NEWS FROM BUYAGIFT

I wish it could be Christmas Everyday…well it is for Paul

Fast cars, spa days and skydiving are not the usual festive activities associated with the man in the red suit over Christmas, but it seems these are all in a days work for Paul Rogers, Buyagift.com's very own St. Nick. Paul, aged 25 from Oxfordshire has the dream job of road testing the gifts and experiences offered by the online gift and experience website in the lead up to the festive season.

In his role as Buyagit.com's very-own Father Christmas, Paul is tasked with testing the festiveness of thousands of gifts and experiences to ensure they ooze the Christmas spirit and are suitable for Buyagift.com customers to purchase for their loved ones at Christmas.

Over the course of 365 days Paul indulges in 124 afternoon teas, 87 hours of high speed driving, 17 riverboat cruises and this year he even managed four bungee jumps and a skydive – all in name of researching the perfect present packages for the nation.

When things get a little too adrenaline-pumped for Paul, he swaps bungee jumping and skydiving with pamper sessions and weekend breaks as he also gets to trial the spa retreats and holiday homes available on the gifting site. What's more Paul has ploughed his way through 112 mince pies, 18 bottles of champagne and 14 different types of fiery chilli's as he munches his way through the various food gifts and experiences Buyagift.com has to offer.

Paul was appointed as Buyagift.com Santa due to his love for all things Christmas. So committed is Paul to being an expert at his job, he listens to Christmas songs on repeat and wears a festive themed tie all year round.

Paul commented; “I absolutely love my job and really can’t imagine doing anything else now. I work hard all year round to ensure Buyagift.com's Christmas gifts and experiences are a festive hit. From Ford Mustangs and Ferrari driving experiences to unforgettable meals at some of the UK's top gourmet restaurants no one day 'at the office' is the same. My job allows me to travel the length and breadth of the country indulging in spa breaks and weekends away, though I'm not sure my Mrs is best pleased that there is not a plus one policy!"

Dan Mountain, Founder and CEO of Buyagift.com added, “We’re thrilled to work with Paul to ensure we meet our commitment of offering the best gifts and experiences to our customers. Paul's 'hard' work ensures our customers' Christmas gift-buying experience is quick, easy and stress-free, allowing them to enjoy what really matters at this time of year; family, friends and festive fun."

Paul's top ten Buyagift.com gift recommendations this Christmas include:

1.     Ferrari driving experience at Silverstone - £79

2.     Segway rally racing - £44

3.     The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour with Afternoon Tea - £55

4.     View from the Shard and lunch for two - £100

5.     2 for 1 Airkix Indoor Skydiving for kids -  £39

6.     Merry Christmas Basket - £29

7.     Sparkling Spa Day for Two - £99

8.     Pet Pamper Pack - £19

9.     Deluxe Country House Escape for Two - £199

10.  Snow Zorbing - £35

Buyagift, The UK's leading online gift and experience retailer offers a massive range of stunning gits for all ages and interests, so you can make sure that 2013 is a festive season that they'll remember for years to come.

NEWS FROM GROWING UP MILK

UK Toddlers' Taste For Technology

62% of Toddlers demand a side of Peppa Pig with supper

TV dinners and smartphone suppers begin in toddlerhood for almost two-thirds of the nation’s little ones (62%), a survey from GrowingUpMilkInfo.com released today reveals.

A side of Peppa Pig with supper

Toddlers are more likely to identify cartoon characters than the food on their plate. Peppa Pig is the most recognisable, with three fifths of toddlers (60%) able to identify the cartoon pig, compared to just over a third (34%) being able to name broccoli. Thomas the Tank Engine is more familiar to toddlers than olives (16%) and avocado (6%), with one in four (42%) able to choo-choose him when asked.

When it comes to knowledge of toddlers' nutritional needs, almost a quarter of parents (24%) admit they are more familiar with the weekly TV schedule than their little ones' daily vitamin D dietary requirement.

Three quarters (75%) of parents admit to using technology to persuade their little one to finish a meal, with one in five (20%) mums and dads spending less than five minutes of the meal talking to their toddler about the food they are eating.

Leading child nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton comments: "Toddlers have specific nutritional requirements that aren’t always easy to meet, especially when it comes to topping up their diet with important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D. Offering your little one a healthy balanced toddler diet can be a struggle at the best of times but, as the survey reveals, it's only made more difficult when they're distracted by technology.  

 "Parents need to be well informed about their toddler's nutritional needs, in order to ensure their diet is being supported during this period of growth and development. Unfortunately, our toddlers don't make it easy for us though, with the survey revealing a quarter (25%) of the nation's little ones leave their fruit and vegetables till last on their plate. Because of this, it's worth knowing there are fortified products that are easy to offer on a daily basis to help top-up their diets. For example, just two 150ml beakers a day of Growing Up Milk provides 73% of toddlers’ daily dietary recommendation for vitamin D."

An iPad a day keeps the tantrums at bay

While almost half of UK parents (41%) see the everyday meal occasion as an opportunity for family bonding, the GrowingUpMilkInfo.com research reveals a majority of toddlers (69%) are often transfixed by a screen during family mealtimes and would kick up a fuss if the TV or iPad was switched off.

More than a third of those toddlers watch TV or a DVD (36%) at the table. Hand-held gadgets are next with iPads (28%) coming second, followed by smartphones (24%) and hand-held games (12%).

Tantrums (38%) and boredom (35%) are the main reasons most mums and dads turn to technology during mealtimes, with just one in twenty (5%) prioritising the nutrition of their little one at the table.

GrowingUpMilkInfo.com Child Psychologist, Dr Richard Woolfson comments: “The family meal can be such a wonderful time for parents and children alike. It allows them to share their feelings, thoughts, and ideas through face-to-face communication, while also giving parents the opportunity to encourage positive eating habits and provide good nutrition to support this amazing period of toddler growth and development.

"Unfortunately, this research reveals that a high percentage of parents allow their toddler to play with a gadget while munching at mealtimes, which is a cause for concern. Although technology does add new and exciting dimensions to a toddler’s life, access to gadgets at the family dining table inevitably distracts children from eating what’s in front of them, reduces their desire to chat with others during dinner, isolating them from the dynamic communication of the family meal. This is a lost opportunity and a solid reason why it’s best to make at least some family mealtimes a no-gadget zone. After a few initial protests, your toddler will soon adapt and everyone will experience the full psychological and nutritional benefits of an IT-free family meal.”

For more information on toddler health and nutrition visit GrowingUpMilkInfo.com

Fast facts ·       Over a quarter of parents (25%) say fruit and vegetables are the last thing their toddler will eat at mealtime ·       Setting a precedent; Six in ten (60%) parents admit to spending up to half of mealtimes on hand-held devices, keeping an eye on social media including Facebook, twitter and Instagram (51%), or sending work emails (30%) ·       Just one in three (32%) parents sees family mealtimes as a way to introduce new foods and encourage positive eating habits ·       Almost a third (30%) say technology plays more of a role in current mealtimes than when they were growing up ·       It's not just at home where screens are in use, with almost half (44%) of parents using gadgets and gizmos to distract toddlers when eating out at a restaurant or café. The main reason cited by parents is to distract little ones so they can spend time talking to a partner, friend or guests (44%).