Sewing Tutorial: Charming Hot/Cold Pack

 Here's another project to use up charm squares: a simple pouch filled with rice or similar grains that can be used as an icepack or heated and used at a hot pack.

The red and panda packs are six charm squares each; the blue one is eight with the "extra" two squares cut in half and sewn in between the full-size squares.

SUPPLIES

Six to eight charm squares

Rice, fennel, or other grain--about half a cup per section

I used rice for this one, and fennel for the others pictured above

DIRECTIONS

Sew the charm squares for each side together into a strip. You should have two strips of equal length when you're done.

One strip done, one nearly there.

Put the strips right sides together, and sewn around the perimeter. Leave room for turning--this will also be how you put the grain in.

Turn right side out when you're done.

Now, pour about half a cup of grain into the pouch, and work them down into the far end, opposite where you left the opening for turning. You'll be sewing the first section closed next, so don't overfill it--needles don't like going over hard grains, and will revolt by breaking.

You'll also be top stitching around the perimeter. Don't overfill!

With the grains between two charm squares, sew along the seam between the two charm squares (or wherever you've decided to close off the first section).

See how the section is loosely filled? This is about how it should look.

Repeat for the remaining sections. Finally, top stitch around the edge, taking care to close the opening. Now it's ready to soothe an ache!

Sewing Tutorial: Charming Trivet

 Have a pack of charm squares and need a project? Here's a way to use six of them to make a little trivet to protect tabletops from hot serving pans.

Three charm squares per side

SUPPLIES

6 charm squares
Batting
Insul-brite
Cutting tools: ruler, rotary cutter, cutting board, and iron

For this trivet, I have two sets of three matching squares

DIRECTIONS

Cut four of the charm squares in half diagonally, making eight right triangles.

One side will have the US flag in the center with the stars on the edge,
and the other the reverse

Now cut the triangles to fit against the uncut charm square: center the right angle on your cutting mat and trim so that the hypotenuse (opposite the right angle) is five inches long. You'll be cutting about an inch off the smaller angles of the triangles.

Does that make sense? Like in the picture.

And cut half an inch off the hypotenuse. Repeat these steps for all eight triangles.

Three inches tall, five inches long at the widest part

    
Now sew four triangles to each side of the two remaining charm squares, right sides together.

I have my needle in the default position, and the fabric lined up with the foot.

Iron both sides flat.

And of course, square up the sides if needed.

Layer the two pieces with the batting and Insul-brite: both pieces of fabric right sides together, then batting, then Insul-brite.

Or Insul-brite then batting; doesn't matter

Stitch around the edges, leaving room for turning. Flip right side out, iron, then top stitch.

Stitch along the seams too; it holds the layers together better and looks nice.

Trim any loose threads, give it another press, and you're all set!

Gifts for Pets and Pet Owners

 If you're giving gifts to someone with a pet, it can be fun to include the animal as well. Any pet store will of course have a multitude of toys and treats, and many grocery stores or supermarkets will as well. There are also myriad craft ideas online for inspiration!

TREATS

As with people, you need to be aware of allergies and intolerances for any edible gift. Also remember that many things people eat aren't good for animals. Most people know that dogs and cats can't eat chocolate, but fewer know that garlic, onion, and grapes are also verboten. Less commonly-kept animals, like fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, and invertebrates have restrictions as well, and with most exotic pets being smaller than dogs and cats, smaller amounts of dangerous foods pose risk (the dose makes the poison). Larger animals like livestock can eat a lot of things out of the garden, but potatoes and rhododendrons are dangerous to them; horses are especially known for having delicate digestive systems. Other foods to watch out for include ones that contain xylitol (often found in sugar-free gum and peanut butter) or large pits and seeds like avocado (choking hazard), alcohol, coffee, tea, stems and leaves of potatoes and tomatoes, rhubarb leaves, mustard and apple seeds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, yeast dough, mushrooms, and foods with excessive fat, sugar, or salt. Especially for exotics, look up information specific to the species. Once you know you have a safe food in mind, run it past the pet owner to check for allergies.

Of course, there are lots of treats available at stores. If you have the time and ingredients, you can also make your own! Here are a few recipes:

Dog Treats

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix together 2 1/4 whole wheat cups flour, 1/2 cup powdered milk, 1 egg, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 3/4 cup beef bouillon or beef stock, and 1 tbsp packed brown sugar until well blended. Roll out dough onto floured surface and cut into dog bone shapes (or whatever shape you want). Bake for 30 minutes, cool on rack, and store in airtight container. Makes about 30-40 treats.

Cat Treats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together 12 oz canned tuna, 1 egg, and 1 whole wheat cup flour. Form dough into small balls (cat-treat sized) and place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until slightly browned. Let cool for at least ten minutes before offering to cat.

Recipes for reptiles, small rodents, herbivores like rabbits, carnivores like ferrets, and birds can be found at this great site: https://avianandexoticvets.com/recipes and some of my favorites are below.

Supercharged Salad (for reptiles)

Combine 1/2 c shredded raw green beans, 1/2 cup shredded raw pumpkin (or other orange-fleshed squash), 1 medium shredded raw parsnip, 1/4 cup minced raw melon, 1/4 cup raw diced carrot, and 1/2 cup alfalfa rabbit pellets (soaked in water to soften). Dust with multivitamin or calcium powder meant for reptiles.

Rodent Rhapsody (for mice, rats, cavies, etc)

Slice one baby carrot or small carrot stick so it can lay flat on a surface. Carefully scoop out a middle portion of the carrot, making it like a long shallow dish. Fill cavity with peanut butter, cream cheese, or other similarly-textured rodent-safe spread. "Plant" small rodent-safe treats like Cheerios or seeds in the cavity.

Raspberry Cookies (for rabbits or chinchillas)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mash 1/3 cup frozen raspberries, mix in 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh mint. Crush or grind 1/3 cup timothy hay-based rabbit pellets and 1 cup Weetabix cereal (do not use a coffee grinder that has been used for coffee; the coffee remnants will contaminate the pellets). Add dry ingredients to raspberry mixture and mix thoroughly. Drop by teaspoon onto parchment-paper lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until browned on the bottom. 

If the idea of making food is too intimidating, you can do a semi-homemade treat for hot summer months: simply freeze some store-bought treats you already know are safe in a bowl. The result is a large ice cube that the animal will have to lick or nibble to free the treats from, providing a refreshing drink and some mental stimulation. For warmer months, you can drill holes in a length of plastic pipe (be wary with gnaw-happy animals like rodents; they might eat the pipe) just the right size for treats to fall through--the animal will have to worry the pipe to get the treats out.

TOYS

When I was about six years old, I found an old tennis ball while out on a walk with my family. I took it home, wrapped it, and gave to our dog for Christmas. You don't have to wait for serendipity to provide you with a toy--most stores have dog and cat toys readily available, and it isn't too difficult to find toys for birds and small mammals. Pet stores and veterinary offices will cover more exotic animals.

You can also make toys. My kids have sewn little catnip pouches out of charm squares, stuffing them loosely with cotton and adding in a tablespoon or two of catnip. You could also knit a small ball, or attach some ribbon to a stick--just be sure any string, thread, yarn, or ribbon is very firmly attached, as cats are prone to eating loose string which can become tangled in their intestines. Another idea is stacking together cardboard pieces into a scratching post.

A worn-out t-shirt, towel, or pair of jeans can be cut and braided into a tug-of-war or chew toy for a dog. A rubber ball (big enough to not be a choking hazard) can be tied in an old sock. If you're really feeling creative about an idea for a high-energy dog, you can make a few obstacles for the dog to jump over or through!

Small animals like rodents, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates like places to hide and to climb. A little cave can be fun to decorate, provided you use materials that are safe for the animal. Rodents are known for chewing, amphibians absorb a lot through their skin, pine wood naturally contains oils that are dangerous for hermit crabs, water can dissolve toxins...be careful.

BEDS

Similar to small animals liking places to hide, animals like a comfortable place to sleep. Dog and cat beds aren't difficult to sew, knit, or crochet, though they can be time-consuming depending on the size of the animal. For cats and rodents especially, be aware of loose string or parts that can become loose with chewing: you don't want the pet to choke or get intestinal blockages. 

I knitted and felted the the bowl-shaped bed he's sitting in,
and helped my kids strip-quilt the blanket. (The fancy tuna was for his birthday.)

CLOTHES

Usually, pets don't really need--or want--clothes. But if an animal often accompanies its owner outdoors in inclement weather, a coat or booties (to protect paws from cold and from thawing chemicals that are used to melt snow and ice on roadways) might be warranted. Dogs are more likely that other pets to need accommodations like this, as most other pets either stay indoors or are bred to be outside (like livestock). If you have a friend who likes hiking with a dog, maybe the dog needs a raincoat--or a collapsible bowl for food and water!

FOR THE OWNERS

When I got my first dog as an adult (I had one as a kid, but my parents did most of the work), one of my aunts gave me a year's subscription to The Bark magazine, and a friend gave me a book about training scent hounds.

Because she's a redbone coonhound.
(I swear we didn't notice the sign until we looked at the picture later.)

If a pet owner is going out of town or is injured and you're willing and able to help out, you might offer to care for a pet for a time. Remember that some pets need much more attention and care than others, so don't commit if you can't do it. 

How does the pet owner show love for the pet? Some people might like books or movies related to animals like the memoirs by James Herriot, some might like household decorations, or jewelry, or calendars or artwork featuring their favorite creatures. Maybe a donation to a rescue group devoted to particular animals will be meaningful (especially in memory of a pet). If you see something that makes you think of a friend's beloved pet, go for it!

Gifts for Anniversaries

 Anniversaries are a great way to mark partners' commitments to each other. While the people celebrating the anniversary usually know each other well enough to find the right way to mark to occasion, it can be useful or fun to look to lists of "traditional gifts" for the different anniversaries, and brainstorm from there. As with any event when people exchange gifts with each other, the critical part is that all parties agree on the type and level of commemoration: whether everyone agrees to an exorbitant and opulent celebration, a small and intimate private function, or no acknowledgement at all--it's all good.

There are non-traditional ideas too. For example, items made in the year you were married (or when your relationship started) like wine or coins minted that year: give a penny for your first anniversary, a nickel for your fifth, and so on. Take a trip to a place that was special early in your relationship, or somewhere you've always wanted to go. Enjoy a recreation of the first meal you shared together. Set aside time to look through mementos of the time you've spent together. You can throw a party to celebrate with people important to you, or have an intimate evening alone. A vow renewal can be a lavish event or a few minutes set aside after a standard religious ceremony--I've attended both, the latter only because I happened to go to church that day, and both versions are touching. You can (several months in advance) request anniversary greetings from heads of state in some countries--check the relevant office's website for information on how to request a letter of congratulations.

First: Paper (traditional) or clocks (modern)
Books, letters, origami or other paper crafts, printed tickets to an event, stationery, magazine subscription
Promise of time--commit to spending time doing something with your partner

Second: Cotton or china
Anything sewn or otherwise handmade out of cotton; clothing, bedding, etc
Fancy meal on fine china dishes--either at home or a restaurant

Third: Leather or crystal/glass
Jewelry, clothing, accessories, shoes, etc made of leather
Personalized glassware, wine-tasting trip

Fourth: Fruit or flowers; or appliances
Plant a garden or fruit tree together, enjoy local produce at a farmer's market or locavore store, make a meal of local foods
Shop together for needed replacements, find useful accessories for current appliances, use current appliances for something you both enjoy (e.g.; cooking a nice meal)

Fifth: Wood or silverware
Buy or make a sculpture or home décor, take a trip to forest or museum that features wooden art, play a game with wooden pieces like Jenga, build something together
Enjoy a fancy meal with the "good" silver

Sixth: Candy or iron; wood
Candy bouquets, homemade candy, gourmet sweets; iron décor or garden art, tools
Buy or make a sculpture or home décor, take a trip to forest or museum that features wooden art, play a game with wooden pieces like Jenga, build something together

Seventh: Wool or copper; desk sets
Storebought or handmade wool clothing or accessories, wool craft supplies, a trip to the countryside or a farm (or if you already live on one, do you want a new sheep?); copper décor, cooking supplies, garden art, or tools
Monogrammed stationery, fancy pen or even an inkwell with a feather pen, computer accessories or upgrades

Eighth: Pottery or bronze; linen or lace
Storebought or handmade pottery for the kitchen, garden, or for décor; bronze tools or art
Table linens with monograms or other personalized touches, new clothing or accessories, décor

Ninth: Willow or pottery; leather
Storebought or handmade pottery for the kitchen, garden, or for décor; pooden furniture, walk through a forest or arboretum, woven basket filled with...anything! 
Jewelry, clothing, accessories, shoes, etc made of leather

Tenth: Tin or aluminum; diamond jewelry
Tins of gourmet food, homemade food wrapped in foil, trip to places where tin or aluminum souvenirs are made, equipment or tools made of tin or aluminum (lower-priced bicycles are often made of aluminum; perhaps a biking trip), metal container to hold...anything!
The obvious like rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces--or art or décor

Eleventh: Steel or fashion jewelry
Stainless steel kitchen supplies or tools, artwork, car accessories or a car trip
Jewelry for a night out, jewelry fashioned into artwork or décor

Twelfth: Silk or linen; pearls
Silk undergarments/lingerie, silk bedding, silk outergarments like ties or shawls, personalized linens
Jewelry, art, or décor with pearl or mother-of-pearl inlay; oysters, trip to a beach

Thirteenth: Lace, textiles
Lace lingerie or other clothing, lace-trimmed décor, "laced-up" shoes for a walk, anything wrapped in lacey doilies, lace-looking treats like delicate cookies
Monogrammed or otherwise personalized home décor, new clothing or other fabric-based home needs, shopping trip, fabric for crafts

Fourteenth: Ivory, gold jewelry 
Of course, it's best to avoid actual ivory as it should stay on the animals it comes from--but perhaps a trip to wildlife refuge or zoo or museum where the animals are found (ivory comes not only from elephants, but other animals including walruses, narwhals, and elk, plus extinct animals like mammoths and mastodons), or a trip to a concert hall, or to a museum that has ancient artwork is in order.
Aside from the usual jewelry like rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches, gold can be made into artwork and décor.

Fifteenth: Crystal, watches
Jewelry, décor, vases, stemware, a meal at a fancy restaurant, artwork
Any time-keeping instrument, or a gift of time

Sixteenth: Coffee or tea (both traditional and modern)
Matching mugs, date to a coffee/tea shop, fancy brew, coffee/tea making machines or accessories, treats that go with the drinks (or other drinks like hot chocolate if coffee and tea aren't your...cup of tea)

Seventeenth: Wine and spirits (both traditional and modern)
Date to a nice bar, wine-tasting, tour of a brewery or winery, bottle of high-end alcohol (or other drinks like sparkling cider if alcohol isn't wanted or appropriate), picnic lunch with a toast

Eighteenth: Appliances (both traditional and modern)
Shop together for needed replacements, find useful accessories for current appliances, use current appliances for something you both enjoy (e.g.; cooking a nice meal)

Nineteenth: Jade (both traditional and modern)
Meal at any of the numerous restaurants with "jade" in the name, jade jewelry or art, jade-colored clothing or other items, bonsai jade tree, trip to a place where jade is a popular souvenir item

Twentieth: China, platinum
New dishes (especially if after two decades, yours need replacing), personalized dishes, figurines or other décor made of china
Art, jewelry, or décor made of platinum; music from a "platinum" record

Twenty-first: fire, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Candle-lit dinner, date around a fire pit or at an open-flame grill, barbecue tools or foods, trip to see fire-related things like volcanos

Twenty-second: water, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Visit to an aquarium or natural body of water like a lake or ocean, kayaking or canoe trip, drinkware, cruise, fountain for a garden or the home, swimming adventure like scuba diving or snorkeling, trip to a wishing well or fountain

Twenty-third: air, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Balloons, trip on an airplane or hot air balloon, sky-diving or parachuting trip, something breath-taking or a way to indicate "you take my breath away"

Twenty-fourth: stone, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Pizza or other food cooked on a baking stone, hot stone massage, rock climbing or similar adventure, go out for drinks "on the rocks," visit to a place with stone sculptures, precious stones made into décor or jewelry, stone artwork, a way to indicate "you're my rock," anything given in a stone box

Twenty-fifth: silver (both traditional and modern)
Anything wrapped in silver-colored paper, silver art or jewelry, silver décor or dinnerware

Twenty-sixth: art (both traditional and modern)
Handmade or storebought artwork, trip to an art museum, art classes to take together

Twenty-seventh: music (both traditional and modern)
Playlist of favorite or meaningful music, date to a concert or orchestra, new music equipment (either or listening or making your own), music lessons, a song you composed yourself

Twenty-eighth: linens (both traditional and modern)
New dining linens, new bed linens, a meal out at a fine restaurant, textiles for crafting, handmade linen items

Twenty-ninth: tools  (both traditional and modern)
Tools for any hobby or pastime: crafting, woodworking, cooking, et. al.; working on a project together, using your creativity and talent to create a gift

Thirtieth: pearl or diamond
Décor, art, jewelry, or home goods with pearl or mother-of-pearl; oysters, trip to a beach
Décor, art, jewelry, or home goods with diamond; diamond-tipped tools, trip to a museum with diamonds like the Smithsonian with the Hope Diamond

Thirty-first: travel/tourism (both traditional and modern)
Any trip near or far, items for traveling like new luggage or a travel toiletry set

Thirty-second: bronze (both traditional and modern)
Bronze artwork or décor, bronze jewelry, bronze home goods, bronze-colored clothing or accessories, anything wrapped in bronze paper, history lecture about the bronze age

Thirty-third: iron (both traditional and modern)
Iron décor or home goods, cast iron cookware, hobby items made of iron like golf clubs, a meal together high in iron, history lecture about the iron age

Thirty-fourth: food (both traditional and modern)
Any meal together, whether home or away, elaborate or simple; anything to make food

Thirty-fifth: coral or jade
Trip to a beach (bonus points if it has coral), a seafood meal, anything coral-colored or wrapped in coral-colored paper
A meal at any of the numerous restaurants with "jade" in the name, jade jewelry or décor, anything jade-colored or wrapped in jade-colored paper

Thirty-sixth: antiques (both traditional and modern)
Any vintage piece, décor reflecting important parts of the past, a trip to a place known for antique souvenirs, anything that fits in the theme of "old fashioned" including old fashioned doughnuts or the drink old fashioned

Thirty-seventh: books (both traditional and modern)
Autographed and/or first edition of a favorite book, e-reader, audio book to listen to while on a trip, a story you've written yourself

Thirty-eighth: luck, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Shamrock or lucky penny or other symbol of luck, trip to a casino (as with any gambling trip, agree on an amount of money you're comfortable losing and take only that in cash to avoid temptation)

Thirty-ninth: laughter, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Watch a comedy together, go see a comedian live, tell jokes together, reminisce over happy memories--and get ideas for making more

Fortieth: ruby (both traditional and modern)
Ruby jewelry or artwork or décor, a meal of red-themed foods like red wine and ruby grapefruits, a bouquet of red flowers

Forty-first: office or desk décor (both traditional and modern)
Personalized picture frames or pen holders, computer equipment, stationery

Forty-second: clocks or watches (both traditional and modern)
Personalized/engraved watch, artful wall clock, setting time aside for each other

Forty-third: entertainment, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Take in a movie or a live show, have an entertainment date at home with popcorn and snacks

Forty-fourth: electronics (both traditional and modern)
Replace worn-out electronics or buy the ones you've always wanted, upgrade your electrical outlets or do other needed electrical work, "fun" electronics like digital photo frames or entertainment-themed devices

Forty-fifth: sapphire (both traditional and modern)
Artwork, décor, home goods, or jewelry with sapphire; blues or rhythm-and-blues concert, anything blue-colored or wrapped in blue-colored paper

Forty-sixth: games (both traditional and modern)
Any game to play together, attending a sporting event, a personalized treasure hunt, a murder mystery dinner theater or escape room date

Forty-seventh: garden or plants (both traditional and modern)
Walk through a garden or park, National Parks pass, gardening supplies, houseplants or garden plants or seeds, a bouquet of flowers utilizing flower messages (e.g.; red chrysanthemums symbolize "I love you")

Forty-eighth: home improvement, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Depending on your budget and needs, anything from a new piece of home décor to a remodel--or just spruce up your house with a solid cleaning, either together or from a cleaning service

Forty-ninth: copper (both traditional and modern)
Home goods, tools, décor, jewelry, or artwork made with copper; anything copper-colored or wrapped in copper-colored paper

Fiftieth: gold (both traditional and modern)
Artwork or jewelry made with gold, gold-colored flowers, anything gold-colored or wrapped with gold-colored paper, anything that represents elegance and longevity

Fifty-first: photos or cameras (both traditional and modern)
Scrapbook or collage of treasured memories, professional portraits, a trip together (with a camera) to create memories

Fifty-second: bath or spa, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Anything for a relaxing bath (alone or together) like fancy soap or a good book, spa day, new towels or other bath needs, heated towel rack

Fifty-third: plastic (both traditional and modern)
Just about any item can be made of plastic--including plastic gift cards to a nice restaurant

Fifty-fourth: glass (both traditional and modern)
Home décor, serving pieces, or artwork made of glass

Fifty-fifth: emerald (both traditional and modern)
Jewelry or artwork or décor made with emerald, trip to the Emerald City or Emerald Isle or similarly-named places, watching the Wizard of Oz, green tea, anything green-colored (including money) or wrapped in green paper

Fifty-sixth: day, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Spending a day together, a movie date watching movies with the word "day" in the titles, remember the wonderful days you've had together--and make plans for more good memories

Fifty-seventh: night, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Spending a night together, a movie date watching movies with the word "night" in the titles, a night out, star-gazing, anything for making sleep better

Fifty-eighth: faith and hope, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
If you're religious anything related to your faith will work, anything uplifting, trips to places that inspire faith and hope

Fifty-ninth: charity/love, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Charitable acts you can enjoy together, donations that memorialize your commitment to each other like a donation of a park bench with your names on it

Sixtieth: diamond (both traditional and modern)
Artwork, jewelry, or décor with diamonds     

Gifts for Little Celebrations Throughout the Year

Most people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and some sort of gift-giving occasion like Christmas. There are other smaller celebrations you might feel like marking, if only for the excuse of giving someone a present. There are days to celebrate just about any kind of food, profession, animal, plant, condition, cause, and person you can think of; plus nearly every day is the feast day of at least one saint who will the patron of at least one thing. If you feel like you want a reason to give a gift, look up what celebrations are coming up or when different topics are celebrate. Below are some ideas and a few celebrations that stood out to me for various reasons.

GENERAL IDEAS

Candy, baked goods, and other food gifts can easily be tailored to different holidays: green sprinkles for St. Patrick's Day, a pie made with tree fruit for Arbor Day, hot dogs for National Hot Dog Day (like I said in the first paragraph, sometimes you just want an excuse to celebrate something). The food can be ready-made, done except for icing and decorations (cookies are great for this), a jar of dry ingredients, a special dinner, a recipe, baking forms to make specially-shaped foods, gift certificates to restaurants with food the event is celebrating...you get the idea. Here are links to food days, food weeks, and food months.

If navigating food allergies, intolerances, and restrictions is too difficult, as with my job at a school district, it's not difficult to find themed items like pencils, seeds, erasers, candles, notepads, coloring pages, bouncy balls, stamps, puzzles, figures, and other little toys--glow sticks are especially nice for events when people will be out after dark, like Halloween. Dollar stores and Oriental Trading Company are great resources. A simple "thinking of you" call, text, or card is great for the multitude of days devoted to various professions--if you're close with the person, maybe something bigger. A donation to a relevant charity, perhaps in the name of someone whose cause it is, works wells on the many days devoted to different causes.

Depending on how many people you're giving to, you might be able to make things other than food. They can be simple--last Valentine's day, I threaded ribbons through small heart-shaped beads and wrote "I Love Reading" on them to pass out to the kids at school--or elaborate, like handmade decorations in the theme of the celebration. You can make or buy little pins with your country's flag or other national symbols for independence days and similar celebrations. Soaps and candles can be made in many shapes and themes, and woodworking, metalworking, glassblowing, and textile arts such as knitting, embroidery, sewing, and crocheting also lend themselves to small or large decorations, from little suncatchers to paperweights to wall hangings to table runners to serving bowls.

CELEBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
just a sampling--there are a lot!

January
National Soup Month: decorated bowls or spoons, soup mixes (handmade or storebought)
1-7 Diet Resolution Week: a note of encouragement
8-14 Letter Writing Week: stationery set, postage stamps (standard or customized)
1 New Year's Day: small poppers or (legal) fireworks
1 Hangover Day: water and painkillers, your favorite "cure-all" (only for people you KNOW would be amused)
2 Science Fiction Day: see if someone wants to join you for a movie marathon, especially if the genre is new to you
3 Women Rock! Day: send something to an important woman in your life to let her know you care
5 Bird Day: put out some seed or other food for local birds, get pictures for bird-loving friends
6 World War Orphans Day: do something to help orphans, maybe in the name of someone you know
11 Clean off Your Desk Day: offer company, moral support, or help to someone you know wants to get organized; surprise your housemates or spouse with cleaning out an area you've been meaning to
11 Secret Pal Day: find someone who needs a pick-me-up, and let your imagination go wild--but stay secret!
13 Rubber Ducky Day: do something for the Little Yellow Duck Project
19 Good Memory Day: reach out to a friend or family member to recollect something fun you did together, or make or find a memento of it
Last Saturday in January Seed Swap Day: share your garden

February
3 Painters' Day: if you know a painter, give art supplies; if you are a painter, give artwork
4 Letter Carrier Appreciation Day: leave a snack out for your letter carrier
6 Pay a Compliment Day: get in touch with people who need to hear they're appreciated
7 Send a Card to a Friend Day: do just that
7 Wave at Your Neighbor with ALL Your Fingers Day: give cookies or other tokens to your neighbors
11 Make a Friend Day, Homebound Day: reach out to someone who feels isolated
14 Valentine's Day: whatever you do, including ignoring the day, if you're in a relationship just make sure you agree to the level of what you're doing so there's no accidental hurt feelings
29 Leap Day: use things that jump as a "springboard" (sorrynotsorry), like frogs, kangaroos, rabbits, grasshoppers, etc

March
March into Literacy Month: give books or gift cards for traditional books, ebooks, and audiobooks
Mother's Day in many countries: in addition to your own mom, consider grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, and anyone who's had a maternal influence (especially if your mother is deceased or you have a strained relationship with her)
First full week: Celebrate Your Name Week: take pictures of, find, or make objects with a person's name or name meaning, give biographies or other mementos like holy cards of people who share the name (or holy cards on the saint's feast day, if giving to people who would appreciate that)
6 National Day of Unplugging: Invite someone to go out on an adventure, give passes to national parks or other outdoor spaces
10 Paper Money Day: send a few dollars (or more) to nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or whoever you feel like
12 Plant a Flower Day: seeds, bulbs, seedlings; send postcard with pictures of flowers
13 Jewel Day: earrings, necklaces, cufflinks, tie bars, et. al.; maybe with jewel in favorite colors or birthstones
14 Pi Day (3/14): Make a pie--pizza pies count
20 Quilting Day: supplies for quilt-making if you know someone who makes quilts, or give quilts if you make them and feel so inclined, give to organizations like Project Linus which gives blankets to children in hospitals.

April
7 No Housework Day: help someone relax
8 Trading Cards for Grownups Day: help someone's hobby
10 Sibling Day: reach out to your siblings or people who are like siblings, send or make momentos
15 One Day Without Shoes: nail polish, pedicure, other foot care
22 Earth Day: help out conservation causes

May
Mother's Day in many countries: in addition to your own mom, consider grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, and anyone who's had a maternal influence (especially if your mother is deceased or you have a strained relationship with her). FYI, the third Sunday in May is Stepmother's Day.
Saturday before Mother's Day: Bereaved Mother's Day: reach out to women who have lost children
4 Star Wars Day (May the "Fourth" be with you): there is just about every kind of memorabilia related to Star Wars, from recipes to collectibles. Go nuts.
12 Night Shift Workers Day: help someone sleep well even during the day with a sleeping mask, blackout curtains, comfortable pillow, handmade blanket or pajamas, or just remembering not to call during a offset sleep time
16 Nickel Day: give a nickel
18 Museum Day: take someone a trip to a museum, give tickets or membership to a museum, donate to a museum
23 Lucky Penny Day: give a penny, leave a penny heads-up for someone to find
29 Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day: this is the perfect excuse to give someone a pillow you've made

June
Zoo and Aquarium Month: take someone to a zoo or aquarium, give tickets to membership or donate to a zoo or aquarium, give things to help a person's fish tank or other animal habitat at home
Father's Day in many countries: in addition to your own dad, consider grandfathers, uncles, godfathers, and anyone who's had a paternal influence (especially if your father is deceased or you have a strained relationship with him)
1 Children's Day: a great excuse to give a child a gift
1 Dinosaur Day: perfect day for any dinosaur-themed gift or card
11 Making Life Beautiful Day: reach out to people to make their days a little brighter
12 Knit and Crochet in Public Day: give yarn supplies and project totes, knit or crochet a gift
14 Blood Donor Day: give blood, donate financially to a blood bank, help with a blood drive
15 Nature Photography Day: take and send wildlife pictures--4x6 prints are the perfect postcard size!
21 Music Day: give instruments, albums, songs, lessons, donations to musical organizations, concert tickets
29 Camera Day: give camera accessories, print pictures you've taken to send 

July
Bereaved Parents Month: reach out people you know who've lost children
Family Reunion Month: reach out to your family, get together if possible
1 US Postage Stamp Day: send a letter or card
15 Give Something Away Day: another good excuse for giving that little thing that made you think of someone
20 Space Exploration Day: take someone on a trip to a space museum or monument, give space-related gifts like astronaut ice cream
21 Craft for Your Local Shelters Day: make something to give to a local shelter
24 Cousins Day: reach out to your cousins

August
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month: help a young child get school supplies, donate to Backpack Brigades
2 Coloring Book Day: give someone a coloring book--maybe one you've made
8 The Date to Create: make something as a gift
10 Lazy Day: help someone relax
24 Pluto Demoted Day: give gifts and experiences relevant to astronomy
30 Grief Awareness Day: reach out to people in mourning to let them know you're thinking of them

September
Classical Music Month: concert tickets, money towards instruments or lessons, donations to concert halls
Last Saturday: Worldwide Day of Play: take someone to a park or playground
1 World Letter Writing Day: send someone a letter
6 Read a Book Day: give a book, send gift certificates for ebooks, traditional books, or audiobooks; take someone to a library, read to a child
7 Feel the Love Day: reach out to people who might need encouragement
8 Star Trek Day: like Star Wars, you can find or make just about anything with a Trek twist
13 Grandparents Day: reach out to your grandparents or other people who have a similar role in your life
19 Bone Marrow Donor: sign up with the bone marrow donor registry, donate to related causes
24 Festival of Latest Novelties: great excuse to give that strange thing you found that reminded you of someone

October
First full week: Postcard Week: send a postcard
4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals: give something to wild animals or pets, donate to animal shelters or wildlife causes, pets can get blessings at many churches
15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day: reach out to bereaved parents, light a candle at seven in the evening your time for solidarity, donate to relevant causes
23 Mole Day (the chemistry kind, at 6:02 10/23): consider chemistry-related gifts and donations
31 Halloween: the obvious candies to pass out to trick-or-treaters, but consider also thinking of kids with food allergies and have non-candy treats like temporary tattoos, little toys, glowsticks, etc

November
Second full week: Geography Awareness Week: take someone for a trip or help someone plan a trip
1 Sports Fans Day: perfect day to give that sports memorabilia you found
2 All Souls' Day: reach out people mourning the loss of loved ones
11 World Origami Day: send origami
13 World Kindness Day: reach out to people who need a bright spot
17 Electronic Greeting Card Day: send one, give the gift of a subscription to a ecard service
23 Fibonacci Day (11/23): give math-related gifts

December
First Saturday: Coats and Toys for Kids Day: Donate something to a child in need
3 Make a Gift Day: make something!
7 Letter Writing Day: write someone a letter
11 Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals: donate to a pet shelter or wildlife refuge or conservation group
16 Stupid Toy Day: found something weird that you know someone will appreciate? Here's the day for it!
21 Crossword Puzzle Day: make or buy crossword puzzles to give
28 Call a Friend Day: reach out to a friend

Again, I want to emphasize that there is no obligation to observe any days like this. I only mark a handful, and not with anything elaborate (pizza for Pi Day, a candle on October 15, etc). But they can be a good reminder or fun excuse to brighten someone's day.

Gifts for Gardeners

If there's someone in your life you want to give a gift to who enjoys gardening, catering to that hobby is a great starting point. Some things to consider when picking a gift:

How big is the garden? Some are spread out over a person's entire property, some are in a side yard, and some are grown in containers on porches or countertops. All gardeners need to water their plants, but the size of the garden will mean that a watering can is better for some and long soaker hoses and sprinklers are better for others. Just about everyone with an outdoor garden could use sun protection. Many people will find gardening gloves and knee pads useful, but smaller or established gardens are less likely to need trowels and shovels. Gardens that take up only part of a yard are easier to maintain and look nicer with clear garden borders or even raised beds--talk with your recipient to see if those would make good gifts. People with container gardens have less space to work with, so new plants and seeds might not be as welcome, but perhaps some more containers are needed for new plants or ones that have outgrown their current containers. Terra cotta pots are nice for this: you can paint them to customize them for your recipient. Larger gardens can be time-consuming to care for--maybe the owners would like an automated watering system, or even just help and company while weeding. If there's room for more plants in any size garden, perhaps look for "fancy" ones like heirloom varieties or strains of flowers with especially striking patterns like galaxy petunias.

What is the garden for? For food, for relaxation, for landscaping, for beauty? Someone who grows food might appreciate complementary crops to grow, like herbs that can be mixed with the already-planted tomatoes to make sauces. If you're near a farmer's market, you might be able to find seeds or starts of local or heirloom plants--I like to find Walla Walla onions to grow over other varieties, for example. People who enjoy spending time in the garden might like garden décor like windcatchers or birdbaths, or some lawn furniture to sit in while appreciating the plants. You can make garden art, too: I helped my kids and my sister-in-law's kids make stepping stones for my mother-in-law to put in her garden. If someone has spent a lot of time and effort transforming an area into a garden, gifts that help keep it nice are great, like mulch and other fertilizer or weed control measures. 

What sort of climate does the garden grow in? Not all plants grow in all environments. An aloe vera won't do well outside in cold climates, and aquatic plants like lilypads are going to be tricky to grow in arid climates. Someone living in a harsher environment might like a greenhouse though, and they come in a variety of sizes. Local plants will be easier to care for and grow better than exotic ones, plus any with flowers will provide good food for local pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even some bats and other mammals will appreciate local plants along with your recipient. If you know someone whose garden needs extra attention, maybe you can offer to care for it when the person is on an out-of-town trip. 

How much access do wild animals have to the garden? If your recipient is tired of rabbits, deer, birds, or other animals sampling the garden, fencing or other deterrents are a good idea. I personally use a dog to keep mammals away from my garden (she doesn't mind the birds and neither do I), but you really ought to talk to people before springing pets on them! For something as permanent and visible as a fence, definitely consult with the gardener first. For smaller and shorter areas, a frame covered in chicken wire and placed over the plants makes it difficult for animals to get in, although depending on the size of the holes, small animals like wrens and mice can still slip in, and of course insects and other invertebrates can as well. Beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantids are a good offense as are beneficial nematodes, eating small creatures like aphids that would otherwise feast on the plants, damaging them. There are also sprays, storebought and homemade, that can deter animals. Certain plants, for example crocuses and bluebells, work well to keep animals like deer away too, and marigolds deter slugs and snails; a gift of those plants to make a border might be nice. Used coffee grounds add nutrients to the soil (fresh ones would be too acidic), deter pest insects, and attract worms--a friend of mine works at a coffee shop and often brings me used ground for my compost pile. Motion-activated sprinklers, lights, and sound equipment can also help. On the other hand, if your recipient doesn't mind "sharing" with the local wildlife, maybe you can look for something to encourage the animals: bird feeders, plants that pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies love, and places for them to roost like bird houses and bat boxes. A nice trail camera or traditional camera could work too.

How particular is the owner about the garden? For example, I grow both food and ornamental plants. There are some fruits and vegetables I don't care to grow, but I'm open to planting almost any kind of flower or succulent or other decorative plant. Some people might have preferences for specific varieties, too: maybe Roma tomatoes are better than beefsteak or cherry. Maybe you love the garden gloves you use, but your recipient likes another. If you're concerned you might not pick the "right" plants or garden tools, a gift card to a garden store is a good choice. You can pair it with the gift of time: take your recipient to lunch, then head to the garden store together. 

Gifts for Athletes, Coaches, and Sports Enthusiasts

A person's hobby or passion is a great starting point for brainstorming gifts. For people into sports, whether they compete themselves or just like to watch, there are a lot of ideas.

SPORTING SUPPLIES

Athletes often go through a lot of supplies: athletic tape, pre-wrap, Band-Aids, and ice packs are a good bet for most. Healthy snacks and water are also a good idea, especially for long competition days. For outdoor sports, sunscreen or other sun protection is a must--people can get sunburned even on overcast days, and it's not uncommon for people to forget how well snow reflections UV rays and end up badly sunburned while participating in snow sports. Depending on how close to nature the outdoor sports get, bug repellant or antihistamine lotion could be good, too. While coaching cross country, I have twice been to meets where the race course ended up going by a hornet nest. Fortunately, the athletes who got stung weren't allergic (the one who was allergic had forgotten his sting kit the first time, but never did again!).

Most athletes have at least a few pieces of equipment they have to transport from one place to another. Whether it's a full set of pads for football or just specialized shoes for racing, it's nice to have a good, sturdy bag (handmade or store-bought) or other way to carry the things around. Some equipment is tougher to carry than others--poles for pole vault aren't heavy but are very long! If you find a creative solution, offer it. My track and field coach saw a large plastic pipe at a construction site while he was on the way home from work, pulled over, and asked how he could buy one. It was wide enough in diameter to fit several poles in, so while it was still a two-person job to carry the poles, they were no longer slipping around as we did. Heavy equipment like weights and throwing implements need very sturdy carrying cases; others might need very large ones. Most athletes have at least two layers for competitions, warming up perhaps in sweats and then competing in a shorts-and-t-shirt sort of uniform. If you're able, you can offer to watch the athlete's things during the competition. When I coached, I bought the team a backpack with lots of pockets to keep jewelry in, as it wasn't allowed to be worn during competition (I also bought pads and tampons to keep in it, given out at the discretion of the girls' team captain).

There is a plethora of sport-specific equipment. A track and field athlete might need replacement spikes to screw into her jumping cleats, a soccer player might need new shin guards, a volleyball team might need a new net. Corporate sponsors often help teams by purchasing uniforms or other supplies in exchange for having the company name advertised at games--plus it helps the often-young athletes learn valuable social, health, and time-management skills.

SPORTING SUPPORT

Athletes and coaches put a lot into their passion. Acknowledging their hard work is a great gift. By simply showing up to a sports event to watch your nephew pitch or your sister come in under par or your friend coach a basketball team, you're demonstrating that you appreciate that time and effort. 

My grandparents had a tradition: when one of their grandchildren earned a varsity letter, they'd buy that grandchild a letterman's jacket. I loved getting mine after working to earn it! 

Supporters might also bring healthy snacks like fruit, or water. Maybe a team has a tournament far away and needs to raise cash to fund the trip--spreading the word about the team car wash or other fundraiser is helpful, as is donating gasoline gift cards or other in-kind help. When I did high school sports, a teammate's parents took pictures throughout the season and gave each of us an envelope with a couple dozen pictures of our season highlights. I still have some of those pictures years later!

FAN GEAR

Someone who supports a team, whether playing the sport or not, is likely to appreciate items with the team's logo on it. You do need to be sure not to go overboard; most people don't like getting the same thing year after year or being defined solely by one aspect of a personality. But if you know someone would like a team shirt (and the person's clothing size!), or beer mug, or home décor object, or team-emblazoned household objects like cooking utensils, you're set. My husband loves the Green Bay Packers cheesehead my brother gave him for Christmas years ago. Maybe a book or movie about the team's history or triumphs exists, or team-themed food. They don't even have to be team-specific: Girl Scouts are told to suggest people buy boxes of cookies in colors that support local teams, like green Thin Mints and blue Trefoils for the Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders here in the Seattle area.

If the team is local or will be playing nearby, a pair of tickets could be perfect. As with any time-sensitive gift, be sure your recipient's schedule and health allow for the outing. Some teams hold events (in their local areas) for meeting fans; that's another fun option.

A great piece of memorabilia is autographs. They can be pricey on websites like eBay, but that's not the only place to get them. Teams that hold events open to the public like picture days are a good place to find autographs. I've been able to get a few just by writing to the team or athlete and asking (include a self-addressed stamped envelope). My mom got me an autograph of an Olympic athlete the same way, by writing to the college where she now coaches. Keep your eyes open at sporting events: my brother and I have both been at track meets attended by Olympians who were happy to give us autographs when we asked. Another time, I was at the homecoming game for a college football team, and overheard two other people in the stands talking. I told them it sounded like they were reminiscing about having played and it turns out they were two of the more famous past players. They were flattered to be asked for an autograph, and gladly signed my ticket. Any sports fan will love having a piece of history!

Left to right: Stacy Dragila, Dave Johnson, Cliff McBride,
Spider Gaines, and Tommie Smith