Hi Anne_in_SF, I have seen your comments in various websites regarding stainless cookware recommendations and would like your advice on a few I'm considering. Member's Mark Tri-Ply, Costco's 5-ply by Kirkland (I don't think it's tri-ply or 5-ply up the sides) and another set from Costco, the Sitram Profisserie set. I'm moving away from Calphalon hard anodized to stainless and don't want to pay for All-clad or Demeyere. What are your thoughts if you're familiar with these sets? In terms of aesthetics, I like the look of the Kirklands set the best, but I'm looking for quality of materials and cooking performance, I cook a LOT.

One of the many reasons I personally hate giftcards--I NEVER buy or spend them! Most people know better than to give me one because I just regift them--but only as part of an additional present. I'll only gift a present for shopping to a kid or elderly relative on a fixed income, and then I send CASH! (in the form of a check, of course) A giftcard from Target's not so bad because it's not really someplace you have to make a special trip to go to, but cards all the ONLY present my SDs stepdad's family gave them for EVERYTHING, and every single card was for a different place! All little out of the way "boutique" shops, and each individual card was never enough to really buy ANYTHING they wanted there. They would come back with nothing but 20 of those stupid cards, leaving me "on the hook" to help them out. Did I chip in? Yes, but only because I then deducted it, not from their allowance because we didn't give them one, but rather from their salary! They both worked for me helping out in my business, which they volunteered for and enjoyed because I paid them far better than their friends made working at McDonald's, Wal-Mart, etc. To teach them the value of money, for big ticket items such as computers, cameras, and other electronics they had to thoroughly shop for the "best deal" and present the results of their research in excel spreadsheet format. They now budget and manage their money very well.

"For family in Australia, I picked a nice store in the area after doing research online. Then emailed the store asking how to buy and send a gift card. I ended up charging the gift card on my credit card, and the store sent the card directly to the recipient." +1! You can also shop on line at many stores and have them send the gift out, sometimes by their own truck. Even fresh food picnic baskets, of all things. Beats those vague "gift" cards and beats Amazon hands down. We did this with a case of wine from Harrod's. E Z P Z.

Thank you so much for all your ideas and suggestions! After some research DH and I settled on an Eddie Bauer gift card. Eddie Bauer honors its cards both in the U.S. and Canada, regardless of where the card was purchased. The brand definitely fits the young couple's active, outdoorsy style. Eddie Bauer also sells luggage and outdoor gear which is a big plus. Need I add that my friend and her man chose to have an outdoor BBQ wedding in a nature park? Casual dress - T-shirts, shorts and sandals are fine. Besides, I liked the message on the gift card!