“For so many centuries, the exchange of gifts has held us together. It has made it possible to bridge the abyss where language struggles.”
ice cream sundae
Today is the third Sunday in July . . . and that means it's National Ice Cream Day!
spring gift pick: kites!
April is National Kite Month, and after discovering the cool kites at Haptic Lab, kites are one of my *favorite* gifts this spring. We have A LOT of nieces and nephews who celebrate birthdays between January and April, and this is what they all have gotten from us this year!
I first spotted Haptic Lab's fantastic ship kite on A Cup of Jo, and it was a huge hit with my nephew who dressed up as Peter Pan last Halloween! Haptic Lab also has a line of classic kites that sport bright neon colors and fun patterns.
I also really love the variety and selection of kites on IntoTheWind.com, which has absolutely ANYTHING you might need for kite flying. They have everything from kites that kids can decorate to stunt kites to the colossal George Peters Sky Bird Kite, which is a stunning showstopper at 16-feet! Into The Wind even has kite lights for flying kites at night!
After the cancellation of Washington DC's Blossom Kite Festival this year and a winter that introduced us to the phrase 'polar vortex' (and to a severe case of cabin fever!), kites are a great gift this spring.
valentine's day: emergency edition
There are lots of ways to celebrate that special someone in your life. Here are some last-minute ideas that will rescue your Valentine's Day.
Always give your Valentine a card on Valentine's Day - no exceptions! If you find the card selection to be less than desirable on the eve of Valentine's, then make your own. A handmade card will go a long way, and everyone can cut out a paper heart or write a nice note or a short poem. Shamelessly borrow a few lines from Shakespeare or just write "Happy Valentine's Day!" If you'd like to say something more heartfelt, here is a simple but perfect note that works whether you and your Valentine have been together for years or whether you have just started dating: There's no one I'd rather spend Valentine's Day with than you!
If you want to dine out on Valentine's Day, then start looking on Open Table or calling restaurants and be flexible on time. Many restaurants are booked far in advance for holidays, but they may still have very early or late times available. (And, there are always last-minute cancellations.) If you have a very early reservation, find an ice cream shop, bakery, or place to get dessert after dinner (and make it look like it was your plan all along.) If you're stuck with a late reservation, you can always start the evening with cocktails.
Make plans to do something special, but don't worry about focusing on February 14th. Allow yourself the freedom to choose the day that you celebrate with your Valentine. (If you've waited until the last-minute, this approach to Valentine's will open up a lot more options for you!) Why not look for tickets to an upcoming show or museum exhibit and include a handwritten invite with your Valentine's Day card?
The more traditional gift of flowers is a always a nice way to show someone you care, but you will be charged a premium price for roses on Valentine's Day. And, if you thought you could pick up roses on the way home from work on February 14th, you run the risk of coming up empty handed. Instead, think outside the box and give your Valentine a bouquet of romantic Ranunculus or an orchid, which will last much longer than a flower arrangement. If your Valentine has a favorite color, let that guide you when picking out flowers.
It can be stressful to find the perfect gift for Valentine's Day. Instead, find a fun experience that you can enjoy together. If you enjoy cooking, prepare a special Valentine's Day menu at home. If you and your Valentine are wine fans, I love the idea of selecting several bottles of wine for a wine flight at home. (And, unlike roses, stores will not run out of wine on Valentine's Day!)
chinese new year
Celebration of the Chinese New Year starts today, and The Atlantic has some spectacular photographs of Chinese New Year celebrations around the world!
If you've never celebrated Chinese New Year, make this the year that you explore some CNY traditions. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, and since a big part of the holiday is about spending time with family, here are some fun ways to celebrate the holiday at home:
If you love to cook, find a new cookbook or menu to try, and make sure to include some dumplings for good luck! (Dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity because they're shaped like ancient Chinese money.)
For families, Parents.com recommends introducing kids to the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year with the book Dragon Dance by Joan Holub. (The book even includes instructions on how to make your own dragon puppet!) And older kids can celebrate the Year of the Horse by learning how to write the horse character in Chinese.