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Monday, February 15, 2016

Visiting family and needing a quick gift



So, later this morning, we'll drive up north to visit my father-in-law and his wife. I like to bring something, some small thing that's either edible or something to watch grow.

I had this on my mind for a few days last week, trying to think of something I could put together quickly.

And this is what I came up with, using what I had on hand. It's something they can put on their deck and watch grow and bloom, through the window over the next several weeks.

So, you know all of those bulbs that I planted, The pink hyacinths are coming up very nicely and look like they'll be the first of all of the bulbs to bloom. I had them all potted in rather small individual plastic pots. For a gift-y item, I put 3 of those bulbs into one larger pot. Then I added some of the grape hyacinths, also coming up well, and tied with a bow. For a price breakdown, I had the pots. The large hyacinth bulbs were originally $5.99 for 4 bulbs. I bought them at 75% off that price, $1.49 for all 4. I used 3, for a cost of $1.12, plus 59 cents for the grape hyacinth bulbs. The full pot of spring flowers to bloom, for under $2. I always have recycled ribbons on hand, so no real cost there, either.

A nice, sweet gift, with more love and thought, than cost. (And, truthfully, I really enjoyed playing with the dirt, even if just on the kitchen counter!)


14 comments:

  1. Lovely gift and I'm sure they will enjoy it! As a matter of fact, a dear older friend of mine (about my mom's age) brought by a similar pot of paperwhites just getting ready to bloom for my Christmas Eve birthday. I enjoyed those for weeks, and now will plant the bulbs outside to enjoy in future years. So this kind of thing is the gift that keeps on giving. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cat,
      Oh, I love paperwhites. How wonderful that you can now plant them in your garden to have bloom again!

      Delete
  2. Such a nice gift, Lili. I enjoy giving (and receiving) gifts of outdoor plants. They're one that can be enjoyed for a long time.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mary,
      I love plants as gifts, too. I have some rock cress in my garden that my kids gave me years ago, for Mother's day. It's so nice to see it every spring.

      Delete
  3. Such a lovely arrangement of bulbs in a larger pot. I love those colorful mixed flower plants sold at garden shops. It's true, watching the bulbs grow is a gift that keeps on giving.

    Yesterday, I wanted to show my appreciation to the oldest of the three grandsons who are staying over. He voluntarily did such a good job keeping track of their tablet use and book reading time (the agreement was 10 minutes reading for 50 minutes of tablet, went generous since they hardly get to play at home, so they said.) I asked him, what would he like and he said those prizes which I offered before as incentives for winning. Instead of buying toys (they have too many) or money, I have been offering household supplies like dish towels, Ziploc containers, kitchen utensils, toothpaste, etc as gifts for their mommy. So my gift becomes their gift. Plus, I hoped they will take interest in household goods, instead of not paying any attention when they go shopping. This way they see the prizes they won being used and feel like they are helping the family. So glad to have heard our grandson say he would want more gifts to give his mom as his reward.

    YHF

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi YHF,
      Now that's a smart young man! So very sweet that he wanted to give something to his mom that he knew she'd find useful. Just very sweet!

      Delete
  4. That is a lovely gift idea. I am at the point in life that I don't need any more "stuff" so gifts that are consumable or renewable (like the bulbs) are a fantastic gifts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anne,
      that's my thinking a lot of times, too. So, I think these potted bulbs were appreciated.

      Delete
  5. YHF what a wonderful lesson you are imparting. I'm going to keep this suggestion in mind for the future.
    I like others show my " love languages" and gratitude with consumables ( first choice) or gifts generated at home. Plants and herbs repotted. Meals and baking. Knit or mended items are all my first "Go To's"
    Recently I bid on a " silent auction" prize of a programable crock pot. The money raised at the charity was for one close to me. I specifically put a majority of my tickets in this box as I had this in mind for a gift to give. I was delighted to win( if I hadn't the money was going to a good cause:).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you TG!! It's win win....plus it eases my anxiety when I shop because I see so many good deals, this way, I don't mind stocking up and going overboard just a bit. I hope too that they learn it's better to give than receive.

      Glad you won the crockpot you wanted and I also like it when a good cause is helped.

      YHF

      Delete
  6. That is a great gift that I'm sure will bring your in laws much enjoyment.
    Rhonda

    ReplyDelete
  7. When I was in college my sister always gave me a pot of bulbs for my dorm room. So while the freezing, snowy days of winter continued, I had flowers blooming. It was wonderful. I'm sure your in laws will enjoy them also.

    ReplyDelete

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