Happy Mothers Day

If you still have a mother, be thankful and appreciate her.  I lost my mother 6 yrs

        ago and still miss her every day. I learned so much from her.

If your mother is young or old, show and tell her you love her.  She will sense when you are too busy for her, so on this mother’s day take time for your mother and think how much time she has spent on you!

Mother’s Day gift’s can range from beautiful bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, lovely gift basket with all of mom’s favorite things for pampering on her special day. Every one is looking for low budget gifts this year and here they are. Consider the following:

Grandmothers:

Young children love projects and this is a good holiday for their participation.  Store bought cards are beautiful, this year consider home made cards by your children.  Start this project early allowing enough time for them to finish the cards.  Does grandmother love flowers, a potted plant, herb plants or even a tomato plant?  The children can help with the planting. You can use a basket, or a colorful gift bag and tissue, add her favorite tea, fresh muffins or cookies and chocolates or mints. Use a ribbon and tie the handles together.  The most cherished gift of all —Your Time!

Mothers with children:

School age children will probably have the assistance of dad.  If it’s a dinner reservation for the whole family sit back and enjoy it.  Save those precious cards in your scrapbook. New mom’s with infants and young children will welcome and love “One hour to themselves” or a certificate to a massage, facial, or haircut.  Time is precious and free time is scarce with young children.

On A Budget:

This year we are all watching our budgets. For instance at Easter we needed another table arrangement. I went outside cut some palms fro the pal, tree, bouginvilla, and branches fro the orange tree. found a glass vase in the garage, cut trimmed and made a lovely arrangement.  This was placed on extra shred from the baskets.  You could give this gift to your grandmother, aunt nursing home friend or anyone for a fraction of the florist cost.

Take a look around your house, yard and garage.  See what you have and what you can reuse.  Just be sure the containers is in good condition and completely cleaned.

Wrap matching colored tissue around flowers, add a nice big bow and watch the smile of appreciation on someone’s face. Check your local thrift shop or goodwill for gently used and moderately priced vases in assorted sizes and colors.  Consider teacups and saucers, as a base for a delicate African violet.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

.

Valentine’s Day, with its entire aura of charisma and charm, means love is in the air! February 14th, Valentines Day, is the time everyone wants to be a romantic.

There are endless products to go in a Valentine’s Day gift basket, from a heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates in his/her favorite flavors to “Chocolate body frosting” complete with a paint brush.

For your favorite guy, cook his favorite dinner or take him out to dinner. Prepare a “Kisses Trail,” and surprise him with a path of chocolate kisses (wrapped in silver) leading to his pillow, and place his favorite treat there. Use your imagination! Valentine’s Day is a time to recapture what is important – the love of your Valentine!

For an adult evening, try a jar of “Chocolate body frosting,” or a box of “Edible tattoo set.” Complete the basket with a chocolate shower bar with a note that says, “Meet me in the shower.”

For her, a basket of romantic movies, with champagne and chocolates for a night in. Of course, champagne and roses is the Valentine’s Day gift always says “I love you” with class. A perfect start if you are setting the stage to pop the question to that someone special!

A healthy tasty gift tray or basket with delicious and favorite fresh fruit, cheese and healthy crackers, is a gift the whole family can enjoy.

Giving jewelry? A heart-shaped necklace, ring or other special jewelry can be placed inside a wine or champagne glass, with sparkling shred inside.

Valentine’s Day cookies that have been decorated and individually wrapped placed in a basket with loose sparkling red shred will be enjoyed all week.
Everyone loves flowers, just be sure to express your feelings with a card, which should have more than just a signature inside.

A spa basket for the two of you, a great bubble bath you both will enjoy with scrubbies.  Try the chocolate body frosting or chocolate soap, candles, your favorite bubbly and a special card expressing how you feel.

You can build a fun Valentine’s gift basket for your favorite little one, starting with a new cereal bowl or travel mug for hot and cold beverages. Then add some heart-shaped candy or chocolates, pencils with hearts on them or a new baseball wrapped in red cello. This is a good time to add a new tooth brush for winter. This gift can be wrapped in red cello or just with red ribbon. Remember the theme is “love,” and include a hand written note from you.

This year I asked four men from different places to give me their ideas of a Valentines Day gift.

I asked a friend from Canada, he said, “I am taking her out to dinner at a nice restaurant, then I have her favorite wine at home and some flowers and I will tell her I love her.”

A friend from Cape Cod, said, “I send my granddaughter a card with a written message and money. I tell her she’s my Valentine.”

A friend form Worcester, MA, “I feel the gift should be something that will last long after Valentine’s Day is over, so every time she looks at it, she will remember me.”

And from FL, the response was,” I will make her dinner, we will have red wine and head upstairs. That’s all I am telling you.”

Whatever or however you choose to express your love, even a single red rose, tell your Valentine how you feel. COMMUNICATION, it’s for every day!