Given as favors, I would give relatively large bulbs of something less expensive rather than small lily bulbs (which the JP bulbs are going to be) for this reason: Lilies are 'fresh' bulbs and never dormant. They need immediate planting after they're received from the shipper. When your guests plant their bulbs, they are going to expect something spectacular. Unless they're gardeners familiar with lily culture they may be disappointed by a small, inexpensive bulb that is slow to perform. In the fall, hyacinths might meet your needs. For non-gardeners, they can be forced in water and tossed after they bloom. People with flower beds can incorporate their hyacinth and it will return for a number of years. Pink or blue hyacinth bulbs are colorful as well. You'll need to warn people, however, that hyacinth bulbs handled with bare hands may have a tendency to make one itch. You also get a pretty bloom from the slightly smaller (less expensive) hyacinth bulbs-- they just don't have as long a stem, which tends to fall over anyway. In my experience, hyacinths are less likely to be eaten by squirrels than crocus, unless you use Tommies if you're giving spring crocus. You might research fall crocus; they are shipped in early September. Shipping dates may be a concern, too. Gladioli in May or June would work well. I've had good results from glads from the dollar store at 4/$1, so you could use inexpensive glad bulbs and expect good results. They're easy; plant and water. Glad bulbs are colorful too if you choose dark colors. I hope you find a bulb that will meet your needs and budget and give your guests something to look forward to bloom and remind of you for years. Nell

Double check with the school before you get too far into the project. Like slinkey said - there are getting to be many restrictions on what can be sent - even our school went to "no home-baked" goodies last year. Only pre-packaged stuff. That is ok, I guess. I am comfortable with what I make, but I am not so sure about some others, lol! I have made the paper mache pumpkins from the Martha Stewart site - very easy, but time consuming. You blow up small water balloons and cover them with orange tissue paper strips. Paint the strips with wallpaper adhesive/size and put a couple layers on the balloon. I clip them to a laundry rack to dry. Then cut the balloon and pull it out the top (leave the very top open with the first bunch of strips) - then fill with candy and/or halloween trinkets. Cover the tops with more strips. When dry add jack-o-lantern faces with a marker. They are really neat - but like I said - time consuming. I can dig out the Martha Stewart magazine that has the good directions if you are interested. This is a free printable from Prim Doodles: You can print out an "icicle box", fold it, and fill it with candy. You could even personalize them if you are familiar with using photo editing software. She has another design that has a Raggedy Ann doll with a pumpkin. Go to the link below - click on the printable you want so it goes to full size and then save it to your computer. You can print right from "My Pictures" if you don't have editing software. Check out the whole Prim Doodles site - bag toppers, popcorn wrappers, cards - tons of stuff and it is all free. Here is a link that might be useful: Prim Doodles - printable gift bags/boxes

WOW, what great ideas...I'm going to have a hard time deciding... The Lioness group is the lady's version of the men's Lion's...We work to raise money for the sight impaired. Just a couple of our projects are, sponsoring a couple kids to go to one of our local sight impaired camps and having fund raisers for the care and training of the leader dogs...It's a very worthwhile group, very satisfying..... Thanks again for all the ideas...

Pink, that is what I was talking about was soaked in fabric softener but not in vinegar. I have read about people using vinegar in place of liquid softener and about mixing liquid and vinegar together to cut down on build up in dispenser. I use Downy free mixed with water. If people want to use vinegar that's fine with me. Just what ever works for them. Personally I wouldn't mind if they still made Sta Puff but like original Oxydol as you know it's gone too.