GIFT IDEAS INCLUDING MINISCRIPTURE SOURCE

GREETING CARDS online
Let loved ones know you are thinking of them; it's quick, easy, free, and personal.
Homeschool e-Cards from Titus2.com. Some of the categories include birthday, sympathy,
thank you, congratulations on a new baby, just a note, and holiday - with scripture verses.
See http://www.homeschoolecards.com/

FAMILY and INDIVIDUAL GIFTS –
King James Defined Bibles are great! See http://www.biblefortoday.org/kj_bibles.asp.
"Unfamiliar" English words are printed in bold type with the definitions footnoted at
the bottom of each page; it's a wonderful study Bible for children and the whole family.
We have bought the medium print hardback copies by the case to give as gifts.

The Character Sketches, Volumes I, II, and III teach good character qualities through
nature study with detailed and beautiful illustrations. These are enjoyed by all ages! See http://store.iblp.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IBLP&Product_Code=C123

Also consider calligraphy prints by Jonathan Blocher, Manuscripture artist - these are
beautiful silkscreened scripture verses. Visit http://www.manuscriptures.com/Artist.asp.
The MINISCRIPTURES are less expensive and fit into regular 8 x 10 frames; find these
at http://www.workshopplus.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCat_P.asp?idCategory=46 to see the
many choices available. These make treasured gifts for folks of all ages.
We have given them for wedding showers, birthdays, housewarmings,
graduation, Christmas, "thank yous," or just for encouragement.

Other gift ideas are the following: a recent picture of your family with a family newsletter; a
sentimental picture reprinted and framed. Gift certificate for restaurant, WalMart, Lowe's,
Home Depot, Christian bookstore, etc. Tickets to the zoo, an aquarium, a ballet or concert,
etc. Pretty frame, unique lamp, wind chimes. Cookie crumbs, chocolate syrup, butterfingers,
etc. given as ice cream toppers with ice cream; tin of 3 flavored popcorn; tin of 3 flavored
pecans. Box or basket of fresh fruit; plants or flower bulbs. Stationery, greeting cards, or
notecards with stamps. Homemade gifts from the kitchen might include baked items or
cookie mixes, nine bean soup mixes, and jellies or jams. Mugs with soup mix or hot
chocolate mix, tea cup and herb tea packets or spice tea mix. Journal with good
writing pens, diary, acid free photo albums or scrapbooking supplies.

CHILDREN boys or girls - Personalized recipe boxes (small photo albums hold recipe cards
for children) Puzzles with puzzle glue if unique enough to frame, games, sidewalk chalk,
bubbles. Betty Lukens' felts, good storybooks, books with tapes or CD's, the Miller books
and other good read alouds; Klutz books. Age and gender appropriate stickers. Kit for
making "tie dyed" t-shirts or select a Christian or homeschooling t-shirt at
http://www.greathomeschooltshirts.com/productpage.asp?CategoryID=1.
Find discounted music on CD's or tapes, books, videos, etc. from Christian Book Distributors
(click "Bargains" top right at http://www.christianbook.com/). Give handmade bookmarks
(with or without a book) make with leather "string" and tie colorful beads onto each end;
the beads should hang out of the book when bookmark is used. Make plastic canvas and yarn
bookmarks; laminate poems or scriptures with dried flowers for book marks, too. Make
scented play dough and give with the recipe. A box of kleenex or a roll of tape can make
a young child happy -
especially if they can use most of it immediately! Also for young children, consider Betty
Lukens felt sets. Click "Felt Activity Books" at http://www.bettylukens.com/ These colorful
activity sets are appealing to children for storytime or play - some assembly required. Our
favorite set is the Old Testament Bible Stories for ages 3 and up. There are several other
good sets, too.

A subscription to a monthly magazine is a gift that continues throughout the year; see
God's World http://www.worldmag.com/world/home.asp and Nature Friend Magazine at
http://naturesworkshopplus.com/index.htm?Home.htm&1. Scroll down left menu and click
"Nature Friend Magazine." Our children enjoyed this one for years - ages 4 to 14.

Another gift idea that lasts all year is a good book, and a favorite book is a very personal gift.
Some of our favorites are listed in the Reading section under ACADEMIC SUBJECTS;
also look for Bedtime Stories under the BIBLE STUDY section for good family read alouds.
Out of print or hard to find books can be ordered online from a variety of sources.

FOIL ART supplies can be bought from S & S Crafts at http://www.snswwide.com/.
Recommended for ages 7 and up. In Product Search Window type "reusable plastic
molds," or "copper foil," or "white cardboard frames." Be careful to order the correct
size frames and foil for the size molds you choose. View these products at
http://www.ssww.com/product/?sku=MT103&v=molds&i=3.
These can be enjoyed from elementary through high school. Heavy duty foil can be
used instead of copper; for young children we use the "lid" from Stouffer's Lasagna cut
to desired size for practice before using the copper foil.

GAME NIGHT GIFT: take large plastic bowl and paint popcorn on the outside with white
paint pen. Add pkt. of cards, Uno, Amen, Skipbo, or Phase 10; microwave popcorn, chips, or
favorite snacks; and hot cocoa mix, herb teas, or favorite drinks. Wrap with cellophane and
attach a bow. Other game favorites include Chess, Bethump'd, Bible Trivia, Pictionary, Pente,
Life, Risk, Pachisi, Apples to Apples, Cranium, Mancala, Jenga, Scrabble, Dominoes, and
Lord of the Rings Monopoly. As a disclaimer, be advised that a few of these games need select
modification - toss a few of the cards out that are inappropriate. For young children Memory,
Picture Dominoes, Jr. Scrabble, Checkers, and Hi Ho! Cherry-O can be fun.

GIRLS - Craft kits, art supplies, paper dolls, acrylic picture frames for refrigerator. Get ideas
from http://www.hopechestlegacy.com/ about handiwork skills and a well stocked sewing
basket. For "tea parties," a pretty cup & saucer with a box of tea bags or a feminine hat and
dress up clothes. Headbands, bows, etc. for the hair, stockings, fancy socks, pretty apron,
bathrobe and slippers, pretty cardigan or feminine umbrella. Character building books, pretty
journal, notecards, thank you notes, variety of greeting cards or stationery with stamps, and
sketch pad with drawing pencils or pencil colors make welcome gifts.

BOYS - Depending upon the age, you might consider a variety of fireworks, rubber boots,
a new pair of gloves, wool socks, a BIG sized peppermint stick, Chess game, Legos, kite,
building blocks, marbles, pop gun, cap gun, a box of BB's, age appropriate tools, army men,
character building or "how to" books, masculine stationery with stamps or personalized
thank you notes. Harmonica from Cracker Barrel, Klutz book on juggling, etc., flash light
with extra batteries or rechargeable battery set, compass, sunglasses, sleeping bag or other
camping or hunting supplies appropriate for the age and maturity of the child.

BTW, the comic strip section of the Sunday newspaper makes fun wrapping paper for
children's gifts, as well as plain gift bags with stenciled art. Keep a roll of plain brown paper;
for a masculine look use jute string and for a feminine look use decorative wired ribbon.
We've even used children's finger paint paper or colored tissue paper for wrapping. Also, try
taking an unneeded shoe box and wrap the box and lid separately for easy opening. These are
especially handy for holiday gifts, easy for young children or the elderly to open, and are often
reusable. They're also good to use if you participate in Operation Christmas.