to tote on the go, so he can take it to the driving range or the tennis courts no matter what the forecast is calling for. 'Even at top volume, its performance—and in particular, the bass—remained loud, powerful and clear when playing music,' our tester says. Oura Ring If he's obsessed with his sleep and his steps, and also wants a heads-up that he's under the weather, get him the Oura Ring 4, a titanium smart ring that collects data on more than 20 biometrics—like heart rate, blood oxygen and activity—and sends insights to an app to help improve your health. For example, it crunches sleep data to create a custom sleep schedule, and it tracks stress levels to detect when you need a meditation break. Recess Pickleball Whether he's already a pickleball pro or just sussing out his interest in America's fastest-growing sport, this set from Recess will be a winner. It includes two durable patterned paddles from the brand's collection and three pickleballs, so he'll be ready to hit the courts in style. Choose from more than a dozen colors and patterns or design a custom paddle. Municipal Your husband can take on the world in these training shorts from Municipal. The Mark Wahlberg–founded company's performance wear is perfect for any and all activities, made from lightweight, breathable materials with added stretch for extra-active dads. They're extremely versatile in basic black, but they also come in brighter colors that might appeal to the dad with bolder style. Amazon Once he gets his mitts (er, roots) on this incredibly refreshing-smelling shampoo and conditioner set from Nécessaire, he'll surely be cured of his college grooming habit, when the 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash was his only shower staple. Scentbird For dapper dads who always smell nice, consider a Scentbird cologne subscription that lets him test out new scents. This e-gift will arrive in his inbox on the date of your choosing or instantly (making it a perfect last-minute Father's Day gift). From there, he can take a scent quiz to receive a curated package with colognes picked just for him. Amazon The Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige will be a major upgrade to your husband's disposable razor. He'll get the shave of his dreams, thanks to its Ultraflex Suspension System and SenseIQ technology, which will adapt to the density of his hair and the contours of his face to match the direction of hair growth. He'll feel—and look—better than ever. Amazon If your hubby loves his hygiene, he'll appreciate this highly customizable—yet intuitive and easy-to-adjust—Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser, which has two modes (Floss and Massage) and 10 pressure settings. We voted it our best water flosser of 2025 for those reasons, among many others. Courtesy If your hubby is constantly dipping into your bathroom drawer for your high-end skincare products, it's time to give a gift to you both and get him his own. This hydration-boosting discovery set from Laneige is the perfect gateway kit so he can try a little bit of everything and reap the benefits of softer, smoother skin without stealing from your own stash. MEATER US My fiancé takes his grilling quite seriously, so he's become obsessed with the Meater Pro Duo, a smart meat thermometer with built-in WiFi that perfectly cooks meat with no guesswork involved. Amazon His MagSafe-compatible iPhone will never be low on battery again once you introduce him to Courant's spiffy MAG:2 charging stand. He'll be able to wirelessly charge his phone upright at his desk thanks to its magnetic technology, making for more convenient (and productive) FaceTimes with you and the kids while he's at work. Choose from an assortment of fabrics (leather and linen) and neutral hues. Samsung Electronics You know when it's time to replace the TV—and if you've been putting off the search for a new one, take this as a sign. Surprise your husband with Samsung's The Frame Smart TV; when he's not busy watching his favorite sports, shows and movies, it'll hang flush against the wall while displaying a photo or artwork of your choosing. Gozney US Both you and he will benefit from the gift of homemade pies being churned out in a matter of minutes with this innovative and portable pizza oven from Gozney. Lightweight—and featuring a robust accessory system—this gadget is one he'll love to fire up, whether he's at home in the backyard or cooking out of the bed of his truck on a camping excursion with the guys. Courtesy If your husband loves a good movie night or always has golf on in the background, he'll be overjoyed with the Sonos Arc Ultra Premium Smart Soundbar, a sleek speaker that delivers powerful surround sound in the comfort of your own living room. Mount-It! Help him organize his most prized possession—his garage—with this space-saving bike mount, crafted from high-strength steel and compatible with most bike types, including road bikes, mountain bikes and BMX bikes up to 55 pounds. MÄNNKITCHEN No more peppery dust mess when Dad is seasoning his steaks: This professional-grade pepper grinder cranks out a consistent stream of pepper, thanks to an innovative design that eliminates uneven grinding. Looking for more inspiration? We have several guides to help you find the best Father's Day gifts for all the father figures on your list.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
The unusual gift Prince Edward received from a Canadian leader - and why the Queen called the country her 'second home'
What do you give the person who has it all? This was the question Canadian Premier Gary Doer was faced with when Prince Edward came to visit. As a Commonwealth realm, Canada has a strong relationship with the British Monarchy. The prince met families of Canadian military serving in Afghanistan as part of a three-day visit to Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, as part of a royal tour in June 2008. His visit included meeting with the Premier, military families and presenting awards at the Children's Hospital. The usual gift for such occasions is a soapstone carving which tell stories, preserve cultural traditions and represent important beliefs and values. Famously the Queen was given a gift of five trumpeter swans for her coronation in 1952. But Manitoba's Premier had a gift in mind that would hark back to centuries-old tradition and honour the prince's two young children. The Premier presented the prince with a pair of framed notices naming two lakes in the central Canadian province after his children. Edward had recently welcomed his second child, James – now the Earl of Wessex. Lady Louise was four years old at the time and the children grew up largely out of the spotlight. The gift followed a centuries-old tradition of naming cities and landmarks after royalty. And Manitoba has lakes named after the Queen's six other grandchildren. Also in the province are Lakes Prince William, Prince Henry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips. Edward was given this gift in honour of his visit to Churchill in northern Manitoba in 1990 For a long time, members of the Royal Family named places in Canada after themselves. Queen Victoria has more namesakes in Canada than any other royal – even though she never visited. And there is another Lake Louise in Canada which was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter. She became the first princess to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the province of Alberta is also named for Princess Louise. In 1878, her husband, John Campbell, Lord Lorne, became governor general of Canada and they moved to Ottawa. The couple played a key role in the creation of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the National Gallery of Canada and took part in the first royal tour of British Columbia. The princess wrote in 1924: 'I am intensely proud of this beautiful and wonderful Province being called after me, and that my husband should have thought of it.' In June 2008, also among the 300 guests keen to catch a glimpse of Edward were two young children from military families who presented the prince with cuddly polar bears for his own children. The Vancouver Sun wrote at the time: 'Recognising that two children – even royal ones – wouldn't have much use for a piece of parchment, Doer also called upon two children of Manitoba soldiers to present the prince with two plush polar bears in honour of his visit to Churchill in northern Manitoba in 1990.' Edward reportedly said he hoped one day his children would get to see a real polar bear in the wilds of northern Manitoba, as he himself had in the past. The prince's mother, the late Queen, loved Canada and often called it her 'second home'. The Queen made 22 official visits to Canada in her 70-year-reign, and one as Princess Elizabeth – more than any other country outside the UK. On her death, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said: 'The Queen had a deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians. 'She was our queen for almost half of Canada's existence and was one of my favorite people in the world.' Perhaps because of this, Edward turned to his mother, who was honorary commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), when it came to picking a gift when he returned to the country the following year. In 2009 he gifted a 16-month-old yellow Labrador called Suzanna to the RCMP, of which the Queen was Commissioner-in-Chief, during a ceremony in Alberta. He said that the Queen picked Suzanna's name in honour of the 1936 novel by Canadian author Muriel Denison. There is a longstanding relationship between the Royal Family and the RCMP. The force gifted eight horses to the Queen since 1969, including four that are still alive today. Her first horse given, presented in 1969, was a black mare named Burmese. Burmese was reportedly her favourite horse, and she rode her at Trooping the Colour for 18 consecutive years, from 1969 to 1986. The four surviving horses – George, Elizabeth, Derby and Sir John, led her funeral procession. But after training as a bomb-sniffing dog, Suzanna retired in 2013 after it became apparent her 'docile temperament' was not a fit for police work. The prince returned to Manitoba with his wife Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh, in June 2016 to award the Duke of Edinburgh's International certificates. This was Edward's 38th visit to Canada and Sophie's first visit to Manitoba. As their daughter Lady Louise approaches her final year at university, it is expected she will step into the spotlight. The young royal shares many similar traits with her grandmother, the late Queen, from her love for animals to her appearance. She may also share Elizabeth's love for Canada and we may see a Royal Visit to her namesake lake in the future.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
From elephants to inline skates, a history of foreign gifts to presidents
For most people, exchanging gifts is reserved for special occasions: birthdays, holidays, graduations. For presidents, it happens nearly every day. Many presents that reach the White House's gifts office come from citizens of the United States and other countries, according to the National Archives and Records Administration. More elaborate are the gifts of state — those given to presidents and first family members by foreign leaders in the name of diplomacy.
