Plantskydd works well for me also. Another is the Indian spice Asafoetida powder -- but it doesn't last as long. I have to get these out and get spraying as soon as this spell of rain ends. We have a remarkably large herd for my suburban (but surrounded by development) neighborhood. We have a ravine, a close by RR track, and a large green space on a residential school property that provides space for them, but clearly not enough for the population so no one is able to escape the ravaging horde. There is a tendency for club foot in the herd also that we see on several adults and fawns. I wonder if the result of inbreeding. So far the netting strung around my dormant potted fruit trees has protected them, but it needs to come off before they leaf out. I keep my blueberries under a gazebo frame strung with netting. I should have taller fencing all around the entire back yard soon though; there are just 3 gaps left and they do defeat the makeshift barriers in those spots from time to time. In the past they've eaten the entire strawberry patch the ground, pulled all the apples off the trees (and spat them out because they were bagged), and in winter eaten the branches of the young fruit trees back to the trunk. In the front they have eaten the tips off all the hydrangeas, and already have mown down the emerging tulips, columbine (which I haven't seen them eat before) and just overnight decimated the dutch iris. Haven't touched the daffodils or hellebore.

Aww, Jen, Clean the house later! Go out and have fun in the snow! Plow the driveway, shovel the walks, push snow off the roof, etc. That drudgery can be saved for later! One time, at a campground near Lancaster, PA., we had already set up, had supper, and were setting around, talking to the folks next door. and then, a fellow had checked in, drove his coach down near his lot, and the engine stalled. upon trying to re-start it, his battery had gone dead, and it wouldn't start. By the time he got the hood open, we had brought my truck and jumper cables down to his coach, and got it started. After he got set up, i loaned him my battery charger for the night, and he returned it next morning! The guy allowed as how camping was a good deal! And he was really surprised at how we had jumped up and assisted him the night before! And we wouldn't take any money for our help! Which really surprised him! On the other hand, our coach blew a rear dual tire one day on the Interstate! We limped off to a gas station, where we parked it. I tried to get help, but all of the locals looked down their noses at us, and drove off withoput helping! So, my wife (5' tall, 120 lbs) and i did the deed of jacking it up, taking off the two wheels, installing the spare, etc. And all of the "macho" types, in their pickem ups, just drove on out, never offering to help! Well, i was rasslin' with the blown ouit tire and rim, trying to get it up onto the carrier, when a dapper looking guy came over and asked if he could help! I told him he'd get all messed up doing that, but he said not to worry: "You need help! I'm going to help you!" Between the 2 of us, we got the wheel up in place, i thanked him, and he left! turned out, he was the town barber, and didn't want us to think that the town was a bunch of uncaring bums! by Rustyj

You know, if these girls are going off to college soon, a 'dorm survival kit' might be a fun little gift. When I moved into the dorms for college, things like thumbtacks, rubber bands, paper clips, duct and Scotch tape were always in short supply and high demand. Everybody remembers a clock radio but no one thinks of an extension cord. Perhaps not the most fun stuff but very practical to have those sort of things you always took for granted at your parents' house.

I wouldn't use products, though Ravencajun's sound good, and if they're working outside the sun protection might be very welcome. It's just very personal and you don't know who has allergies and sensitivities. Having to say no thank-you and give the products away can be disheartening, when the point of the gift is the opposite. You didn't mention a price range. Awhile back I did something a little similar, but it was only for six girls and I had a high budget. They LOVED it! It was inexpensive train case style organizers with the tacklebox style trays that lift/hinge out, with a few little things inside. Each got a thumb drive, cute ball speaker for the iPod/phone, pretty pencil, goofy animal notepad, a cute keychain and a screen cleaning cloth. I think they cost about $60 each to put together, but you could keep it under $40 and still put a few little things inside, or you could do under $15 just with a thumb drive, pocket notepad, etc. Another very popular such gift was Leathman micras. Those are around $20. Going back to Ravencajun's suggestion, if they'll be working outside, there are cute (like young cute) full on sunhats which protect the neck as well as the face for less than $10. Still, I like your own idea of the hair wrap and shower shoes, especially those superabsorbancy towels that fold to nothing. Even if they already have shower shoes, those get gross and need replacing. The only thing would be knowing the right sizes. You could add a few spa items like a small loofah and a pretty emery board.