Here are some amazing deals to spoil your mum this Mother’s Day.

• Glasgow – Award winning, professional make-up artist offers make-up lesson gift vouchers. Each voucher is £75 and comes in a gorgeous gift box, tied with ribbon and can be mailed to any location.

• Cheshire – Italian Restaurant in Cheshire presents exclusive Mother’s day adoration lunch and dinner. Each Mother will be spoiled by an exquisite glass of Bellini cocktail or their legendary Sicilian Emporio red or white wine!

• Cambridge – Very unique flat tree aromatic candles in four different scents: ocean, apple, orange and lemon.

• South Shields - Spoil your mum with a private chauffeur driven Alfa Romeo and a free bottle of champagne.

• Croydon – Brand new vintage silk scarves from only £5.

1. By selecting the automatic renewal feature, your classified ad plan will be renewed automatically on its expiration date – so you don’t have to worry about your classified ad plan expiring!
2. You will be automatically charged by your last selected classified ad plan and by using your last payment method. A separate invoice will be sent to you for confirmation every time your classified ad plan gets renewed. You will also be notified prior to any changes in prices of the selected plans.
3. You may cancel the automatic renewal feature at any time by following the instructions contained on the Vivastreet website and in your order confirmation email.

It’s not our first choice of course to enrol on, but if you’ve ever wanted to massage a stranger’s colon and relieve their ‘sluggish circulation’ then you’ll be keen to hear about a series of courses running in Cardiff in our classes section. The Colon Massage Accredited Course is ‘predominantly practical-based’ so you can get stuck straight in. So to speak.

If you’re planning on cutting down a tree in your back garden this weekend, but haven’t got a Homebase or B&Q nearby (God forbid), for £6 you can purchase this prehistoric hand axe dating back to ‘circa 50,000 BC’ in our memorabilia and collectables section. And who knows? Once that old oak is down and cut up into logs maybe you could sell the axe to the British Museum for several grand?

We’re not telling porkies when we say you can adopt a Gloucester Old Spot pig for as little as £35 per month, receive updates and pretty pictures of the beast and then, six months down the line, ‘take delivery of your pig either butchered or whole’. If you’re planning a pig roast in the summer, then this is perfect for you. And if pork isn’t your food of choice, there’s plenty more nosh in our food and wine section.

If you’re a lover of Lepidoptera — flying insects to you and me — then look no further. On the memorabilia section of Vivastreet.co.uk, you can buy a gorgeous Orange Tip butterfly for a pound (it’s dead, btw). All you need now is a pin and a small glass case.  And a life.

Love working in the fresh air, live in Kent and looking to earn some extra lolly? Then why not apply for the position of ‘bird scarer’ in our jobs section. It’s an early start but then it has to be if you’re going to ensure that the early bird doesn’t get the worm — well, prize marrow!

Top rates of pay in Leeds are promised if you’re, errr, prepared to take off your top while doing the dishes, ironing and bleaching the loo. The gentleman in question, ‘ClassyBloke’ (real class), wants a topless cleaner, although stipulates that he prefers busty ladies. Has the man no shame?

— Ends —

Vivastreet.co.uk figures show that last year the number of people searching for work they could carry out in their own homes increased by 142% compared to 2008. This trend is expected to continue this year as people look for ways to supplement their income to help keep on top of their finances.

In fact, January 2010 has already seen almost 150,000 people visiting the Work from Home section of the website making it one of the more popular categories in the part-time jobs section and 62% more people searched for ‘work from home’ jobs last month than did in December 2009. Traffic levels in January 2010 were also a staggering 412% higher than traffic levels in the corresponding month in 2009.

Currently, the most popular types of jobs on the Vivastreet.co.uk website that people can do from the comfort of their front room include data entry clerks, remote typists, online survey respondents, online sales consultants, part-time PAs and translators.

With millions of people struggling to cope with mounting debt and worries about job security, the option to earn additional income after work and at weekends has proved a life-saver. With the country expected to languish in the economic doldrums until at least the beginning of 2011, the number of home workers is likely to grow significantly in 2010.

The attraction of working from home has also benefited from the home communications revolution, with the majority of households now having access to fast speed broadband. This has provided a wealth of new opportunities to make money armed simply with a computer and a phone.

Inevitably, with more people looking for work they can carry out at home, Vivastreet.co.uk, a website for free classified ads listings, has also seen an explosion in ‘work from home’ ads being posted on the site during the past 12 months. January 2010 actually saw the highest number of ads uploaded to the site in any one month since the section launched five years ago. The number of new Work from Home job ads placed in 2009 was double (98%) the number of new ads placed during 2008.

Yannick Pons, CEO, Vivastreet.co.uk, commented:

“The Work from Home section has been one of the most popular sections on the site over the past year, but we’ve noticed a massive spike in page views during the first month- and-a-half of 2010. Traffic has been growing month on month, and the number of news ads has also risen sharply.

“Not only are people looking for ways to bolster their incomes, it seems businesses are beginning to see home working as a more cost-effective resource than having staff on-site, particular at a time when they need to cut spending to the bone. With a lot of the jobs people can take up requiring just an internet connection and phone, it’s no surprise this segment of the market is beginning to appeal to consumers and businesses alike.”

- Ends -

We know how tough it is out there at the moment for the all those people out of work, but don’t give up, there are definitely jobs out there which could match your skills. VivaStreet.co.uk has seen the number of new full-time jobs posted on the site increase threefold in the past six months and that’s positive news for those of you out there actively looking for work.

We currently have a huge variety of jobs on the site, both full-time (2,624 new jobs) and part-time positions, from childcare and nanny jobs to marketing and accountancy jobs.

And for those of you specifically looking for part-time positions, we have 7,151 new part-time jobs currently posted on the website.

Finally, don’t forget you can post your CV on the website for free and create alerts so that you’re the first to hear whenever a hot new job is posted on the website.

Good luck!

So, what makes that perfect Valentine’s evening? The truth is it’s not about what you do necessarily but how you do it. The key to success is forward planning – which means if you haven’t actually planned your Valentine’s Day evening yet, time is running out!

A lot of people like the “I can’t tell you where we’re going tonight, it’s a secret” approach, but this is fraught with dangers, particularly if you think you know your partner, then you take him/her for a night at the dogs, only to find out they hate dogs and gambling – ouch! It’s probably much better to plan your evening together, so that you’re sure whatever you do, you’ll both enjoy it. Also, a word of advice on the cash front boys – the reality is that girls still like a little chivalry; so put your calculators away for one evening, and pay for the whole thing. Believe me, she’ll love you for it… and isn’t that the point of the whole evening!?

Now if you’re planning a simple evening out – a meal followed by a film perhaps, then you’d better book up somewhere the moment you’ve stopped reading this rather amusing blog! Valentine’s Day is probably the busiest evening in the calendar for restaurants and cinemas . So, you need to book in advance, or you’ll be having your romantic evening at a Little Chef off the M25, lovely.

Depending on how adventurous/romantic/brave you are, will determine how much time and effort you put into the whole Valentine’s Day experience. If you prefer to play it safe, then a nice meal, a bunch of flowers, then home in time for Match of the Day… oops, sorry, I meant, Dirty Dancing on ITV2 … could be the perfect evening!

However, the more adventurous amongst you, have probably already booked ahead, and are planning to whisk your loved one off to Paris/Grimsby/Stoke Newington for the weekend. If that’s the case, make sure eveything’s in place, the flights, hotel, things to do while you’re away.  Believe me, a little consideration like this goes a long way to ensuring that everything runs smoothly and there are no needless arguments. This is meant to be a romantic weekend, not three hour delays, stuck at one of Ryanair’s “in the middle of no-where” airports, 200 miles from Paris.

Finally, have a little Valentine’s Day gift ready to surprise your partner with during the evening… if everything’s gone swimmingly, then it will be the icing on the cake. It doesn’t have to be much, but trust me, it will cap off the perfect evening!!

To be honest, if they could get away with it, most men would happily just buy their girlfriend/fiancee/wife a box of choccies and a cheap card from the local service station, on the way home from work. Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding it chaps – your loved ones will want sooooo much more than choccies, naff cards and a bunch of roses bought over the counter at Tescos! Don’t worry, it’s not too late to save yourself from spending a night in the doghouse… if you act now!

And because over here at Vivastreet, we care about the welfare of our users and particular those male users who could be spending a night in the doghouse, we thought we’d lend a helping hand if you’re in desperate need of some Valentine’s gift ideas inspiration. Vivastreet has set up a special category for one week only dedicated to love!!! Yep boys, your salvation, and more importantly a happy girlfriend, is just a click away. So, don’t delay, find a Valentine’s gift today, in our special category, which is listed in our Buy and Sell section on the Vivastreet Homepage.

Good luck!

Due to the nature of these massages, from now on the posting will be possible only in the Erotic massages category in the 18+ section.

We regret any inconvenience this might cause and we hope this will not discourage you from using Vivastreet either for your personal or business needs.

If you have any further question, do not hesitate to contact us via our onsite Contact us form or e-mail us directly to: team-uk@vivastreet.com

What you need to do:

1. Be a fan of our Vivastreet Facebook page, and be a resident of the UK.
2. Tag yourself or your friends on ONE of the photos. Whichever one. The winner will be picked from the list of “Tagged in this album” names, so in the end whether you are tagged in once or 20 times you will only appear once on the list and have as many chances to win as anyone else. This is to keep the competition fair, we don’t want someone tagging all the photos and then other fans can’t enter.

Good Luck!

• Time – Take your time looking round the property
• Ask Questions – Don’t be afraid to ask direct and blunt questions about the property
• Photos – Take pictures of the property so that you can look over them later with fresh eyes.
• Measuring up – Take a tape measure with you to calculate the size of each room, or get a rough idea of floor space in a room with furniture by looking at the ceiling size.
• Bills – Find out what is the cost of Council Tax and the average costs of other utility bills such as electricity, gas and water.
• Damp – Is there a smell of damp or any other sign such as the walls feeling damp, wallpaper peeling, paint bubbling, watermarks or mould.
• Power – Make sure there enough power points - how old do they look?
• Internet & Phone – Ask if the property has a phone and internet connection and where are the connection points.
• Electrics, plumbing and heating – Ask the agent or the owner to confirm that the boiler, electrics and plumbing in the property are all in decent working condition, and to see copies of guarantees and service certificates. Have there been any problems with the boiler; when was it last serviced by a Gas Safe engineer?
• Planning permission – Ask if permission has been granted in principle for an extension or other home improvement. Can you put up pictures or redecorate?
• Exterior – Don’t forget to examine pipes, drainage and the condition of the roof.
• Insurance – Check if there have been any recent claims on the property’s buildings insurance – including flooding – and ask for details.
• Neighbours – What are the neighbours like – are they noisy

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

• Become a Vivastreet FAN on Facebook
• Tag yourself or your friends on one of the photos on Facebook
• By all means, share this with your friends that can qualify for an iPod as well

Win an iPod with Vivastreet

For more information click here.

Good luck! xXx

Micro Pigs Babies Available NOW!

Micro pigs are the newest trend in itty-bitty pets especially since Victoria Beckham snapped up a pair for hubby David. They’re adorable, extremely clean, and look quite manageable at only 14-18in high.

However If you are purchasing a Micro-pig, make sure it’s from a respectable breeder and be careful of people selling pigs that will grow much bigger than stated. Make sure you always ask breeders where their parents come from.

We have plenty of Micro pigs for sale on the Vivastreet website right now, however please remember Micro pigs are hard work as pets and require the same time and care as a dog or any other animal.

The new year is a good time to consider relocating

With the new year comes an opportunity for fresh starts and new beginnings, and in our previous post we showed you lots of ways you can dust off those cobwebs and kick start a brand new you.

However some of us may be considering a bigger life change than simply losing a few pounds or getting a new hairstyle. Maybe you’re thinking about a complete change of scene, and upping sticks and moving homes. Well, the new year is the perfect time to think about relocating as more people put their homes on the market once the chaos of Christmas is out of the way.

Here at VivaStreet we have a wealth of properties for sale and for rent, from tiny pied-a-terres and studios to this luxury five-bedroom house. Perhaps you have had enough of city life and have always dreamt of living near the sea. We’re happy to report that you could go and make that dream a reality with this lovely 1930’s property in Devon, complete with panoramic sea views. Or for those who prefer a more tranquil water location, then take a look at this gorgeous house which has its own canalside private mooring. Heaven!

For the more ambitious, we also have a section specially dedicated to land for sale for those looking to build their own home. If you are in the fortunate position of having a sum of spare cash you’re looking to invest wisely, you could do much worse than considering purchasing land. Take a look at our investment land section where you will see an array of different types of land for sale from building plots on the Scottish borders to cheap land in Bulgaria.

Which leads us smoothly on to the option of relocating abroad. Our overseas property selection is extensive, with properties for sale in Europe and beyond. We list a huge number of homes on the market, from farmhouses in Italy and France, to ski chalets in Austria and villas in Cyprus. This farmhouse in Brittany kills two birds with one stone, as it comes complete with an established cattery business – ideal for those wishing to relocate asap!

So what are you waiting for? You may be saying au revoir to cold Blighty before you know it!

Let VivaStreet help you write this year's New Year's Resolutions

It’s that time of year again when it’s out with the old, in with the new. The start of a new year is the perfect excuse for a spring clean in all areas of our lives. For most of us it’s time to make some changes as we resolve to get healthy, tone up that ever expanding waistline, and sort our lives out. So whatever your New Year’s resolutions are – and even if you haven’t decided what they are yet – VivaStreet is here to help you firm up your very own realistic and achievable goals for 2010.

One of the first things we all think about doing after making a pig of ourselves over the festive season, is to shed those extra pounds. Here at VivaStreet we have all manner of ideas of how you can get in shape. Perhaps you’re thinking about getting your diet in check by joining WeightWatchers. You can find your local group which meets in your area right here on VivaStreet. But the food is of course only one aspect. We need to get our backsides off the sofa too! Whether you’re into circuit training, boxing, or maybe getting yourself your own personal trainer, you’ll be tightening up that belt buckle or dropping a dress size in no time. And how about (perhaps for the more uninhibited among us!) belly dancing, or even pole-dancing! There are all sorts of ways you can get yourself looking trim.

Another thing many of us want to do with the coming of a new year is to ditch the cigarettes. Well instead of going down the tried (and often failed) route of nicotine patches, why not try hypnotherapy? It has worked for many people wishing to kick the habit once and for all. While you’re at it, you can use these electronic cigarettes to get you through the tough moments en route to quitting.

If you feel like you could do with taking a look at your whole life, then have you ever thought about enlisting a life coach? By having a few sessions with one could really help you identify and unlock any issues you have been having, and give you some tips as to how to improve your life.  But if all that’s a bit much, then you could begin with some self-help books to get you started.  This self-help e-book is a great way to begin exploring for yourself whatever stresses have been getting you down.

And finally, the new year provides the perfect reason to give yourself a kick-start and learn a new skill. How about brushing up on your IT know-how by taking  a computer skills course? Or how about French or Spanish classes? Check out which courses are being run in your local area and you’ll be Parlez-vous-ing francais before you know it, and speaking like a native in time for 2010’s summer holiday!

So however you want to improve your life, just remember that there’s no time like the present, and that you will always miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t take!

Grab yourself a hat and scarf to stay warm this winter

We’re all feeling the cold here at VivaStreet as the weather has suddenly plummeted and a seriously chilly spell has taken over the country. It even looks like we may be in for a white Christmas!

While we’re all trying to keep warm and avoid coming down with the sniffles, we still want to look stylish in the big freeze. So instead of digging out your holey old winter woollens from the back of the wardrobe, why not take a look at our large selection of winter wear to help get you through this cold snap.

We’ve got everything to help you feel cosy, from cashmere scarves for your extremities to this gorgeous thermal vest for what’s underneath.

You can’t help but feel toasty in one of these gorgeous fleeces, but how about a sheepskin coat? No longer the reserve of dodgy car salesmen from the 1970’s, they can’t fail to keep you warm and they guarantee to make you look stylish at the same time.

Ski gear is the perfect way to make sure you don’t catch cold when the temperature drops, and despite its name it doesn’t have to be reserved for the slopes. Check out this ski jacket, for example, which promises to keep you warm without looking out of place while you’re wandering along the high street.

Meanwhile, let’s not forget our feet! You can’t go wrong with Ugg boots to ensure your tootsies don’t freeze. Even though they’ve been around a few years, they’re still all the rage and look so stylish with jeans, leggings or a skirt. But this year why not check out the latest line in Uggs….. cardy Uggs. A cardigan for your feet = perfect!

But this cold weather isn’t just affecting our own bodies. Don’t forget poor little Fido, who wants to keep warm this winter too! Have a look at these cute little dog coats and make the pooch in your life happy.

Hopefully this cold weather will be gone as quickly as it has arrived. In the meantime, wrap up and stay warm!

We are happy to announce that you can now post your ads without being a registered member.

How does it work?

In Step 3 on the posting page you have 3 options:

1. Create an account
2. Use existing account
3. Post  without account

If you choose the last option – Post without account – all you need to do is enter a valid email address. Your email address will be used as the primary way to contact you. All Vivastreet notifications and communications will be sent only through your email account. Once you will create your ad you will receive an email Activate your Vivastreet Ad Now! – You will need to confirm your e-mail address so that we can begin processing your ad.

New posting page

This Christmas hamper would make the perfect festive gift

Christmas is about many things; giving and receiving gifts, singing Christmas carols, spending time with the relatives and watching yet another James Bond film being just some of them. Well, there’s one thing the festive season most certainly is about, and that’s eating! Yes, it’s that time of year when most of us have to resort to loosening the belt buckle by a notch or two after some serious over-indulgence.

If you’re the unlucky one lumbered with the task of having to cook for the extended family on Christmas day and you’re dreading the thought, then don’t despair. VivaStreet is Santa’s very own little helper, and can advise on everything from where to buy turkeys, to how to cheat and buy a ready-made Christmas cake! It’s your veritable one-stop Christmas food shop!

We have some gorgeous luxury hampers on offer, which would make the perfect gift and guarantee to keep the family quiet for several days. They contain all the Christmas essentials, from cranberry sauce to Christmas pudding, and come as a fantastic reusable woven wicker basket.

If you need a little bit of guidance on how to rustle up the perfect festive feast, then why not pick up this Gary Rhodes cookbook, which is full of tips on how to impress your guests. Of course you can use it long after the Christmas season has passed.

Admittedly, even with the help of dear old Gary Rhodes, some of us just aren’t as au fait in the kitchen as we would like to be. We don’t know about you, but here at VivaStreet the mere words ‘dinner party’ are enough to get us into a tizz! But yet again, there’s no need to panic. VivaStreet has just the thing. Have you ever thought about what it’s like to hire a chef? This could be the answer to your prayers – let them sweat over the Christmas spread while you sit back and relax with your glass of mulled wine. We love this idea too – cookery class gift vouchers. They make the perfect Christmas present for a loved one who has always dreamed of being able to cook like a pro.

But let’s not forget one of the most important things…the grog! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some mulled wine, and Santa will never forgive you if he doesn’t get his annual glass of port or sherry. VivaStreet’s food and wine section has endless ideas for what booze to fill up the cupboards with. This case of wine, for example, will keep the family happy until the supermarkets re-open.

So make the most of the opportunity to over-indulge before you make your New Year’s resolution to lose those extra pounds. Bon appetit!

You don't need to build a huge wind turbine to save energy in your home

The Climate Change Conference is going on in Copenhagen as we speak, where world leaders are gathering together to discuss setting targets for cutting carbon emissions in order for us to clean up our act and save the planet.

There is much that should be done on a national and international level, but there is also a lot that can be done on a smaller scale, and that starts with each and every one of us making changes in our own homes.

As well as small things like turning off lights in empty rooms, using energy saving light bulbs and taking showers instead of baths, did you know that there are ways we can actually CREATE our own energy in order to help the planet?

Probably the most well-known methods of creating energy are wind and solar power. But don’t worry, you don’t need to set up huge wind turbines in your back garden to get started (the neighbours probably wouldn’t be too impressed anyway!) First of all, making your own solar panels is surprisingly easy. You can easily start generating energy in your home by placing some simple solar panels on your roof. Get your hands on this step by step guide to see what we mean.  And did you ever think you would be able to build your own electricity generator? Well, it’s not as difficult as you might think. You can choose between solar or wind power, or both, and can work towards one day ‘unplugging’ your house from your electricity supplier, and generating all of your own energy. And we’re talking renewable energy here, as it’s straight from mother nature herself. Imagine being able to save money AND save the planet at the same time!

But it’s not all about solar or wind power. Did you know that you can also create electricity to power your home by using magnets? We have guides on the site on just how to make your own magnetic power generator, which create free energy and don’t require a resource like wind or solar energy to function.

So if you feel like you’d like to give renewable energy a go, but just want to test it out on a small scale first, then take a look at these solar powered garden lights. They recharge by sunlight during the day and then contain enough energy to switch on at dusk. Impressive stuff!

Clearly there’s no time like the present for each of us to do our bit to fight global warming, and that means starting by saving, and even creating, energy in our own homes. There’s plenty that we can all be doing to cut our fuel consumption, which is not only good news for the planet but also great for our wallets too!

We’re witnessing a new trend within the property market which is impacting on landlords and tenants alike.

The so-called weekday renters, or ‘tempers,’ are those for whom the daily commute to work has become a bit too much of a drag. Perhaps the journey is a little too long or expensive, public transport is too unpredictable, or even long working hours are making the journey home at the end of the day almost pointless. Whatever the reason, property owners across the country are seeing a surge in demand from professionals looking to rent a room from Monday to Friday. Landlords are cottoning on to the idea, and have started to make available weekday rooms for those looking for a place to crash after a long day in the office.

As people choose to hang on to their jobs, at least until the recession is thoroughly behind us, property ‘temping’ is becoming a great option for those who, faced with a significant daily commute, want to spend a little less time staring out of the train window. It’s worth bearing in mind that flatshares have come a long way from the outdated notion of having to pay over the odds for a thin-walled dingy bedsit, and in fact they are increasingly becoming the smart choice for professionals. Luckily here at VivaStreet we have a number of flatshares to suit every budget and location.

As well, why not explore whether your budget stretches to renting a property on a more full-time basis, in case long working hours on a Friday (or even after work drinking!) make the idea of sleeping over close to work a little more appealing, and a lot less tiring.

And finally, for those for whom even a weekly or fortnightly commute is still too much, then don’t forget we have a huge amount of properties for sale if you’re considering upping sticks completely.  It’s clear that whatever your budget, location or working situation, VivaStreet has a range of options to suit your needs, so there’s no need to put up with an exhausting daily commute any longer!

Looking for love? Vivastreet is here to help ...

It’s that time of year again when everyone seems to be talking about how they’re going to spend the festive season, and, more importantly, who they’re going to spend it with. Families make plans to get together and couples look forward to snuggling up with each other under a cashmere blanket in front of a roaring fire. Well, as much as we love Christmas and all the fun and good times that come with it, we know that there are some people who perhaps haven’t been too lucky in the love and romance stakes this year, and who are not fortunate enough to be able to curl up with a loved one this winter.

One thing’s for sure, it’s not easy to meet that special someone, especially when everyone around you seems to be already married or sprouting offspring. Are there any good ones left?!

Well, VivaStreet is here to help. We have a huge amount of singletons on the site all looking to meet a friend, lover, or soulmate.  We have men looking for women, women looking for men, women looking for women, and so on. It’s so easy to sign up and – most importantly – it’s all free! Currently, the number of single men looking for love is far outweighing the amount of women we have signed up, so come on single ladies, what are you waiting for… you could make some man a fantastic Christmas cracker!

Online dating is what all the cool singletons do these days, and it’s as normal as swapping numbers with someone down the local boozer. So if you are single, then why not give it a go. We may not be able to promise that you will meet the love of your life, but you will certainly get chatting to some new people  who may become firm friends. And for those of you who are already in a relationship, then don’t worry, there’s still lots of opportunity to make new friends, as many people sign up to VivaStreet who are just looking for friendship.

So why not give yourself the best chance possible of meeting the future man or woman of your dreams?

Just remember to stay safe. VivaStreet encourages users to be very cautious in giving out personal information, and to always tell a friend where and when you have arranged to meet someone.

This year we’re all feeling the pinch a little more than normal, and the majority of us are not looking to be uber-extravagant with the Christmas gifts. This is especially the case as we still have to buy presents for the whole family, including brother Ben, sister Emily, Mum and Dad, old Auntie Maude and Spot the dog… So why not let VivaStreet do the hard work for you in suggesting the top ten affordable Christmas presents to get your hands on this year.

1. First of all, we’ve got loads of cheap Nintendo on offer, and it’s the perfect gift to bring the whole family together and have fun. Get your hands on the Wii Fit so all the family can start to work off those one-too-many mince pies!
2. Brother Ben will just love this Canon EOS 35mm camera, complete with accessories including flash, zoom lens and carrying case.
3. This cool go-kart will be perfect for little Harry to show off to his friends, and will provide many years of fun, lasting him until he’s about 12 years old.
4. Why is is that all boys dream of being rock stars? Let cousin Jack indulge his musical fantasies with this fantastic second-hand drum kit…although the neighbours may not be so pleased!
5. How about treating your sister to a piano lesson gift voucher? You know how she has always dreamed of playing along to her favourite tunes. Choose from a range of instrumental and singing teachers and give the gift of a lesson for Christmas.
6. After working hard to cook Christmas lunch for the whole family, Mum definitely deserves some pampering. You’ll be forever in her good books with this cheap spa break.
7. Auntie Maude will just adore this antique tea set, in fine bone china.
8. Dad will love this! Take a look at these personalised gifts, ranging from personalised magazine and newspaper covers, to fantasy images, where, by simply emailing in a photo of your Dad, you can have him transformed into a Medieval knight, a footballing legend, or a Star Trek captain!
9. Perfect for uncle Pete, this “Really Stupid joke book” is  only £3!  If it’s all getting a bit tense being stuck in the same small living room as the entire family, then let Pete break the tension with this collection of silly jokes.
10. And finally not forgetting the pet pooch, Spot, because it’s his Christmas too. He wants to look cool among his doggie chums in the park, so why not treat him to some professional grooming from this mobile dog pampering service.

Happy Christmas shopping!

England's 1966 World Cup

Thousands of football fans will be glued to television screens across the country at 17.55 GMT this evening, as the World Cup Finals draw takes place in South Africa. As usual the English media has already started speculating as to whether this will at last be the World Cup when we put to bed the 1966 label…
Hopes are high, but of course every team needs a little bit of luck and it would help the England cause if:

1. Brazil send their Under 21 team to the World Cup Finals
2. Germany forget how to take penalties – because we know for certain that we’re going to draw them in the quarters or semi-finals
3. We avoid Portugal, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Ivory Coast
4. Rooney or Beckham don’t break their metatarsals six weeks before the World Cup kicks off
5. It rains all tournament!

So, what about the draw? Who do we want to avoid and who would raise a smile on every England football fan’s face? The first stage is to avoid the Group of Death – which this time around would probably comprise of Portugal, Ivory Coast and the USA/Mexico. Ideally we’d like to draw New Zealand, Slovakia and Algeria – but you just know the draw is going to throw up some hum-dingers… so don’t be surprised if Death is wearing an England shirt and sharpening his scythe on Rooney’s head come 6pm!

Just to enter into the spirit of the day, we’ve been trawling the Vivastreet site for anything World Cup related. How about a night out in the company of some of the England 1966 World Cup winners.

Or, if you’re planning to head out the World Cup Finals next year, it’s probably worth booking up your World Cup accommodation in South Africa now before it’s too late.

Lastly, once tickets for the World Cup go on sale, they’ll be snapped up in the first 24 hours…. so be quick! If you miss out, don’t worry, check out Vivastreet for World Cup 2010 tickets – you just might be one of the lucky ones who gets the chance to watch England lift the World Cup in South Africa.

Go on boys – make us all proud… and we’ll even forgive you for earning ridiculous amounts of cash, having beautiful WAGS and living the perfect lives, while the rest of us earn pittance, doing jobs we despise haha….. jealous? – absolutely!!

With our new release we have introduced new Umbrella categories in Buy & Sell section, which group together sub-categories relevant to a certain products.

New umbrella categories in Buy&Sell

In most cases students and flat hunters are asked to transfer money either to themselves or a friend, then send a copy of the receipt to prove they have enough funds to cover the rent.

Armed with the receipt, criminals then fake the intended recipient’s ID and take the cash from outlets across the country. Because the money transfer industry is not regulated in the same way as credit card companies are, the victims are unable to claim any money back.

Money transfer companies insist their security procedures are adequate and that they are working with police to stop the fraudsters. The scams are run by organised, persuasive criminals who lull their victims into a false sense of security.

Always remember to follow our online safety rules:
1. Never transfer money before you actually see the apartment.
2. Never send money using payment services Western Union, MoneyGram
3. Use conventional and regulated methods of payment
4. Only pay when a contract has been signed

For more information on how to deal with scammers please click here.

Perhaps free diving is a step too far, but if you have always yearned to explore the ocean beneath the waves rather than from the comfort of a yacht (because of course all our Vivastreet users have their own yachts!), then how about donning a pair of flippers and trying a little scuba diving? We’ve got some great diving equipment for sale if you have always fancied giving the sport a go. We’ve got diving accessories, such as this diving regulator, and even some rather natty diving clothing, such as this fab ladies’ diving jacket, to help you stay stylish even when those around you are more interested in eating plankton than checking out your aquatic sartorial elegance.

Get the body you want with this new fitness class led by qualified instructors

But what if this extreme sport is a bit too extreme for you? Well, if you want to stay active without having to break the bank to buy expensive equipment, have a look at our fitness training section, where you will find all sorts of opportunities and ideas for how to get fit – and stay fit – for life. No-one is going to mess with you after you’ve taken part in this attitude fitness one day event, for example. And have you ever thought about taking part in a boot camp? It involves little more than a good pair of trainers and a will of steel, and it’s where those in-the-know go to if they want to fight the flab, tone up their muscles and generally look hot-to-trot! You’ll find loads of like-minded individuals and may even make some friends along the way.

For those of you for whom boot camp or fitness training is still a little too strenuous, don’t worry, we still have options for you.  If hitting a small white ball around a park is about as much as you can handle, then why not invest in some golf training to improve your handicap and get to grips with your swing. Judging by the number of pensioners who converge on my local course at the weekend, it’s not what you’d call an extreme sport. But believe me, when you’ve just taken seven to get out of a bunker, the blood will definitely be pumping round the body!

So what are you waiting for? Quit piling on the pounds and get yourself off that sofa! And don’t kid yourself that playing Wii Fit while tucking into a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken is going to get you into the best shape of your life. There’s no time like the present and there’s no excuse for not getting in shape for this year’s Christmas party!

VivaStreet has a wealth of music and singing teachers to help you sing like a superstar

For those of you who don’t know your Jedward from your JLS, well, you must have been hiding under a rock for the past few weeks. X-Factor mania has yet again taken hold of the UK, dividing the nation over which contestant deserves to be knocked out, and which deserves to go through to the next round. For all the talk about the outfits, the hair do’s and have/haven’t they had Botox, the real question people are really asking is this: “Can they actually sing?”

Whatever the answer is, if – like us – all this singing and dancing has left you wishing you could get up on stage and perform, but you feel like you may be lacking some of the necessary coordination, rhythm, vocal expertise, then have no fear, VivaStreet is here to help. You need look no further than VivaStreet’s very own Dance, Music and Acting classes section where you will find a wealth of singing teachers, piano teachers, and in fact all sorts of tutors who can help turn your musical dreams into reality. Whether you need help with your singing ability (or lack of) or have always fancied yourself as a bit of a dancer, we’ve got all sorts of performing arts experts to help you get your footwork sorted and your vocal chords in tune.

Perhaps you have always harboured a desire to sing like Mariah or Frank, or maybe you’re thinking “actually I played a pretty mean fiddle” when I was younger, time to set the screeching cats free……..or maybe what you’re really dreaming of is getting up on stage and auditioning for X-Factor yourself!

So once you’ve got a few tunes under your belt and you’re ready to belt out a medley of show tunes, pop songs or rock classics, then check out the local artists and local musicians section of VivaStreet where you will be able to find some similarly inclined individuals – or rather some “desperate to be famous” individuals – within your area who are ready to perform with you! Who knows, the next Take That may just be a few clicks away! Whatever the results, you’ll certainly be able to impress your colleagues at this year’s karaoke Christmas party.

And after you’ve spent some time investing in your musical interests, if you’re still not convinced you’ve got what it takes to get up and perform, then take the simple option and hire a professional! If you’re putting on an event or party anytime soon, whether it’s a wedding pianist, a tribute band or an Irish dancing group you’re looking for, then here at VivaStreet we have every type of musician for hire just for you in our local artists section.

2. Never send or wire money to sellers or buyers. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Vivastreet.

3. Never send your item before receiving the money.

4.    Beware of the Overpayment Scams and bounced cheques. Be suspicious if you are overpaid for products and a number of credit card numbers are used. The scammer is expecting you to/will transfer the refund; either paying for the freight before then discovering the cheque they sent out to you has bounced or before realising the money order/credit cards details they produced were phoney.

5. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Especially when deal seems too good to be true (price is too low, rent is below market, etc.). Be careful when buying expensive items like mobile phones, laptops, plasma TVs, airline tickets and even tickets for shows/gigs.

6.    Vivastreet does not offer any sort of buyer protection or payment programs. Vivastreet does not act as an intermediary and does not make arrangements for any payments or transactions. If you are contacted by someone who claims to be from Vivastreet and you are asked to transfer money for an item for sale, this will be an illegitimate request and any emails you receive of this type will also be fraudulent. DO NOT follow any of the instructions contained within the email or given over the phone.

7. Never provide your personal or banking information. Do not give out personal, credit card or online account details (e.g. social insurance number, bank account number) over the Internet/email. We advise only buying and selling with people you can meet. Fraudsters don’t meet a person, that’s how they get caught!

8. Please report to us any attempted fraud or suspicious emails or other activity by community members. If you have knowledge of a fake ad, please report by clicking the “Scam” button on the bottom of the ad or sending the Ad ID number to our help desk along with any knowledge you may have of the situation. In case of fraud or illegal activity, we also recommend that you report it to the Police.

Honda SGX 50 sky, 50cc scooter with retro styling

Small capacity scooters are ideal for first time riders, but beware – because you might just get hooked for life!

Get the freedom of the road and feel the wind across your face as you zip down the road on your scooter. Take to the hills, head for the coast, and find the camaraderie of fellow bikers. Your life might never be the same again.

With exceptional agility in an urban environment, scooter can give you nimble transport around town, easy parking, yet coupled with enviable street-style. Many scooters are powered by four-stroke engines, giving power and performance to go with urban elegance and practicability.

The sporty, sleek lines of a stylish scooter combine with economic and green fuel consumption to give a popular two wheeler. There are some wonderful 50cc scooters on the Vivastreet in enough different colours and styles to match every taste.

For new young riders a 50cc scooter also comes with the huge bonus of being able to be ridden with only a provisional licence. No test required. So, get your scooter, get your licence and away you go!

So whether it’s a Vespa or a model from Yamaha, Peugeot or Aprilia, there are many reasons for joining the legions of scooter owners.