Renovate Alerts is an online company that finds properties that range from needing cosmetic updating to a full scale renovation. Having found the properties Renovate Alerts email subscribers alerts which links the subscriber to the property details on the estate agents websites. So your friend would only get properties that require work and are ripe for their DIY enthusiasm. Alerts are sent out every few days and contain only properties that are new to the market.

The cost of this unusual present would be either £10 or £20 per month per region and each region covers a large area e.g. Wales, South, Scotland, Greater London, etc. So you could give an original, thoughtful present of £10 or £20 and start your friend on a new line of investigation and even a new career in property development!

The subscription is on an ongoing automatic monthly basis so if you want to give your friend just one month then do remember to email Renovate Alerts to cancel the subscription after the first month.

Here is some feedback that Renovate Alerts has recently received from satisfied customers:

"Your service is excellent, and I will recommend you to other people"

"Your website is amazing. I am in the process of purchasing 2 properties as a result. I have started a new business.."

It should at least give your friend something more to go on. A subscription to Renovate Alerts is surely more exciting than chocolates, pens or socks. In fact you might find it so intriguing you subscribe for yourself!