Birthday Present Would be

VOA News - Dalai Lama Says His Best Birthday Present Would be for People to Practice Compassion Text Only Search )" name="submit" V OICE OF A MERICA VOA Home Tibetan Home Regions/Topics Subscribe to E-mail Select Language About VOA Internet Audio Regional News Tibet News Asia Europe Middle East Africa U.S.A. Americas Radio Programs Newscasters Frequencies RFA Tibetan Contact VOA Dalai Lama Says His Best Birthday Present Would be for People to Practice Compassion Exclusive Interview with VOA Tibetan Service 08-07-2005 Exclusive Interview with VOA Listen to Exclusive Interview with VOA Watch the Exclusive Interview with VOA Tibetan Service As thousands of people are getting ready to celebrate your 70 th birthday in many different ways, do you have any idea about what you would like for your birthday presents? Because of their unwavering faith and trust in me, people are gathering at different places to celebrate my birthday, and for that I feel thanks and appreciation. I am just a simple Buddhist monk, and so I really don’t take that much interest in celebrating birthdays. Whenever I begin a new day, I always pray that the day will be a meaningful and beneficial one—that is, in helping and serving others. I feel that this thought is more important than celebrating a birthday. However, since people are celebrating my birthday with joy and happiness and with faith in me, I would like to offer them a few words. I am now seventy years old. During this lifetime, since I was fifteen or sixteen years old, I have taken on the responsibility of Tibet’s temporal and spiritual affairs. It was a responsibility that was too difficult to shoulder, but because of my karmic relations with Tibet, I took the responsibility and have served the country to the best of my ability. In the past 46 years, I have had to live as a refugee—most of my life has been spent as a refugee. During this time, the most difficult and saddest thing has been hearing endless stories about the sufferings of our Tibetan people inside Tibet: so and so died, a father died, relatives died, imprisonment, death by hunger and so on—endless stories of suffering and torture. Despite these difficulties, there are two reasons for not losing hope or being discouraged: First is that the people of Tibet have an unwavering faith and trust in me, and secondly, the teachings of the Lord Buddha help me to maintain my mental balance. I never become hopeless or desperate. I always have this thought: whatever I do, I do it for the benefit of others. As Shantideva says in the Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life: “And now as long as space endures, As long as there are beings to be found, May I continue likewise to remain, In order to drive away the sorrows of the world.” So when I think these thoughts, they give me courage and determination to face these problems. Because of these, I am not a desperate person, but a happy one. I now share my thoughts with my friends—both male and female. Every human being desires happiness and desires not to suffer. From my experience, I can say that to have a meaningful and happy life, inner development is more important than life’s external factors. The way one thinks is more important than the accumulation of wealth and external environment. It really makes a big difference. You have to bear this in mind. To have a compassionate and altruistic mind is the basis for happiness in this life and also the beginning of happiness for your next life. So the best present my friends could give me for my birthday is to be good, compassionate and altruistic people. So if people are celebrating my birthday with joy and happiness, I would like to say thank you. E-mail this article Print Version Top Story Dalai Lama Says He Expresses his Desire to Go on a Pilgrimage to China More from VOA Chinese Border Police Arrest Tibetan Refugees Time is Running Out for Tibetans to Solve the Tibet-China Problems: Tibetans Should be Proud of their Rich Culture: Dalai Lama Tibetan Chief Minister Says It will take two or three Years to begin Resettling Tibetans from Nepal in the US Rights Group Calls For Release of Tibetan Monk Dalai lama Meets with Press in Tucson Dalai Lama Blesses a Prayer Wheel Dalai Lama Meets with Tibetans Dalai Lama Meets with Children of Idaho Dalai Lama Says His Best Birthday Present Would be for People to Practice Compassion FAQs | Terms of Use & Privacy Notice | Broadcasting Board of Governors | Site Map | Archive | Link To Us | Contact Us

Housewarming Gift from PoetryGift.com

House Warming Gifts for Her Personalize FindGift.com! -- Login | Sign Up | List of Services Gift Ideas Gift Registry Gift Shops Gift Bookmarks Home | Help keyword search Gift Giving Made Easy! A free service dedicated to helping you find creative gift ideas! Home Occasions House Warming Her Refine Search for House Warming Gift Ideas for Her Cosmopolitan Educational Exotic Fun Humorous Personalized Practical Professional Romantic Rustic Sentimental Unique Any Price $0 - $10 $11 - $25 $26 - $50 $51 - $100 $101 - $200 $200+ Use our Gift Wizard to customize your gift search Use our Gift Finder to find gift ideas customized to the likes/dislikes of the recipient. Free Spa Bag! Buy a Salon/Spa Gift Certificate Get a Free Spa Bag - 1500 locations www.1800THESALON.COM Unique Gifts Under $50 Handblown glass oil lamp w/bottle of oil makes a memorable gift. www.firelightglass.com Viewing 1 - 10 of 7780 gift ideas found Personalized Housewarming Gift from PoetryGift.com ($99.99) Renoir's painting and a customized poem combine to make a special housewarming keepsake. Personalize your gift with names and closing message and create your own timeless work of art. Free shipping FREE SHIPPING available for any order. Special 10% discount by entering coupon code - poetrygift - on order form Questions? Contact PoetryGift.com . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Prism Oil Candle from Firelight Glass ($28.05) Handblown prism oil candles from 3" to 12" high. Candles contain enough oil to burn 24 hours or more with a lifetime fiberglass wick. Candle will act as a prism when light passes through. Special 15% discount and free shipping (UPS ground) for all orders. Enter coupon code BFG3S at check out. Questions? Contact Firelight Glass . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Small EcoSphere from greenfeet.com ($57.95) Inside each EcoSphere are active microorganisms, bright red shrimp and algae; each existing in a clear soup of filtered seawater. Because the unit is a self-containing ecosystem, you never have to feed the life within. For Natural, Sustainable and Recycled Products - Perfect Gifts for Every Occasion -greenfeet.com Questions? Contact greenfeet.com . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often Sign from Personal Creations ($34.95) This sign says it all: the best advice you'll ever get. We engrave the sign with any message, up to 15 characters. Made from resin and marble. Sign measures 14-14 Wx11-12 Lx-34 D, designed for wall mount. $5 OFF orders over $40! Save on personalized gifts, ornaments and decorations. PROMO CODE: GFB548. (exp 12/31/05) Questions? Contact Personal Creations . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Floating Moon Chimney Lamp from Firelight Glass ($68.20) Handblown glass oil lamps with suspended reservoir in a diamond shaped chimney. 7" to 11" tall with a lifetime fiberglass wick. Special 15% discount and free shipping (UPS ground) for all orders. Enter coupon code BFG3S at check out. Questions? Contact Firelight Glass . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Housewarming Welcome Sign from Personal Creations ($29.95) Displayed indoors or out, our handpainted plaque greets guests with a colorful, front walkway scene. Across the mailbox, we add any family name, up to 10 characters, for an extra warm welcome! $5 OFF orders over $40! Save on personalized gifts, ornaments and decorations. PROMO CODE: GFB548. (exp 12/31/05) Questions? Contact Personal Creations . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] New Home Personalized Cartoon from Personalized by Annette ($10.95) New Home cartoons come matted, 8 x 10, in your choice of matte color. The Sign (3 lines) can be personalized. This cartoon can also be ordered as a snowglobe, key chain, magnet or mouse pad. Questions? Contact Personalized by Annette . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] New Home Gift Box- Medium from A Gift to Remember, LLC ($29.95) A variety of shortbread, coffee, nuts, chocolate covered popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels, and a Ghirardelli chocolate bar will certainly help them find the energy to move into their new home. We do all the work! Easy, convenient, & quick ordering process. Send a classy, elegant gift to show how much you care. Questions? Contact A Gift to Remember, LLC . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Windowsill Herb Garden from RedEnvelope ($42.00) Our windowsill herb garden puts the enticing scent and flavors of homegrown herbs within easy reach. Parsley, thyme, mint and rosemary arrive fully grown in 3 1/2" grower's pots, all tucked in a galvanized basket with handle. Questions? Contact RedEnvelope . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Personalized Marble Photo Coaster Kit Tilano Fresco from Future Memories ($32.95) Tilano Fresco Marble Photo Coaster Kit puts your favorite photo on a marble coaster! A totally unique way to display your memories. Making your own coasters is easy and fun to do, and can be done right at home. Questions? Contact Future Memories . Add to Gift Bookmarks Add to Registry [ More Gifts from this store ] [ People Who Liked This Gift Also Liked ] [ Report Error ] Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | viewing 1 - 10 of 7780 gift ideas found Bosses Day Oct 16, 2005 24 Shopping Days Left Bosses Day Gift Ideas Sweetest Day Oct 15 Halloween Oct 31 More Holidays Seasonal Gifts Wedding Gift Ideas Anniversary Gift Ideas Autumn Theme See this month's Top 20 Gift Ideas Gift Helpers » Anniversary Gifts » Flower Meanings » Monthly Flowers » Monthly Birthstones » Signs of the Zodiac » Additional Resources FindGift.com Newsletter Sign up to receive seasonal and unique gift ideas via email. Email Address Merchant Login | Add Your Products to FindGift.com | Press Room | FAQs | Contact FindGift.com Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map © 1997-2005, Registry Online, Inc. FindGift.com and its logo are trademarks of Registry Online, Inc.

gift ideas | resource

Amazon.com Baby:Gift Ideas Your Store Baby See All 31 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help Baby Registry | browse categories | browse brands | gift ideas | resource center | baby outlet Search Amazon.com Baby Products Toys & Games Advanced Search Web Search Baby > Gift Categories > Gift Ideas Browse Gift Ideas Baby Books & Calendars Blankets Gift Sets Gyms & Playmats Keepsakes Layette Moses Baskets Photo Albums Picture Frames Piggy Banks Related Categories Personalized Gifts by Babies 'R' Us Browse Picture Frames Collage Frames Photo Frames Special Occasion Frames Browse By Occasion Adoption Baby'sFirst... Baby Shower NewBaby Pregnancy Religious Browse By Price Under $25 $25-$50 $50-$75 Over $75 Browse By Recipient ExpectingMom Grandparent NewDad NewMom NewSiblings Toddler Twins,Triplets & More Are you, or is someone you know,expecting a little bundle of joy? A baby registry makesshopping easy and ensures that everyone gets what they want. Create your ownbaby registry or search for someone else's registry. Visit our BabyRegistry The Napping House by Audrey Wood, Don Wood (Illustrator) Amazon.com There is a house, a napping house, where everyone is sleeping. "Everyone," in this case is a snoring granny, a dreaming child, a dozing dog, a snoozing cat, a slumbering mouse... and a wakeful flea! Uh-oh. Looks like the napping house won't be napping for long. With their very own brand of humor,... read more List Price: $5.95 Price: $5.95 Used & new from $3.00 See more books for baby A Reason to Celebrate Baby showers are a wonderful way for family and friends toshower the impending arrival (not to mention mom and dad) with plenty of gifts.Attending a shower and not sure what to give? No worries. Our baby shower gifts guide willwalk you through the basics and offer some gift-giving advice. Read our guide Subscribe Now! Find low prices on selected family and parenting magazines, including AmericanBaby , Parents ,and more! More magazines Give a Gift Set Gift sets are always a hit. Take a look at ourcollection of gift sets--from simple to spectacular--that include everythingfrom bathtime essentials to cozy layette items. See all gift sets Carters 4 Pack Receiving Blankets Price: $14.99 Great for swaddling , July 26, 2005 Reviewer: N. Kenisell "supermom" from The Woodlands,TX I live near Houston, so it is hot and humid for a good portion of the year. These blankets are just right for using in his car seat to cover him without getting too hot, and were great when we swaddled him when he was a newborn. They are very soft and look like new even after many washes! I would... Read more Treasures Pewter Dumbell Rattle by Empire Silver Company Price: $23.99 Along with the stroller, car seat, and diaper bags, it's nice togive something that they won't grow out of. See our collection of keepsakes that will make anynew parent ooh and aah. See more keepsakes Our Top Sellers Updated Hourly 1. SwaddleMe Adjustable Newborn Fleece Wrap - Ivory by Kiddopotamus and Co Price: $9.99 2. LeapStart Learning Table by LeapFrog Price: $39.99 You Save: $5.00 (11%) 3. Baby Einstein Play Gym by Kids II Price: $59.99 4. Gymini Super Deluxe Light and Music by Tiny Love Price: $59.99 5. SwaddleMe Adjustable Infant Cotton Wrap - Green by Kiddopotamus and Co Price: $9.99 More top sellers Treat yourfavorite parents-to-be to a gift certificate with a free new baby or pregnancy e-card!Or purchase an e-mail or paper gift certificate . Whichever one you choose,you can't go wrong by giving them the gift of choice. See samples of our gift certificates Baby Outlet BabyRegistry Books, Music &More LayetteBoutique NewParents' Checklist Parents'Favorites Resource Center Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search Baby Products All Products for Top of Page Babiesrus.com | Baby Registry | Browse Categories | Browse Brands Gift Ideas | Resource Center | Baby Outlet Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France  | China Contact Us | Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Releases | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1995-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Great Gifts for Kids

Listmania! Great Gifts for Kids Your Store See All 31 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help Improve Your Recommendations | Your Amazon Home | Your Profile | Learn More Search Amazon.com Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Restaurants Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Beta Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Travel Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Scientific Supplies Medical Supplies Indust. Supplies Automotive Home Furnishings Lifestyle Pet Toys Arts & Hobbies Web Search Listmania! Great Gifts for Kids by Molly Patrick , homeschool mom E-mail this list to a friend 1. Cranium Hullabaloo Game by Cranium (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Toys"R"Us List Price: $24.99 Buy new : $19.99 You Save : $5.00 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 2. Scene It Dvd Game by Mattel (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Toys"R"Us List Price: $39.99 Buy new : $34.99 You Save : $5.00 (13%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 3. Calico Critters Cottontail Rabbit Family Set by Calico Critters (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $19.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 4. Calico Critters Girl's Bedroom Set by Calico Critters (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $24.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 5. Calico Critters-Fisher Cat Family by Calico Critters (Toy) Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $19.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 6. 20 Questions Handheld Game by Radica Games (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Toys"R"Us List Price: $13.99 Buy new : $10.99 You Save : $3.00 (21%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 7. 100 Puzzles, Clues, Maps, Tantalizing Tales, and Stories of Real Treasure by Michael Stadther (Paperback) List Price: $12.95 Buy new : $10.36 You Save : $2.59(20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $6.35 8. A Treasure's Trove : A Fairy Tale about Real Treasure for Parents and Children of All Ages by Michael Stadther (Paperback) List Price: $19.95 Buy new : $13.57 You Save : $6.38(32%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $9.60 9. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (Hardcover) Average Customer Review: List Price: $18.95 Buy new : $12.89 You Save : $6.06(32%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $1.90 10. America the Beautiful: A Pop-up Book by Katherine Lee Bates, Robert Sabuda (Illustrator) (Hardcover- October 2004) List Price: $26.95 Buy new : $17.79 You Save : $9.16(34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $14.88 11. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) by Mary GrandPre (Illustrator), J.K. Rowling (Photographer) (Hardcover) List Price: $29.99 Buy new : $16.99 You Save : $13.00(43%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $11.25 12. The Trouble Begins: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-3 (The Bad Beginning; The Reptile Room; The Wide Window) [Box set] by Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist (Illustrator) (Hardcover- October 2001) Average Customer Review: List Price: $35.99 Buy new : $23.75 You Save : $12.24(34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $15.49 13. The Situation Worsens: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 4-6 (The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator) [Box set] by Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist (Illustrator) (Hardcover) Average Customer Review: List Price: $35.99 Buy new : $23.75 You Save : $12.24(34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $18.25 14. The Dilemma Deepens: A Box of Unfortunate Events, Books 7-9 (The Vile Village; The Hostile Hospital; The Carnivorous Carnival) [Box set] by Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist (Hardcover- September 2003) Average Customer Review: List Price: $35.99 Buy new : $23.75 You Save : $12.24(34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $19.19 15. The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 10) by Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist (Illustrator) (Hardcover) Average Customer Review: List Price: $11.99 Buy new : $9.59 You Save : $2.40(20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $4.99 16. The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 11) by Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist (Illustrator) (Hardcover) Average Customer Review: List Price: $11.99 Buy new : $9.59 You Save : $2.40(20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $5.55 17. Fairies: Petal People You Make Yourself by Rachel Haab (Spiral-bound- September 2001) Average Customer Review: List Price: $16.95 Buy new : $11.53 You Save : $5.42(32%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $8.97 18. The Fairy Chronicles Book One : Marigold and the Feather of Hope by J.H. Sweet (Paperback) List Price: $12.95 Buy new : $12.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $11.64 19. Fairy Realm #7: The Star Cloak (Fairy Realm) by Emily Rodda, Raoul Vitale (Illustrator) (Hardcover) List Price: $8.99 Buy new : $8.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $5.59 20. Barbie Fairytopia Dolls - Petal Pixies - Fairies by Mattel (Toy) Offered by: Toys"R"Us Buy new : $10.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 21. Barbie Fairytopia - Magical Mermaid Barbie Doll by Mattel (Toy) Average Customer Review: Availability: This item is currently not available. Customers also shopped for these similar items . 22. Barbie As The Princess and the Pauper DVD (DVD) List Price: $19.98 Buy new : $14.99 You Save : $4.99(25%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $9.73 23. Batman - The Animated Series, Volume Two (DC Comics Classic Collection) DVD (DVD) List Price: $44.98 Buy new : $33.74 You Save : $11.24(25%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $27.00 24. Superman - The Animated Series, Volume One (DC Comics Classic Collection) DVD ~ Timothy Daly (DVD) List Price: $26.99 Buy new : $21.59 You Save : $5.40(20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $14.99 25. The Little Mermaid (Limited Issue) DVD ~ Jodi Benson (DVD) Average Customer Review: Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Used & new from $20.49 Create your own list! See the Best Lists Top 100 Listmania lists Search Listmania lists More about Molly Patrick Related Listmania! Add your list Gold Mine Kid's Books : A list by Candice Newbery, home school mom of 3 Shooting Star Books : A list by bishop-knightley, educator and parent Better than TV : A list by earth-child-b, mom and reader Big Smile Books : A list by rjacob32, engineer and mom Add your list Related So You'd Like to... Create a guide Read The Best Fiction/Fantasy Books Ever : A guide by Kristan, A Book Worm Enjoy books for Lemony Snicket fans! : A guide by able baker, Former kid Know What to Buy for a Kid Who Loves Lemony Snicket : A guide by arthur_weasley, Former kid read great fantasy : A guide by windhorn, avid fantasy reader read the world's greatest fantasy books : A guide by ricardovaldezk, Student, fantasy addict scare small children? : A guide by lochnessa7, blood drinker, aficionado of all things macabre Read the Best Children's Fantasy Books : A guide by Erin E. Pianelli, Avid Reader Escape with a good fantsasy book : A guide by islandgirl_304, Bookworm, high schooler, and writer Create a guide Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Visit our Help department . Search All Products Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Restaurants Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Beta Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Pet Supplies Travel Books Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Scientific Supplies Medical Supplies Indust. Supplies Automotive Home Furnishings Lifestyle Arts & Hobbies for Top of Page Amazon.com Home | Directory of All Stores Our International Sites: Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | Japan | France  | China Contact Us | Help | Shopping Cart | Your Account | Sell Items | 1-Click Settings Investor Relations | Press Releases | Careers Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1995-2005, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Teacher Gifts -- Show

Top Teacher Gifts PREGNANCY & BIRTH BABY TODDLER PRESCHOOL SCHOOL-AGE PRETEEN TEEN BEHAVIOUR & DEVELOPMENT FOOD & NUTRITION HEALTH, CARE & SAFETY EDUCATION PARTIES, CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES Birthday Parties Indoor Fun & Games Outdoor Fun & Games Seasonal Celebrations Travel & Outings Sports & Lessons Toys, Books & More Craft Corner The Forums LIFE AS A PARENT templatedata\content\html\data\2003\02\20030204_082547_3052 -- templatedata\content\html\data\2003\09\20030912_170127_1844 -- templatedata\content\html\data\2003\02\20030204_082656_1572 -- templatedata\content\html\data\2003\02\20030204_082656_1572 -- Seasonal Celebrations Amy Baskin Top Teacher Gifts -- Show your appreciation with these tokens that score high marks -- Top Teacher Gifts Show your appreciation with these tokens that score high marks By Amy Baskin • Homemade and homegrown • A way with words • Getting creative • Insider tips on gifts • Great Teacher Gifts • Edible Gifts for Teacher • Gifts Teachers Appreciate Most Some teacher gifts are unforgettable. One morning when former grade-seven teacher Jim Blomfield entered his classroom in Kitchener, Ont., he found it reeking of alcohol. A student clutching a dripping gym bag said: “I brought a bottle of wine for you, sir, but it broke.” Blomfield’s pupil learned first-hand how difficult it is to find the perfect present for a teacher. Of course, teachers don’t expect gifts, but many of us want to acknowledge their hard work. So Today’s Parent asked teachers what tokens they really love receiving. As the end of the school year fast approaches, here’s how to avoid making a gift gaffe: Homemade and Homegrown Foodie teachers relish home-baked and freezable goodies such as banana bread . Others are not as enthusiastic. Says one educator, “It depends on whose clean hands do the baking!” Alternatively, your child can make a date with the teacher and bring in a basket lunch. Try make-your-own sandwiches — pack deli-sliced cheeses and meats, crusty rolls, fresh fruit and juice . Teachers with green thumbs also appreciate the personal touch. “One year I received a potentilla plant from a student,” says grade-five/six teacher Mike Anderson of Fergus, Ont. “I was really impressed that she had remembered I was starting a new garden.” Gourmet goodie. Little chefs love to scoop, pour and measure out the ingredients for this attractive and healthy gift. Buy a 2 cup (500 mL) Mason or screw-top jar. Add ½ cup (100 mL) small pasta, like shells or fusilli. Using a funnel (or a rolled-up cone of paper), pour in ¼ cup (50 mL) each of green split peas, yellow split peas, red lentils and barley — in that order. Let your child pat each layer gently with a gloved hand to flatten. In a small sandwich bag, place two vegetable bouillon cubes, 2 tbsp (30 mL) each of parsley flakes and dried onion flakes, ½ tsp (2 mL) each of thyme and pepper. Screw the lid on the jar and decorate both with stickers and indelible markers. Place in a basket along with the sandwich bag and a 28 oz (793 g) can of diced tomatoes. Write or type instructions on a small card: “In a large soup pot, combine contents of jar (except for pasta), can of diced tomatoes and 7 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer. Add contents of spice bag. Continue simmering for about 1 hour and when there’s about a half-hour to go, add pasta. Enjoy!” Punch a hole in the card, thread a ribbon through and tie it around the lid of the jar. Next Page: A way with words Originally published in Today's Parent, June 2005 templatedata\content\article\data\2005\04\20050426_112134_2108 -- NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: PROVINCE: Select a Province Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory POSTAL CODE: (Please omit spaces) EMAIL: Clickhere to view our e-mail policy Please click here for non-Canadian or Giftsubscriptions . templatedata\content\html\data\2004\08\20040831_163337_5860 -- How do you keep your family active in the winter months templatedata\content\html\data\2003\02\20030203_145618_1976 -- Contact Us | Who We Are | Privacy | Press Room | Advertise Info | Advertiser Spotlight | User Survey This site is best viewed with Internet Explorer 5.0+ on a Windows operating system, all other browsers and platforms are not fully supported ©1996-2005