You had lots of gifts when you married, why not when you divorce?

Starting over without a toaster, a CD player or even a bed does nothing for the successful launch of your new life after divorce.

There is help out there
Instead of contemplating your new home with just a smattering of the essentials of life or, indeed, the marital home minus spouse and half its contents you can enlist the help of your friends and family to solve the problem.  Debenhams, the department store of choice for those who really don't fancy BHS, have come up with an obvious but brilliant solution - the Divorce Gift List service.  Just like a Wedding List but without the silver gift tags wishing you a long and happy marriage!

How does it work
Setting up a divorce gift list is simple. You can book an appointment at one of their 150 stores (or do it all online) to pick the items you think you'll want in your new place.  Debenhams also offer the services of a specialist adviser who can offer lots of advice to help you choose.  The selections are then posted online for family and friends to browse and select the perfect gift to kick start your life after divorce.  You can then manage the whole process online.

A dilemma
An interesting problem could arise if both halves of the divorce have a list running and tell all their friends.  How do these friends react to this in terms of what they buy and for whom?  Is the decision made on the perceived culpability of the wife or husband (after all, she left him) or economic need (he still has his good job but she's got to take time out to look after the children) or even longevity of the friendship (we were her friends, long before she met him).  A moral dilemma upon which we need not dwell.

There's always somebody who wants to object to a good idea
The Divorce Gift List has been criticised by a family advocacy group saying they thought it glorified (and even encouraged) divorce and was a cynical attempt by a high street chain to cash in on the misery of people whose marriages have collapsed.  Would you get divorced just to get a new toaster?  Probably not.  In fact it's a welcomed attempt to help divorced people to survive financially after the trauma of a divorce and forking out shed loads of cash to eager solicitors.  If you are looking for a good local solicitor, we have lots. 

In conclusion
If you can start your new life after divorce with the toaster of your dreams then you are well on your way to a better and brighter future.