The Italians are known for their fresh ingredients and simple recipes, and pizza certainly is not excluded from the list. Just imagine, a cultural change took place all because Americans started growing this little herb in their gardens.

One of the greatest bits of information or tips anyone can glean from the Italians is their love of gardening. Although it is not the actual garden that gives it such a precious value, but the end product fresh ripe vegetables and fruit that are delivered from their little or not so little plot of plowed land.

Taking this principle of fresh ingredients to heart, anyone can then make their own pizza taste better and healthier than any veggie pizza on the market by creating their own pizza garden. Here’s how…

Choosing the Toppings:

There are endless toppings a person can choose from when designing their own pizza themed garden. So make sure to pick vegetables and fruit you actually enjoy eating. Although adding asparagus as a topping may sound chic and creative, it will not do much good if it simply gets picked off when the pizza is served.

Here are a few basic toppings most everyone in your family will enjoy and are easy to grow:

Fresh Tomatoes:

Tomatoes on top of a tomato based pizza sauce – yes you read that correctly. Adding thin (or thick depending on preference) slices of tomatoes as an additional toppings adds a greater depth to your pizza.

Pizza sauce (whether it includes meat or not) has a drastically different taste and flavor than that of fresh tomatoes. So don’t worry about having too much of a tomato flavor – fresh tomatoes are an excellent choice, and besides, who doesn’t grow tomatoes in a garden?

One tip to keep in mind is what type of tomato you want to grow and when will they actually produce. Some tomatoes are known for delivering in mid-summer, while others tend to hold off until the late summer months to produce a nice harvest.

Basil:

Basil is an amazing herb whose varieties are enjoyed in different cultures around the world. However, fresh Genovese Sweet Basil brings to life a dull pizza any day of the week, any hour of the day and any second of an hour.

Fortunately, basil grows easily with the tomatoes and are a great companion plant. In addition, basil enjoys the hotter weather and therefore is usually in full bloom around the same time tomatoes are producing making them not only compatible for the garden but for the pizza as well.

Here is a tip to keep in mind when using basil on your pizza. Never place basil on as a topping until the final minute of baking – and one can go so far as to say not until it comes out of the oven. This herb will dry up and lose its precious flavored natural oils if heated too fast and will leave you disappointed.

Green Peppers:

Not everything has to be as delicate as the tomato and basil pizza, but for those who have a natural leaning towards spicy foods, growing your own hot peppers can be an excellent choice for a pizza topping.

Peppers come in all sorts of varieties and it might be a good idea to plant a few different kinds to really mix things up from your red hot chili peppers to more mild banana peppers to even the crispy common green pepper.

Unlike the basil, peppers can be placed on a pizza before it goes into the oven and are liked by both those who favor meat toppings and those who prefer to go without.

Let’s Talk about the Dough:

Anyone can make a pizza dough at home. All it requires is olive oil, flour, yeast, lukewarm water and a dash of salt. You can also choose to buy your dough already made which many grocery stores will import from pizza makers in NY or PA and store in the freezer section where the breads are kept. Let the dough thaw over night in the refrigerator and you are ready to go the next day.

However, the easiest way to get your pizza dough is to buy the crust already precooked. The downside to this method is that it will most likely not have the “fresh” factor and quite frankly not all of them taste very good.

Here is a quick recipe for homemade pizza dough:

1. Start by dissolving 1 tsp salt into lukewarm water along with 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast in a large bowl
2. Then let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast foams a little
3. Gradually add 3 cups of flour to the water and knead until the dough becomes a smooth elastic like texture . You do not want the dough sticky, so gently add more flour a little at a time until the right consistency is achieved
4. Roll into a ball, cover and put in your fridge overnight. If you need it the same day, keep it out, covered, and wait for half an hour to an hour for it to rise
5. When ready, roll out onto a greased pizza pan and bake at 400F for about 8 to 15 minutes or depending on the thickness of the dough and toppings used.

Margarita Pizza:

This pizza is very popular in Italy and has its roots in Naples, Italy where it first became popular. It does not use a sauce but relies on fresh garden ingredients to satisfy the appetite.

1. To make a margarita pizza which uses two of the ingredients above simply slice your tomatoes (meaty ones are best such as Roma), and place them on the pizza crust.
2. Next, slice some fresh mozzarella balls to the same thickness of the tomatoes. The regular blocks of mozzarella will not work – it must be fresh – the kind which you will find near the deli. Place the slices on the crust as well, spacing them between the tomatoes trying not to overlap
3. Bake in a 400F oven for approximately 14 minutes making sure to check that the cheese does not burn.
4. Right before removing from the oven, sprinkle generously with your fresh basil leaves and leave for 1 minute or less
5. Remove from oven and have a taste of heaven!

About the writer: Pizza is enjoyed by everyone, and that includes writer Liz Krause who owns and operates her own Italian cooking website. She enjoys writing about recipes and reviews of various products from the Waring Pro meat grinder to pizza slicers. Liz grew up in an Italian home and understands the benefits of growing fresh ingredients in the backyard believing fresh food and simple ingredients are the best way to enjoy Italian cuisine!

If you have any elderly or disabled living with you or are regularly visited by someone who is, then making your home easily accessible will make their life safer and easier. Whilst accessibility might seem to only be an issue for people suffering serious disabilities, you will be surprised at how much of a difference it can make. For example I’m sure many families have struggled with getting a pram or furniture through a narrow doorway fronted with steps.

Simple Steps to Improve Acccessibility
There are a number of trip hazards that you may not notice or be aware off. In particular throw rugs which can catch or slip under people. They can be simply taped down to prevent slippage but still be easily moved for cleaning. This step is particularly important if you have anyone with a walker or a wheelchair which can easily be caught by a rug.

If you use chairs with arms then it will make it easier for people with less strength to get in and out of them. They are also safer as they allow people to lower themselves onto them if necessary. Similarly placing cushions on low chairs will provide a simple and effective step for making them easier to get in and out of.

In the kitchen you can buy large handled grips for tableware will help make life easier, particularly for people with arthritis or other conditions which can reduce the strength of their grip. Similarly double handled pots and pans can be lifted without placing as much stress on the wrist joints as single handed pots. The not only means they are easier to lift but reduces the chance of spillages.

Replacing door knobs and tap handles with longer handles makes turning them easier. (Who hasn’t struggled with a stiff tap?) Similarly large handles which allow you to insert several fingers on drawers are easier than knobs or ones which only insert a small number.

Some more complex steps
You can make your bathroom safer by placing non slip tape and grab bars near the toilet and shower to help prevent slippage. In addition walk in baths and hand held showerheads make bathing far easier for people with disabilities.

For more serious mobility problems a reconditioned stairlift will provide an affordable option if you or people you live with find it hard to climb the stairs, and is safer than getting a second hand stairlift.

Wheelchair ramps come in many forms depending upon what you can afford, but an aluminium portable ramp should not only make accessing the home easier for people in wheelchairs but also help other people who might find the steps hard to manage such a people using walkers. In general it’s recommended that ramps have a slope which rises 12 inches for every foot.

The costs don’t need be prohibitive despite the initial set up. There are a variety of organizations such as The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs which offer grants so as to allow people with disabilities to afford technology to allow them to do tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Author Bio
This is a guest post by Daniel Frank, a UK blogger who is interested in disability issues. He is currently writing on behalf of Stannah Stairlifts who provide a range of products including reconditioned stairlifts

Everyone who has a home wireless network setup realizes just how useful this home feature is for everyday computing. All you need is a wired connection and a wireless router to broadcast a secure online (i.e. Internet) signal throughout your house (usually 100-300 feet of reception in all three directions). Best of all, with today’s Internet security applications out there and built-in wireless security, almost all wireless computing is just as secure as wired computing.

What are some things you can do with a wireless home network? Simple, here are some popular applications you may have not considered before:

• Two computers connected to the same internet connection at the same time – kids can watch YouTube or surf Facebook while Dad is reading the online news on his iPad or iPhone
• Multiple downloads – Download new software or music to your desktop while using your laptop to work on school work
• Multiple backups – Use your desktop as a backup location for your files on your laptop and transfer files via your home wireless setup
• Share music, photos effortlessly – setup your photos and music for a dinner party or when you have friends over for a fun family review time
• Visitors can use the Internet with their own laptops while visiting – Have a friend watching your home for you during vacation? Give them wireless access to your network so they can have internet away from home!

How to Create a Secure Network

There are many gimmicks out there in the network security world. Many times, the unknown brand names tend to have less virus protection and less updating power than the brand name security applications such as Norton. It’s very important to weigh your security needs when you setup your wireless Internet access.

Always protect your network with a password. These are set at the router level and keep people from stealing your Internet access and getting access to your private network files. This is simple to do and all routers come with a setup program that allows you to set the password. Make sure you load the password on every computer that will use your network.

Finally, you need virus protect software and a backup system. The best virus protection program that can save your precious computer is Norton Antivirus Software, which can often be bought with a Norton promotional coupon. This is an absolute must for families with curious children who may innocently download nefarious software into your computer network without realizing itís a virus.

Best of all, pair your Norton antivirus software with the Norton Ghost software, which automatically backs up your drives and keeps them secure in case you have a catastrophic computer failure. These protective programs will keep your network safe from viruses and backed up so you never lose a night’s sleep from file loss. This is also essential for the busy family with kids who may accidentally destroy a laptop or computer with play or spilled liquids.

When you plan for the worst, you often have the best results. Protect your home network and it will give you years of convenient fun Internet use.

About The Author: Steven Papas lives in Athens with his wife Elena. His goal is to deliver the latest computer software-related news to web surfers around the world. On his website you’ll find Norton promotional coupons, presentations and reviews for antivirus software, and Norton Ghost coupons.

Originally posted 2011-01-06 13:31:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

 …and How to Stay Warm While You Wait!

If you are not a DYI guru, call a heating expert

Inevitably, the heating system in your home won’t fail on a crisp, October morning, but on the coldest, harshest day of the year! If the failure occurs in the morning on a weekday, you may be fortunate enough to have a repair professional available that day to set things right again. However, if it is evening, the weekend, or the repair businesses are busy, you may have to wait some time.

While you wait, take steps to help your home retain as much heat as possible. Leave your window coverings down and drawn. If you have south facing windows and it is a sunny day, open the blinds/curtains while those windows are in direct sun. Make sure all windows and doors are closed, and block any drafts that may be sneaking in around them.

If you use a space heater for temporary heat, make sure you heed all safety warnings and supervise children around these devices. No need to add a doctor bill on top of the repair bill. If you can, use the space heater to heat a small room, rather than a large, open area.

Rice socks are a great way to warm up your toes in bed at night. Pour plain white rice into a clean sock and firmly knot the end. Heat the sock in the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds or until the rice is very warm, but not too hot. Slip the rice sock under the covers at the foot of the bed. (A rice sock is fairly safe, but can still be very hot! Don’t put it on bare skin and please, supervise children so they don’t burn themselves!)

Now, on to getting that heating system fixed! Be sure to check that the problem isn’t something you can address without paying a costly repair bill. For example, check to see that the thermostat is set properly and that it is working properly. Consult your furnace’s operation manual. Some furnaces have a “reset” button that may solve all your problems! Or, perhaps the pilot light has gone out!

If the problem is not so easily identified and solved, it is time to bring in a heating professional. If you have not needed a HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) service in the past, you may not have anyone in mind to call. Assuming the situation is fairly urgent (as in our scenario above) you may not have much time to research. However, it is still a good idea to ask friends and relatives in the area for a recommendation.

Your local utility company may also have information about trusted heating ompanies in your area. Once you have a couple names, a quick search of online reviews will also give you an overview of your chosen companies before you call.

When you call, be sure you understand the heating contractor’s pricing and warranty policies before you agree to have them come out to your home. Trust your instincts—if a company doesn’t “feel” right based on a phone call, move on. On the other hand, if you have a great experience with a company, pass the word along, both by word-of-mouth and online. That way when a friend or neighbor is in the same boat as you, they will be more likely to find a heating company they can trust to do the repairs for them.

Signs of a Good Year

Home Improvement projects often show up high on homeowner’s list of New Year’s resolutions.  But without proper planning it’s easy to spend too much or hire a disreputable contractor.  Then the home improvement project that should bring you joy turns into a home improvement nightmare.

Here’s a list of five New Year’s resolutions that will help bring you peace and joy in the New Year:

1. I will do my research online weather I am hiring a home improvement contractor or doing it myself.

2. I will not pick the first home improvement contractor that shows up in a Google search or has the best looking website.

3. I will ask for and check at least three references.

4. I will check with the local contractor’s board or licensing agency to see if there are any complaints against the home improvement contractor AND see how it was resolved.

5. I won’t make a decision until I have attended my local home and garden show and met the home improvement contractor I am going to hire. Here is a list of the best home and garden shows in North America: http://www.hgsei.com/

Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas

Saunas and their relatives (like the Native American sweat lodge and the Japanese onsen) have been in use for thousands of years, offering health benefits and relaxation to users.  Traditional saunas are wood or electrically heated. Steam is created by pouring water over heated rocks.

In the 1900s a new type of sauna—infrared—was introduced, developed independently in Germany and Japan, promising the same (some say greater) health and relaxation benefits with the added perk of energy efficiency (infrared saunas don’t need extended “preheat” times like a traditional sauna).

This newer technology uses infrared light as its heat source. Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light. It is divided into three categories—near, mid- and far infrared—with the wavelengths in each category becoming successively longer.

Both traditional saunas and infrared saunas are designed to induce sweating, which is believed to have many health benefits. Steam saunas rely on very hot air to heat the body, so the room temperature of a traditional sauna is quite high. In an infrared sauna, long-wavelength light hitting the body is the heat source. Because of this, the air temperature inside the sauna stays cooler than a traditional sauna. In a sauna powered by far infrared light, the “heat” source stays cool to the touch!

Types of Infrared Saunas

There are three types of infrared saunas. The first resembles a traditional sauna—a structure resembling a mini-house that can be installed either indoors or outside. The second is tent, in which you sit with your head sticking out. In the third type of infrared sauna, you actually lie down in what looks like a dome or a bag.

Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas

Many health claims have been made about the use of infrared saunas. Although most claims remain unproven, there appears to be some evidence that the use of these saunas relieves pain and stiffness in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions. They may be helpful as a complimentary treatment to patients with heart problems, mild depression, and chronic pain. However, as with many alternative/complimentary treatments, the benefit claims often become inflated and unreliable. If you are considering purchasing an infrared sauna to help with a medical condition, it is imperative that you do so in consultation with your physician.

Try Before You Buy

The simple fact is that different users will experience different results—some may find an infrared sauna a helpful tool to improve their health and relaxation, while others will not find it beneficial. Because a sauna is a significant investment, it is recommended that you first locate a spa or health club in your area that offers an infrared sauna experience. Try it out, several times if possible, before you make your final decision on whether to purchase.

Find a Reputable Infrared Sauna Dealer

Finding a reputable dealer for an infrared sauna is not unlike the process to find a good car dealer or contractor. Do your homework! Look for reviews online and talk to friends and colleagues. Talk to the spa or health club where you do your “test drive.” Look at the different types of saunas. What fits your budget, space constraints, and personal preferences?

After you’ve completed your research, make a list of potential sources and call them. Find out what their warranties and return policies are. Are they open about your various options, or do they try to push you one direction or another? How helpful are they with your questions about installation and use?

One more thing to keep in mind, depending upon the type of sauna you choose, you may need to have an electrician wire a separate plug in your home to accommodate the power needs of the unit.

An Infrared Sauna Can Provide Relaxation and Enjoyment

Carefully researched and properly installed, an infrared sauna can be a wonderful addition to your home. This updated form of a tradition that stretches back thousands of years offers a convenient path to health and relaxation.

Happy dog!

A staggering three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized in the US every year. That’s more than 10,000 animals per day and over 400 per hour.

It’s easy to understand, with numbers like these, how animal shelters across the country are literally bursting at the seams with unwanted animals. These sobering statistics shine a stark light on the need for education about and availability of spaying and neutering of companion animals.

To help reduce these staggering euthanasia numbers, Animal Friends, a premier companion animal resource center, has embarked on a comprehensive, community-wide spay/neuter initiative to reduce, and eventually eliminate, pet overpopulation in southwestern Pennsylvania. This program targets counties like Allegheny, where 25,000 abandoned or homeless companion animals enter shelters each year, and of those, 10,000 are euthanized because adoptive homes can’t be found.

Animal Friends is a non-profit companion animal resource center serving the needs of pets and people since 1943. Their progressive programs have been nationally recognized and include:

• Humane rescue
• Shelter and adoption services for over 2,500 pets annually
• Humane education
• Pet behavior classes
• Pet-assisted therapy
• Wellness programs
• Community-wide spay/neuter programs

Animal Friends, who’s motto is “Thinking outside the cage,” is supported by donations, 700 volunteers and a staff dedicated to ensuring the well being of companion animals and ending overpopulation, abuse and unwarranted euthanasia.

Currently the organization is undergoing a massive effort to go community by community in southwestern Pennsylvania to attack the pet overpopulation problem from low-income pet owners who can’t afford spaying, feral cat colony caregivers and pit bull owners. They also assist smaller organizations that lack spay/neuter programs.

There are three key components of the Animal Friends initiative:

1. Low-Cost Spay Neuter Program. This program provides financial assistance to low-income pet owners so they can obtain spay/neuter services. It has been working to relieve pet overpopulation since 1993 and has spayed and neutered over 30,000 animals, preventing births of over 2.5 million unwanted pets. 
2. In-house Spay/Neuter Services. With the addition of this program in 2008, Animal Friends has already performed over 4,000 surgeries on pets of low-income pet owners who can’t afford to pay for the surgery at a veterinarian’s office. 
3. Mobile Resource Center. This 30-foot vehicle serves as a mobile spay/neuter clinic and is the only unit of its kind in western Pennsylvania. This mobile clinic allows Animal Friends to travel to the pets who need them the most.

Part of the education process is helping pet owners understand why spaying and neutering is important beyond the staggering euthanasia statistics. Having a pet spayed or neutered also helps to:

• Reduce the pet’s risk of cancer and infection
• Make the pet less likely to run away
• Ensure a calmer, happier animal companion.

Unfortunately, there are still several myths that persist regarding spaying and neutering. The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) effectively tackles these myths and the related facts here.

Given the rural nature of much of southwestern Pennsylvania, unwanted pets are frequently dumped, left to fend for themselves. Caring locals often attempt to tend for these animals, willingly taking on financial hardship to keep them alive and safe. One such angel is Kathy.

Feral cat eyeing dinner.

The cat problem in the rural area where Kathy lives first became apparent when her dogs attacked the strays that came into her fenced yard. Fearing for the cats’ safety, she carefully monitored her dogs and sought help for the cats.

First she turned to the township, which refused to intervene unless the animals were rabid. Next, the local animal control agency told her cats were difficult to catch, so they wouldn’t be able to help her either.

Ironically, it was at her allergist’s office that Kathy heard of Animal Friends’ Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program. She learned that she could obtain a spay/neuter voucher to take to a local veterinarian who works with Animal Friends, significantly reducing the expense of the surgery. She initially took about 10 cats to be altered, and was delighted that she had solved the problem. But soon a pregnant cat was dropped off, adding five kittens to her property.

Kathy continues to commit to ensuring that the cats survive but don’t reproduce. Even though she’s had times of financial difficulty, she keeps working with Animal Friends to obtain the vouchers. She has used birthday and Christmas money, wrapped coins, and even her winnings from a lottery ticket to support her mission. Friends have donated money as well, and she and her husband have raised additional funds through recycling aluminum cans.

The irony in Kathy’s cause is that her allergies prevent her from bringing the cats into her home. So Kathy and her husband enclosed a porch to provide a warm place for the cats to winter. Having altered 17 cats this year alone, she is nearly caught up, but was delayed just a bit by family medical bills and vet bills for her husky.

Surprisingly, Kathy has never even visited Animal Friends, but she doesn’t hesitate to express her gratitude for the service they make available to her. When a cat shows up, she calls Nancy Hanson, Animal Friends‘ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Counselor, to arrange for the surgery locally. “Nancy has been so helpful every time I call,” Kathy says. “Whenever I need help, she’s there.” If cats in Kathy’s care could talk, they would surely say the same about her.

Originally posted 2009-06-14 08:58:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Holiday decorating is one of the high points of the season. Creating a lovely blend of Christmas tradition and signature style dresses up your spaces in their holiday best, and windows, as the focal points of any room, present a plethora of decorating possibilities. They are the gateways that beckon visitors with visions of warm, festive fire-lit spaces, and the portals that provide seasonal backdrops to compliment your Christmas decor.

picture by tbaschim

Put a Holiday Polish on Dressed Windows

Existing window treatments that serve behind the scenes all year long will blossom with holiday magic. You can give those trim, custom-fit Roman blinds in your sitting room festive flair by adding holiday trimmings. An arced garland of berries and greenery at the top of each window accents the blinds with celebratory yuletide colours, textures and scents. 

Try tying oversized brass bells at the ends of wide holiday ribbons, then secure each one with a thumbtack at intervals along the top of the window frame, letting them extend vertically midway down the Roman blinds. When you raise or lower the shades, you will be serenaded with the tinkling of sleigh bells, and they will add decorative interest whether your blinds are drawn or down. Alternatively, tie pretty glass ornaments in place of bells for an equally sumptuous window accent.

picture by kristina_lf

Wrap strings of metallic beads from the curtain rods, letting them cascade the length of the curtains, and in the case of floor-length treatments, puddle prettily along the floor. For windows with cafe curtains, considerplacing an evergreen or holly swag on the window sashing to creat e a holiday accent visible indoors and out. Nestle candles or miniature figures among the foliage.

Christmas Window Dressing

Make use of undressed window frames to create themed tableaux. If you are nostalgic for white Christmases, transform your windows into snow scenes with large, hand crafted paper snowflakes, suspended crystal icicles, a touch of glitter and a Battenberg lace swag along the top. Add satin red or green ribbon ties for a festive finish.

A window is also a natural display case where you can arrange an array of found objects, such as vintage candlesticks or heirloom ornaments. Branch out from the traditional by suspending dried herbal wreaths in your window frames or twig swags festooned with showy, vintage buttons. Eschew the usual red velvet bows in favour of unique, quirky objects such as greenery-haloed glass doorknobs or horseshoe accents glittering with metallic paint. 

Having fun with tradition personalises your holiday home for a truly signature result, embellished with your distinctive decorator flair, to share with neighbours and revellers. 

About the Author:

This article was written by Michael Turner, currently doing online research & development on behalf of Roman blinds

What do you do in the fall when your hanging baskets are spent? You can throw them out or compost the plant material and old potting soil, saving the pot for reuse next year. And while recycling the pot is great, repurposing it and getting another use out of it is my preferred choice.

Last year, Woodward Gardens, the school garden where I volunteer, started to repurpose the old hanging baskets which had been used to decorate the garden into table decorations for Christmas. It is simple to do and a great project for children and adults alike. Better yet, we asked the purchaser to bring the pots back after the holidays so we could repurpose them again.

Turn your dead hanging baskets into beautiful Christmas center pieces

Below are the five steps to create a holiday table decoration from a hanging basket:

Step one: Remove the hanging device from the baskets. These devices are usually make of plastic or metal wire and are easily removed. Save the hanging device so that in the spring the baskets can be replanted.

Step two: Cut off all of the dead plant material leaving only the potting soil and root ball. If the plant material is not diseased, put it in the compost bin. Otherwise, destroy the plant material so as not to spread disease.

The root ball left in the pot becomes the substrate that holds the greens in the table decoration. It replaces the green floral foam that is so often used in floral arrangements. The plant stems are then inserted into the root ball which provides structure to the arrangement by holding up the foliage. It will also keep the plant material hydrated with a light watering.

Step three: Gather greens to make the arrangement. Evergreen branches with needles make a great choice. These would include spruce, cedar, yews, fir, juniper, chamaecyparis or pine. Evergreen broad leafs will add another texture to the arrangement. Consider using rhododendrons, mountain laurel, evergreen magnolia, Oregon grape, boxwood, holly, salal or eucalyptus. We use red osier dogwood and berried branches as well for interest and color. Get creative!

Step four: Making sure the root ball in the basket is moist, cut the stems at a sharp angle to make it easier to pierce the root ball and enhance water uptake. Begin by placing the branches horizontal to the table surface. This will form the base of the arrangement, hide the pot and define the shape of the decoration. Then build toward the middle and create the height you are looking for. According to Dale Rohman, America’s Flower Man, the height of the arrangement should not exceed the distance from the tip of your fingers to your elbow. This insures that you can look over the arrangement while seated at the table.

Step Five: Add some bling for interest. This could be anything from a large candle in a glass hurricane placed in the center to red bows, silver balls, etc. Make the arrangement reflect your personality and have fun.

Before placing the completed project on your table, you will want to put a water tray beneath. With frequent light watering, it will last the whole Christmas season. And when the holidays are over, get ready to repurpose it once again by composting the plant material and root ball, putting the hangers back on and planting it as a spring hanging basket. In this way you will be able to recycle it for years, enjoying it indoors and out.

Please keep in mind that this is a guide about shopping FOR kids, not WITH kids. Shopping with kids is a whole other topic that would require the expertise of someone who has had years of experience with many children and other wild animals. Like one of those super-nannies, or a lion tamer.

Also, short of bribing kids, which I never think is the best idea, or wearing them out before hand so they have a nap in their stroller the whole time, I think that leaving the little ones behind with a sitter or family member is the best and quickest way to get your Christmas shopping done.

Of course, I still maintain that the easiest way to get your holiday shopping done is to do it a few weeks ahead of time, online.

Either way, whether your hitting the malls or cruising the inter-webs, this mini-guide is about shopping FOR the little men in your life. Which is comparatively easy to do when they’re not in tow, but isn’t without its own set of challenges.

Challenge #1: Pleasing the parents.

If you are shopping for a child who did not emerge from your own loins, you might not realize that the drum kit you’re thinking is a great idea for a 3 year old could potentially be the tipping point for your frazzled mommy-friend, and might result in years of costly therapy.

No, when it comes to gifts for other people’s kids, it is always best to consider first and foremost the parents. Often what I do is buy a 2-tiered gift: something practical that the parents can appreciate (cool and functional shoes by Crocs, for example) and something small and fun for the little guy, even if it only entertains and dazzles momentarily, such as jumbo crayons.You are, after-all, more invested in the relationship with the parents, whether they’re a co-worker, family or a friend.

Challenge #2: Little kids don’t have any hobbies…yet.

One of the simplest ways to figure out how to choose a gift for a loved-one is to find something unique and interesting related to a beloved hobby of theirs. So what happens when that person has only been in existence for a couple of years and hasn’t gotten around to picking up a hobby? Simple: you can introduce one to them.

Naturally, you want to pick something safe (perhaps no rock climbing quite yet), and preferably something that develops a useful skill. I’m biased towards art-related gifts, myself, as I used to love receiving new art supplies as a little one. Also, children are never too young to hone their inner-Picasso skills.

Challenge #3: You’re feeling creatively stifled.

The simplest solution when you feel completely stuck for an idea for a little guy is to pick a theme. Sports are a safe bet. Both of my nephews are hockey freaks already (must be our Canadian blood) and have paraphernalia in their respected home teams. There’s also a large assortment of age-appropriate sports equipment that can be safely used indoors and are gentle enough for maladroit toddlers.

Another kid pleaser are animals. How about a book about alligators, a stuffed alligator and a pair of alligator socks? The parents will think it’s super cute, your little giftee will love the visual continuity, and the theme is original. Also, when you have something SO specific in mind, you’ll find shopping is actually much easier, especially online.

This year I was planning on going with a construction-worker theme, as one of my nephews seems to love watching men digging up streets (he always gives them a little wave and says “hi!” in his sweet, tiny voice). I was able to find a little hard hat, tiny work gloves and a really cool dump truck for toddlers. Because I had that one flash of inspiration, the rest came easy.

Addressing these 3 challenges have made shopping surprisingly easy. With a little creativity, and essentially a single idea needed to create a fun, very cool gift that also looks appealing put together in a basket, for example.

About the Author

Jessica Lee is a freelance writer who enjoys hiking, yoga, and composing silly haiku poems for her husband. She is also an advocate of starting Christmas shopping early, in order to reduce stress. Great gift purchases this year include a set of bamboo towels for mom, Timberland Pro boots for dad and a set of vintage picture frames for herself. I mean, for her sister.