If you’re shopping for a gift for your Dad for Father’s Day for 3 September, or getting started on Christmas gift-shopping, give yourself and your wallet a break between 3-27 August 2011.

During this period, Mercury will be retrograde – first in Virgo, from 3-8 August, and then in Leo from 8-27 August.

Buying items during Mercury retrograde times is prime time for selecting items which have the wrong size, colour, shape, model, specifications, or which don’t work as they’re meant to.

Mercury in Virgo retrograde (3-8 August) suggests you could have a particular issue with DIY power tools, gym or office equipment, clothing,craft kits, health products or any “organiser” type items as Virgo rules all of these areas. If you intend to buy anything like this for your Dad for Father’s Day, either buy it before 3 August, or wait until 27 August at the very least. If not, you could well be back to the store (online or bricks-and-mortar) requesting a refund, repair or exchange when Mercury fully retraces it steps  on 12 September.

Mercury in Leo retrograde (8-27 August) is rife for problems with toys, games, children’s items, romantic gifts, sports equipment, entertainment, hair products, and anything at all to do with glamour. Whether you’re buying your Dad for Father’s Day – or anyone anything for an anniversary, birthday, engagement, or Christmas, take enormous care that you select the item carefully if buying it at the mall, or that you enter all details precisely if buying online. Or someone could be wanting to refund, repair or regift it!

Right now, during the height of the season—the shopping season, that is—seems as good a time as any to ponder the deeper meaning of shopping, with the help of 10 insightful quotes:

SHOPPING AS ENTERTAINMENT
“Shopping will continue to be this nation’s highest form of entertainment.” – Toys R Us CEO Jerry Storch

SHOPPING AS CONTACT SPORT
“Shopping is a woman thing. It’s a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.” — Erma Bombeck

SHOPPING AS PERSONAL EXPRESSION
“Whether for a plant, a pair of pumps, or a political candidate, shopping is a way we search for ourselves and our place in the world. Though often conducted in the most public of spaces, it’s essentially an intimate and personal experience – as we taste, touch, sift, consider, and talk our way through myriad possibilities. Shopping involves searching not only externally, as in a store, but internally, through memory and desire. It’s a vehicle for self-expression, self-definition, creativity, even healing – an interactive process in which we dialogue with people, places, things, and parts of ourselves.” – April Lane Benson, Ph.D., author of  To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop

SHOPPING AS DRUG
“For millions of us on the whirling dance floor, shopping became a way to pick ourselves up after a tough day at work and a source of entertainment on weekends. Mindless accumulation proved as satisfying as any drug.” – Andrew Benett & Ann O’Reilly, authors of  Consumed: Rethinking Business in the Era of Mindful Spending

SHOPPING AS (DUBIOUS) STRESS RELIEVER
“Shopping relieves stress … However, like with new toys on Christmas morning, the feeling quickly fades and is replaced by more stress and guilt as they are left to deal with the consequences.” – Dr. Brad Klontz, co-author of  Mind Over Money

SHOPPING AS SUBSTITUTE FOR THERAPY
“I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” – Tammy Faye Baker

SHOPPING AS PATH TO HAPPINESS
“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” — Bo Derek

SHOPPING AS CHILDLIKE EXPLORATION
“The purest example of human shopping I know of can be seen by watching a child go through life touching absolutely everything. You’re watching that child shop for information, for understanding, for knowledge, for experience, for sensation. Especially for sensation, otherwise why would he have to touch or smell or taste or hear anything twice? Keep looking: Watch a dog. Watch a bird. Watch a bug. You might say the ant is searching for suitable food. I say he is shopping.” – Paco Underhill, author of  Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping

SHOPPING AS … A WHOLE MESS OF UNHEALTHY STUFF
“Shopping was my escape, my friend, my balm, my release, my pacifier, my pleasure, my secret, my pastime, my kill time, my fantasy, my reality, my recreation, my therapy, my drug, my stimulant, my lover, my memory, my link with the past, my trip to the future.” – Avis Cardella, author of  Spent: Memoirs of a Shopping Addict

SHOPPING AS TORTURE
“I represent millions of men who look at holiday shopping the same way they do a drug-free colonoscopy. Or, worse, being trapped in a room with a TV that has only one channel and, even worse, plays only ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ reruns over and over.” — Lt. Steve Rose, who writes the View from a Cop blog in Atlanta

Despite the strong start to the holiday shopping season, the majority of Americans only completed about half of their holiday shopping in the final days leading up to Christmas, a new study has found.

This is not the first survey to show that shoppers still have plenty of gifts left to buy, but this one shows shoppers may be more prepared for the holiday at this point than they were a year ago at the same time.

In the latest poll—a survey conducted by BigResearch for industry trade group the National Retail Federation—the average person had completed 49.5 percent of their shopping by the second week of December, up from 46.7 percent at the same time last year.

On Tuesday, the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker survey found 84 percent of Americans still had shopping to do. That survey found that Americans were spending more on the holidays largely because they had expanded their holiday gift list, they were buying more expensive presents or they were treating themselves to items as they shopped.

With retail sales tracking ahead of last year, and more shopping left to do, these studies seem to support the growing optimism for this holiday shopping season.

The NRF took the rare step Tuesday of increasing their holiday sales forecast. The group now expects sales to rise 3.3 percent to $451.5 billion, up from its original forecast of a 2.3 percent increase.

The BigResearch survey, set to be released Wednesday, also found:

As Christmas falls on a Saturday, consumers only have one more weekend to shop for the holiday, and weather forecasts from Planalytics suggests that Mother Nature will cooperate and make it relatively easy for shoppers to hit the mall.

This Saturday is expected to be the busiest shopping day this month, with Christmas Eve expected to be the second busiest, the NRF said.

While most people will interpret the potential demand as a good sign for the rest of the season, there are sure to be some who will voice concern. For one, shoppers are farther along than they were last year.

Also, last year there were quite a large number of Americans who said they had not finished their holiday shopping even by Christmas Day.

That’s because while it is human nature to procrastinate, delayed purchases also can be a sign of financial stress among consumers. This is especially true when you observe that a majority of consumers told BigResearch that they were using cash, checks or debit cards to do their purchasing. Less than one-third, some 31.1 percent, used credit cards to buy gifts.

But other signs are pointing to a merrier holiday for retailers. Consumers were saving and planning for the holidays and are using the season as a time to stock up on items they have wanted for a long while.

The American Express survey appears to back that assumption, considering the number of people who reporting they are spending more. About 26 percent of those who had started shopping said they were spending more than last year.

As the NRF predicted ahead of the season, shoppers are increasingly turning to their smartphone to help with their purchases. Among those in this group, about one quarter have used their phone to make an actual purchase, the BigResearch study found. However, most of these people are using their phones to locate stores or browse gifts. About one-third, are using their phones to receive text messages with offers, and slightly more than that are using smartphones to read reviews.

Clothing and accessories are the most popular gift being purchased, followed by books, CDs, DVDs, videos and video games.

One in four shoppers know the prices of all the items regularly purchased and half of key city shoppers and 44% of non-key city shoppers know the prices of most items.

As China slowly but surely eases out of the economic recession, Chinese consumers have changed their shopping habits. In order to thrive in this new economic environment, understanding the latest shopping trends is critical for success.

Shopping frequency is on the rise
Along with the economic recovery came an increase in the frequency of shopper visits to most modern trade and traditional trade channels. Additionally, the slight rise in food prices in 2009 resulted in a 14% year-over-year increase in spending on food, groceries and personal care products in key cities. The increase in food prices, however, had a negative impact on snacks, confectioneries and drinks, as roughly one-third of shoppers indicated they have purchased less of these items.

Chinese shoppers are habitual and highly sensitive to promotions and pricing
More than half of shoppers in a recent Nielsen study said they tend to visit the stores they shop in regularly and the ones that are geographically closest to their homes. However, recommendations from friends, colleagues or relatives along with attractive deals promoted in newspapers or flyers were influential for one in five shoppers.

A change in the economic climate has increased shopper’s sensitivity to both promotions and prices. In fact, one-third of shoppers in both key cities and non-key cities actively search out promotions within their regular store, one-fourth buy different brands because of promotions and one-fourth of non-key city and one-fifth of key city shoppers will change the store they shop to find the best promotions.

About one in four shoppers know the prices of all the items regularly purchased and half of key city shoppers and 44% of non-key city shoppers know the prices of most items.

Private label acceptance is growing in China.
Private label has come along way in recent years and support of the retailer brand continues to grow more positively each year. And while non-key city shoppers are more accepting compared to key city shoppers, the overwhelming majority of key city shoppers recognize private label as a worthy choice. Fully 64% of key city shoppers believe that private label quality is just as good as leading brands.

Most shoppers still believe, however, that branded products are superior. Sixty-four percent of key city shoppers and 74% of non-key city shoppers say that private label products may be cheaper, but overall, manufacturer branded products are a better value for the money.

Private label image is still an issue for most shoppers as 60% think private label products are only for those on a serious budget. Retailers have an opportunity to improve perceptions as well as better market their brands as 64% say they don’t know enough about private labels to make them switch from their usual brand.

Competition is fierce.
The China retail environment is becoming increasingly competitive and retailers need to contend for share of wallet with increasingly fickle consumers. Nielsen’s Shopper Trends study provides h a comprehensive overview of the retail environment and insights to help manufacturers understand today’s Chinese consumer shopping habits; the brand equity of retailers; and opportunities for future growth.

Oh, well, I guess I’ll just have to break out the laptop, and go shopping instead. I still have plenty of people left on my list.

I have lots of shopping suggestions in all price ranges. These are the objets d’arton my list this year:

• I am a huge fan of Carl Richard’s Behavior Gap — some of his signed and numbered limited edition prints have managed to find their way into a few of my pals stockings this year. For anyone who works in finance, its just fun stuff. ($100-200)

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• Got a Springsteen fan on your list? The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge of Town Story is a no brainer. The “deluxe package” has six hours of film, more than two hours of audio on 3 CDs and 3 DVDs, and features The Making of ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town,’ a documentary directed by Grammy- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. The ninety-minute film combines never-before-seen footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band shot between 1976 and 1978. great stuff for any Bruce fan. ($99)

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• Last year, I mentioned the Frogman, and lots of you wrote in the froggies made lovely gifts. Check out this year’s Bamboo Monumental — 12 feet tall, and only $150,000!

If you don’t have the yardage for that, I love this little yella fella: Jump start ($680)

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• As soon as the new iPod Nano Touch was revealed, I rushed out and grabbed a 5th Gen the old model — the superior Apple iPod nano 16 GB Purple (5th Generation). Scroll wheel, video camera, FM radio — i just like it better than the new nano touch. Better grab them (in whatever color you can)  while you can at Apple, eBay and Amazon before they are gone! ($150-270)

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• Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning: A few of you wrote to say you liked the Billy Jealousy face wash — well, you can add this to your products.

I use the Beard Lube as a pre-shave. It slicks your face so your blade glides for an easier, smoother shave with less razor burn. It’s also very light and rinses clean easily.

($16)

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• Buy a gift for yourself (and your back) the Embody Chair by Herman Miller ($1000-1500)

To hell with those ugly Aerons, this is my white whale . . .

Herman Miller site here

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• Panasonic DMC-LX3 Great stats on this camera: 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

•   I love the tile of the book:  How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming Mike Brown tells the story of how his research on the outer solar system led directly to the death of Pluto, the planet.

For the astro/physics geek on your list. ($14.88)

In Texas, it will still be Summer for a while, but it’ll cool down eventually, and when it does, I will have plenty of cardigans ready. The lightweight Helmut Lang cardigan is perfect for still very warm days and milder evenings, either over a tank top, or this drapey, thin Kain Label tee. And I never go without a scarf when the weather cools off – you never know when you’ll need it, and long, wide scarves like this one from epice are perfect for traveling, or even just taking to a movie. I love dressing in neutrals, but try to incorporate a little color in my accessories; this scarf provides just a pop, while still being subtle. Then, the Lauren Wolf fangs necklace gives a little “hardness” to the outfit without being overwhelming. And I LOVE the color of the Rebecca Minkoff bag with the neutral outfit for day. For evening, switch to the Loeffler Randall heels and Rebecca Minkoff rocker bag and you’re good to go!

And in honor of this momentous occasion, you can use code GRECHEN20 to save 20% off your order at Goldyn (but I would be remiss if I didn’t let you know that as a new customer – 1st order only – you can save 30% off your order with code GOLDYN30)

See what I mean? Everything at Totokaelo is TDF. And totally me. Absolutely, positively, 100% ME.

And lately, I’ve been thinking about bags. I still love my Alexander Wang(s), but I think I’m craving something simple and “clean” and will probably end up getting one of these leather tote bags by Hope:

The problem is that even after walking through the entire store you still don’t have a clue about what you are going to buy. The receiver of the gift might be your boss or maybe it’s your friend’s birthday. Of course if you had an unlimited budget you could get him those rims he’s been wanting or maybe a nice watch. But the reality is that you have less than twenty dollars to spare. That makes the shopping experience much more difficult.

But if you consider the fact that almost everyone wears jeans and t shirts on a regular basis it makes sense that a funny t shirt would be a perfect gift. Not only would it add a nice touch of humor, but it would also be an appreciated piece of clothing. The good news is that funny vintage t shirts are very affordable.

These shirts are less than twenty dollars and they come in all kinds of styles and colors. By styles I am referring to the sayings and pictures on them. You can find something to fit everyone’s taste. And if you’re not sure what your friend would like, then you can choose something that is meaningful to you.

When funny vintage t shirts are given as gifts they are always appreciated. The gift itself can liven up an otherwise dull party and make the atmosphere seem more lighthearted. This is not the type of gift that is opened and then forgotten. Even if the receiver is not usually the type to wear t shirts, he will enjoy wearing this one and he will certainly be grateful for the effort you put into the gift-giving process. After all, a funny t shirt is practically customized to the individual, making it uniquely his.

Because you put so much thought into the gift and because it is funny, your friend will think of you each time he wears it. And when he wears it he is certain to get comments from others. This is one gift that will keep on giving each time it is worn. Whether on a budget or not, these shirts may be the perfect gift.

But it seems that no matter what or how one chooses to celebrate, everyone agrees that Christmas is special and it is a time to be cherished. Perhaps that is why we decorate our homes, inside and out, to display signs of the holidays. In fact, even businesses and official buildings get into the act of decorating for the holidays.

We string lights and hang ornaments from every available tree branch, until even the smallest Christmas tree seems to glimmer and shine. Tinsel and wrapping paper, stars and glitter are all part of the glitz and shimmer of Christmas. We love the sights and smells of the season!

We light candles and bake cakes and cookies. And we look for more ways to decorate our homes and to gift others in unique ways. Christmas Flowers and plants are being used to adorn our table tops, line our staircases and even fill our window sills with beautiful Christmas colors and scents.

Additionally, it is not uncommon to give a Christmas Flower or plant to a friend or relative. This is a gift that is unique and is treasured by plant lovers. Poinsettias are often given to decorate the home during the holiday season. When properly cared for the plants bloom for several weeks and they will last into the next year. The plant can be planted in the yard in early spring or the container can be placed on a patio or deck throughout the warm months.

Before the temperature drops the plant can be brought back indoors and once again, used to decorate the home for the holiday season. Obviously, this makes a gift that can give again and again in more than one way. Plant lovers get enjoyment not only from seeing a beautiful plant and watching it grow, but also from caring for it.

Everyone loves to have a beautifully decorated home for the holidays. These plants can add a decorative touch that says the home is a home. A living plant says that someone is alive in the home and there is a caring person there, which helps to give a feeling of comfort to the home. And a Christmas plant brings a touch of the holidays to a home year round.

Depending on how well we know the person this task can be very easy or extremely difficult. Even those we are closest to are often difficult to buy for. It seems that some people have everything they need or want. For those people we are always going to have problems finding a gift within our price range that pleases us and that is significant to them; or so it seems. And no matter who we are buying for, we want to give a gift that is special and unique. One way to please almost anyone is to give something that is beautiful. When you consider things of beauty most people’s minds automatically go to things of nature – after all, what could be more lovely than nature itself?

A perfect choice for Birthday Gifts is flowers. Almost everyone has a favorite flower, and if you are not sure what it is you can always purchase an arrangement based on the flower of the month. Did you know that just as months have birthstones they also have a flower?

Shopping for flowers is quick and easy – in fact, it can all be done on the Internet. Online Flowers are available in hundreds of designs and the Flower Delivery is arranged quickly and conveniently.

Why not take the stress out of birthdays from now on? If you prefer not sending flowers you can consider selecting from a wide assortment of Gift Baskets. These baskets come containing everything from bath and spa essentials to baskets containing candy or coffee or even cheese and crackers. The selection is amazing and there is something for every budget.

Birthday shopping really can be easy and stress free. You can do it from home in your pajamas if you like! Just visit the website and choose something that you like and think the recipient will like also. Many people are taken aback when they see the wide assortment of gifts available.

Usually after the first visit a customer is a customer for life because of the convenience and simplicity of the service. It really couldn’t get much simpler – the only difficult thing is making a selection from all the beautiful items. Give it a try, visit 1-800-Flowers the next time you need a gift.