Comments on: Gift Exchange (of Ideas)

By: Tracie in Tallahassee

Tracie in Tallahassee — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:59:53 +0000

In the same vein as Emily’s Top Chef Night, I’ve done a “DIY in a box” present for Chanukah (for the kids). This works for something they’ve been wanting to do but I haven’t had time to get together – like painting or redecorating their room. Get cans of paint in the color they’ve been longing for (or a bunch of paint samples that are in the neighborhood so they can pick it out themselves), a couple of brushes or rollers, aprons, and make a coupon for TIME over the holidays to get this thing accomplished – put in a box with wrapping paper – Voila – new room in a box. For another night of Chanukah, the sheets they wanted to match the paint, or something else that goes with the new paint scheme, etc. You could, theoretically, keep this going for several nights.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:30:19 +0000

Becky, what a lovely memory of paperwhites blooming on Christmas morning. I also stake mine with chopsticks and/or tie ribbons around the stalks. This year I read a tip: water them once with a tiny bit of vodka mixed in (like one part vodka, 9 parts water). That will prevent stalks from growing too tall, but won’t harm development of the flowers. Only do this once, then return to regular watering. One of my relatives forgot the directions and has been watering repeatedly with almost pure vodka, which killed the entire plant!

By: becky up the hill

becky up the hill — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:18:31 +0000

Yes I love paper whites and gift cards..so girls. I can send you my address! My only complaint with paper whites..mind tend to flop over. Now I see them grown in frames etc. Also I have tied mind up with some rustic twine, that helps them to stand at attention for a few hours, then one time they almost flew out of their bowl and fell on the floor, still tied up. Years ago my dear friend gave me some blooming paper whites at our churches Christmas eve service. Christmas morning I was the first one up, having my coffee, getting ready to hit the floor running and smelled something so fresh, lovely and unexpected. It was the paper whites and their fragrance was so heartening. Honestly it’s the only thing I remember about that particular Christmas.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:33:26 +0000

Well, here’s a gift idea that is almost always a hit although I can’t be sure it’s universally beloved. Buy a bunch of paperwhite bulbs. Plant these in potting soil in terra cotta pots or even in odd bits of pottery from your basement or a thrift shop. Keep in a sunny spot and keep soil moist – the bulbs will soon sprout with bright green stems. Eventually delicate white flowers appear. Nothing like a bit of natural growing beauty in the midst of winter.