Why this site came into existence

(Or... A Nightmare On High Street!!!)

It was December 24th, 1999.

Because I am not the most organised person in the world, I had not finished my Christmas Shopping and still had about 5 or 6 presents left to buy.

I headed into town with a list of the people I was shopping for presents for and a vague idea of what I wanted for each person.

After driving round the Town Centre for 30 minutes trying to find a Car-Park that wasn't full, I finally made my way to the shops...

...slowly, as there were obviously many others in the same boat as me who were also rushing round like headless chickens trying to find last-minute gifts.

The shops were almost all completely packed full of people and in some shops the queues were extending through the entrance into the street.

My heart sank and all the while the pressure was growing to get those presents.

Some five hours or so later I was back in my car with the presents, they weren't the exact presents I wanted but they were good enough. I couldn't get exactly what I wanted because I simply didn't have time and in some cases the present I wanted was out of stock.

I decided there and then... NEVER AGAIN!!!!

From that day on, I have done 99% of my shopping Online.

I find it far easier, far quicker and the gifts I get for people are usually much different than when I go to shops with a pre-determined idea. Shopping online seems to throw up things that I would not have thought of by myself.

Of course, online shopping is not the solution to last-minute shopping... buying online requires that you allow a day or two for delivery, usually a few days more during very busy times such as Christmas.

The one thing that did slow me down, however, was searching for the various shops from which to buy.

I live in the UK so buying something from another country didn't particularly appeal because of the delivery cost and uncertain delivery time-scale.

What I felt was needed was a one-stop site with links to a broad selection of online retailers which sell things under the category of "gifts" and which are all located in the UK.

It is my hope that this website comes close to full-filling that need for you... I know that when it comes to Gift-Buying Occasions in the future I will be using this site to locate gifts for my loved ones! No more trudging round the local Town Centre. YAY!!!!