This is the time of year when you can't get through any conversation without the word 'gift' coming into it.

There's gifts for mum, dad, husband or wife (which usually cause the most angst), gifts for the kids which you just know you're going to be in trouble for if they're not right.

There's teachers gifts, gifts for the boss, gifts for the dog and gifts for the little old lady next door who keeps an eye on the house when you're on holiday.

I have been looking into various types of rallies that have taken part across the UK in the name of charity. I have found quite an unusual one that consists of travelling from John O'Groats to Lands End. Not that different in itself apart from a few difficult rules.

The rules were that the vehicle could not be a sports model or modified in any way, it had to be an average road-going vehicle and it couldn't be owned by the driver or borrowed from somebody known to the driver.

You have been in your job for some time and are feeling unfullfilled. There is no room for promotion, the wages are just about enough to get you by without extras to have a life outside of work and your boss is permanently grumpy. You are tired all the time and feel sick every Sunday evening.

Your weekly job search through the paper is half hearted and fruitless.

The New Year will herald a run on life insurance claims.

For some reason, the UK has struggled to come to terms with the more relaxed drinking laws of Europe. When alcohol was no longer served after 11pm, New Year revellers would rush to cram in as much drinking as possible with a view to getting as drunk as they could, all to signal that they had a good New Years that they couldn't even remember.

Many people do not consider life insurance until they have a family to take care of.

This is why many women leave a life insurance policy until they are pregnant or have their first child. Often the father is covered so in the event of his death or serious illness, the mortgage will be paid and a certain level of income maintained.

However, it also vital to consider the mother and the difficulties to the rest of the family should the unthinkable happen to her.

Christmas has come and gone and, after the initial recovery phase, everyone is looking forward to the next big event. Namely Valentines Day.

Go round any department store and you will find cards and gifts specifically targeted to the love of your life. You will find gifts for him and gifts for her, virtually all in coloured in red to symbolise love.

Media advertising is a multi million pound business and incorporates some of the highest paid executives in the salaried world.

It is always specifically targeted towards a particular audience with clever tricks to entice people to buy every product on the market. In fact, without media advertising, many products fall by the way side and are discontinued.

Well, thank goodness for small electrical appliances is what I say!

Kitchen duties have been transformed by electrical appliances into a day filled with pleasure and ease. The daily chores are no longer a burden but something to be anticipated with excitement and wonder. The domestic drudge has been changed beyond recognition into a domestic goddess.

When you consider the option of car hire there are many things to look into, particularly if you are going to be travelling out of your normal area.

You must familiarise yourself with all your responsibilities towards the hire firm and be sure of their responsibilities towards you. A thorough check of the car before leaving the car hire company is essential to safeguard any claims they may try to make later on.

So, you're fed up with your job and decide a career change is called for.

How about a career in the police force? Or nursing? How about training to become an astronaut?

There is a myriad of directions you can go in. There are the usual, run of the mill jobs that will pay just enough to get by. There are training courses to educate and broaden your horizons.