Saturday, April 11, 2009

Easter Gifts


Easter is such a wonderful time of year. Not only does it have significant social, historical, and religious significance, it's the first true since of spring in our region, and it makes it a perfect time to share gifts of spring with friends and family.

I'm blessed to have so many wonderful friends, near and far, but I have a special group of friends who live only footsteps away. They're the most wonderful group of women, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends that I could ever hope to have ... and what's better - they love to decorate, garden, and shop. Heaven!

When I first met this group of wonderful ladies, I had endured a long and lonely winter. Scott was in Texas, and I was here, with Abby (as beautiful and loving as she is) alone. I hadn't found it easy to make friends when snow piled up by the foot, and people hunkered down in their homes, or made only quick trips bundeled in coat over coat in and out of stores. These ladies were a generous breath of life and joy that spring (Easter) brought to me after that long, harsh winter alone. So to commemorate our Spring time meeting a little more than 2-years ago, I put together a couple of gifts for them - and thought you might like to put together a few of them to share with your friends, too!

Things you'll need:

1. A planter/pot: plastic, terracotta, concrete, decorative, plain - doesn't matter.

2. A planters trowel, or shovel.

3. Brown paper craft/lunch bags.

4. A mixture of Miracle Grow potting soil, Miracle Grow Seed Starter Mix, and some plant and flower food.

5. Decorative Paper, Ribbon, and natural or colored burlap with jute twine.

6. A packet of seeds.


First, put an even mixture of dirt and seed starter mix into the brown paper craft/lunch bag. Fill the bag up 3/4 of the way, enough to fill an average sized 6-8" pot. Then sprinkle plant and flower fertilizer pelets into the mixture.

Next, take your burlap and cut into strips the width of the paper bag. Make them long enough (about 1 yard) to go around the bag completely and tie at the top with the jute twine. Place the bag into the pot. (The burlap will not cover the bag completely - only the widest sides, leaving the paper to be seen.)

Then use a 24" piece of ribbon to thread through the hole of the gardening trowel, or shovel, and tie at the end - so that the trowel could be hung from hooks after gardening from the ribbon. Place the trowel behind the burlap wrapped bag of soil mixture, and fill the front with seeds and instructions for planting printed on decorative paper to coordinate with your ribbon.

And there you have it - a simple, inexpensive way to greet Spring and pass along a little Easter cheer! Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

22 comments:

  1. What a wonderful and generous gift.
    Too bad you aren't my neighbor. Have a blessed holiday.
    Kathleen

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  2. This is the sweetest thing, ever! I love gifts that keep on giving, and each time they see a beautiful bloom, they will think of you - with love.
    You are such a wonderful person and friend.
    Happy Easter dearest one
    xo Isa

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  3. What a lovely idea! How thoughtful!! Happy Easter! :)

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  4. What a great idea! If you don't mind, I'm going to put this on my blog and send the few people that read it your way. So thoughtful!

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  5. What a nice gift and surprise for your friends!

    Happy Easter ~

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  6. What a cheery gift to give and to receive. It's very kind and thoughtful to give something so special to your friends to celebrate meeting them. Have a Happy Easter!

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  7. Great idea Artie, so thoughtful. My niece works at a garden center and she gave me a wonderful wooden box filled with bulbs and a watering can. It's the sweetest gesture. ~ Happy Easter ~ Robyn

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  8. What a wonderful gift idea!

    Have a Happy Easter! ♥ Diane

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  9. What great gifts, they will love them! And you are a gift too!
    If I lived closer I know we would be friends but alas we can still be blog buddies.
    Hug and pet the puppas for me!
    I think I need a dog again!
    Linda

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  10. What a very sweet gift. They will love it!

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  11. Can I be your friend?
    Happy Easter!

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  12. Great project!
    Have a wonderful Easter!!
    xo xo

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  13. You are a sweet and generous soul, dear sir. Wish I was a neighbor too!

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  14. A big Happy Easter to Scott and you!

    G in CT

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  15. So much fun....great for Mother's Day too which is just around the corner! Super idea....it is so great to have good friends nearby...it always takes time. I am in that mode myself right now being new to an area!
    I pray special blessings for you and Scott today.
    May the joy of the Lord bring you peace!

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  16. Artie, I do wish I was your neighbor-not only because I'd ge a wonderful gift, but because I'd have a chance of being invited to one of your lovely parties. laurie

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  17. Awwwwwww... that is so sweet, Artie! I think it's wonderful that you show your friends how much you appreciate them like this. I'm sure they loved their gifts!

    Justine :o )

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  18. Wonderful, thoughtful gift.
    I hope you had a lovely Easter! Full of joy and chocolate!!

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  19. Lovely gift, so special! Gr. from Sweden.

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