My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
it.

Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.

Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
fare.

Any other ideas?
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

"Omelet" > wrote in message
news
> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.
>
> Any other ideas?
> --
> Peace! Om
>
> "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help
> them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

Depends on the available stores:

Outlet mall

Harry & David stores.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Godiva Chocolate (some priemum malls)

Trader Joe's

Double Gloster cheddar with chives
Real Parmigiano Reggiano
other assorted cheese
Dried fruit
Nuts (dry roasted almonds)
Lots of other nifty stuff.

Some stores

Santa Barbara Olive Company Olives stuffed with Garlic cloves.

Dimitri

On Nov 18, 12:36*pm, Omelet > wrote:
> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package. *
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.
>
> Any other ideas?
> --
> Peace! Om
>
> "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

Vienna sausages, canned raviolis, black olives, & chocolate anything!

"Omelet" > wrote in message
news
> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.
>
> Any other ideas?
> --
> Peace! Om
>
> "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help
> them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama


One year I got a gift certificate to a hands on gourmet cooking
party/demonstration with a local chef. We helped prepare a 4 course dinner
with a bunch of other people. It was a fun time. Then we invited the
people who gave us the gift over for a dinner party and made the same meal
for them. The gift that kept on giving.

In article >,
"Dimitri" > wrote:

> "Omelet" > wrote in message
> news
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
>
> Depends on the available stores:
>
> Outlet mall
>
> Harry & David stores.
> Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
> Godiva Chocolate (some priemum malls)
>
> Trader Joe's
>
> Double Gloster cheddar with chives
> Real Parmigiano Reggiano
> other assorted cheese
> Dried fruit
> Nuts (dry roasted almonds)
> Lots of other nifty stuff.
>
> Some stores
>
> Santa Barbara Olive Company Olives stuffed with Garlic cloves.
>
> Dimitri

All fun ideas, thanks!
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

In article
>,
merryb > wrote:

> On Nov 18, 12:36*pm, Omelet > wrote:
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package. *
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
> > --
> > Peace! Om
> >
> > "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help
> > them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama
>
> Vienna sausages, canned raviolis, black olives, & chocolate anything!

Chocolate always works. <g> Vienna sausages are a given for dad. He
loves those nasty things.

Pistachios also work for him.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

In article >,
"whatzittooya" > wrote:

> "Omelet" > wrote in message
> news
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
>
>
> One year I got a gift certificate to a hands on gourmet cooking
> party/demonstration with a local chef. We helped prepare a 4 course dinner
> with a bunch of other people. It was a fun time. Then we invited the
> people who gave us the gift over for a dinner party and made the same meal
> for them. The gift that kept on giving.

How fun! :-)
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

Omelet wrote:
> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.
>
> Any other ideas?

Interesting. I do get chocolate oranges for my daughter. When I
was a kid, my parents would put canned crabmeat in MY stocking.
(Of course, that was before the better crab meat was available. I
don't even remember whether one could get fresh crab at that point.)

--
Jean B.

In article >,
"Jean B." > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
>
> Interesting. I do get chocolate oranges for my daughter. When I
> was a kid, my parents would put canned crabmeat in MY stocking.
> (Of course, that was before the better crab meat was available. I
> don't even remember whether one could get fresh crab at that point.)

It can be fun. :-)
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> "Jean B." > wrote:

> > Interesting. I do get chocolate oranges for my daughter. When I
> > was a kid, my parents would put canned crabmeat in MY stocking.
> > (Of course, that was before the better crab meat was available. I
> > don't even remember whether one could get fresh crab at that point.)
>
> It can be fun. :-)

"Hey there's something moving in my stocking. Maybe a puppy!"

SNAP!

"Ow. NOT a puppy. Not a puppy at all!"




Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

Omelet wrote:
> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.

Our family stockings tend to be filled with toiletries and treats.....
tooth paste, deodorant, shaving cream, razor blades, chocolates,
bottles of brandy or Gran Marnier.


My son loves marzipan, so I have to get down to the German deli for
that. While I am there I will pick up a few of chocolate present
bundles. They have these neat little packages of small squares of
chocolate individually wrapped in different coloured foil with little
ribbons and bows in bundles of four. We set them out with table settings.

Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>
> > Omelet wrote:
> > > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would
like
> > > it.
> > >
> > > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and
roast
> > > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> > >
> > > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > > fare.
> > >
> > > Any other ideas?
> >
> > Interesting. I do get chocolate oranges for my daughter. When I
> > was a kid, my parents would put canned crabmeat in MY stocking.
> > (Of course, that was before the better crab meat was available. I
> > don't even remember whether one could get fresh crab at that point.)
>
> It can be fun. :-)


If there's a World Market near you (in Austin? Go pick up Steve and make a
day of it...he needs to get outta the house) they have a whole bunch of
stocking - stuffer type food things, all in miniature sizes, all very cute
and attractively packaged. These are available year - round, they are in
wooden bins around the candy - confectionary section.


--
Best
Greg

Omelet wrote:

> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.
>
> Any other ideas?

My parent don't really need more "stuff". My Christmas gift to them is
consumables. Homemade beef jerky, sliced, dried tomatoes, toasted
spiced nuts, fudge, dark chocolate covered cherries, toffee, garlic
butter sourdough croutons. On the store-bought side, fancy coffee,
Abuelita (mexican hot chocolate tablets), artichoke hearts, hearts of
palm. Stuff they can munch on themselves, or is fit to set out when
they have company.

Also, reams of printer paper and inkjet cartridges. We got them an
idiot-proof combination printer/copier/fax machine last year, which sees
daily use in relation to Medicare and their secondary carrier.

Screw the bubble bath, my mom considers it incredibly posh to be able to
make copies at home at the touch of a button without having to drive to
the library and stick a quarter into the side of a machine.

Omelet wrote:
> My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> it.
>
> Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
> Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> fare.
>
> Any other ideas?


Do you have a Cost Plus nearby? They have aisles and aisles of
"fun" food, candy, cakes, cookies, jams/spreads, tea and coffee
from all over.

We always bought authentic pfeffernuesse for my late father-in-law
there as well as chocolate, canned herring and sardines (which he loved)
and some kinds of cookies like Swedish gingersnaps. He loved food (a
child of the Depression) so was easy to buy for.

gloria p

In article > ,
"Gregory Morrow" > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
> > In article >,
> > "Jean B." > wrote:
> >
> > > Omelet wrote:
> > > > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > > > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would
> like
> > > > it.
> > > >
> > > > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and
> roast
> > > > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> > > >
> > > > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > > > fare.
> > > >
> > > > Any other ideas?
> > >
> > > Interesting. I do get chocolate oranges for my daughter. When I
> > > was a kid, my parents would put canned crabmeat in MY stocking.
> > > (Of course, that was before the better crab meat was available. I
> > > don't even remember whether one could get fresh crab at that point.)
> >
> > It can be fun. :-)
>
>
> If there's a World Market near you (in Austin? Go pick up Steve and make a
> day of it...he needs to get outta the house) they have a whole bunch of
> stocking - stuffer type food things, all in miniature sizes, all very cute
> and attractively packaged. These are available year - round, they are in
> wooden bins around the candy - confectionary section.

Central Market generally has a good selection...
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
>
> Our family stockings tend to be filled with toiletries and treats.....
> tooth paste, deodorant, shaving cream, razor blades, chocolates,
> bottles of brandy or Gran Marnier.
>
>
> My son loves marzipan, so I have to get down to the German deli for
> that. While I am there I will pick up a few of chocolate present
> bundles. They have these neat little packages of small squares of
> chocolate individually wrapped in different coloured foil with little
> ribbons and bows in bundles of four. We set them out with table settings.

Marzipan is a good idea, thanks! Might have to try that for my sister
and the BIL.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

In article >,
Kathleen > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
>
> My parent don't really need more "stuff". My Christmas gift to them is
> consumables. Homemade beef jerky, sliced, dried tomatoes, toasted
> spiced nuts, fudge, dark chocolate covered cherries, toffee, garlic
> butter sourdough croutons. On the store-bought side, fancy coffee,
> Abuelita (mexican hot chocolate tablets), artichoke hearts, hearts of
> palm. Stuff they can munch on themselves, or is fit to set out when
> they have company.
>
> Also, reams of printer paper and inkjet cartridges. We got them an
> idiot-proof combination printer/copier/fax machine last year, which sees
> daily use in relation to Medicare and their secondary carrier.
>
> Screw the bubble bath, my mom considers it incredibly posh to be able to
> make copies at home at the touch of a button without having to drive to
> the library and stick a quarter into the side of a machine.

I feel you on the "enough stuff" thing! I'm in the same boat. I plan
to ask sis' for a pan of Baklava for Christmas again. :-) And Lynda for
Brownies... I can freeze that stuff and eat it slowly.

Colored printer paper sounds like a good idea too.

I'm up in the air as for what to get the Nephews. They already have too
many toys! They are 3 and 6.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

In article >,
Gloria P > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> > it.
> >
> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> > fare.
> >
> > Any other ideas?
>
>
> Do you have a Cost Plus nearby? They have aisles and aisles of
> "fun" food, candy, cakes, cookies, jams/spreads, tea and coffee
> from all over.
>
> We always bought authentic pfeffernuesse for my late father-in-law
> there as well as chocolate, canned herring and sardines (which he loved)
> and some kinds of cookies like Swedish gingersnaps. He loved food (a
> child of the Depression) so was easy to buy for.
>
> gloria p

Gourmet coffee and tea sounds like a wonderful idea!
Pepperidge Farms cookies would probably go over well too, especially the
jelly filled ones.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

On Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:07:56 -0600, Omelet >
wrote:

>In article >,
> Kathleen > wrote:
>
>> Omelet wrote:
>>
>> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
>> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
>> > it.
>> >
>> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
>> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>> >
>> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
>> > fare.
>> >
>> > Any other ideas?
>>
>> My parent don't really need more "stuff". My Christmas gift to them is
>> consumables. Homemade beef jerky, sliced, dried tomatoes, toasted
>> spiced nuts, fudge, dark chocolate covered cherries, toffee, garlic
>> butter sourdough croutons. On the store-bought side, fancy coffee,
>> Abuelita (mexican hot chocolate tablets), artichoke hearts, hearts of
>> palm. Stuff they can munch on themselves, or is fit to set out when
>> they have company.
>>
>> Also, reams of printer paper and inkjet cartridges. We got them an
>> idiot-proof combination printer/copier/fax machine last year, which sees
>> daily use in relation to Medicare and their secondary carrier.
>>
>> Screw the bubble bath, my mom considers it incredibly posh to be able to
>> make copies at home at the touch of a button without having to drive to
>> the library and stick a quarter into the side of a machine.
>
>I feel you on the "enough stuff" thing! I'm in the same boat. I plan
>to ask sis' for a pan of Baklava for Christmas again. :-) And Lynda for
>Brownies... I can freeze that stuff and eat it slowly.
>
>Colored printer paper sounds like a good idea too.
>
>I'm up in the air as for what to get the Nephews. They already have too
>many toys! They are 3 and 6.


Books. If they are near enough, read to them.

Omelet wrote:
> In article >,
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>> Interesting. I do get chocolate oranges for my daughter. When I
>> was a kid, my parents would put canned crabmeat in MY stocking.
>> (Of course, that was before the better crab meat was available. I
>> don't even remember whether one could get fresh crab at that point.)
>
> It can be fun. :-)

I have even less memory of THAT! :-)

--
Jean B.

In article >,
The Cook > wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:07:56 -0600, Omelet >
> wrote:
>
> >In article >,
> > Kathleen > wrote:
> >
> >> Omelet wrote:
> >>
> >> > My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> >> > the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> >> > it.
> >> >
> >> > Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> >> > beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >> >
> >> > Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> >> > fare.
> >> >
> >> > Any other ideas?
> >>
> >> My parent don't really need more "stuff". My Christmas gift to them is
> >> consumables. Homemade beef jerky, sliced, dried tomatoes, toasted
> >> spiced nuts, fudge, dark chocolate covered cherries, toffee, garlic
> >> butter sourdough croutons. On the store-bought side, fancy coffee,
> >> Abuelita (mexican hot chocolate tablets), artichoke hearts, hearts of
> >> palm. Stuff they can munch on themselves, or is fit to set out when
> >> they have company.
> >>
> >> Also, reams of printer paper and inkjet cartridges. We got them an
> >> idiot-proof combination printer/copier/fax machine last year, which sees
> >> daily use in relation to Medicare and their secondary carrier.
> >>
> >> Screw the bubble bath, my mom considers it incredibly posh to be able to
> >> make copies at home at the touch of a button without having to drive to
> >> the library and stick a quarter into the side of a machine.
> >
> >I feel you on the "enough stuff" thing! I'm in the same boat. I plan
> >to ask sis' for a pan of Baklava for Christmas again. :-) And Lynda for
> >Brownies... I can freeze that stuff and eat it slowly.
> >
> >Colored printer paper sounds like a good idea too.
> >
> >I'm up in the air as for what to get the Nephews. They already have too
> >many toys! They are 3 and 6.
>
>
> Books. If they are near enough, read to them.

They are. I did books for Lynn's kids last Christmas (The Dangerous
book for boys and The Daring Book for girls along with some Mark Twain
books and they went over well!) Morgan might be a bit young, but the 6
year old might benefit. I'll have to ask sis about his reading skills.
:-)

Thanks.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

Omelet wrote:

> They are. I did books for Lynn's kids last Christmas (The Dangerous
> book for boys and The Daring Book for girls along with some Mark Twain
> books and they went over well!) Morgan might be a bit young, but the
> 6 year old might benefit. I'll have to ask sis about his reading
> skills. :-)

Books for somewhat older kids or adults (with good sight
and/or a magnefying glass) who would enjoy a puzzle is
The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base.

I love that book and have deliberately never solved it.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
> Omelet wrote:
>
>> They are. I did books for Lynn's kids last Christmas (The Dangerous
>> book for boys and The Daring Book for girls along with some Mark Twain
>> books and they went over well!) Morgan might be a bit young, but the
>> 6 year old might benefit. I'll have to ask sis about his reading
>> skills. :-)
>
> Books for somewhat older kids or adults (with good sight and/or a
> magnefying glass) who would enjoy a puzzle is The Eleventh Hour by
> Graeme Base.
> I love that book and have deliberately never solved it.
>
> nancy

I always give books as gifts - for Christmas and birthdays and new
babies. New babies always get _Goodnight Moon_. I hate trying to buy
clothes for kids and especially hate buying toys. My son survived on
books and legos. But, it is getting to the point where I have forgotten
which books I have given to which kids! I need to make a list one of
these days.

I am always on the lookout for a new book. I have seen _The Eleventh
Hour_ but never read it. I have a fondness for kid literature. I just
read _The City of Ember_and _The People of Sparks_ and I also picked up
one called _Spanking Shakespeare_ or something like that. My favorite
newish young adult book is _Ella Enchanted_. Perfect, perfect book. ;-)
The movie is not so perfect though.


There will be a bunch of kids (possibly eight of them!) at my place this
Thanksgiving, I should pull out some of my son's old books for them to
keep them occupied.

-Tracy

In article >,
"Nancy Young" > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
>
> > They are. I did books for Lynn's kids last Christmas (The Dangerous
> > book for boys and The Daring Book for girls along with some Mark Twain
> > books and they went over well!) Morgan might be a bit young, but the
> > 6 year old might benefit. I'll have to ask sis about his reading
> > skills. :-)
>
> Books for somewhat older kids or adults (with good sight
> and/or a magnefying glass) who would enjoy a puzzle is
> The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base.
>
> I love that book and have deliberately never solved it.
>
> nancy

I'm not familiar with that one. I'll have to look at it!

I tend to concentrate on the classics. ;-) Mark Twain, Walter Farley
and Jack London.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

In article >, Tracy >
wrote:

> Nancy Young wrote:
> > Omelet wrote:
> >
> >> They are. I did books for Lynn's kids last Christmas (The Dangerous
> >> book for boys and The Daring Book for girls along with some Mark Twain
> >> books and they went over well!) Morgan might be a bit young, but the
> >> 6 year old might benefit. I'll have to ask sis about his reading
> >> skills. :-)
> >
> > Books for somewhat older kids or adults (with good sight and/or a
> > magnefying glass) who would enjoy a puzzle is The Eleventh Hour by
> > Graeme Base.
> > I love that book and have deliberately never solved it.
> >
> > nancy
>
> I always give books as gifts - for Christmas and birthdays and new
> babies. New babies always get _Goodnight Moon_. I hate trying to buy
> clothes for kids and especially hate buying toys. My son survived on
> books and legos. But, it is getting to the point where I have forgotten
> which books I have given to which kids! I need to make a list one of
> these days.
>
> I am always on the lookout for a new book. I have seen _The Eleventh
> Hour_ but never read it. I have a fondness for kid literature. I just
> read _The City of Ember_and _The People of Sparks_ and I also picked up
> one called _Spanking Shakespeare_ or something like that. My favorite
> newish young adult book is _Ella Enchanted_. Perfect, perfect book. ;-)
> The movie is not so perfect though.
>
>
> There will be a bunch of kids (possibly eight of them!) at my place this
> Thanksgiving, I should pull out some of my son's old books for them to
> keep them occupied.
>
> -Tracy

Well, there is always "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". :-)
The movie sucks compared to the book, but so what else is new?

The Harry Potter series is also better than the movies.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

Tracy wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:

>> Books for somewhat older kids or adults (with good sight and/or a
>> magnefying glass) who would enjoy a puzzle is The Eleventh Hour by
>> Graeme Base.
>> I love that book and have deliberately never solved it.

> I always give books as gifts - for Christmas and birthdays and new
> babies.

You can't beat that. Get them accustomed to books before
the tv/video game gets them.

> New babies always get _Goodnight Moon_. I hate trying to buy
> clothes for kids and especially hate buying toys.

I don't buy kid's toys. Not because I don't like toys,
but that I have no idea what they'd like.

> My son survived on
> books and legos. But, it is getting to the point where I have
> forgotten which books I have given to which kids! I need to make a
> list one of these days.

(laugh) Here come's Aunt Tracy, bet she's giving that same
book again, I already have 3.

> I have seen _The Eleventh Hour_ but never read it.

The illustrations each contain hidden word clues to help you solve
the mystery. Very clever.

>I have a fondness for kid literature. I just
> read _The City of Ember_and _The People of Sparks_ and I also picked
> up one called _Spanking Shakespeare_ or something like that. My
> favorite newish young adult book is _Ella Enchanted_. Perfect,
> perfect book. ;-) The movie is not so perfect though.

I should take a spin through the kid's section of the library,
it looks cool just to see it. I'll keep an eye out for those.

> There will be a bunch of kids (possibly eight of them!) at my place
> this Thanksgiving, I should pull out some of my son's old books for
> them to keep them occupied.

Heh, good luck with that.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
> Tracy wrote:
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>
>>> Books for somewhat older kids or adults (with good sight and/or a
>>> magnefying glass) who would enjoy a puzzle is The Eleventh Hour by
>>> Graeme Base.
>>> I love that book and have deliberately never solved it.
>
>> I always give books as gifts - for Christmas and birthdays and new
>> babies.
>
> You can't beat that. Get them accustomed to books before
> the tv/video game gets them.
>
>> New babies always get _Goodnight Moon_. I hate trying to buy
>> clothes for kids and especially hate buying toys.
>
> I don't buy kid's toys. Not because I don't like toys,
> but that I have no idea what they'd like.
>
>> My son survived on
>> books and legos. But, it is getting to the point where I have
>> forgotten which books I have given to which kids! I need to make a
>> list one of these days.
>
> (laugh) Here come's Aunt Tracy, bet she's giving that same book again,
> I already have 3.


OMG. This is my worst fear! Really. ;-)

>> I have seen _The Eleventh Hour_ but never read it.
>
> The illustrations each contain hidden word clues to help you solve
> the mystery. Very clever.


I will pick it up next time I am at the bookstore.

>
>> I have a fondness for kid literature. I just
>> read _The City of Ember_and _The People of Sparks_ and I also picked
>> up one called _Spanking Shakespeare_ or something like that. My
>> favorite newish young adult book is _Ella Enchanted_. Perfect,
>> perfect book. ;-) The movie is not so perfect though.
>
> I should take a spin through the kid's section of the library,
> it looks cool just to see it. I'll keep an eye out for those.
>> There will be a bunch of kids (possibly eight of them!) at my place
>> this Thanksgiving, I should pull out some of my son's old books for
>> them to keep them occupied.
>
> Heh, good luck with that.
>

Oh boy you have no idea....

Tracy

Omelet wrote:

> In article >,
> Kathleen > wrote:
>
>
>>Omelet wrote:
>>
>>
>>>My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
>>>the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
>>>it.
>>>
>>>Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
>>>beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>>>
>>>Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
>>>fare.
>>>
>>>Any other ideas?
>>
>>My parent don't really need more "stuff". My Christmas gift to them is
>>consumables. Homemade beef jerky, sliced, dried tomatoes, toasted
>>spiced nuts, fudge, dark chocolate covered cherries, toffee, garlic
>>butter sourdough croutons. On the store-bought side, fancy coffee,
>>Abuelita (mexican hot chocolate tablets), artichoke hearts, hearts of
>>palm. Stuff they can munch on themselves, or is fit to set out when
>>they have company.
>>
>>Also, reams of printer paper and inkjet cartridges. We got them an
>>idiot-proof combination printer/copier/fax machine last year, which sees
>>daily use in relation to Medicare and their secondary carrier.
>>
>>Screw the bubble bath, my mom considers it incredibly posh to be able to
>>make copies at home at the touch of a button without having to drive to
>>the library and stick a quarter into the side of a machine.
>
>
> I feel you on the "enough stuff" thing! I'm in the same boat. I plan
> to ask sis' for a pan of Baklava for Christmas again. :-) And Lynda for
> Brownies... I can freeze that stuff and eat it slowly.
>
> Colored printer paper sounds like a good idea too.
>
> I'm up in the air as for what to get the Nephews. They already have too
> many toys! They are 3 and 6.

Well, I'd definitely second the books recommendation.

One year I got each of my little nieces a set of sweats, white, and
white painter caps. I prewashed them, laid them out flat on a drop
cloth and splattered them with red, yellow and blue artist's acrylics.
Waited til they dried, turned them over and did the back sides.

They turned out really cute and I figured that if something like that
didn't fit their parents' idea of day wear, they could double as jammies
or lounge wear.

As it happens, their parents loved them and over the next few years they
turned up in school pictures and family photos, with different sizes
loaned between families to match up siblings for group portraits. One
photographer took it to the next level and daubed the childrens' hands
and faces with tempra paints and gave them paint brushes to hold for
their photo shoot.

Fun, cheap and easy.

For Grandma and Grandpa, white t-shirts or sweatshirts. Paint the kids'
feet with acrylic paint and have them step carefully on the shirt.
Allow to dry, do the back side, dry again. Add text - names, dates,
maybe. I did slogans. My mother got "My grandchildren walk all over
me". My dad got "I *AM* in charge here!"

In article >,
Kathleen > wrote:

> > I'm up in the air as for what to get the Nephews. They already have too
> > many toys! They are 3 and 6.
>
> Well, I'd definitely second the books recommendation.
>
> One year I got each of my little nieces a set of sweats, white, and
> white painter caps. I prewashed them, laid them out flat on a drop
> cloth and splattered them with red, yellow and blue artist's acrylics.
> Waited til they dried, turned them over and did the back sides.
>
> They turned out really cute and I figured that if something like that
> didn't fit their parents' idea of day wear, they could double as jammies
> or lounge wear.
>
> As it happens, their parents loved them and over the next few years they
> turned up in school pictures and family photos, with different sizes
> loaned between families to match up siblings for group portraits. One
> photographer took it to the next level and daubed the childrens' hands
> and faces with tempra paints and gave them paint brushes to hold for
> their photo shoot.
>
> Fun, cheap and easy.
>
> For Grandma and Grandpa, white t-shirts or sweatshirts. Paint the kids'
> feet with acrylic paint and have them step carefully on the shirt.
> Allow to dry, do the back side, dry again. Add text - names, dates,
> maybe. I did slogans. My mother got "My grandchildren walk all over
> me". My dad got "I *AM* in charge here!"

Oh that sounds like FUN! :-)
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama

On Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:36:30 -0600, Omelet >
wrote:

>My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
>the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
>it.
>
>Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
>beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
>
>Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
>fare.
>
>Any other ideas?

Packets of hot chocolate of various flavors; mint, raspberry, etc.
They go over well on Christmas morn. Individual teabags. Tiny jars
of jam or marmalade.

Best -- Terry

In article >,
Terry > wrote:

> On Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:36:30 -0600, Omelet >
> wrote:
>
> >My mom and I often purchased stuff we would not ordinarily eat during
> >the year, due to price or quality, but we knew the recipient would like
> >it.
> >
> >Such items included canned meats such as Underwood canned ham and roast
> >beef spreads, usually along with a gourmet cracker package.
> >
> >Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and chocolate oranges are also common
> >fare.
> >
> >Any other ideas?
>
> Packets of hot chocolate of various flavors; mint, raspberry, etc.
> They go over well on Christmas morn. Individual teabags. Tiny jars
> of jam or marmalade.
>
> Best -- Terry

Hey! Those are good idea. :-)
--
Peace! Om

"All People and things are interdependent. The world has become so small that no nation can solve its problems alone, in isolation from others. That is why I believe we must all cultivate a sense of responsibility based on love and compassion for each other." -- Dalai Lama