Holiday Gifts | Fruit Company Gifts

What kids are really receiving when they go trick-or-treating

Halloween Gift Ideas Halloween can be a lot of fun for kids of all ages, with entertainment ranging from costumes to scary movies, and from trick-or-treating to eating tasty sweets. However, by taking a deeper look at some of the “treats” that are received, it may not be the ghosts and goblins that cause the fright that night.

Have a look at some of the ingredients on the packaging of the items you’ll be doling out or that your own children have received:

• Artificial colors and flavors – these are chemicals often based on petroleum products that can have adverse effects, such as hyperactivity, rashes, allergic reactions, fatigue, and headaches.

• Alkali – this ingredient is an acid neutralizer that is found in many chocolate products in order to lower bitterness and boost flavor. Unfortunately, most of the antioxidants found in the chocolate are destroyed by this ingredient.

• High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) – this is a fructose sweetener that is made when cornstarch is processed. Though it is inexpensive, it also involve the use of genetically modified enzymes. Moreover, it is known to increase an individual’s risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

• Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (PGPR) – this ingredient is made from castor beans and is a binding agent (emulsifier). This is found in many chocolate products to reduce their thickness so that when they are melted, the result will be a texture with greater smoothness. However, like alkali, it reduces or eliminates the antioxidants in the product.

Many parents are choosing to give alternative treats to their kids and to the trick-or-treaters who come to the door. Some ideas include:

• Small boxes of organic raisins
• Granola bars
• Individually wrapped cookies that are trans fat-free and have low sugar.
• Pretzels
• Nicely wrapped organic fruit Gifts
• Fruit bars
• Dark chocolate

How will you be observing National Grandparents Day?

Grandparents Day Gifts National Grandparents Day is rapidly approaching in the United States and a number of other countries, and parents and children are preparing to show grandparents how much they mean to them throughout the entire year.

This day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year, making it September 11 in 2011. It has been celebrated in the United States since 1978, with Marian McQuade from Oak Hill, West Virginia, as its official founder, for which she has received recognition by senators and President Jimmy Carter.

McQuade founded the day as a complement to her personal life goal to provide youth in her community with an education regarding the importance of the present and historical contributions of senior citizens. Aside from National Grandparents Day, another of McQuade’s efforts was to encourage youth to “adopt” a grandparent.

This secular holiday is meant to give people the opportunity to honor grandparents and to provide grandparents with the chance to show their own love for the children of their own children. This can help to make children more aware of the information, strength, and guidance that senior citizens have to give.

As of 2004, National Grandparents Day has had its own official song, which was written by Johnny Prill, and is called “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa”. Prill received the National Songwriter’s Award for this composition.

Similarly, in the United States, there is an official flower for the holiday, as well. It is a forget-me-not. However, as this is a spring bloom, it is traditional to give more seasonal flowers or a organic fruit basket to grandparents on the holiday itself.

Sharing Other Great Mothers Day Gifts

Mother's Day Fruit Basket - Free Shipping

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching and you don’t want to be left wrestling with last-minute shopping. Here are some gift ideas that will help you showcase your love for that special woman in your life.

Milestone Birthstone Pendants

These necklaces display the inherent beauty and personality of birthstones. Ranging from minimalistic styles to elaborate designs, they are ideal gifts that can suit a variety of personalities. Adding a personalized message to the pendants is a great way to attribute deeper meaning.

Languages of Mom Jewelry

Love can be expressed in glorious fashion through the use of language. The word “Mother” is etched in a variety of languages from around the world on these pieces of jewelry. These are perfect gifts for those enamored with cultures different from their own.

Yoga

For the stressed out mom, a place to relax and unwind is paradise. Signing her up for classes that have child care facilities can help give her an escape from the stresses of life and revitalize her spirit.

Crafts

Sometimes the best gift is the one made with your own hands. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece to be special. If you’re not creatively inclined, opt instead for a gift card from a local art supply store.

Chocolates

While chocolate seems to be the go-to gift for every occasion, it is still one of the best gifts around. Try adding a personal flare by getting personalized chocolates made by local chocolatiers. A number of companies offer specialized services and will be able to help you craft a memorable Mother’s Day gift.

Family Time

It can be hard aligning everyone’s schedules to spend time together as a family. Organizing a family picture or outing can be a great way to get in some good quality time. This one may be hard to keep secret, but nothing beats spending time together.

Breakfast in Bed

Sometimes, the simplest gesture holds the most meaning. Waking up to a nice meal can set the mood for the rest of the day and you can use it as an excuse to show off your culinary skills. This can be a great start to any day, not just Mother’s Day.

These are just a few ideas for what you could do to make Mother’s Day extra special. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination, there are plenty of other ways to showyour love and gratitude for the mother in your life. If you really want to make an impression, try combining all of these ideas. She’s bound to have a day she’ll never forget.

Don’t forget, a simple “Thank You” can go a long way – Mothers do a lot for all of us and deserve to hear it from time to time. Oh, and just in case mom enjoys a good glass of wine once and awhile a wine gift basket might work too!

Check out special deals free shipping for Mother’s Day Gift Baskets…

Green Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day

If you have plans on celebrating Valentine’s Day, you might want to try out the idea of giving gifts that are environmentally friendly. Here are some Green Gifts for Valentine's Day suggestions that you may want to consider.

Organic roses are the ones grown without the use of synthetic chemicals that is not just healthier for the flowers, but also for those who are handling them such as the florist, the growers and the pickers. These do not contribute to pollution too, since no toxic chemicals were used in growing these roses.

For Valentine’s Day, enjoy a bottle of organic or even beter, biodynamic wine, made with fewer chemicals, and one that is handmade. These are made from healthy plants but are not often marketed. To find an eco-wine, you will have to inquire in wine shops that are aware if there products are from biodynamic vineyards.

When you buy locally made gourmet chocolates that are all natural, you are not just helping the environment but also your local economy. To score some big points with the person that you love, give him/her chocolates that are handcrafted and amazingly scrumptious. Chocolate dipped fruit from The Fruit Company!

Since it is the day of love, you might want to wear a nice piece of green lingerie. You can find earth-friendly products such as panties, bras, camisoles and sleep masks that are made of all natural materials like bamboo jersey and silk satin that is naturally herbal dyed.

And last but surely not least, think about giving an organic fruit basket, eco friendly and healthy all in one package!

FOR MORE ORGANIC GIFT IDEAS:

Homemade Valentines Gifts

Treat her to a homemade hot fruit foot soak! Make her favorite tea for relaxing and ask that she just sit back and enjoy an exhilarating foot soak – after the soak make sure to add in a massage…she’ll love you for it! Homemade fruit foot soak
Ingredients:
2 cups papaya chunks
2 cups pineapple chunks
2 cups whole milk
Directions:
In a blender, dump both papaya and pineapple, puree on high speed for a minute. Then when she is sipping her tea and the time is right, heat up the milk until steaming. Make sure the milk cools a little, and then add together the puree and milk in a bowl big enough for her feet. Soak feet for 20 minutes and clean with a warm towel.
Another great homemade gift is Homemade Sugar Scrub:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
Oil from 1 vitamin E capsule
2 drops of lavender essential oil
1 16oz. glass container
Combine and stir well. With spatula, put in container and dress with a bow!

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Chocolate Covered America!

Believe it or not...Chocolate-covered bacon is sold as a specialized food across the United States. The idea made an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair using the name, "Pig Lickers" and was sold at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in California and under the name "Pig Candy" by a chocolate maker in New York City. Why is America recently so attracted to these oldes but not so goodies again?

Here are just a few things you can find at your local fair:

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Chocolate covered potato chips
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Deep fried and then chocolate covered Twinkies

Chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick

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Deep fried snickers
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We all know these foods are horrible for us but somehow, some way, these fair food vendors are making a killing!

Now, let’s get a a little more into the norm and check out this recipe for chocolate covered strawberries…just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries


Ingredients:

3/4 cup chocolate chips (half a bag) or melting bark
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
**if needed, 1 tablespoon of shortening
1 pound strawberries with stem, washed and dried

Directions:

Put both kinds of chocolate in two individual microwavable bowls.  Heat up each one in the microwave oven on increments for thirty seconds  - mixing right after each time until melted and smooth.  Should for some reason your chocolate is just not getting smooth, put in a tablespoon of shortening to it and then stir.

Hold each strawberry from the stem and dip it in either type of chocolate twisting it until finally it's completed covered.  Set the strawberries upon parchment or wax paper to set.  Then take a fork and dip it in the opposite kind of chocolate and drizzle it on the chocolate covered strawberries.  If you discover the dipping chocolate is hardening, simply reheat in the microwave for thirty seconds and stir.  Permit the strawberries to fully set up, approx. 30 minutes in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!

 And for those of you that still have the hankering for chocolate covered bacon you can actually buy this online for $7.50 per bar, just type in Mo’s Bacon Bar for more info. Personally, I'm going to order my chocolate covered fruit here!

What Day is Grandparents Day 2010?

Grandparents’ day is coming up soon – on September 12^th. This is a great day to show your grandparents how much you love and appreciate them, but the neat

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thing about grandparents day is that it is a great day to share some love and create joy in the lives of other older persons that you are fond of or maybe even view as your “surrogate grandparents.”

Grandparents’ day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year since 1978, when President Jimmy Carter declared the day an official holiday. Grandparents Day was started by Marian McQuade, who was a housewife from West Virginia. She felt that there were too many elderly folks in nursing homes that were feeling abandoned and lonely. She also saw it as a way to begin to encourage grandchildren to seek the wisdom and heritage that they could find in their grandparents (National Grandparents Day Council, 2010).

Over the years, this holiday has included the celebration of grandparents, as well as other older people who are important in our lives. Grandparents and the elderly have a ton of wisdom to share and only desire in return a listening ear and a kind heart. Remember to show some kindness to the older citizens around you this year, both your grandparents and others you know. Showing your love and kindness in this way can make a larger impact on the lives of those you honor than you may know, but you will find that in doing so, you are impacting your own life as well.

For more info on organic fruit baskets and great gift ideas see our holiday catalog.

A great Gift Idea for Grandparents Day would be a gourmet fruit and cheese basket…check it out today!
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Chocolate dipped fruit from The Fruit Company!