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Show rjfnnLrmfT-B,nicir- 4 Vernal Express ' Friday, December 13, 1985 o OF Plants and trees are decked out the holiday season at Smiths plant depart- ment. The live holly tree is a hearty new addi- - tion to the living Christmas trees that may be next spring, planted out- - A VARIETY for the birds displayed at 's Pets and Supplies are Kaye Vincent and COAXING A SONG from C L Marge Vealey. Birds make enjoyable companions and some can be taught to talk back. Live Christmas gifts keep on giving By Merle Young Express Soc e'y Editor Christmas morning when the last of the presents are opened and ribbons and paper are strewn across the floor the test of the favorite, best and most lasting gift begins Parents who have bought their toddlers all of the newest educational toys on the market are stunned to find their offspring playing mostly w ith the boxes they came in. The pile of things to be returned because they didnt fit or because the color is wrong continues to grow under the Christmas tree. Some windup toys are already suffering from spring fatigue and the battery operated toys are examined and returned to their boxes because Santa forgot to buy batteries. Things to love with no moving parts quickly make it to the top of the most loved list, but there is one other category of favorite gifts that keeps on giving for a long time. These gifts that span the seasons are living things. Giving a live gift keeps you in the heart and minds of the receiver every time they give care to the thing A puppy ,,for example, not only is loved by its owner but gives love in return The same goes for kittens and some other house pets. Living things like plants brighten up a persons life and produce healthful oxygen and humidity for the air A pot of herbs can be harvested for seasonings, teas, or garnish and grow easily on a window sill Pet stores are full of fun and unusual live gifts. You could give a hairy tarantula to someone on your list. These fuzzy legged fly catchers can be amusing and are guaranteed to spark active conversation and occasionally can empty an entire room when they make a surprise ap pearance. A tank full of tiny crabs that dance rythmn of their clicking pin- to the -' chers will keep both children and adults engrossed for hours. Brightly colored birds, some of whom can be taught to talk, make nice companions and lively pets Aquariums full of fish, frogs, snails and the like are always good choices. The rewards of raising cats and dogs is recognized by almost everyone sometime in their life and their popularity has never diminished. Before giving a pet it is a good idea to think through the persons living arrangements. Pets are cactus is another favorite because of its fluorescent colored bright blossoms. This year a number of holly trees have come on the market. These hardy plants can be put outside when the weather warms. Amaryllis and other bulb plants are found in abundance during the holiday season. When watered and tended for a few weeks the recipient is rewarded with some welcome winter flowers. By using your imagination you can come up with many other ideas for living gifts. What about an ant farm for someone who has everything? Maybe a yogurt culture for the gourmet in the family. Others may like some beans or alfalfa seeds to grow their own sprouts. Seed catalogs sell praying mantis egg sacks that can be kept in a jar -- - t: 4 y jit it No matter what kind of live gift you decide to give, it will be there long after the excitement of Christmas morning dies down and the other gifts are relegated to their place in the closet, on the shelf or in the belly of the consumer is.;;i : and the hatching process observed for an educational experience. There are exotic pets like snakes, giant lizards, and sea monkeys. Only give these to people with a compatible type of personality to match the pet or one or the other will suffer for '.tat -- V f V t. arsV'v"' tX'SV . -- v m - , : "S not allowed in some dwellings and not everyone has a place for the monkey or pony they have always wanted. There are many other living kinds of things that make good gifts. A sour dough start in an attractive crock or jar for storage is an excellent choice. Include an assortment of old family recipes to get the gift into use. LVS.I W ' f A- - Nurseries or the plant department if Christmas tree that can be planted outdoors in the spring is a thoughtful gift. These come in a variety of regular sized trees or in miniatures Poinsettia plants that come in pink, red and white will live on for years if cared for properly. The Christmas Open Now YOU WONT GET crabby over this little pet. It can put on a fine show in a tank of water. Melindas Sewing Center 73 No. 1200 W. Open 10 to 5 Mon. W 789-494- 3 Sat. Owner Melinda Barlow specializing in knits A Necchi Sergers A START OF sour dough can be given in an attractive jar or & 20 herbs, seeds, bulbs and cultures may be given as One Only! unusual live gifts. Sewing Machines Off Reg. price Demonstration Serger $275 Stretcti&jew' plus tax Patterns by Ann Person Classes offered Girls 1 Jr Ladies Cardigan & Vest Jogging Suits Girls & Ladies Popover Leotards designer & look-a-lik- prffp NO ONE COULD resist a white husky pup like Nika if they found her in their Christmas stocking. Nika belongs to Cathy Isaccs who raises, sells and shows this breed of dog. 4 r HOW ABOUT adopting a whole family of guinea pigs to share with someone you care about? of your local market is another place to search for nifty living gifts. A live ' , IT ONLY TAKES one hand to hug a loveable little hampster. mice and white rats also make amusing pets. Ger-bils- , Call Melinda Today es 789-494- 3 . |