Gift giving is not only for the holiday season but a year ’round event. With family and friends who always seems to be having birthdays, anniversaries or just special occasions, it seems that we are always in search of the next hot gift. How do you decide which gift is right? There’s always the standard sweater for Mom and tie and aftershave for Dad, but what can you get them that will actually mean something? Embroidered golf club head covers are great and everything, but they’re not too likely to mean a lot to whoever gets them unless the two of you have shared some sort of a bond over a good golf game.

A great way to find a personal gift for that special event that your family and friends will love is to think of some sort of connection the two of you have shared, either in a shared experience, a shared hobby, or a shared memory. Maybe you and your mom had a wonderful conversation some evening in the garden. Or perhaps you and all of your best friends had a great weekend together on Cape Cod. Whatever the event, look for gifts which are somehow reminiscent of a memory. Maybe a garden sculpture for Mom or new beach sandals for your friends. Then every time they use or see their gifts they’ll be reminded of the good times you’ve shared.

Men’s socks are typically pretty boring.  They just don’t have the variety and colors that women have.  Yet, socks are piece of clothing that men are always in need of and that’s why they make such a welcome and practical Christmas gift or stocking stuffer.  But socks for men are universally plain. They are almost always in one single color, and that color is almost always black, brown, white, or gray.  This is not the case with argyle socks.

The argyle pattern has definitely made it’s way back into current fashion. The pattern can include vibrant colors to coordinate with any outfit from shorts to suits and you can optionally pick up a pair of the well known gold toe argyle. Although the original argyle socks are made from wool, today you can also shop for them in wool, cotton, nylon and other materials to suit your needs. A pair of argyle socks make a classy addition to a man’s wardrobe.

History of Argyle Socks

History provides various versions on the origin of argyle socks, but it is generally agreed that these socks first showed up around 1500 as the footwear of the Scottish clan of Campbell in the town of Argyll in Scotland. The clan’s colors were green and white and represented in their kilts.  Later, footwear was made of the same cloth when clansmen cut their tartan plaids on the bias for use as foot coverings.  From this simple beginning, argyle socks were born.

Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish writer and poet was largely responsible for immortalizing the argyle pattern when he brought attention to the design in a casual mention in his writings.

If you’re of an older generation, you may remember the fashionable golfer of the 1920′s, proud in his plaid golfing hat, pullover sweater vest and matching knee-high argyle socks, posing for the camera in all his fashion glory. This appearance was the birth of argyle socks as an American fashion.

These patterned socks enjoyed immense popularity as a fashion accessory for young people during the Roaring Twenties, fading as America entered the Great Depression.

Surfacing again in the 1940′s and lasting well into the 1950′s, argyle socks were a favorite knitting project for young women to make as gifts for their boyfriends or for their own wardrobe.  Argyle patterns soon made their way into vests, sweaters and hats, as coordinating fashions to be worn with the esteemed argyle sock. So pervasive was the fashion, the argyle sock look eventually became cliched, dying of overuse and becoming dated and out of style once again.

Then came the Preppies of the 1980′s, with their Retro interpretation of penny loafers, that sensible shoe of 1950′s fame, teamed with argyle socks.

Today, the famous socks are again enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Revivalist golfers are sporting the pre-1930′s style.  The argyle sock is not only fashionable to golfers, but also with all ages.

Argyle socks are a part of fashion history. As the saying goes, “history repeats itself”, so you may well be a trend setter with your own new take on the argyle sock.

Most women love chocolate. This is a well-known fact. You can create a great mother gift basket that will address the occasional urgent craving for the cocoa bean. There are so many different kinds of chocolate available and they come in very attractive packaging as well. You can make a beautiful arrangement with little effort.

Think Pampering

Remember that chocolate comes in all shapes and forms as well. Consider a whole theme that includes hot cocoa, cookies, pastries and the traditional gift chocolates. Adding a chocolate colored silk robe and matching pink slippers would be a great touch. You can also find cocoa scented candles as well as bath salts and gels that can be added to the mother gift basket as well. This is a particularly great gift because it will overdose Mom on chocolate, if that’s even possible.

While we are on the subject of food you might want to consider a gourmet theme for the mother gift basket. Why not put together an interesting collection of pastas and unique sauces? Mom might be interested in a great cook book as well. Instead of putting the basket together in a "basket", use a beautiful pottery bowl that can be used over and over again.

You could also theme your basket around drinks instead of solid food. You can make a mother gift basket using coffees and ceramic mugs. Tea lovers would really appreciate a sampling of a lot of different kinds of tea. Some moms would love a nice bottle of sparkling wine with fine crystal glasses. Add a novel into the mix and you have a mother gift basket that you can truly be proud of.

Then there is every female’s favorite, a bath theme. With spa treatments being so popular these days, you could a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure and then add some nice nail polish and hand or foot lotion. Remember to use mom’s favorite scents. A scented candle in lavender or vanilla would be perfect for this collection. This mother gift basket will not be forgotten.

I’m sure that you are aware of your Mom’s personal favorites which could also be added to a basket or ideas that the basket could be themed around. Maybe she loves scrapbooks. She may adore a bunch of pictures and some scrapbook supplies. When it comes to the perfect mother gift basket the choice really depends on mom’s tastes and interests.