Show Your Front Door Some Love for Valentine's Day. photo courtesy of Alison Storm

Need to add a little Valentine’s Day love to your home? This project is easy (we’re talking done-in-less-than-five-minutes-easy) and affordable! The finished product is festive, flirty and fun! It’s perfect for adding spice to your home, or for giving away to someone you love. Here are the simple instructions from making  a feather boa wreath just in time for February 14th.

Gather Supplies

For this project you will need just a few key supplies. Pick up a foam wreath form at a craft store. You can pick them up for just a few dollars at CreateforLess.com. They even have heart-shaped foam forms which would be perfect for this project. You will also need about four feather boas. For our feather boa wreath we used two Pink Multi Luxe Boas from The House of Bachelorette and two Modern Marabou Boas in Hot Passion Pink. Finally, you will need some straight pushpins. You likely already have these somewhere around your house!

Start Wrapping

Securing one end of one of the thicker, Luxe boas to the back of your foam form with a pin, beginning wrapping the boa around the form. Leave a small gap in between the rows. You will fill this in later with the thinner Marabou boa. Space your layers so that you are able to make it half-way around your form with one Luxe boa. When you reach the end, secure it with a pin on what will be the back of you wreath. Continue this process with the second Luxe boa on the other half of your wreath.

Fill in the Gaps

Now that your entire foam form is covered with two Luxe boas, it’s time to fill in the gaps with the coordinating Marabou boa. Since the feathers are slightly different, this will add some visual interest to your feather boa wreath. Secure the Marabou boa in the same way, using a pushpin. Each Marabou boa should cover half of the wreath.

Hang and Enjoy

That’s all there is to this simple, but lovely project that will add some spice to your home for Valentine’s Day. The great thing about this project is that you can reuse all of the materials in other ways. Once February 14th passes, unpin your boas and use them for a bachelorette party or a girls’ night out. You can re-purpose your foam form and create a wreath for another upcoming holiday. Or, snatch up some black boas and create a fun wreath for Halloween.

Perhaps you’ve gone into business with a couple of friends or have established a close-knit working relationship with your small business partners. There is one special day shared in common that’s perfect for giving small tokens of appreciation for a job well done – your business anniversary. Every time your business survives another year, it’s a momentous occasion (especially in today’s economy). If you’re in need of ideas for anniversary gifts for small business partners, you’ve come to the right place.

Pen Set

Whether they’re signing off on a lucrative deal or taking notes during a meeting, equip your business partners with an elegant pen set. PersonalizationMall.com offers an attractive solid rosewood case and pen set with your choice of nine inspirational quotes. You may also create your own message or engrave your company name. Themed pen sets are also available, like the Law Office ™ collection shown.

Flowers

Brighten the desk of your business partners with a colorful bouquet of flowers or long-lasting arrangements, such as the Money Tree Plant from 1-800-Flowers. New businesses may start a tradition of passing out the number of flowers that correspond to the number of years in business.

Business Card Case

Make sure your business partners never miss an opportunity to network because they’re fumbling for business cards. A classy business card case not only keeps contact information safe and easily accessible, but also displays professionalism to potential clients. Personalize the case with names or highlight your 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year anniversary. For the creative mind or for partners in an architecture firm, this Frank Lloyd Wright- inspired business card holder makes an impressive gift.

Gift Certificate or Gift Card

For those of you looking to give a gift that matches the personality of business partners, choose gift certificates that speak to the interests of individual co-workers. For instance, give a Starbucks gift card to the coffee fanatic in the office. Other ideas include movie passes and restaurant gift certificates.

Chocolate

Satisfy a sweet tooth for success with a box of chocolates or something out of the ordinary, like an assortment of gourmet pretzel rods. Chocolate.com offers a wide selection of beautifully decorated boxes of chocolate dipped pretzels – hand-wrapped with a soft layer of Caramel, dipped in Milk or Dark Chocolate, rolled in finely chopped Pecans or Walnuts, or decorated with a drizzle of White Chocolate.

Christmas Ornaments

If the date of your business anniversary is around the Christmas holiday, celebrate the occasion by gifting personalized Christmas tree ornaments centered on your company name and business achievements. Whether you create your own inspirational words of wisdom or simply highlight the number of successful years in business, Christmas ornaments are thoughtful gifts that last a lifetime.

Here are our Valentine’s Day gift ideas for Him, in random order. We love them all! Remember to always read the Returns Policy before you place your order!

Let’s Go Flying

How about a gift he will remember long after the chocolates have been gobbled? Something like a Let’s Go Flying introductory flying lesson, available for around $99 at any of the 3,500 flight schools nationwide listed on www.letsgoflying.com .

During the flight, your sweetie will sit in the pilot’s seat and take the controls to taxi, take off and fly a plane for around 30-40 minutes before landing. All under the guidance of an FAA-licensed instructor.

Key to My Heart

Offering the “Key To My Heart” is a great way to express your true feelings. This handsome wood box features a green velvet interior. Inside is a large, solid chrome, old fashioned “Key To My Heart” tied with red satin ribbon and sitting on a bed of real, dried rose petals. Measures 6.5″L x 4.5″W. Includes Your Own Personal Message on a parchment scroll tied with elegant ribbon. The “Key to My Heart” can be kept in its handsome display box or it can be removed and the box can be used for storage of cufflinks, watches, money clips and the like.
Price: $39.95
Website: www.creativeromanticgifts.com

Raising the Candy Bar

From $3 for a chocolate covered skewer of marshmallows with heart-sprinkles to $10 for a deluxe chocolate covered heath bar taffy apple to $25 or $50 for a small or large chocolate heart box filled with either truffles or turtles, they’ve got some sweet gifts for sweet guys.

Raising the Candy Bar is the largest kosher candy store in the midwest, and also strong in the niche chocolate market — gluten-free, organic, vegan, lactose free, dairy free, nut free, sugar free and more. Use HAPPYCHOCOLATE until March 31 for a 20% discount.

Website: www.raisingthecandybar.com.

 Crazy Shirts

Not only can you drink your beer, you can wear it too! That’s because Hawaii-based Crazy Shirts produce Specialty Beer Dyed T-shirts. Dyed in pale ale, these beer dyed Ts are infused with hops and barley and designed with water-based inks. Designs include a Limited Edition Crossroads T featuring an ominous design with skulls balanced with angel wings.

It’s available in men’s sizes and retail for $79. The T-Shirt can be purchased online at www.crazyshirts.com or at local Crazy Shirts retail locations across the U.S.

The American Line

The American Line(tm) is the officially licensed men’s colognes for each branch of the US Military.

They are a start-up company whose goal is to raise money for the men and women of the US Military.  The items were launched last month and retail online for $45.00.

Most importantly, The American Line(tm) will be donating a significant portion of proceeds to the US Veterans Administration.
Website: www.theamericanline.org

Uncommon

Uncommon offers you a blank canvas in the form of a sleek case for your iPhone 3G/Gs and your inspiration (or dedication) make it a masterpiece. With Uncommon’s patent pending 3D TATT(tm) printing process, your photograph or image is embedded deep into the shell (much like a tattoo) with amazing clarity! And unlike a common skin, your image is scratch proof and will last for life. Better still, the case is durable and built to protect and even helps prevent the glass from shattering.

Price: $39.95

Website: www.getuncommon.com

Surprise Industries

Surprise Industries crafts surprise experiences: a totally unique gift that’s ideal for the special man in your life on Valentine’s Day.

Heres how it works:
1. Speak with one of their Surprise Experts who will figure out the ideal Surprise Adventure for your tastes.
2. Receive a series of mysterious clues and, finally, an address.
3. Your surprise could be anything from race car driving to sword fighting, but you won’t know for sure till you get there.
Surprises are $50 and up per person (with an average cost of $250 per adventurer), but they are happy to work with any budget.

Website: www.surpriseindustries.com

Real Shaving Company

Give the man in your life the best shave he’ll ever have with the Real Shaving Company Ultimate Shaving Kit! It includes:

* Self-heating face mask – provides “hot towel” treatment to soften and lift facial hair for better shave.
* Daily facial scrub - formulated to unblock pores, removing dead skin cells and blackheads, for closer shave and less irritation.
* Shave cream - double-concentrated cream provides an extra smooth shave. Natural almond oil softens and smoothes skin and helps prevent razor dragging and burns.
* Daily skin soothing balm - natural aloe vera helps condition skin and reduces discomfort and irritation.
Price: $11.99 at Rite Aid locations nationwide.

Baby Bear Shop

Their Lip Balms are surprisingly popular with men. “All the better to kiss you with” Lip Balm Eco Gift Kit is USDA Certified Organic, 100% all natural.

Flavours:

• Pepperminty,
• Lavender Vanilla
• Chai Mandarin.

Packaging and ingredients all made in the USA, 100% Cruelty-Free; for each purchase – a tree is planted.

Featured in Vogue.

Price $17.99 per kit. 

Free shipping on all orders of $30 or more. Promo code “happycorner.”

Good until Feb 14th.

Website: babybearshop.com

Harvard Sweet Boutique

Manly Valentine’s Day Sampler: If you’re looking for the perfect manly gift for your manly man, you need not look any farther! This collection of decadent, dense, rich and chocolately brownies require a man’s appetite to finish! This is the perfect gift for the man of the house, and includes twelve assorted brownies (four Chocolate Fudge, four Mint, and four Raspberry). Packaged in a faux crocodile box, and tied up with a hot red ribbon. Irresistible! $32 plus S&H. 

Available online at Harvard Sweet Boutique:  www.harvardsweetboutique.com

Indigo Wild

Indigo Wild is a luxury brand that uses only top shelf organic ingredients but still makes products people can afford and feel good about purchasing. 

Their Valentine’s Day line, Zum Love, includes all-natural products scented in Peppermint-Citrus. From massage oil to candle’s to goat’s milk soap – they’ve got unique gifts your guy will love! In the image: their Ahprodisi-Pack ($33)!

Available at www.indigowild.com  and in over 2,000 retail stores nationwide, including Whole Foods.

Relax Intuit ™ LLC

Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” is the exquisitely soothing, award-winning stress-relief CD that instantly releases worry, depression, sleeplessness. Like an easy chair, an oasis from a stressful schedule or prelude to deep, restful sleep, stress-relief expert Susie Mantell’s warm narration carries listeners into the relaxation of a spa vacation–for just $14.95.  

Found in The Mayo Clinic, Sloan-Kettering, Fortune 500, Canyon Ranch and on TV, in a world that often seems to spin too fast, drift into the quiet place where worries dissipate. Slow down, sit back… just let go.

Website: www.relaxintuit.com

Edible Gifts Plus

You know the old saying- “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This Valentine’s Day why not give him a romantic gift that he can eat?

Start your Valentine’s day celebration with a delicious dinner for two: a 5 star banquet of lobster-shrimp-filet! Your feast includes two 6oz. filet mignon, 1lb. jumbo shrimp and two 8 oz. lobster tails

EdibleGiftsPlus.com is the sought after resource for gourmet treats and sweets to celebrate births, birthdays, weddings/anniversaries and more. This online bakery is bursting with tasty cakes, cookies, chocolates, pretzels and brownies which can be personalized.

Price: $124.95.
Website www.ediblegiftsplus.com

Marshall Books

Journaling pros Kate and David Marshall created this journal to offer a fresh way for couples to say “I love you.” This fill-in-the-blank book prompts you to say what is in your heart, but may not always at the tip of your tongue. Tell the most important person in your life just how much they mean to you by completing the scores of unique, evocative checklists, short answers, and phrases in this attractive gift book:

If we’d first met in a comic strip, the thought bubble over my head would have said…
I adore this little daily ritual or habit we have…
One of your most irresistible physical features is…
I missed you when…

Playful, tender, and personal, “What I Love about You” makes a romantic gift both for couples in passionate love as well as those looking for ways to rekindle the sparks. Expressing love is always the answer.

Price: $13.95

Website: MarshallBooks.net

Your Cover

Show your Valentine how much you love him and how wonderful you think he is – make him the star of his own personalized magazine cover with his photo and headlines all about his life. It’s a gift as unique and special
as he is, plus it’s fun and easy to make, affordable too.

Price: $44.90 for glossy print, solid rosewood frame and shipping
$19.95 for Glossy Photo Print including free shipping
$12.95 for Instant Photo File download to print yourself (great last minute gift)

Magazine Covers can also be printed as posters or on a mug, mouse pad or t-shirt.

www.YourCover.com

M.U.G.

Give the man in your life the skin and hair he wants with Woody’™S Quality Grooming Products. Woody’™S Meat and Potatoes Bar (left) is a simple man’s solution for hair and body maintenance. Natural vegetable oils and mild cleansers will give you man a fresh feeling every time he steps out of the shower.

Depending on the hold your looking for, Woody’s Style Gels (right) are just right for your style. They offer a strong hold that is alchohol free, flake free, and dust free. Choose from a light to medium hold, to the strongest super firm hold. All protect hair from the sun, and provide long lasting stylish hair the woman will find hard to resist.

Price: $12.95 – $13.95

Available at mugonline.com

Valsey and Me

The “best housewarming gift since the potted plant” as stated by the Chicago Tribune. Perfect for any Valentine’s day as well!

Personalized 1x 2 individual soap chips. You can say almost anything you like such as…

Welcome to our home!
I love you!!
Stay Clean!!

All 5 available scents smell nicer than the next one.

Price: the large boxes range from $73-$85

Website: ValseyandMe.com

Clubman

After shave can be harsh on the face right after a man shaves. Clubman offers a great line of men’s grooming products such as Clubman Lime Sec Eau De Cologne. This zesty fragrance will sooth your man’s skin, leaving it comfortable and irresistible to touch. The after-shave will leave behind a scent of top notch lime with a floral and woodsy scent behind it. With Clubman Lime Sec Eau De Cologne you can assure the man in your life won’t be alone this Valentine’s Day.

Price: $10.36 per 12.5 oz.

Available at: clubmanonline.comand barber shops nationwide.

Giorgio Armani

Acqua Di Gio cologne by Giorgio Armani will keep any man smelling fresh and ready to go. Weather off to work, a date, or a causal affiar, this moderate scent is perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift.

Price: $57.19 for 3.4 oz.

Website: fragrancenet.com

Tired of giving chocolates, roses and teddy bears every February 14? Break out of the Valentine’s Day hum-drum and give your sweetie something truly original. Here’s a whole list of Valentine gift ideas that they won’t soon forget.

Cupcake of the Month

Sign your sweetheart up for the cupcake of the month club. It’s a gift that keeps on giving so there is no way they’ll forget how much you love them. Every month they’ll receive a yummy treat: two cupcakes in a jar from the Bangerang Bake Shop. And if you’re lucky maybe they’ll share one with you!

Love Print

Give your honey this “Love Candy” print and let them hang it prominently in your home. That way they’ll remember how much they are loved all year long– not just on V-Day.

Plant a Tree

Mark your growing love by planting a tree in your yard, your favorite park or somewhere special. Watch the tree grow over the years, just as your love grows.

Love Pencils

These lovely pencils from Olive Manna feature phrases like “Love is Patient & Kind” and “Love is Like the Morning Mist.” Pick up a set of three for just $4 and your special someone will think of you with every word they write.

Coupon Book

Get crafty and make your Valentine a coupon book. Make sure each coupon is something they will appreciate. Let them cash in a coupon each month for the next year.

The Five Love Languages

Pick up a copy of The Five Love Languages and give it to your Valentine. Don’t let the gift end there– commit to reading it together and figuring out what each of your love languages are. Then determine how you can speak your sweetie’s language of love.

Reasons I Love You Stones

Pick up a bag of stones from RedEnvelope.com. Each one is etched with a reason for your love. Messages include “I love you… for always getting my jokes” and “I love you…because you’re an inspiration.” Or you could use this idea as inspiration for making your own list of reasons you love your significant other.

An Unforgettable Experience

Shared experiences can help a couple draw closer together. Give your Valentine an experience they’ve always dreamed of like riding in a race car or floating in a hot air balloon. And make sure it’s something you can enjoy together.

Their Name in a Book

Well-known author Karen Kingsbury is giving fans a chance to be in her next book. Anyone who donates a minimum of $100 to the Kate McRae Fund can have their name or the name of someone they love acknowledged in the book where Kate will be a character. Not only will you be supporting this little girl’s battle with cancer, but you’ll be giving your Valentine a memorable gift.

When below-freezing temperatures and endless snowflakes trickle from the sky – boots, heavy coats, and other warmer attire certainly come in handy during the winter season. The weather colder also creates the perfect opportunity to shower family and friends with winter-related gifts. Perhaps you have an avid skier in the family or someone is heading to Aspen for a luxurious getaway. But, what do you get the loved one that follows an eco-friendly agenda?

Eco-Friendly Winter Boots

From recycled rubber to organic materials, keep toes warm and toasty with winter boots that respect the planet. For high-quality, fashionable gifts to satisfy the treehugger in your life, Simple is an excellent company to search for an assortment of 100% sustainable products. For example, the Simple Women’s Pestoe Boot is comprised of a blend of organic cotton and hemp with a rubber sole. Choose from colors Coffee Liqueur and Black Olive. Beyond their winter boots, Simple also offers a wide range of eco-friendly gifts, including travel wallets, messenger bags, backpacks, and handbags.

Eco-Friendly Gloves

Protecting fingers from freezing temperatures, gloves play an essential role in snowball fights and weekend ski trips. Comprised of 40% recycled post consumer polyester and 60% polyester, 180s Eco-friendly Fleece Exhale Glove Tech Touch Finger makes good use of recycled soda bottles and packaging containers. Attractive features of the glove includes lightweight thermal retention and the patented Tech Touch pod located on the index finger, which conveniently makes it easier to maneuver an Ipod without having to remove gloves.

Helly Hansen Jacket

Give the gift of Helly Tech XP technology by choosing a Helly Hansen jacket, such as the Helly Hansen Women’s Ekolab Jacket. Offering a “minimalist waste-free” design, the Ekolab satisfies the needs of eco-conscious skiers and snowboarders. Helly Hansen stands by environmentally responsible manufacturing practices without compromising “high-performance functionality.” A couple of features include three-layer waterproof breathable protection, attached hood, and powder skirt. If the Ekolab Jacket isn’t your style, check Amazon.com for a wide range of Helly Hansen jacket styles and colors for women.

Eco-Friendly Winter Hat

Step out into the cold with a fashionable eco-friendly hat, such as the Taraluna Recycled Silk Sari Ear Flap Hat with Tassels. This sustainable and fair-trade product is comprised of collected and recycled silk sari cuttings that would have otherwise ended up as unnecessary clutter in a landfill. Grey fleece provides a full lining that delivers a soft feel and warmth. Taraluna also makes an array of colorful silk sari products, including scarves, gloves and handbags.

Score Big With Guests During Your Super Bowl Party (Photo courtesy of Triple Tri)

Are you ready for some football? The big game– yep THE big game– is about to kick off. Amp up your team spirit and give your guests a great time with a fabulous Super Bowl bash. Whether you’re really into the game or you just like the commercials, you can still have a great time. Take your bash to the big leagues by improving your Super Bowl party food table with these easy and affordable ideas.

Field Centerpiece

Bring a little bit of the field to your table with this super cute centerpiece idea. Head to your florist for a flat of wheat grass. You should be able to pick this up for about $20 according to Hostess With the Mostess. Then place little plastic football players like these all over your field. You’ll definitely score some points for creativity!

Personalize Footballs

Give guests something to play with during half time. Pick up a dozen (or two) colorful foam footballs like these from Oriental Trading Company. Personalize them with a permanent marker or stickers.

Playing Field Tablecloth

Head to your fabric store for some green felt. You’ll need enough to cover the table you’re using to display your football food. Using white tape and vinyl numbers from the craft store, create your football field with yardage and lines.

Decorate Sweetly

Add a little sugar to your Super Bowl food table with some milk chocolate footballs. Candy Warehouse sells a 5-pound bag that your party goers will love to tackle.

AstroTurf Coasters

The editors of Real Simple Magazine came up with this one– AstroTurf coasters! Head to your carpet warehouse and ask for a small cutting of green AstroTurf. You may also be able to pick this up at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Carefully cut it into circles so guests can rest their glasses on the green.

Referee the Food Table

If you’re not into sporting team gear, why not throw on a referee shirt instead? You’ll be able to monitor which food dishes you’ve prepared are the ultimate winners and determine when to throw in a sub. This referee shirt also comes with a whistle in case a fight breaks out over your queso dip.

Living in loveliness sets the stage for a beautiful life…

For Valentine’s Day, I want to help spread the Love that I have for the romantic luxury soy candles created by Aglow Eco Living. These candles have gained popularity for their unique personal style and amazing scents.

There are letters for every name and symbols from peace to love – crowns, cross, stars and more. Each one is decadent with hand-strung crystal beading. The love  for these “bling” inspired creations is also shared by celebrities, brides, event planners, home decorators, and ordinary folks like me who just appreciate nice things!

Here is what you will REALLY love: Aglow will donate 15% to  LOVE OUR CHILDREN USA with the purchase of any of their products from the LOVE Collection through March 31st. This is a wonderful non profit organization whose mission is to protect children from domestic violence.

Each item in the LOVE Collection is handcrafted, reusable, made from recycled glass and paper and formulated with soy and essential oil fragrances.

***

Did you know that January is National Hobby Month – a relatively unknown time of the year when hobbyists celebrate their passions? When you’re looking for an excuse to shop in January for a loved one and need an idea, use this fun celebration as a starting point. Additionally, the month gives people a chance to explore new interests. Take the time to discover a new hobby or encourage the retiree in your life to redirect their energy towards a fresh leisure pursuit. A few suggestions include:

For Birdwatchers

Beyond a local nature guide or bird figurines, every birdwatcher needs a sturdy and reliable pair of binoculars. Budget shoppers will take pleasure in the Bushnell Powerview 8×21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular – priced under $20. For the more adventurous, the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42mm All-Terrain Binoculars (~$200) offer 100% waterproof and fog-resistant luxury.

For Avid Readers

An avid reader generally cozies up to a good book at any time of the day. Unfortunately, some readers struggle to find an adequate source of light during their nighttime indulgences. Suggested gifts for avid readers who enjoy reading at night include lamps with elongated flexible necks, personal magnifiers, and comfortable items, like the Homedics BRF-2L Foldable Massaging Back Rest with LED Light.

For Fishermen

You can never have too many fishing gadgets when it comes to catching, cleaning or releasing the prized catch of the day. Surprise a loved one with the Trademark Fisherman’s Outdoor Tools Collection which contains two fishing knives, 6-inch half serrated/half smooth blade, 6-inch knife blade, nail/line cutters, and a convenient 8 in 1 fisherman’s pliers.

For Golfers

No more misplaced golf clubs. The Golf Pro© Personalized Bag Tag is a thoughtful way to separate the stylish golfer in your life from the rest of the bunch. Personalization Mall allows gift-givers to customize four lines on one side, such as name, cell phone number, address or whatever your heart desires. The other side bears the initial of the golfer – printed with an exclusive argyle design.

For Crafters

The world of arts and crafts includes a wide range of talented individuals that includes knitters, seamstresses, woodworkers, and jewelry makers. There is one thing they all have in common – the need to store their supplies. A highly functional gift for crafters is to provide a place to hoard their beads, needles, tools, and materials. Sometimes, a box or travel case will do, while others need more space, like the Craft / Sewing Machine Cabinet Storage Armoire Organizer Drop Leaf Table.

Send a Gift to Haiti (Photo Courtesy of Peta-de-Azatlan)

It’s hard to look at tragic images from the earthquake in Haiti and not want to do something to help. Normally we help you with gift giving to your friends and family members. This time we’re telling you how to give to complete strangers. Lives, homes and buildings were destroyed in a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and even though Haiti is thousands of miles away, you can still give survivors there the gift of hope through these organizations.

American Red Cross: During just about any disaster, the American Red Cross is on the scene to help. If you want to help the Red Cross, text the word “HAITI” to 90999 to make an instant $10 donation.

Compassion International: For more than four decades Compassion International has been working in Haiti. Compassion International matches donors with sponsor children and has helped more than 65,000 children and their families in Haiti. Your donation will be used to provide relief to those in Haiti.

Hope for Haiti: Bid on some great gifts like Valentine’s bags, gift certificates and handmade headbands through a project called Hope for Haiti. Started by some bloggers who wanted to help, they’ve created a way for you to help Haiti by getting involved in their auctions.

Yele Haiti: This is Wyclef Jean’s Foundation and works to establish small-scale manageable projects that benefit Haiti’s long-term future. Yele Haiti has set up an earthquake fund you can donate $5 to it by texting YELE to 501501.

GAIN-USA: The Global Aid Network is a multi-national network of ministries. They’re sending medical supplies, food and water to Haiti with the help of your donation.

Baptist Haiti Mission: Since 1943 the Baptist Haiti Mission has been serving this country. Their hospital in Fermathe is overflowing with victims needing treatment. Your donation will go directly to those who need it.

For Haiti with Love: This organization, For Haiti with Love, provides free medical care on the North Coast of Haiti. They’re expecting to serve more people and need help paying for additional medical supplies.

World Vision: The first round of relief supplies from World Vision touched the ground in Haiti shortly after the earthquake. Make sure there is plenty of money for additional supplies by making a donation.

Care USA: Care USA already had warehouses of supplies in Haiti that they are distributing. And they are rushing more supplies to the island now. With your help they’ll be able to deliver even more supplies.

Doctors Without Borders: In a matter of days Doctors Without Borders had already treated more than 1,000 people in Haiti. They are currently sending an inflatable hospital to the country and could use your help treating all of the people wounded and injured by the earthquake.

Of course, this is just a sample of the many organizations working to help those in Haiti. When you give your gifts to Haiti, make sure you do it safely and securely. Watch out for scams so that your gift can do the most good.

With millions of pet owners stretching across the world, the number of thoughtful, creative, and useful gifts for dog lovers is endless. When it comes to pleasing some family and friends, putting Fido first is a must.
Including pets into your gift-giving plans will send a message that you’ve gone the extra mile to care about the same things they do. It doesn’t take much to satisfy a dog lover – consider the following gifts:

Picture Frame

What better gift for a dog lover than to have a friendly reminder of the slobbery welcome or boundless ball of energy waiting for their return home. Choose a dog-themed picture frame to liven up an office setting, such as the Bone Shape Paw Prints Photo Frame or Man’s Best Friend© Personalized Frame, which offers an easel back design for table top display.

Calendar

Calendars with dog themes come dime a dozen, but for computer savvy family and friends, choose a Design your own Pet Calendar, which creates an 11″ x 17″ durable wall calendar with a plastic spine. With adorable pet photos and drawings, use Art Pages and markers to decorate each month of the year. The set shown comes with the choice to send materials in for production or use digital photos and provided Internet drawing tools to make an entire calendar online.

Relaxing Collar

For the dog lover whose recently welcomed a new furry addition to the family, make the transition less stressful by gifting the D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Collar, which actually mimics the pheromone that mother dogs produce to calm and comfort her puppies. The collar comes in two sizes: Puppy/Small (for up to 15-inch necks) and Medium/Large (for up to 25-inch necks).

Cups and Mugs

For those who need coffee to jumpstart their morning, cups and mugs highlighting pet breeds make a popular present for dog lovers. This personalized Stainless Steel Travel Mug comes in 84 unique breed designs with scripted names in red. Commuters will appreciate this travel mug that holds nearly 2 cups of coffee. For office and home drinkers, Personalization Mall also offers an equally pleasing White Ceramic Coffee Mug with an artistic sketch of specified dog breeds.

All-Natural Snacks

If you’re looking for an item to include in a gift basket for dog lovers, consider healthy treats for their faithful companion. For example,  Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats offers a wholesome blend of natural ingredients in their Chicken, Peanut Butter, and Salmon treats. This made-in-the-USA product uses meats, grains, fruits and vegetables to create semi-moist mini-treats – only 2 calories – meaning the snacks accommodate the diet of pooches of all sizes. No artificial colors, flavors or additives – just a combination of high-quality proteins and grains that pack a satisfying boost of vitamins and minerals.