Roseville Blogger Offers Ideas For Last-Minute Holiday Gifts

Well, I did not expect to begin blogging by writing something as a comment to the Patch poll: last minute holiday gifts. 

However, since I believe in living simply, i.e. without lots of extraneous stuff, and I do not have a large, expendable income, I want to suggest some gift ideas that require your imagination and effort, but no income. 

These gifts are time-tested in my family, and have satisfied many individuals.  You can make hand-written gift coupons for your gifts, eliminating the need for fancy wrappings.

For the pet owner:

• Poop patrol (You know, missions to find and remove dog poop within a confined area (backyard).)
• Play sessions, especially outdoors, with the dog(s).
• Clean the litter box(es).
• Play with the cat(s).
• Clean the gerbil / hamster / bird / lizard, etc. cage.

For the outdoor bird and/or squirrel and/or rabbit feeder:

• Clean the bird feeder(s).
• Fill the bird feeders.
• Distribute food for squirrels and/or rabbits, etc.: (from the family refrigerator: peanuts, small bits of apples, green top carrot tops, small pieces of carrots, parsnips, lettuce and spinach, etc.).

For the gardener:

• Garden supply catalogues (online and/or hard copy).
• List of links on gardening articles of interest to the gardener(s)
• Promise of assistance with gardening activities in the next growing season
• Clean and/or repair gardening tools

For the reader (hard copy and/or computer savvy):

• An annotated list of library books on topics of interest to this reader.
• Read aloud sessions:  designate a book or story of interest to the reader.
• Hand written copies of your favorite poems, jokes, quotations, etc.
• Annotated links to an international assortment of magazines, preferably available without subscription.

For the cook:

• Recipes (hand printed cards or links) for foods of interest.
• Offer to prepare a specific recipe with the cook (e.g.: make cookies together, cook soup or stew, bake bread, etc.).
• Repair favorite kitchen tools (e.g.: strengthen and sand wooden handles)
• Repair favorite kitchen linens, potholders, etc.

For the homeowner:

• Rake the lawn (specified area and number of times).
• Turn the compost (specified area and number of times).
• Shovel the snow from the walkway, driveway, nearby fire hydrant, etc.

For the computer saavy newshound:

• Links to an international assortment of news services, preferably available without subscription.

For the musician:

• Tickets to a concert for your musician, yourself, and anyone else. (Check City Pages and other news sources for free and inexpensive concerts.)
• Lesson(s) provided by you, in some specific technique or way to play a tune of interest (e.g. music for a hot Irish jig, with your instructions and/or accompaniment.)

For your community:

• Volunteer to assist short term or long term (e.g. pack meals in an assembly line at Second Harvest, play music at a nursing home, etc.)

 You get the idea.  Give of yourself. 

Best wishes for a joyful, safe, healthy holiday celebration.