JennsThreeGraces: gifts

Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

For The Birds!

I have always loved birds. In fact when my children were younger we had our share of birds - a couple of parakeets, a cockatiel and 3 zebra finches. They were all healthy, messy and we managed to keep them away from our dog and cat. 1 parakeet didn't survive a realtor leaving our study door open during a showing. The zebra finches...well, my son fed them dried grits...water and the rest is a sad,sad story.

I've always collected bird houses and bird cages - both indoors and out. This year because I share a townhouse I haven't purchased anything for the yard. I'll wait until I have my own surroundings to personalise.

So this year when my daughter in laws parents moved in with them from Cambodia - I was struggling with ideas for Christmas. Warm clothes for their daily walks were number 1. They speak very little English so what to do? Ravy's mom sews in their kitchen and her dad spends a lot of time watching her. They have big sliding glass doors in front of the two sewing machines. So...

I bought them a bird feeder, bird seed and they can bird watch to their hearts delight!

Happy New Year Tweet!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Waiting For Christmas... Gift Ideas For Furries Too!

As the holidays rush toward us...I'm busy thinking about all the bits and pieces of things I want to get done on my list because to me - it's fun to do little bits and pieces! I'm home recovering from knee surgery, doing better than I ever anticipated - and I plan to use this time well!
First Project: Furry Buddies

I pick up cookie tins throughout the year at yard sales
I look for pretty glass containers, lidded jars, canning jars, wine glasses
pretty scraps of fabric, rope, ribbon
bells, ornaments, glitz, costume jewelry

Next... Dog Biscuits
I pick up dog biscuits at Walmart in several shapes and sizes - large bags. Then I separate them into appropriate size for my friends critters, place them in cool containers, decorate them, label them and they are ready for Santa giving. For petite dogs I have found teeny biscuits that look just like MilkBones that are adorable at Farm and Home Tractor Supply.

They look great wrapped in a little cellophane gift bag tied with a bow and a jingle bell given in a Christmas mug, a wine or champagne glass! You can also put them in a lidded canning jar with a pretty piece of fabric on the top of the lid. If you make bigger jars.... Pier I has Asian white ceramic soup spoons that make dynamite scoops to tie on the jars. They are .75 each!

Like the ideas so far?
That's why I do believe in thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, friend swaps, saving 1 glass out of broken sets. You can even use 1 pretty dessert plate with a cloth napkin that has a holiday look - that's why I haunt the CLEARANCE aisles of ROSS, Marshall's, TJ Max, Home Goods.

Here you go....coffee mug - NEW .50 Home Goods

Champagne Glass Goodwill .10 each bought 6 Great for a mini dog biscuit gift for a neighbor or going to a friend's Christmas party. Everybody should celebrate!

Line a basket with a cloth napkin, tissue paper - I pick them up at yard sales all the time! Big bow and you're good to give! Dog toy attached - even better!
Anyone need a new dog bowl?

Make a delivery to your local pet shelter... they can use every donation avalable!

So all your friends are waiting for your
thrifty, exciting, brilliant, creative, yummy,
crunchy ideas!

So be a star when you give holiday gifts and remember....
it's not how big, how expensive....it's the thought.

Breathe

Monday, November 21, 2011

Making My List... Goodie Baskets for Special Guests

Making my list...checking it twice

I have good friends,

and they're very, very nice.
So I'm thinking of things that
will be unique gifting ideas this year.
I also want to have things on hand in case anyone happens to visit and stay over.

check out all the sales and specials stores are having!

Crabtree & Evelyn

really ladies!

don't be afraid to look on line for bargains!

companies have free shipping, free gifts,

10 for $10, 5 for $5.00, 25% off -
check out Pier I, Crate and Barrel, Crabtree and Evelyn, Ulta,

Yankee Candle

books are a favorite

gift of mine to give

and receive!

magazines too!

add a little song

and may your heart be light...

and if someone special decides

to stay...

new cozy slippers,

a magazine on the nightstand,

and a candle to remember the time spent together...perfect!

and stay...just a

little bit longer.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

There's No Cross That Love Can't Bear...Holiday Caring

Love Bears All..

Once a mother stood on a corner
Tears betrayed her painted smile
She was trading in her halo
For just enough to feed her child

Then an old man, cold and hungry
Saw her crying, so he stopped

And he gave her his one possession
A shining silver pocket watch

There's no cross that love won't bear
And when you're down to your last prayer

It will be the saving grace
In the depths of your despair

There's no cross that love won't bear

So the old man found a park bench

Crawled inside and went to sleep
He lay down and went to sleep
As he drifted into slumber
He prayed the Lord his soul to keep

Then the mother with her halo
Came to him in a dream

And he woke up in a mansion
His silver watch there on it's chain

There's no cross that love won't bear

And when you're down to your last prayer

It will be the saving grace

In the depths of your despair

There's no cross that love won't bear

No, there's no cross that love won't bear

by John Berry

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
—John 13:34-35