Hey grandparents! Are you feeling lonely? Don't know what to do with your time? Then, visit the Bragg Hill Family Life Center in Fredericksburg every Thursday for art and craft sessions and general socializing. You can use your time to make your own gift baskets. Fill up your gift baskets with decorated picture frames, aprons and chip-clip covers shaped like cats. Do you know what is special about these gift baskets?? They will be made totally by your own hands! Now, isn't that lovely? And when you hand over these gift baskets to your lovely grandchild, what a pleasant surprise it would be for them. No?! And what a constructive way to pass your time.
We all remember the joys of getting presents as a child. Who could forget the brightly painted wrapping paper flying everywhere, the bows and the cards, and finally under all of that, a gift that has been long waited for. It is a truly unique pleasure, as a child, to get a new toy or game. But as we get older, it changes. It becomes less about the present that you get and more about the connection that you feel to the person who gave it to you. The idea that it is not the gift but the thought that counts does not really hold for children, but it becomes more and more true as we get into adulthood. This is why, sitting here and trying to pick out a 50th birthday present for my wife, I am rethinking the approach that I usually take to getting a gift.
A 50th birthday present marks a momentous occasion in the life of a loved one. It is always hard to get a 50th birthday present for someone, but it is doubly hard when that someone is the person that you have chosen to spend your whole life with. In most cases, people opt to get some kind of corny 50th birthday gift, something that is safe and humorous. Most 50th birthday presents that I've seen come with a card that has some joke about being “over the hill”. In every other way, the 50th birthday present is usually the same as any birthday gift you would get for someone.
But I wanted the 50th birthday present I got for my wife to be something special. I was not happy just getting her a book, or some jewelry, or some clothing, or a trip to some exotic location. We do things like that for each other every year. Sometimes, for a 50th birthday present, people will give a charitable donation to some organization in their honor. I thought about this, but ultimately I decided against it. We give, after all, a lot of money to charity. Finally, I figured out what I wanted to give. I sat down with all of our old photos and made a scrapbook. It was not just a normal scrapbook, but one that was made to tell the story of our whole life together. It took me weeks to finish, but when I was done it was beautiful. I'm sure it will make a perfect 50th birthday present.
Do you know someone who's expecting? Baby gift baskets are a trendy and practical gift for the new Mom and baby. Expectant Moms shop for the nursery, and stock up on diapers, t-shirts and sleepers – the essentials. A new baby is an expensive proposition! Getting the necessary items may stretch a couple's budget to the limit. Here's where a baby gift basket can help fill those gaps.
Baby gift baskets are a terrific shower gift, filled with items of a more luxurious or unusual selection. Mom and Baby are sure to enjoy these additions.
When selecting a basket, keep in mind that the basket can serve another purpose for Mom after the baby's born. A large hamper style might be used for sheet or towel storage. A shallow sturdy oval basket can hold baby shampoo, oil and wipes, along with ointments and such.
If your basket is on the large side, you might fill it with lots of stuffed animals. Believe me, you can never have too many of these! Baby stores have a diverse selection, often unusual and so very cute!
Rattles and colorful toys are good for visual and audio stimulation, so important to baby's development. Baby stores carry an amazing array of such items. Ask a sales person for suggestions. They know what's new and popular.
Babies need to be warm, so a variety of hats are welcome, especially for a baby born in the cold months. If your expectant Mom lives in a chilly region, you can fill an entire baby gift basket with hats! Knitted and crocheted, quilted bonnets, and fur-lined hats are some possibilities.
A baby born in summer or a more tropical climate may like lots of sun suits. If you sew, there are many patterns available to make personalized sun suits. Remember, babies grow fast! You may want to include a selection of sizes. Department stores have sun suits galore for those of you who don't sew. Again, you can fill a baby gift basket with just this one item.
Mobiles are favorite nursery items. Babies are visual, and a mobile decoration provides many happy hours of joy for a baby. Baby stores have a panoply of unusual and eye-catching mobiles for babies. Search them out, or make your own. Great “stuffers” for baby gift baskets.
Enlist your own kids for ideas. Young children often have excellent ideas that intrigue babies.
Baby gift baskets need not fulfill an immediate need. Time has a way of passing quickly with a new baby! Colorfully illustrated storybooks and alphabet flashcards are gifts to keep for tomorrow.
Your new Mom will treasure your handmade baby gift basket. Your love and caring feelings for her great event will shine through and last in memories for years to come!