Baskets of Cheer (and then some!)

Mother’s Day is coming up quickly. Dads and grads will be feted throughout the month of June. Weddings are also big during this time of year. With all of these soirees to attend, what do you give for gifts? Sure, you could tuck a check into a nice card, and while money is always acceptable, it doesn’t take a whole lot of thought on your part. Want to give a present that will be both thoughtful and memorable? Try a gift basket that is tailored to the recipient. If your father can’t open his eyeballs in the morning without a cup of joe in hand, a coffee collection gift basket complete with various gourmet javas is just the thing for dear old Dad. Each time he takes a sip of hazelnut, he’ll think of you. Fondly. Need a basket that is a bit more upscale and sophisticated for a bride-to-be or for a couple who has just purchased their first home? A fresco fruit tote will be just the thing. Now, doesn’t a lovely gift basket sound so much more fun to give than a measly check?

Rain, Rain Go Away...

Sure April showers bring May flowers but that doesn’t mean that you need to be outside in that cold spring rain without ample protection from the nasty spring weather. Pull out an umbrella and step out onto the sidewalk. Don’t stay indoors – especially if a warm rain is falling. Enjoy a long walk while you take in the newly blooming tulips and watch robins build their nests. Not to worry, you have your trendy telescopic folding umbrella keeping your head dry while the vinyl rain poncho covers your clothes. Become five years old again and jump in pavement puddles for fun! Here’s a tip to ensure that you are always prepared for the worst weather. Keep an umbrella near your front door in a handy location – hidden at the top of a coat closet or hanging on a hook inside. Stash another one in either your glove compartment or the middle console of your car. Rain ponchos can easily be tucked away under your seat. That way, even when you are on the move, if the skies darken, you’ve got cover.

Play Ball!

The winds of change are blowing in – thankfully – and the weather is finally turning warm. Aside from the daffodils and tulips blooming, how do you know it’s truly spring? Drive by any local field in your town and you’ll spot a first sign of the season with kids grabbing their gloves and heading out to field some ground balls. Others are warming up, ready to take their turns with the bat at home plate. There’s no better way to savor the beautiful rebirth of the trees and flowers than taking in a baseball game. Whether you are at the major league ballpark cheering on your favorite team or simply sitting on the steel bleachers at the local field rooting for the seven-year-olds who are up at bat, show your fan appreciation with your #1 foam hand and a glow in the dark megaphone. And remember, even if you are only hanging with a bunch of pint-sized players as they try to hit that ball off the tee, you could be watching history in the making. Today’s littlest ball players might someday be playing in the majors, so offer up your cheers loudly.

I'll Take a Side of E.coli with that Roast

If you’ve ever been to the grocery store to pick up a few staples like milk, bread, and eggs, you probably haven’t thought twice about reaching for the closest shopping cart to toss your items in. Grocery carts are notoriously filthy even though you can’t see any of the germs that have latched onto the handle and every other square inch of that hunk of a metal cage. Think about it – not only are you touching the handle that a sneezing woman just had her hands on, but the cart has held numerous packages of raw meat and chicken from countless other people. You could have salmonella, E.coli, and lots of other nasty germs stuck to your hands before you even make it to the first aisle! After the groceries are bagged and packed up in your trunk, but BEFORE you open your car door, reach into your pocket and fumigate those germs away with your mini sani-mist pocket sprayer. You’ll say adios to those disgusting germs and prevent yourself from getting a nasty bug. These little sanitizers are perfect to keep in your glove compartment, purse, pocket, or to pack in your kids’ lunchboxes, so that they can “wash up” before munching on that PB&J at school.