Spring Gift Ideas
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-365 -- More Projects »
TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham has some tips for making great gifts to help friends and family enjoy the arrival of spring and/or summer.
- Make a topiary tree for a golfer (figures A and B). Place a piece of plastic foam in a terra-cotta pot and cover it with Spanish moss. Insert a large, straight stick in the center and top that with another foam ball covered in Spanish moss. Insert golf tees in the ball and evenly cover with dried flowers and leaves. Place golf balls on the "green" in the pot so that golfers can retrieve them as necessary.
Make a gardening gift basket by arranging supplies in a large terra-cotta pot (figure C). Include handheld gardening tools, a sun hat, gloves, packets of seeds, fertilizer, lotion, gardening clogs, kneepads, iced-tea mix and a gardening-magazine subscription.
Springtime is a great time for a new wet pet. Make a goldfish gift kit by placing a gift certificate for a local pet store in a goldfish bowl. Other items to include in the bowl are some rocks or marbles, fish food, a little net, a plastic castle and a booklet on caring for goldfish (figure D).
Surprise a friend with a "May Basket" that's also a nice Easter treat. Tie raffia around a cute basket and decorate it by gluing on artificial flowers. Fill the basket with fresh flowers, candy or other treats and hang on the door of the recipient (figure E).
Here's a great gift to help a fishing fan welcome the season. Fill a small, soft-sided cooler with various types of lures, a bandana, a waterproof disposable camera, fishing hat and an application for a fishing permit (figure F).Help friends make the best of spring showers by making a rainy day gift basket. Include a crossword puzzle book, herbal tea with a mug, a cribbage board with playing cards and a pair of galoshes.
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