Good Morning Good Afternoon and if I don't see ya later Good Night I have nasy nasty weather and the day off WHOO HOO gonna try to run out in between showers to get s few things potted. The Jasmine tea last night was great and very relaxing that paired with a good painkiller and I woke up on the couch this morning still in the sitting position...LOL Oh I was also tired from working all day I used the massager/File last night works great on fingernails too. There are so many great gifts bring sent how in the world will we choose a winner?? maybe a message with all photos in it with a number?? How are you gonna chose? V

Another idea using canning jars. Insert pieces of pines-usually about3-4 inches long-, 3 or 4 pieces-, fill with water about 2/3 full, put in a hand full of fresh cranberries. I take an inexpensive tea candle, remove the metal holder, make certain the wick doesn't have the tendency to fall out(I usually remove the wick, use a match to melt the bottom of the candle slightly and quickly push the wick thur the candle again). Push the candle down into the cranberries about half way-it will float. light the candle and enjoy. I use different sizes and shades of jars. When done, I drain the water, put cover on jar-aluminun foil works fine- and store in refrig. If you give as gift, I try and find lids for the jars at garage sales. They last for a very long time if kept in refrig.

Have you ever made and canned homeade applesauce? My folks are in the "needing heart healthy" treats category and they both love applesauce. I make it in half pint jars so it is good for just one or two servings. I make varieties too, like cranberry applesauce and blueberry applesace, and even strawberry applesauce. You can find gazillions of recipes on the web, I just wing it. To can, just ladle into sterlized canning jars, leave a half inch of air space, top with sterilized canning lids, and then put in a boiling water bath with water covering the tops of the jars over an inch, and boil for ten minutes to create a seal. Let cool for ten minutes more and then take out of the bath. Applesauce is one of the easiest things to can, because even with or without sugar, it is safe to can in a boiling water bath because apples are an acid fruit. That said, I always add a pinch of orange juice or lemon juice to my applesauce, I like the flavor better that way. I use and swear by golden delicious for applesauce, but I also like Empire and Cortland. Any kind of apple can make good sauce, some are just better than others. I often go to the "Eating Well" web site for ideas of healthy holiday gifts. I linked it below. You could probably find some applesauce recipes on that site too! Here is a link that might be useful: Healthy Holiday Gifts Eating Well

I find these comments are quite humorous. I think the question was When to leave a welcome gift and NOT should I or what type of gifts? In my case, the seller bought a bottle of champagne to the closing. I was quite surprised and very pleased with the welcoming gift even though I don't drink. It surprised my real estate agent too as she hasn't seen it happened with her before. Perhaps, because like many of you, the seller would leave the gift at the house instead of bringing it to the closing. As I mentioned, I don't drink so I saved the bottle for my 1st year home anniversay party. I shared it with my friends & family that drink. When friends & family found out where the bottle came from, they were a bit envy that they didn't have such a nice gesture happened to them at their home purchasing :) As for home appliance manuals or other documents, I wouldn't consider these as gifts. I think it should be a must to leave a copy for the buyer(s). That is if you still have the documents. It will minimize the buyers calling you for every little thing. In general, my thought is, leaving a gift to the buyer is a nice gesture and when you don't have to do so, it makes it even a nicer gesture. The buyers shouldn't be offended with a gift whether they can use it or not. It's the thought that count....it's better than not having one at all as in the case of my family & friends. Shades_of_Idaho, you reminded me of the time when I moved into my first apartment. When I moved in, I had all the basic items in the kitchen and bathrooms. Sort of like when you go to a hotel. This wasn't a high price apartment neither. It made me feel that someonw cares. I'd love to have you as my neighbor! You're so sweet and very thoughtful. It's a good thing that your buyers let you know how appreciative they are for your extremely nice gesture. Knowing that there are still people like you in this world brings a pleasant feeling :o) By the way, I don't drink because I'm allergic to alcohol, not all but in most. There's nothing wrong if you chose not to drink neither. The world is plentiful of things to enjoy besides drinking.