Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets Blog

Archive for the ‘Summer Fun’ Category

Fresh fruit is more than a great snack, more than just the base for countless delicious recipes. Bright, beautiful, and bursting with promise, fruit also makes a wonderful gift for even the pickiest, hard-to-shop-for people on your list. Giving fruit helps you deliver the gift of freshness and summer, no matter what time of year it is – and that is always welcome. Here are some tips for giving the gift of fruit.

What’s in season?

No fruit is in season all the time, but there is a fruit for every season. Luckily, the fruits that we tend to send as gifts most often come into season in the northern hemisphere’s winter. So, in the middle of a cold January snowstorm, you can enjoy a taste of the tropics. You can find a list of fruits and their seasons at Fruit and Veggies More Matters. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the season you want to look at.

Not only does choosing fruit in season ensure that your recipient gets the freshest, most delicious items, it helps cut the costs. Seasonal fruit is less expensive than forced, hothouse-grown fruits.

Do you want to buy a fruit gift or make your own?

Either can be a great option. Purchasing a premade gift has a few advantages though: they do this for a living! They know when and how to arrange and ship the fruit so it doesn’t arrive spoiled or bruised. They can use specially insulated shipping containers to make sure that freshness is preserved and your recipient gets a beautiful fall gift arrangement. Another option is to choose a fruit delivery service that auto-delivers each month. You can save money, and your fruit will always be fresh and delicious.

What type of arrangement do you want?

Fruit baskets are wonderful, traditional gifts, but you can also branch out and try other options. Edible fresh fruit bouquets, for instance, make stunning birthday gifts and great centerpieces. This would be perfect for a party or for virtually any occasion, from a baby shower to a retirement party. Baskets, platters, boxes, picnic baskets, and bouquets bearing fruit all make terrific gifts.

Do you want anything other than fruit?

Fruit is definitely the star, but many arrangements include other items, such as cheeses, crackers, cookies, tea, wine, chocolates, dried fruits, and nuts. You can build a fruit basket featuring any number of complementary items. This allows you to customize your gift to meet the tastes of the recipient.

What’s your price range?

How much do you want to spend on your gift? Consider both the cost of the fruit gift as well as the cost of shipping. If you can hand-deliver the gift, you may want to assemble your own basket and save money; if you have to send it across the state or across the country, choosing premade can actually be a bit easier on your budget.

You can choose a deluxe, all-inclusive fruit basket with chocolates, nuts, and other goodies, but the cost is driven up by these other gourmet items. You can expect to pay between $120 and $200 for a large gift basket. You can always stay small, though; and this may even be better for some recipients. You don’t want all that fruit to go to waste because they can’t eat it all in time! You can find smaller, though equally beautiful, arrangements for between $35 and $50.

Fruit is a wonderful gift any time of year, but it is particularly welcome when we all need a reminder of warm, sunny locales. In the cold month of February, a valentine gift basket makes the perfect pick me up. You are sure to be appreciated when you give the gift of summer!

Did you know that August has become Family Fun Month? As if you really needed an excuse to celebrate, you can now go out and have some good, clean family time without feeling even the least bit bad about it. But what types of activities might a family do during this fun month? Here are a few ideas for your family to enjoy:

1. Visit a State Park. With all of the state parks out there, there has to be one that you've always thought was cool or wanted to visit. Pick one with a fun body of water, or a supply of unique wildlife. Not only will this option be cost effective, but it'll be an experience for the kids to remember and it's certainly something out of the ordinary!

2. Have a Book Night! Who said that you have to leave your house to have fun? Why not have a lock-in night and snuggle up with your family's favorite books? It might include a longer novel where you read a chapter or two, then have a snack, read a couple more, then play a game. Mix it up a little bit and just enjoy each other's company.

3. Pack a Picnic. If you're home on the weekends, or even during the weekday since the kids don't have school, get everyone together to pack a big homestyle family picnic basket! Research as a family a great place to visit for your picnic, and pack your food basket and go! Don't forget to bring a frisbee, the family dog, or a football. You don't just have to eat there, you can enjoy the park when you're done as well!

4. Take a Mystery Road Trip. Pack up your tent, sleeping bags, and canteens because August is the perfect month to hit the dusty trail and find fun new places that you would have never discovered. Wing it and try random campgrounds each night on a surprise journey for your kids. Pick an end destination and have fun on the journey.

5. Visit an Amusement Park. Of course this is the trip that any child wants to go on during the summer. Make a special day to take the family and go enjoy the rides, the water park, or the games. You can usually score discounts on admission at a local grocery store, or in the newspaper. Another resource is the internet, never underestimate the value of Google!

6. Stay in and Bake! Kids love to help out in the kitchen when sweets are involved. Teach them your famous recipe that's been passed down, or try something new altogether! After the work has been done, enjoy your treats together as a family.

7. Visit a Farm or Orchard. Usually around this time of year, the crops are starting to roll in or are ready to be picked. If you look around, you may be able to find a farm that allows you to go in and pick your own foods. Not only is this a healthy alternative to junk food, but the kids will love the new experience and learning about farming. Plus, there's something to be said about harvesting your own food.

8. Family Game Night. Every kid loves to play games. Allow them each to pick out their favorite board or card game and have the whole family join in on the fun. Make some kids gift baskets by adding some popcorn, get some special snacks, and maybe even a soda! Make it extra special and fun, they'll feel elated that they have such cool parents!

Enjoy your family during this month, and every month. After all, who needs a declared holiday to make their family feel special? Let loose and have fun!

More family fun ideas:

• Top 10 Family Board Games
• Kids Crafts: Fun and Easy Crafts for Kids
• Ice Cream Sundae Bowls For Kids
• Summer Treats Recipes for Kids
• Play Dough Fun Recipes for Kids

What images come to mind when you hear the phrase "The Dog Days of Summer"? This picture of my dog in his swimming pool is the first thing that pops into my mind.  But what does a dog have to do with it?  Nothing, really!

The Dog Days of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is a period from about July 3 - August 11th.  The name "Dog Days"  comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, was somehow responsible for the hot weather.  Sirius is the brightest star in the Canis Major (Big Dog) Constellation.

Sirius is the brightest star besides the Sun and rises and sets with the sun during the "Dog Days" period, so people believed that it helped contribute to warmer temperatures during this time.

Although it is certainly the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. The heat of summer is a direct result of the earth's tilt.

Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer!

August is just around the corner!  Soon school will be starting, the weather will start changing . . . but what is happening during the month of August?  There are plenty of silly holidays and observances in August that makes every day a holiday!

August 1 - Friendship Day and Girlfriend's Day and Sister's Day

August 3 - Watermelon Day (I'll be celebrating!)

August 4 - National Chocolate Chip Day

August 5 - International Beer Day AND National Underwear Day (I see a connection!)

August 6 - National Fresh Breath Day

August 7 - National Mustard Day

August 10 - S'Mores Day

August 13 - Blame Someone Else Day

August 15 - National Relaxation Day

August 18 - Cupcake Day

August 20 - Men's Grooming Day (Just one Day?)

August 21 - Hug Your Boss Day

August 24 - National Waffle Day

August 25 - Kiss and Make Up Day

August 30 - Toasted Marshmallow Day

What is more fun on a warm summer day than blowing gigantic rainbow bubbles into the breeze?

If your kids are like mine, the bubble solution runs out quick!

Did you know you can mix up your own batch of bubble solution that is just as good if not better than any you can buy at the store?

Below is a recipe that will fill your yard with those amazing bubbles!

Ingredients:

• 6 Parts Water

• 2 Parts Joy Dish Washing Detergent (Must be the Joy brand).

• 3/4 Part Corn Syrup

Directions:

Mix the ingredients above in an ice cream bucket with a lid for storage.  Fill empty bubble bottles or pour in a shallow pan and use a variety of items to make bubbles (bend pipe cleaners, cookie cutters, etc.)