People love receiving personalised gifts as it makes them feel special and cherished.

But unless you have a rough idea of what the item’s going to look like, you can worry that you’ve got the spelling right, ticked the right colour or even the correct size.

There are quite a few websites now which provide real-time personalisation so that you can see a mock-up of what your completed gift would look like. Here’s some of my favourites:

American Medical ID – great for family members who may have a serious condition, you can “engrave” in real-time a necklace or bracelet from 14kt, 10kt, sterling silver or stainless steel, and it has engraving samples and tips so you know what to add. If your mum or grandmother is a Cancer, this might stop them worrying.

Just for fun, create a magazine cover with their photo, the theme (ie wedding, anniversary, new baby) and magazine-style headlines ie “6 Things You Never Knew About Samantha and John” or whatever. Perfect for Aries and Leos.

If you really know their favourite colours for their lips, eyes, nails and blush, you can custom-blend cosmetics for them, even including the colour intensity and exras like shimmering glitter for nail polish. Even better, you can send in your old, discontinued favourite lipstick or nail polish etc and get them to colour-match it for you! A lovely gift idea for Taureans and Librans.

One of the most imaginative customised gift websites I’ve ever seen is Shapeways which lets you create 3D printing of your designs. You could have the words of a favourite poem, for example, laser-cut into a candle-holder or into cool napkin rings which would have to be one of the most amazing Valentines Day, anniversary or wedding gifts ever!

Hardcover photo books are not really that new now but Pixable lets you select your photos from Facebook, Flickr or your computer, upload AND receive them within 3 days! Great for Geminis.

For the aviation buff who has nearly everything, you can order a customised airline cart (yes, the trolleys that the hosties roll down the aircraft aisle) from Alcarts in one of 10 colours. Ideal for those with their own plane(!), this storage item is also an original conversation piece as you serve food and beverages in your office, garage, patio, shop or kitchen. I can see this appealing to Aquarians and Sagittarians!

Everyone loves their own name! A cute gift for a new baby or perhaps a housewarming gift is letter art photography by Alphabet Photography. Each “letter” is a photo of an everyday object (such as a door handle) that resembles the letter of the alphabet. A sweet gift for a Pisces as is this one from GrowShow which lets you upload photos in chronological order so you can see the development of your child over time. It also has interlocking photo frames so you can add to them as your child gets older.

Love to theme a party all the way through? Now you can personalise your disposable party plates with photos, text and colour for anniversaries, birthdays, Halloween, with a fun service from Hallmark. I see this being particularly popular for children’s parties!

Candles are always popular with women and now you can customise them with Lumnique, packaged in a nice rectangular glass jar. Select the intention ie peace, love etc, the colour and from 72 fragrances, ranging from the traditional, such as rose, to the frankly unusual, such as Hansel and Gretel (which I’m guessing must smell like gingerbread)!

If you’re looking for a gift with a difference for your favourite health freak, look no further. Now you can customise your own energy bars (chewy, oaty, cripsy), add fruits, nuts and sweets (ranging from chocolate chips to maple syrup), and even fibre or other nutrients, all the while seeing the nutritional panel adjust in real time for sugar, fat, carbohydrate etc. And to cap it off, you can even have your name on the packaging – how cool is that?! I’m going to order some from Element Bars for my Virgo sister!

Most people are familiar with the Successories framed prints in gift shops full of inspirational photos and sayings. Now you can customise your own, using their gallery of images but adding your own message. I think a subversive-style message (ie a straight picture and a sarcastic message) could really amuse a Scorpio, and maybe some Capricorns…

I love the mobile phone covers by GelaSkins – they’re amazing! From manga cartoons to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, you’re sure to find something amazing here. Most importantly, you can upload your own photos, message and designs to cover covers for your mobile, iPod, laptop, gaming device or Kindle which would impress even the hardest-to-please teen.

If you find clothes hard to fit and you’re forever getting items altered, you might like to check out the customised outfits at April Marin. They make a small range of pretty, tailor-made dresses, allowing you to customise the lengths and widths of everything important!

Does your favourite friend or family member post particularly witty bon mots on Twitter? Did you know that Tweetbookz now lets you create high-quality books containing Tweets from any Twitter account? It might be a lovely gift for a small business owner! 

And last, but certainly not least, I was entranced by Princess Chic which enables you to build your own pair of shoes! From classic stilettos and platform pumps to ballet flats and high-heeled sandals, you can select your material from leather, satin, suede, snake, croc or fish skins, from 17 colours and sizes from 5-11.

According to the wedding gurus at GetMarried, the US holiday season between Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) through to Valentines Day is the most popular season for engagements with approximately 35-40% (or 550,00-650,000 couples) getting married in the 12-18 months afterwards.

Here are their top 10 bridal trend predictions for 2010. Some of them are frankly, a little weird, but there are a few others which could be added to a novel gift registry, especially if you need help with wedding expenses.

1. Non-linear wedding aisle.
Well marriage is hardly linear, more of a game of Twister and Monopoly with a Get Out Of Jail Free card so maybe that’s the idea? Or is it to be photographed on your best angle? I truly doubt this one will take off… If it does, a Gemini, Scorpio or Aquarius would be the most likely candiate.

2. Comfort foods
When the economy tanks, everyone wants to go back to basics which is great news for your wallet (although maybe not your waistline). Why not consider adding your catering bill to your gift registry, ask Uncle Tim to share some of his dusty bottles in the cellar or have your aunt make the cupcakes. And everyone really does love chicken. Comfort foods are nirvana to Taureans and Cancerians.

3.  Gifting techie gadgetry
Technology is a tricky one because it becomes obsolete so quickly, making your friends and family waste their money on something you can’t keep. Whatever PDA, iPhone or other techie gadget you get in 2010 is unlikely to be any use in say 2015.  However, for the retro girl/guy marrying that iPod addict, why not consider buying software that convert records to a digital file? One for the Aquarians.

4. Texture-inspired invitations
Embossed, die-cut and engraved invitations are the go for 2010 as they’re supposed to mimic your wedding decor. Unfortunately the bride will be the only one who notices the seamless theming. Yes, you could ask for someone to pay for your invites as their gift to you but um, don’t. This trend could suit the Virgos.

5. Cobalt blue
This colour is set to be the hottest colour for brides in 2010. And in about oh, 10 years or so when everyone looks at your bridesmaids in this electrically charged 80s colour (I was very fond of it myself then), they will laugh. What about keeping it to gifts like vases, table linen, candlesticks, picnicware, or cushion covers? I see this one suiting fun-loving Sagittarius.

6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses
I like this trend. Whether you or your bridesmaids are paying for their dresses, it’s nice to think the frocks will get some wear again, like regifting…Pisces are super-sentimental and will appreciate this one.

7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates
Here’s they’re talking about items like paper umbrellas to signify a destination wedding. This is where you might want to add honeymoon excursions and attractions to your gift registry. Or even a B&B gift certificate for when you get home and feel a bit anti-climactic. Sagittarius again.

8. Old Hollywood glam for men
Think Cary Grant – even George Clooney. If your man doesn’t have a good pair of shoes, why not put that in your wedding gift registry. He will have them for years! This will thrill the Librans and Leos.

9. Blogger brides
Blogging about your wedding planning is becoming surprisingly common. If you’re a techie yourself, maybe you could give her free hosting, cool apps or a hand at programming as your wedding gift? If they can make their blog into a money-making exercise, this trend might suit Capricorn while Gemini might try it just for fun.

10. Personalised everything
Last, but definitely not least, brides want a wedding which is completely customised for them, from personalised invitations, monogrammed guest books, and made-to-order favours to gifts which are all about the couple.  Some of these things are fun but just add to the cost of your wedding. In addition to the array of personalised homewares and books you could ask for, I think a personalised set of cards and envelopes embossed with your names and address would be a nice addition to your gift registry. And you just know your aunt would buy it as that would give you the stationery on which to write your thank you cards! This trend will suit Aries, Leo and Libra (who likes everything matching).

Cyber Monday is the five-year-old phenomenon attributed to online retailers who feature amazing sales on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving (always on a Thursday) is the curiously-named Black Friday which is the Day From Hell at bricks-and-mortar stores and malls when shoppers beat each other to death over a pair of shoes on sale (I’m joking…just).

Cyber Monday (this year on 30 November) avoids the hysterics, allowing you to shop online at home (or at work when your boss’s back is turned). There is even an official Cyber Monday website for shoppers where you can make enormous savings on their Christmas gift purchases.

However, on 30 November, Mercury in Sagittarius is squaring Uranus in Pisces. Mercury rules communication, Uranus (electronics), Sagittarius (travel and publishing) and Pisces (glamour and escapism). Mercury is a trickster at the best of times and Uranus is renowned for shocking and upsetting people.

People shopping online for electronics (ranging from mobile phones , iPhones and printers through to massive plasma TVs) could purchase a too-good-to-be-true deal on Cyber Monday. The product may have to be returned for repairs, it may fail to do what it’s supposed to do or it just doesn’t work with your existing electronic items (ie they’re now obsolete).

Others may receive an email promotion which has – disappointingly – already ended by the time they get to checkout or that the products are already out of stock. Yet more may be alarmed to find that their computer goes down which prevents them from shopping. And other people may be shocked to discover a bill they weren’t expecting has emptied their bank and/or credit card accounts, thus making it impossible for them to shop online.

If you shop on Cyber Monday, make sure the store has secure-socket layer (SSL) technology, a phone number you can actually call to speak to someone (not those websites with only email fields in the Contact Us section), and a money-back guarantee.

Once you’ve chalked up nearly two years of marriage, you graduate from the first paper wedding anniversary gifts and onto the potentially more expensive cotton gifts.

The common thread (ahem) for cotton gifts seems to be mainly homewares or clothing-related items, but you can still have some fun with them!

The ones that caught my eye were the customised queen-size duvet cover (Aries lurrrve personalised gifts) that you can personalise with your own photo (or from the photo gallery) from Vision Bedding or if your partner hogs the bed, you can draw the line who sleeps where – literally with Bedhog.com’s His and Hers sheet sheet (Geminis love a good gag gift) or if you’re after a “classier” cotton-themed present, give them a monogrammed cotton throw from The Golden Ribbon (ideal for your Capricorn or Taurus).

If you happen to be buying a second wedding anniversary gift for say, your best friend and don’t want it to be about their bedlinen, some nice thirsty towels would do the trick!

Have your favourite photo printed on cotton canvas (Leos will be delighted) or what about getting him a custom-made cotton business shirt (great for Virgos) or a fun t-shirt about your second wedding anniversary (Aquarians aren’t that mushy). Or snuggle up together in a comfortable cotton hammock (ideal for dreamy Pisces or sexy Scorpios) after he’s fired up the BBQ (especially if he’s a Sagittarius)…

And what girl doesn’t love a pretty broderie anglaise cami! (Cancers and Librans adore them.)

Ah, you gotta make these guys feel special! They’re much too polite to say so (actually, they’re usually just much too polite for their own good), but they die a little inside if you don’t make them feel loved and adored!

And please don’t forget their birthday either as they’re always thinking about how to make other people feel happy, so it’s time for them to have the favour returned. Librans (and Leos, Cancer and Pisces too actually) are devastated if you overlook their Big Day. Think about signing up with a free online birthday reminder service and make sure you tick the 30-, 14- or 7-day prior reminders, too.

Libra is ruled by Venus which rules love, beauty, art, and general gorgeousness. Imagine a charming and well-mannered beauty queen and you’re getting close! Think about the type of upkeep it takes to be a beauty queen, that might give you some clues, too. Facial? Mani/pedi? Perma-tan?

Since Libra rules relationships and marriage, you can’t go wrong with something that relates to them being a couple - and even more so on improving it if they have any planets in next-door neighbour Virgo). Single Libran girls like relationship self-help books like The Rules, He’s Just Not That Into You (actually, they know who likes them, they just need help navigating the seas of singledom, especially when someone is treating them badly), Men Are From Mars (I think John Gray must be onto his tenth type in the series – Mars and Venus on a Date was the last variant I remember). Libran men pretend they don’t like those kind of books – then again, they’re the ones swiping your copy of InStyle. Which is another gift suggestion, actually.

Perhaps you could shout your favourite Libra, a classy speed-date event, an opening night at the theatre, art gallery, ritzy musical or dinner at a three-chef hat restaurant so they can dress up.

They lurrrve clothes, jewellery, shoes and accessories (and that’s just the men). Anything from a clothing store gift certificate to an open cheque to spend breakfast at Tiffany’s would be great. What about giving them a stylist to help them chujz up their wardrobe for summer?

Still no clue? Both sexes love flowers and are often a little overcome at the sight of a stunning bouquet heading their way. Can you get a courier to deliver something to them in person or at least to their desk so everyone else oohs and ahhs at what they’ve been given?

And don’t forget the greeting card to go with your expertly wrapped present (spend extra and get it done properly). I’m thinking a mushy Hallmark one with flowers on it – not one of those cheap jokey cartoon ones that tease people about their age. No, my dear, that really will Not Do.

I read that Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) loves the gifts that her World’s Sexiest Man, David Beckham, gives her.

Ha! I would, too. Apart from renting out Richard Branson’s beautiful Necker Island in the Carribbean to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, ol’ Golden Balls also had 10 roses tattooed around his arms to celebrate their 10 years of  marriage.

According to Becks, “I always seem to do pretty well,” he says. “She always seems to be happy with the gifts that I get her.”

Yes, indeed. From an astrological point of view, they are really meant to be. His Mars in Gemini conjuncts her Venus in Gemini while her Venus in Pisces conjuncts his Mars in Pisces. Such a double Venus-Mars conjunction is very unusual – and very, very hot! They still madly fancy each other after all these years and are right in tune – even down to gift-giving.

His Mars in Pisces also conjuncts her Jupiter in Pisces. Mars is what you desire and Jupiter is what brings you joy. David truly desires Victoria’s happiness and recognises that extravagant – yet also wildly romantic – gifts are what she wants. She’s also an Aries, with Mercury in Aries - and they’re not shy about saying what they need!

Victoria has Venus conjuncting Jupiter in Pisces in her seventh house of relationships. Venus is what you love and it’s conjunct Jupiter which is what brings you joy, while Pisces, rules music, movies, mysticism, glamour and feet! The seventh house rules her marriage so she is deeply delighted when Becks sweeps off her feet with romantic gestures and gifts.

They really get each other as they both have the Moon in Aquarius and both of their Suns are in each other’s eleventh house of friends and group activities. They will stay friends no matter what.

Finally, Victoria has a Leo Ascendant which is a prime candidate for somewhat diva-ish, look-at-me behaviour on the outside. Romance, beauty, love and fun are very key for her. David on the other hand has a Cancer Ascendant. He is well-known for being a family man and has often cried after losing important soccer matches.

Well, if he needs cheering up…

Not every Sun sign is gleeful at getting a silly gag gift for their birthday, some are downright disappointed and disgusted that you could get it so wrong!

Aries have a very healthy ego so while they hate to be made to look stoopid, they (and Leos) do like to be seen as heroes. A fake Oscar-type statue for the “Best…” would appeal as would superhero outfits, James Bond type gadgets and stuff that appeals to the child in them.

Taureans lurrve food and this is one area where you could have fun (with them). They have an “earthy” approach to life so if you combine one of their favourite foods – chocolate – in the shape of their favourite umm, bodily organs, you could be onto a winner. Libras would be quietly appalled, however.

Geminis and Sagittarians have low attention spans and love silly, frankly childish birthday gifts, especially ones which startle others, eg whoopee cushions, stink bombs etc.

Cancerians are most likely to be very upset if it’s tasteless as they’re such sensitive little souls, but don’t mind gentle humour, especially if it’s got a cute connection with home and family. Fridge stickers, embroidered pillows with cute sayings are well-received.

Neither Virgos nor Capricorns are famous for slapping their thighs upon receiving gag gifts, unfortunately. Since they’re so work-obsessed, office gags can amuse Virgos (slightly). Money-related gags can sometimes tickle Capricornian funny bones, but only if they’ve got a couple of Sagittarius planets in their chart!

Librans are completely freaked out by fake vomit, replica poo and so on (whereas that doesn’t faze the Scorpios one bit). If it’s a gag, it has to be tasteful. Hard, I know! Scorpios also like rather naughty, sexy gag gifts as they like being seen as complete sex maniacs.

Aquarians love electronic gizmos and things that shock others. Anything faintly Star Trek-y or out of this world or that appeals to their love of humanity could work.

Pisces swing from extreme bad taste to high ‘n’ mighty puritanicalism. It depends on their mood. Since they’re famed for their uh, drinking, gags which celebrate this particular vice can amuse them. Pisces also rules illusion, so magic tricks can work their ahem, magic, too.

It would be so handy if there was just one end-of-financial-year worldwide. It can range from 31 March in Canada, to 30 June in Australia  and New Zealand and I can’t quite work out if it’s 15 April in the US or not!

Usually places like Officeworks, Staples and WH Smith run endless ads for stocking up on tax-deductible items near the end of each financial year to help you maxmise your tax deductions.

But with a little lateral thinking, many of these places – and others – can create fantastic opportunities to stock up on items that are not only tax-deductible for your work, but could also make very good win-win gifts for family and friends. They get a great gift and hey presto! you get a tax deduction!

You know how your parents are always after a nice photo of you? If you run your own business you can claim photography expenses for a classic head shot you can use in your media kit etc. Frame it in a nice silver frame and voila! An instant tax-deductible gift for your parents and grandparents. (Your friends might not be so thrilled though…)

Work outside as a tradie? Buy a glam pair of super-dark sunglasses and thrill your Aries who always loves to look cool. 

Run a cafe? Your Taurean foodie will get the joy of a glossy new cookbook while you get a tax deduction.

Geminis lurrrve their gadgets and the taxman won’t know if you actually kept that new iPhone for yourself or not. If you don’t want to spring for that much, there are a bunch of consumer magazines appropriate to your work area (medical industry = Good Medicine, automotive = Wheels, funds management = Money, and so on) that you could consider.

Most Cancerians are like moths to a flame in hardware stores. If you work in the building trade, it’s all the excuse you need to give them a portable handyman kit.

If you’re in the beauty trade, present your favourite Leo with an industrial-strength hairdryer for their mane or a goodie bag full of the latest beauty products.

Know a Virgo? You can give them all types of home office doo-dads from Kikki K and keep ‘em and the tax man happy.

Work in the interior design industry? Interesting evening classes on interior design and lifestyle (Coco Republic ran a successful series recently and have created some for Melbourne for June) can make for a very thoughful gift for your Libran design maven.

It’s hard to go past Scorpios without thinking of their famous need for privacy (they can’t bear people going through their things). For a left-field gift they’ll appreciate – and you can deduct – give them a paper shredder!

Many people who work in the travel industry are lucky enough to receive familiarisation trips (“famils”). Why not take your favourite Sagittarius as your guest the next time you have to check out a new adventure overseas?

If you take your laptop on work trips, it’s likely you’ll need a fancy new one which makes it ideal for Capricorns. Or what about a good business-oriented self-help tome.

Run a restaurant? Your kooky Aquarius teenager might actually like those funky checked black and white chef’s trousers.

Work in entertainment? Make use of your tax deductions for movie tickets and buy a book of ‘em for your favourite Pisces film fanatic.

If you’ve never been big on buying gifts, this is one way it might actually become kinda fun.

Regifting is one phenomenon that’s been gaining ground thanks to the coinciding Global Financial Crisis and the anti-clutter trend. If you can clean up your home, give someone a gift AND save money in the process - happy days.

Have a look around your home. There’s SURE to be something suitable you can pass on for someone’s birthday. Here’s a quick guide to what items you could safely regift to certain Sun signs without causing too much distress. (It goes without saying that you’re not going to regift anything that’s dirty, broken or in poor condition! Also, ideally it should still be in the original packaging…)

Jewellery – rings, bangles and bracelets (Geminis), pendants, necklaces (Taurus), gold anything that’s good (Leo), matching set jewellery (Libra), antique family heirlooms, pearls (Cancer and Capricorn), mood rings (Pisces), toe rings , “statement” pieces (Aquarius), belly chains, anything hand-crafted (Virgo), leather jewellery (Aries, Scorpio), ethnic pieces (Sagittarius).

Books – cookbooks (Cancer and Taurus), romantic novels (Leo and Libra), thrillers (Scorpio), sci-fi (Aquarius), self-help (Aquarius and Virgo), travel (Sagittarius), business (Capricorn), mystical, movie or music books (Pisces), how-to manuals and sexy potboilers (Aries)

Homewares – bookshelves, storage items (Gemini and Virgo), doonas, comforters, mohair throws (Taurus and Cancer), ornate mirrors, boxed DVD sets (Leo), antiques, crystal vases (Capricorn), BBQ equipment, Persian rugs, travel souvenirs (Sagittarius), DIY power tools, sporting equipment (Aries), filing cabinets, fur throws, breakfast in bed trays (Scorpio). terrariums, vintage equipment, computers (Aquarius), aquariums, windchimes (Pisces), cake stands, serving platters, jewellery trays (Taurus and Libra).

Clothing – vintage shoes (Pisces, maybe Leo if they’re in ultra-good condition – the shoes, I mean), scarves (Taurus), fur coats, dramatic coats (Leo), wacky 60s/70s stuff (Aquarius), handbags (Virgo), belts and hats (Libra), brooches (Cancer), Doc Maartens boots, anything red (Aries).

And if it all seems too hard, go shopping!

Tomorrow night (Tuesday 21st April) is a smokin’ night for romance, thanks to a gorgeous Venus conjunct Mars in Pisces aspect.

Venus is the planet of love and beauty, Mars is your sex drive and when they meet in Pisces, it’s just lovely! If you’ve got a special someone, take ‘em out tomorrow night to make the most of this subtle, sensual, soulful evening.

Pisces rules dancing, photography, film and just a little magic. Why not whisk them out for a slow dance somewhere, go see a romantic, cuddle-up movie, have an early evening picnic looking up at the stars, but please don’t waste it - at least do something far more glorious and magical than Thai takeaway in front of the TV. If you’d love to propose, THIS is THE night! Time to kiss, forgive and make-up? It’s great for understanding, compassion and sweetness, too.

Single and looking for love? You might just find it. But swim up to them, sideways, gently. This is a sweet aspect that’s not meant for pushy, aggressive manoeuvres.  Take your time, read the signs. Three looks and smiles = interest.

Since Pisces is also pretty psychic, why not take a chance on that girl/guy who keeps giving you shy glances and ask if they’d like to have a drink with you? If you’re any good at palmistry (or if not, dare I say, fake it?), take their hand in yours and trace their love lines. The feel and touch of another’s hand can be a dead giveaway of chemistry.

Oh, and this is the perfect night to end by giving your partner a lovely massage with essential oils.