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WV Family Magazine’s Annual Gift Guide 2011

Gifts in a Jar

Gifts in a jar is an easy way to make homemade gifts.  They are fun to make and fun to receive. Some ideas include: 

Ingredients for:  cookies, muffins, cake, pie, brownies, soup, chili, homemade salsa, rolls/               bread
Spa/bath crystals
Dog or cat treats and toys
School supplies
Beauty supplies
Hair clips, bows, and bands
Coffee, mocha, hot chocolate
Candy - layer by colors or types
Activity items
Hobby items
Gift Ideas for the Teacher
Classroom materials for the library or stations in the room
School supplies
Student art work
Gift card
See Gift Basket ideas on this page
See Gifts in a Jar on this page
Avoid giving baked goods, lotions, soaps, body sprays, and items made for teachers.
The best gift is a big hug and a thank you!

Gift Ideas for Teens

Movie tickets
Gift Card to favorite clothing store
Gift Card to favorite restaurant
Gift Card for music down loads
Gift Card for apps
Tickets for two:  amusement park, bowling, gameroom, rock climbing, lazer tag, horseback riding
Photo album/scrapbook
Digital frame
Cash!
Favorite Team shirt or other apparel
Check out the Electronic Gifts listed below
Give a gift that gives back - check out the gift ideas that help a worthwhile cause on this page.

Gifts that Give Back

This holiday, give a gift with extra meaning.  These items make great gifts, while also helping to bring money or attention to worthwhile causes.

Comfy Food Salty Turtles
Sweeten up this holiday season with Comfort Food Salty Turtles! All profits are donated to HELP USA, a charity that fights homelessness. $20 helpusa.org
Ellie The Elephant
When you donate $40 to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, your kid will get a string elephant doll that helps endangered animals. The IFAW rescues individual animals, protects populations and preserves precious habitats.  IFAW.org
Hope Bracelet
Give inspiration and a fashion statement! Proceeds from this “Hope Starts Here” bracelet go to the American Cancer Society. $10, thehopeshop.com
Frankie and Johnny Pajamas
No girl can have too many pairs of pajamas! Channel her comfy side by giving her a pair of these funky pajamas by Sleepy Heads, which will donate 20 percent of proceeds to the Big Brothers Big Sisters charity. $78, sleepyheads.com
SPONSOR A WILD PLACE
Sponsoring a Wild Place not only provides a unique and special gift for someone you love, but gives you the satisfaction of knowing you are helping preserve America’s wild legacy long after the gift has been opened. Whether you want to support the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Badlands or the Grand Canyon, your symbolic sponsorship supports the Sierra Club’s efforts to protect America’s wildlands and wildlife, keep our air and water clean and promote a clean energy future. Plus you get a cute plush toy! Visit www.sierraclub.org/wildplaces.
A Duck That Fights Cancer
Every year, since 2001, Aflac and Macy’s team to sell a plush, toy duck to raise money to fight pediatric cancer.  This year’s duck was designed by a young cancer patient, Monica (17 years old).  $10 for the 6-inch version and $15 for the 10-inch duck.  All proceeds will be donated to fight pediatric cancer at a participating hospital nearest to where the duck is sold.  A great stocking stuffer!  Macys.com
Linus Fleece Blanket
Feel warm and fuzzy inside and out:  A percentage of blanket sales goes to Project Linus, a national nonprofit that delivers handmade blankies to ill and otherwise traumatized babies, kids, and teens. $36
Available at urbanoutfitters.com

Gifts for Pets or Pet Lovers

World Wildlife Fund Pet Gifts
Don’t forget your fluffy family friend this season. For a donation from $25 to $50, nab a collar, leash and more featuring a World Wildlife Fund panda logo. $25-$50  worldwildlife.org
Christmas Cheer Scout Dog Bandana
Available in all sizes, this festive bandana slips over your pet’s collar.  All bandana’s at Moe’s Place is made in the USA. Machine washable.  Moe’s Place donates 10% of sales proceeds to Toys for Tots for each Christmas dog bandana sold.  Moe’s Place will donate 10% of sales proceeds on other items to animal shelters throughout the US for .  Prices vary.  www.moesplace.net
Planet Dog Toys
Give your pup a squeaky toy and give another dog happiness as well. Planet Dog products helps support canine service programs through the company’s ongoing grant-giving and product donation plans. $6-$8  planetdog.com
SNIP (Spay and Neuter Immediately, Please!) Spay or
neuter someone’s pet this holiday. Help prevent animal homelessness by giving the gift of spaying and neutering by either donating to PETA or giving a fellow animal-lover a SNIP.  $50 petapresents.org

Cross “Puppy” Off of the Holiday Shopping List!

NAPPS is Urging Gift-Givers to Avoid the Common Mistake of Giving the ‘Pet Present’

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, is spreading awareness about the dangers of giving pets as gifts this holiday season, and is urging gift-givers to consider an alternative to the popular puppy present.

According to John D’Ariano, president of NAPPS, it is very unfortunate, but most pets that are “gifts” become neglected, unwanted and abandoned.

NAPPS urges you to consider the following and share these tips with others:

If you are considering a pet pal for your family, do it when you can devote all of your time and effort to the attention and care of the pet.

15 Electronic Gifts for 2012

Tablet devices- iPad mini, Nexus, Galaxy, etc...
eReaders - Kindle, Lookbook, Nook, etc...
MP3 Players - Clip Zip, Blue, Coby, etc...
Cameras - CoolPix, Power Shot, Fine Pix, etc...
Camcorders - Handycam, Play Sport, Slimline, etc...
Laptops - Dell, Acer, Apple, HP, etc...
GPS navigation - Garmin, TomTom, etc...
GPS sports watch - Forerunner, Nike+, MOTOACTV, etc...
Smart phone - iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc...
Wireless headset
Ear buds/head phones
Game systems - Playstation, Wii, XBox,
Portable gaming systems
Video games
Television

BASKET IDEAS
For that person who is
hard to buy for...

Pasta Basket
Spa Basket
Movie Night Basket
Fruit Basket
Chocolate Lovers Basket
Gardener Basket
Pet Lovers Basket
College Student Basket
Munchies Basket
Chef’s Basket
Baby Basket
Fisherman Basket
Healthy Food Basket
Pizza Lovers Basket
Teacher Basket
Sports Basket
Crafts Basket

Dr. Toy’s Ten Best Basic Toys

BALL - available in all sizes, shapes, and colors
BOARD GAME - find an age-appropriate game
CAR- great for role playing and active play
CONSTRUCTION TOY- plastic, metal, wood
CRAYONS- explore, self-express, and learn colors
DOLL- role playing, friendship PUPPET- reading books, role playing
PUZZLE- matching, discovery, language
PLAY TELEPHONE- communication, language
WOODEN BLOCKS- building, stacking   provided by www.drtoy.com

Christmas Tree Farms

Lewis County
Home Come Tree Farm
91 Tree Farm Rd, Horner, WV 
304-269-1313
You choose, you cut. Saws available.

Marion County
Mt. Zion Nursery
Rt. 8 Box 131, Fairmont, WV
304-366-6597
email:  [email protected]
You choose, you cut.  Saws provided.  You choose, we cut.  Or precut.

Monongalia County
Brown’s Choose and Cut Tree Farm
2927 Ridgedale Rd., Morgantown, WV
304-291-0176
Open seven days /week.  Hand saws available.

Hunter Tree Farm
1265 4-H Camp Rd., Morgantown, WV
304-291-3782 You Choose and Cut. 

Preston County
Cress Farm
Rt. 1 Box 434, Kingwood, WV
304-329-1685
Nov. 25 - Dec. 24. You Choose and Cut.
King’s Trees
Rt. 1 Box 360, Bruceton Mills, WV
304-379-8465
Anytime daylight to dark.
You Choose and Cut.

Miller’s Christmas Trees
Rt. 2 Box 44, Terra Alta, WV
304-789-2183
Open daylight hours from Thanksgiving. 
You choose & cut.  Saws available.

Upshur County
French Creek Christmas Trees
Rt. 2 Box 14, French Creek, WV
304-924-5584
You Choose and Cut.  Saws provided.

French Creek Tree Farms
Rt. 2 Box 78, French Creek, WV
304-472-7100
You Choose and Cut.  Bow saws available.  8 a.m. to dusk.

The Gift of Class

Give the gift of a class.  The recipient will learn skills and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Music classes
Art classes
Dance classes
Twirling classes
Gymnastics classes
Martial Arts Classes
Hobby Classes
Quilting/Sewing Classes

STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS

gift certificates (favorite   store, restaurant)
music CD
movie DVD
fireplace DVD
cellphone holder
mouse rug/pad
scented pencils
batteries
concert tickets
movie tickets
sport event tickets
lottery tickets
chocolates/candy
magazine subscription
book
puzzle book
journal/diary
craft supplies
game for electronic devices
hobby items
perfume/cologne
jewelry

 

This listing has been compiled by West Virginia Family Magazine to assist you. It is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of facilities, accommodations, or services. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this listing, it is recommended to call ahead. WV Family Magazine is not liable for damages arising out of errors or omission.