Tag: jeannie waters

Gift Ideas for May 2018

Jeannie Waters10 Comments on Gift Ideas for May 2018

There lots of gifts to buy in May for Mother’s Day, graduation, and the end of the school year. I hope these ideas will help.

Occasions included in this post:

 

Mother’s Day

Flowers, gift certificates, jewelry, and clothing are popular and appreciated gifts for this special occasion, but what about personalizing your choice by trying one of the following?

  • a book by her favorite author with a pretty bookmark
  • gift coupon for a prepared-for-mom meal and a movie
  • supplies or lessons for a hobby like painting or knitting
  • coupon book for acts of kindness such as planting a garden or cleaning the porch
  • tickets to a local play or concert
  • bedding plants, trowel, and new gardening gloves, plus 2 hours of work from “assistant gardeners”
  • manicure-pedicure or facial gift card
  • comfortable lawn chair or hammock
  • travel or tote bag
  • framed family pictures
  • digital frame with family pictures loaded
  • wall art she’ admired (Don’t guess on this.)
  • gift for favorite activities such as exercise, walking, writing, music, golf, swimming, painting, baking, or others
  • bath salts, inflatable bath pillow, and music to download

Graduation

Many graduates prefer gifts cards which are practical and easy to purchase. A gift card to a college bookstore or office supply store might come in handy. Here are other ideas:

  • bookends (my favorite)
  • picture frames
  • beach or bath towels
  • for college-bound grads, a mesh laundry bag with stain remover and a book of laundry tips
  • for apartment dwellers, a household kit with basic tools, flashlight, tape, glue, paper products, and a home supply store gift card.

End of the School Year

Family Celebrations

Celebrate the end of the year with your students to let them know you appreciate their hard work. Plan a simple family night and include small gifts.

List accomplishments and include applause for making friends, being kind to others, and completing homework without (too many) reminders. Here are some ideas:

  • bowling or putt-putt
  • movie night with popcorn
  • pool or sprinkler party
  • board game night
  • cookout and camp out
  • dress up night (playing for young children or dining at a fancy restaurant for older ones)
  • family hike with picnic
  • a day trip to destination of their choice
  • treasure hunt in the yard (The prizes could include secret vacation plans, movie tickets, or other exciting gifts.)

Gift Ideas for Young Children

Give your student a book light or flashlight and a 30-minute extension on bedtime for reading. (Hint from this teacher: Encourage summer reading to the max! Don’t drill on content but sit on the deck or under a shade tree and casually ask your student to share why they liked a book or what they learned.)

  • sidewalk chalk and other art supplies
  • movie tickets
  • water bottles with snacks
  • pool toys
  • summer journal
  • photo album
  • jumpropes, balls, and Frisbee rings to encourage exercise
  • terrarium kit or ant farm
  • telescope or microscope
  • binoculars and a bird watching book
  • Bible story books, joke books, books on topics of interest, and books on the summer reading list
  • word search and maze books
  • walkie talkies
  • camera
  • gift card for museum store
  • magazine subscription
  • nifty calendar with family fun days marked

 Gift Ideas for Older Children

  • devotional book and books on topics of interest
  • movie tickets
  • camera and photo album
  • beach towels, sunglasses, and pool gear
  • magazine subscription
  • new bedding and lamp for bedroom
  • gift cards for music, clothing, sports equipment
  • lessons for golf or tennis
  • sports gear with favorite team logo

Gifts for Teachers

  • gift cards (always a hit)
  • a low-maintenance plant
  • personalized clipboard for next year
  • monogrammed tote bag for next year
  • handmade cards or pen-pencil holders filled with pretty pens
  • for beach lovers, a beach basket with magazine, insulated cup, and a towel
  • a bookmark made by a child with a bookstore gift card
  • a pretty umbrella that fits in a tote bag
  • personalized pencils
  • homemade baked goods with a serving plate
  • pretty mug with gourmet coffee or special tea bags

 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25 NIV

 

I hope you gained some valuable ideas.

Please share yours below. Happy May!

Be the “Sunflower” in Someone’s Day

Jeannie Waters12 Comments on Be the “Sunflower” in Someone’s Day

Sunflowers make me smile.

They just look sunny with their petals extending like rays of sunshine. These stunning beauties stand in contrast to the sky and nearby vegetation, punctuating the landscape with brilliant color. These flowers intrigue me for several reasons.

Vincent van Gogh, working in southern France, selected sunflowers out of all of God’s creation as the subjects of five paintings in 1888 and 1889. Maybe the artist chose them because they naturally draw the eye or maybe the sunflowers he saw brightened his day.

Sunflowers remind me of cheerful people who brighten the day wherever they are. Does someone who fits that description come to mind? Is there someone you’re always glad to see? Do you know a person who seeks to encourage other people?

Speaking kind words, calling a person by name with eye contact, offering help, or simply smiling warms the heart of the recipient.

Encouraging people are like sunflowers.

  • They both stand tall in contrast to their surroundings. In an environment of stress, gossip, or discouragement, a sunflower person can turn the atmosphere from negative to positive.
  • These floral wonders follow the sun’s position from morning to evening. (For word-loving and science-loving readers, the term is phototropism.) The Bible promises hope and peace to those who follow Christ Jesus, God’s Son. (Colossians 1:27, Psalm 29:11)
  • Sunflowers point west in late afternoon. Supportive friends can point the way to wise counsel, a brighter outlook, or tangible help.
  • These plants not only provide beauty but offer useful gifts such as yummy seeds and the oil that flavors my favorite popcorn. Encouraging people add value to the lives of others by offering positive words, acts of kindness, or small gifts that bring joy and hearten others.
  • Sunflowers, just like people, come in many varieties. Regardless of our gifts or background, opportunities to Brighten Someone’s Day abound.

         Be a “sunflower” in someone’s life today! 

Therefore encourage one another and build one
another up, just as you are doing.-1Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Your Turn to Share . . .Let’s gather ideas!

Where do you find encouragement? How do you pass it along to others?
I look forward to reading your contributions in the comments below!
And if you would please subscribe, I’ll send weekly updates.

Thank you!

Window Box Begonias & Mother’s Day Gifts for Older Moms

Jeannie Waters6 Comments on Window Box Begonias & Mother’s Day Gifts for Older Moms

How proud I was to wear a red rose bud pinned to my Peter Pan-collared dress! When I was a little girl, the custom was to wear a corsage or a flower from the yard to church on Mother’s Day. Red or pink honored a living mom; white symbolized a mother no longer living.

My mom always honored my grandmother, her mother-in-law, by either cooking dinner or going to the restaurant of Mamie’s choice. As a child, I delighted in giving gifts to both ladies on that day set aside to honor them.

As my mom aged, it became more difficult to select gifts. The last years of her life, I purchased and planted red begonias in her window boxes on Mother’s Day each year. Even from her wheelchair, she could peer out of the window and enjoy the colorful flowers. This act of service she requested certainly filled my heart with joy.

Many older ladies have everything they need or want, and some cannot enjoy hobbies and activities of the past. Have you faced this challenge with gift selection? I hope the ideas below will help.

Mother’s Day Ideas for Older Moms

Gift Ideas for Older Moms

  • a large print devotional book
  • a digital picture frame loaded with family photos
  • a small vase filled with a bouquet of favorite flowers
  • unscented lotion to soothe dry skin
  • pretty hand towels in cheery colors and pump soap
  • a box of stamped greeting cards to send to friends and family
  • a pretty pair of sunglasses for outings
  • a CD player and favorite music
  • a tin of favorite cookies or candies (health permitting) or a bowl of fresh fruit
  • puzzle books or large print novels
  • a magnifying glass with a pretty magazine
  • a light weight sweater or soft lap throw

 Acts of Kindness for Older Moms

  • Take her to visit a friend.
  • Offer a ride to a church service, library, or concert.
  • Design a card and list special memories inside.
  • Record memories she wants to share.
  • Take a ride to see spring flowers and eat ice cream.
  • Conduct a telephone Bible study with encouraging verses.
  • Prepare lemonade and cookies in her home for neighbors.
  • Plant a flower bed, paint a room, or provide lawn care.
  • Plan a movie night with popcorn and candy.

Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise.

        Ephesians 6:2 NIV

Psssssst….one more thought:

For moms whose children won’t be there or moms with young children and no family support, Mother’s Day would be a lovely time to give gifts and offer help. What a blessing!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.–1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

Your Turn to Share

Please add your ideas for gifts that have blessed older women you know. If we all share, we’ll have lots of ideas.