Mothers Day
Mothers day in South Africa is fast approaching, so it’s time to start thinking about Mothers day cards, flowers, and gifts.
What are the origins of Mothers day?
Mothers day is said to have its roots in pagan celebrations of the earth’s returning fertility, while the early Christians merged the pagan spring rites honoring the earth-mother with their theology surrounding the virgin Mary. Yet the modern observance of Mothers day has nothing to do with either of these. In Boston, USA in the 1870s, a feminist and activist named Julia Ward Howe championed the celebration of an annual ‘Mothers day’ dedicated to the pursuit of peace, but her initiative died out after about ten years. The private ‘Mothers day’ celebration held in 1907 by Anna Jarvis in West Virginia, USA, to honour her mother was more popular. The idea gained momentum and in 1912 a Mothers day International Association was formed to encourage other countries to adopt this holiday, and in 1914, the then-president of the USA Woodrow Wilson enshrined it in as an official holiday.
When is Mothers day 2013?
Different countries celebrate Mothers day on different dates. In South Africa, Mothers day 2013 falls on Sunday, May 12th. Most countries mark it in the months of March, April or May, but in Costa Rica and Thailand for example it is held in August, while Russia celebrates the day in November. Many catholic countries connect Mothers day to existing celebrations surrounding the virgin Mary, such as Panama, where it is held on the feast-day of the Immaculate Conception. Hindus have a centuries-old tradition of celebrating ‘Mata Tirtha Aunshi’ or ‘Mother Pilgrimage Fortnight’ on the new moon in the month of April/May.
How is mothers day celebrated?
Today, Mothers day is celebrated around the world, although different countries have adapted it to suit their own culture. In ex-communist countries, the day was transformed into International Women’s Day and marked with processions and presentations to encourage women’s contribution to their state. In the 1920s, Germany introduced Mothers day as a propaganda tool to increase the birth rate, while in Catholic countries, the day is celebrated by prayer services revering the virgin Mary. In Bangladesh, the government marks the day with discussion programs and cultural events. In most Western countries, Mothers day is a day to celebrate the private mother relationship, through private gifts, cards and events. Most people take their mother out to a restaurant or a show, buy her jewelry, clothes, flowers, chocolates and the likes.
Mothers day gifts and presents for Mothers day
In many countries it is traditional to treat mothers and wives with Mothers day gifts. Sending Mothers day cards and flowers are all traditional ways to mark the day, while Mothers day poems are also popular. Helping your children to give their mother breakfast in bed is a much-appreciated touch, and you’ll find that most restaurants have special menus for Mothers day meals.
What were the most popular Mothers day gifts for Mothers day 2012?
If you want to go for the safe option, try one of the top-three most popular gifts for Mothers day 2012 which are listed below. Of course, although these were the most popular in 2012, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be the most popular in 2013 or later.
- Flowers
- Perfume
- Bath soaps, bubbles and creams
Some ideas for a great Mothers day gifts
What if you want to give a Mothers day present which is a little different? Here are some ideas of Mothers day gifts and ideas to consider – and some to avoid:
Recommended mothers day gifts:
- A Mothers day poem that you yourself made is always special and if you insert your mothers name in it or put the poem on a nicely decorated page or add a family picture to the background then it makes it even more special.
- Give your time. If it’s your own mother you want to treat, spend some one-on-one time with her. If it’s the mother of your children, offer to take care of them for a day so that she can spend it doing something for herself and through in a spa treatment of some sort like a manicure, pedicure or massage (see where best to find these here below)
- Original Mothers day gifts: Looking for something really original but don’t have time to go to all the different shops? Then it’s time you met Dealafrica – the leading daily deals website in south-Africa – which will provide you with tens of great gifts right at your fingertips and all at huge discounts. On Dealafrica you can find manicures, pedicures, unique clothes, bags, home-ware, restaurant vouchers, wine and a wide variety of additional beauty items – all at amazing discounts.
- Lingerie, perfume, spa packages – any of these or similar will be much appreciated! As mentioned, all these can be found on www.dealafrica.co.za.
Tips for getting the right gift and less recommended Mothers day gifts:
- Surprises are lovely, but only when it’s the right kind of surprise. “Hi Honey, I bought two tickets to the opera for you and my mother” won’t go down well…
- Make sure that the gift is really for her and not for you. “Hi Honey, I got you this amazing new frying pan so that you can make those eggs that I love…” – In this case, we hope you can run faster than a flying frying pan…
- Try pay attention to what she needs. If you are lucky, your wife/mother will probably drop a few hints before the “big” day arrives.
- Leave enough time for deliveries to arrive. Things ordered over the Internet can sometimes take up to 2 weeks – especially with the SA postal service…
Summary:
Mothers day is a beautiful opportunity to show how much we all appreciate our mothers. Whether your tradition is to give a Mothers day card, Mothers day gift, or to celebrate the religious or cultural ideal of a mother, remember to show love to your mother all year round and not just on Mothers Day.
But we can't end this post without one or two Mothers day jokes:
1. A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'
2. Johhny: Why is a computer so smart? // Mom: Because it listens to its motherboard.
For some great Mothers Day gifts, click here!
Collective Cow
Collective Cow (“CC”) was founded in September 2010 by Flow Communications and headed by Tara Turkington. Since then, it has managed to last the test of time and to stay afloat in the competitive market of group buying websites, also known as daily deals. This is not something trivial, especially seeing how many daily deal websites, amongst them Dealify, have shut down even though they were backed by large media companies (Zappon for example was backed by Avusa media).
So, what does Collective Cow do?
As with other group buying websites, Collective Cow offers a special deal each day, at a discounted price. The deals are for both services and products and include a wide range, including spa coupons, restaurant coupons, holiday coupons, coupons for gadgets, car wash, Shark diving and basically anything else you can think of. If a deal interests you, you just click the “get this deal” button and go through a short purchase process. You can pay using your credit card through a secure service or via electronic bank transfer. You will have to sign up first. Once enough people have signed up for the deal, it is on, and Collective Cow will automatically deduct the money from your credit card and send you the voucher (or 'cowpon', as they call it) for that item. If you sign up to a product which does not reach the minimum amount of required buyers within the set period, then the deal is off and your credit card is not charged. Deals usually remain active for a week after they go ‘live’.
What makes Collective Cow different?
Collective Cow brings the benefits of group buying to South Africa, inspired by international group-buying websites such as Living Social, Groupola, and Groupon. Thanks to its group-buying premise, and wide connections, Collective Cow are able to negotiate lower rates with merchants compared to many of the other daily deals websites, making them able to offer bigger discounts on products and services – which of course if great for customers. Collective Cow prides itself on seeking out unusual and excellent adventure experiences, spa breaks and other products and services that are unique to South Africa. While some deals are valid for the whole of South Africa, many are tailored specifically to Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Cape Town (when you register for free email updates, you can specify your hometown to receive the deals that are nearest and most relevant to you). The discounts offered are real; many of them half-price or less. This week's deals include: a half-day pampering package for a 52% discount; an 81% discount on a couples’ photo shoot at a professional photography studio; and 48% off a day’s rental of a professional poker table and chips for the guys’ next get-together. Based on the “Hellopeter ranking”, Collective Cow does not have many complaints compared to other websites, something that indicates a decent level of service. In such an industry one can always expect un-happy customers, but the way a website deals with them is what makes the difference and so far it seems that CC is doing a fair job.
Ok, so what’s the down side?
Well, for starters, the wait to see if a specific deal reaches its minimum amount of sign-up threshold can be frustrating, and you run the risk of being disappointed if a deal to which you have signed up for does not go live. Also, most of their special discounts are offered only in small numbers – 15 or 20 of each deal – which can sell out quickly.
Give me the bottom line.
To summarize the Collective Cow experience, CC brings the unusual, special and luxurious to a wider audience for discounts that can be often substantial and does so in a clear and clean way. So as long as you are willing to take the risk of the dealing not tipping, and you not succeeding in getting the item you wanted, you will probably enjoy the experience.
Enjoy great daily deals like those on Collective Cow right here at Dealafrica
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Onedayonly
Onedayonly is a no-nonsense, straight-talking daily deals website that does not beat around the bush.
At midnight every day, the guys at Onedayonly offer an extra-special item from a range of electronics, gadgets, cosmetics, sport, and lifestyle items on the Onedayonly home page, at discounted. As the name suggests, each offer lasts for 24 hours; just one day.
Why makes Onedayonly different:
What makes the Onedayonly website stand out is how straight-forward and easy it is to use. The layout of the website is minimalist, without all the distracting and confusing sidebars and multiple product options that clutter up many daily deals websites, yet the remaining offer time and any extra charges are very clearly displayed. Extra information is neatly tucked away behind the well-organised title menu, making it easy to find the information you want without having to sift through an over-crowded home page. There is a young, cool and friendly vibe to the website.
However, Onedayonly does have its limitations. Since it only offers one special deal each day, there is not the range of offers that you could find elsewhere, like on daily deal aggregators for example, and while there is an entertaining description of each product, there is no detailed list of specifications. If you want to know more about a given product, or about a warranty, then you are directed to contact the manufacturer or to do your own Google research. Additionally, it is not clear to which areas they offer deals and one must assume that all deals are national deals. That said, they are very open about what they offer, and as long as you read the Frequently Asked Questions page, you probably won’t have any surprises.
The website states that they give refunds so long as the product is returned within 5 days of receipt along with a few other fair conditions, but if you simply change your mind or don’t like the product, you're advised to sell it on Gumtree.
Onedayonly can only be contacted via email, which is a definite downside when buying products online, but it is said that they do usually respond quickly. Entrepreneurs may be glad to hear that they invite you to contact them with your product, and the wider public can suggest products that they would like to see offered. Onedayonly delivers only in South Africa. You can choose delivery to any address you like, though you are reminded that once an item is registered as 'received', anything that happens to it afterwards is beyond their responsibility.
All credit card payments on Onedayonly are handled by MyGate which should make them secure (don’t forget to look for the htts in the url). And you can also pay by bank transfer. Onedayonly also accepts ebucks, at a standard rate of 10 ebucks = 1 rand. You can also pay with any combination of ebucks and money, as long as you are with FNB or RMB, making it easy to reward yourself with something for nothing.
Ultimately, Onedayonly does what it says on the tin: it offers desirable products for great prices for one day only. There seems to be no tricks or deceptions; their payment options are secure; and response time to emailed questions seems very quick. If you are looking to buy something in particular, it might be worth checking here.
Click to enjoy amazing discounts and Daily Deals just like those on Onedayonly.
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Valentines Day
What is Valentines Day?
Valentines day, or “The feast of Saint Valentine” is marked on the 14th of February, and it is probably a good day to add to your diary because, simply put, this is the (official) day on which we show our loved ones that we care about them by doing or buying something special.
Although the history of Saint Valentine is shrouded in mystery (firstly because there were several Valentines and it is not certain who he was and secondly because there is much speculation even within the church about life details of any of the Valentines), it is said that Valentines day originated from a fictional story filling in the details of the romantic tragedy of Saint Valentine set in the 5th or 6th century.
St Valentine was caught and sentenced to be executed by the Romans when he meets the blind daughter of his jail warden, Julia. She is ill and he heals her. All through his time in jail he administers Christian weddings against the orders of the Caesar Claudius, and publically preaches the virtue of marital love. He hands out heart shaped parchments (pieces of cloth with religious writings on them) to remind the people of God's love – this is a probable origin for today’s well known Valentines day cards). In one version of the story which was written centuries later, he and Julia develop feelings for one another and when Valentine is being taking to execution he leaves behind a farewell letter to her signed "from your Valentine…"
Although the connection between Valentines day and the saint seems obvious today, a romantic connection was only first thought of quite a while after the real events and even then this day wasn’t very well known.
The celebration of Valentines day itself, and the reason for its popularity today, is most probably from the Roman festival of fertility celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of February. Shakespeare was the one to immortalize the romance of the day for future generations, in Hamlet, where Ophelia declares:
"To-morrow is Saint Valentins day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine".
Valentines Day Today:
And so…today, it is the custom as far as the tip of Africa, to celebrate the day with cards declaring immortal love and Valentines gifts. Originally the gifts were generally from the men to win or keep the heart of a lady, but recently the gifts, in the spirit of Ophelia flow in both directions. It has become a time set aside for fresh romance with a loved one or a breakthrough towards a future romance, by declaring "Be my Valentine". Those who have a love from a distance use this time to make their feelings public through Valentines gifts and messages.
Valentines day gifts are full of anticipation and trepidation…will your gift be accepted with enthusiasm or rejected with heartbreak? If you are already in a committed relationship then stumbling through with quantity just might do it, but if you are trying to win a heart from a distance, or show true love in your existing relationship, then it requires much more thought. For men and women (nowadays) finding the right Valentines gift can be extremely confusing and unfortunately expensive due to the bar being raised pretty high in a world where options are everywhere and everyone is sharing their most intimate details leaving you to compare and perhaps despair.
Statistically the most popular Valentines gifts in South Africa are lead by the old classic – jewelry (33%), and the new favourite – romantic travel breaks (28%). Very popular are pamper gifts, such as a spa or beauty treatment (at 7%). The remaining 12% is a variety of ideas, which are really tailor made: from braais to fashion ware to coffee machines. Lingerie is a little tacky but still popular and always a good way to get things heated up (preferably if you are in an existing relationship). Swayed by the teenage market cuddly dolls are at a whapping 20%.
Almost everyone goes out together for the evening.
All that said and done, we are here to help 
. So, don't be a sucker and wait until the last minute to make your plans, because with demand there comes price. So, if you are looking for Valetines day gifts that are both special and not crazy expensive, then we suggest you take a look at the deals being offered on Dealafrica.
Here are some examples of the many Valentines day gifts currently available on Dealafrica:
- A 1 night getaway for 2 including a romantic 3 course dinner with champagne, and breakfast.
- A picnic basket for 2 adults and 2 kids to treat your loved ones at a romantic wine estate including breakfast.
- Designer handbags and cosmetic pouches to show some caring or Icon men's jewelry for something personal.
Go to Dealafrica for great daily deals for Valentines day gifts
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My City Deal
What is My City Deal (MCD)?
MCD is a daily-deal website which was very similar in concept to the American Groupon concept and aimed at catering to the lifestyle and leisure markets offering them discounted products and services. The brand name was founded in Berlin as “City Deal” in December 2009 and since expanded to serve Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, Turkey and South Africa.
My City Deal was acquired by Groupon (U.S), who invented the group buying or daily-discount concept, in May 2010. The purchase was done in order to substantially increase the Groupon market share in Europe and the rest of the international market, including South Africa. In April 2010, the company was valued at $1.35 billion. Today, Groupon serves approximately 500 markets and 44 countries, including countries such as the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, Brazil, Finland, France, the Netherleands, Belgium, Italy, Israel, Ireland, Colombia, Turkey, Japan, Russia, China, Spain and many more..
Under the Groupon umbrella the My City Deal site was subsequently co-branded Groupon My City Deal – hence the double barrel name. With the clout of the Groupon conglomerate My City Deal has been vaulted above the group deal market in South Africa, allowing it to have a larger range of cities covered and many more national and travel deals. My City Deal thus also has the international policies ensuring customer service standards are kept.
This makes MCD a jam packed and quality controlled contender in the daily discount market and a pretty good place for finding the type of lifestyle and leisure deals you are looking for.
What deals does My City Deal offer?
Among the My City Deals offered are the regulars for daily discounts sites, which include spa and beauty packages, haircuts, tattoos, restaurant deals, travel packages, hotel discounts, gadgets and electronics, home appliances, clothes and many other recreational activities.
As can be seen, the list of products and services on My City Deal is extensive and caters for almost everyone.
Luckily for you, Dealafrica offers you all the best daily deals, just like those on My City Deal.
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