Online Shopping in the UAE

With most of us being away from home in Abu Dhabi we have to get organised and get online shopping to make sure that we don't miss out on our loved ones special dates- be they birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, engagements and more! There are so many websites that can be used to order various gifts to be delivered around the world. Here we take a look at some of the most well known but also some hidden gems that you may not have heard of before.... they're all tried and tested by the ExpatWoman team or by our Forum members...

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Cards

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Moonpig- worldwide delivery
Moonpig offers a totally new concept in buying greetings cards. You can order most of the best selling greetings card designs you see in the high street but they allow you to personalise the captions to create a completely unique card.  You can also send cards with flower bouquets sent by courier or First Class post. They recently launched personalised gifts in the form of mugs, framed cards, Wall Art and T-shirts, which can also be sent with or without a card. If you order a card before 2pm UK time they offer same day dispatch- which is great for those last minute emergency cards and gifts! www.moonpig.com

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SnapFish- worldwide delivery
A custom photo card from Snapfish is the perfect way to celebrate a holiday or special occasion. Flat photo cards can be printed on high quality matte, glossy photographic paper or 100 lb. Stationery paper. New card styles, holidays, and occasions are added daily by a carefully selected design community that creates specifically for Snapfish customers. At Snapfish you can find both photo cards and personalized non-photo cards for any holiday - Christmas Cards, Halloween Invitations, Thanksgiving Invitations, Valentine's Day Cards, Mother's Day Cards, and Father's Day Cards to name just a few. www.snapfish.com

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Weddings

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Wedding Paper Divas- worldwide delivery
Wedding Paper Divas prides itself on offering exclusive designs from the industry's top designers, better than boutique-style service and innovative online tools to make your wedding stationery shopping experience as easy as can be—or dare we say enjoyable? We love what we do, whether it's offering etiquette or design advice, style inspiration or planning tips. Whatever your style may be, our dedicated team of stationery specialists is committed to helping you find the perfect stationery to make your wedding a beautiful success. You can design and order all your wedding stationary online and at veryb affordable rates... we've used them and the results were excellent! www.weddingpaperdivas.com

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Confetti
Confetti.co.uk is the first destination for brides and grooms-to-be, their bridal parties and guests. As well as an online shop stocking everything from bridal shoes and handbags to favours, confetti and party poppers, the site is also home to more than 400,000 unique forum users and offers planning and advice informatoin alongside fashion hints, tips and inspiration for every bride to be. As well as expert support and a strong community network, users can also find comprehensive searches for venues, dresses, photographers and other wedding suppliers. They deliver to the UAE and many places worldwide- keep an eye out for discount weekends and sales too! They really are a one stop shop for everything you need for your wedding. www.confetti.co.uk

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Flowers

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Flying Flowers
The UK's favourite postal flower company Flying Flowers started in Jersey in 1981 and grew out of a service offered to holiday-makers who wanted to send low-cost, high quality flowers to friends and relatives at home. Today over 750,000 bouquets a year are sent by Flying Flowers to addresses worldwide. With over 30 years experience Flying Flowers are experts in flower delivery. Each flower bouquet is made up of top quality blooms, selected by hand at exactly the right time and carefully packaged so that they last as long as possible after arriving at their destination. Every single bloom is checked before it goes out to ensure it meets the standards expected of Flying Flowers and their customers. Flying Flowers has a range of gifts to suit every taste and budget including classic flowers, luxury flowers, pot plants and chocolates. Flowers can be sent to any address in the UK for as little as £9.99 with free delivery. All Flying Flowers gifts are delivered gift wrapped with a card carrying your special message. www.flyingflowers.co.uk

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Charity Gifts

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Oxfam Unwrapped
Oxfam Unwrapped is Oxfam's poverty-busting charity gift range and home to the Oxfam goat. They've got great gifts for everyone and every occasion and whichever gift you choose, the outcome is the same; you'll be helping to transform someone's life. Oxfam Unwrapped gifts support the full range of Oxfam's work - from emergency responses to advocacy projects. To make it easier for you to choose your gifts we've split them into nifty categories based on interests. There's masses of choice - from goats and chickens to school supplies and safe water - you can even help build a bog if you like. www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/oxfam-unwrapped

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Send A Cow
For over 20 years we have been helping thousands of African families and orphans grow enough food to eat, sell their produce and develop small businesses that last. Providing livestock, seeds, training and ongoing support, we help families leave poverty behind for good.
Send a Cow works hand in hand with poor families, teaching them the skills they need to build new lives free from poverty and hunger. By providing training, livestock, seeds and support, we restore hope and create stronger communities for the future.You can buy piglets, chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats and more. By choosing a Send a Cow gift, you become part of a chain of giving that beats poverty. You’ll be the very first link! www.sendacow.org.uk

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All Occasion Gifts

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Friends At Home
Nick Southon, Managing Director, has worked for many years in the Diplomatic Service, and all their staff have lived, worked and travelled extensively throughout the world. Together with other "Brits Abroad" they have experienced the difficulties of choosing, buying and delivering gifts to their family and friends in the UK. Whether it's to say "Best Wishes" or "Congratulations!" "Thank You" or "Thinking of You", Friends at Home is committed to solving all your gift supply problems, and helping you to join in with celebrations at home especially whilst you're away. www.friendsathome.co.uk

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Ashleigh & Burwood
Ashleigh & Burwood are a specialist home fragrance company; formed in London in 1993. They design and produce contemporary and classic home fragrance products under their signature ASHLEIGH & BURWOOD brand. Products are created to refine, to beautify and to enhance home ambience. They see fragrance as an art form, and believe a person takes the same care in choosing how to fragrance their home as they do in what perfume to wear. They want YOU to love their fragrances... choose from diffusers, burners, candles and beautiful gift sets. www.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk

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jam
A very warm welcome awaits you at www.jamgifts.co.uk - an award-winning online design-led gift, greeting card and fashion accessories store. They were delighted to recently be awarded Independent Gift Retailer of the Year 2012 (the North & Northern Ireland) by Progressive Gifts & Home. jam is a vibrant and friendly gift shop located in the cathedral city of Wakefield, Yorkshire. Since 2003 we have nestled amongst a community of independent boutiques and shops just out of the city centre. The owners of jam are Julian and Sarah who specialise in sourcing interesting and colourful collections of gifts for you, your family and friends. They have lovely, quirky and unusual gifts to choose from and deliver throughout the UK. www.jamgifts.co.uk

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About Living
About Living is one of Glasgow's leading homeware and gift stores. they have been open since 2006 and their store is located in the heart of the south side, in Giffnock.Their website was launched in 2010 after the success of the Glasgow store.They pride theirselves on selecting the best homeware, jewellery, gifts and cards on offer from around the world. They look at the latest trends, colours and designs and work with some of the most desirable brands including Alessi, Guzzini, Joseph Joseph and Korres. All products are hand picked in order to stand out from the typical department store. www.aboutliving.co.uk

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La De Da
La de da! first opened its doors to a bustling Christmas street party in the desirable location of Montpellier in Cheltenham on the 3rd December 2010. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride of all things great! La de da! has a product selection that is based on being beautiful and unique, pieces that we would love in our homes. By using reputable companies such as Culinary Concepts, Retreat and Shruti to independent local designers such as The Cutlery Commission we can offer you a great variety of choice. There are so many cutesy vintagey gifts to choose from and really affordable prices. la-de-da.co.uk

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USA Online Gifts & Treats

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Tastykake
Tastykake products represent the industry benchmark for consistent taste, quality, and freshness. The idea of small cakes, pre-wrapped fresh at the bakery and conveniently available at the local grocer was uniquely appealing in the early 20th Century – and it remains so today! The Tasty Baking Company is a Philadelphia success story. Tastykake are committed to using the best ingredients and to providing their loyal customers with the best and freshest baked goods possible.They truly believe that “Nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake.” You can order loads of different varieties of their cakes and different gift options for delivery in the USA. shop.tastykake.com 

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Scarlett Alley
Bringing the new to OLD CITY, Philadelphia since 1993. Shop this neighborhood gem, nationally recognized for fab ever-changing inventory with value & design, friendly service, free gift wrap and worldwide shipping. SCARLETT ALLEY was founded by the mom & daughter duo of MK & Liz Scarlett in 1993. Its original concept of a gift gallery keeps evolving but its style & charm remains. People visit Scarlett Alley for the selection, service, and personalized products which become their “signature” go-to gifts. Scarlett Alley has continually received national recognition from Allure Magazine for “best beauty boutique” to Philadelphia Magazine’s “best costume jewelry”. Many products have also been featured in Oprah, Lucky and El Décor. www.scarlettalley.com

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Kiel James Patrick
By combining timeless patterns and textiles, Kiel James Patrick began creating hand-made bracelets and belts, as well as modifying and reconstructing other goods such as shirts, ties and sport coats. From humble roots as a personal hobby, selling out inventory at craft shows throughout New England to worldwide distribution, the Kiel James Patrick brand has always maintained its commitment to solid construction and American Made virtue. From the buttons to each individual stitch, KJP products are 100% USA Made. KJP have amazing jewellery and accessories at very affordable prices! kieljamespatrick.com

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Overstock.com
Overstock.com is an online discount retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that sells a broad range of products including furniture, rugs, bedding, electronics, clothing, jewelry, travel, cars, and insurance. Worldstock.com, a fair trade department dedicated to selling artisan-crafted products from around the world offers additional unique items. They now also deliver to the UAE and have a great range of well priced items available! www.overstock.com

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France-Based Gift Shopping Sites

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Cadeaux.com
Cadeaux.com is a well known online store of unique gifts that are original and customizable and has large sections dedicated to cooking, mothers and couples. Most of their gifts are manufactured or assembled at your request, in France, according to your criteria. Their vintage Armagnac is from the small town of Vic-Fezensac, their watches are manufactured in Besançon, and their bowls are glazed in Quimper Brittany! www.cadeaux.com

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