16 The Queens Courier • holiday • december 19, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com s holiday guide Natural ways to spread cheer The holidays are a time for celebrating, reflecting on the past year and exchanging gifts with friends and family. However, unique and meaningful ideas can be a daunting task. Gifts that keep giving and growing are a perfect solution. Plants are not just beautiful, but also cheer up any space and even improve air quality in a home or office space. When gifting plants: Give care: Always include care instructions for the plant gift. Even the most experienced indoor plant grower appreciates a little help. Most live goods come with suggested light feeding and watering recommendations. If the plant selected does not have these care instructions, ask before leaving the nursery so the recipient can keep this lovely gift green. Customize the plant to the person: Flowers, succulents, cacti, tropicals and even bulbs can make great presents. The varieties and combinations are as endless as the personalities on your gift list. It is important to match the plant to the recipient. For instance, a plant needing daily watering would not make a good gift for a constant traveler. Instead, give them an interesting cactus or succulent, which needs less frequent care. For an artistic friend, try a terrarium that can be customized to their tastes. The more sophisticated giftee may appreciate a colorful and delicate orchid. For those with asthma or allergies, plants like palms, peace lilies and ferns do an excellent job of improving air quality and filtering out toxins. Containers make a difference: Those boring, plastic pots that house most plants are not very attractive or personal. Pop your plants into colorful ceramic, glass, wood or even metal containers for a more interesting and personal touch. Inexpensive terra cotta pots can be painted in bright or metallic-colored paint, large coffee cups as containers can add a quirky element or baskets can be lined with plastic and used to hold small pots. When repotting plants yourself, make sure to use a highquality potting mix such as Miracle-Gro Potting Mix or Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix. Also, keep in mind that specialty plants like cacti, African violets and orchids may perform better in special potting mixes. When in doubt, ask the nursery for recommendations. For presentation, wrap foil, paper or cellophane around the outside of the container and use fabric bows or raffia to add a finishing touch. Plants at the party: Little gifts from nature go a long way in spreading the holiday cheer to friends, family and neighbors. When hosting a party, offer little mementos for your guests to take home. Try a small terra cotta pot painted gold and planted with rosemary or thyme and tied with a lovely ribbon Or, maybe small, colorful pots filled with soil and a bulb to add a pop of spring to the winter months. Add a photo of the flower your guest can expect and directions on forcing the bulb to the gift tag. Whether paying a call on friends or attending a party, host or hostess gifts are another fun way to spread holiday cheer. Poinsettia, amaryllis and Christmas cactus are seasonal favorites. RICHER’S BAKERY & CAFé “Fine Continental Baking & Cooking” • Cakes for All Occasions wedding Cakes our sPeCialty haPPy holidays oPen ChristMas day! Cookie Platters Made to order Beautiful & delicious gingerBread houses GinGerbread boys & Girls • GinGerbread Cookies • GinGerbread spiCe Cakes Apple • Blueberry • Peach • Cherry • Pecan • Mincemeat • Apple Pecan • Lemon Meringue Chocolate Cream or Mousse • holiday stollen & fruit Cake holiday Cookies Santa • Snowmen • Leaves • Florentines Decorated Cupcakes • Meringue Kisses Bouche de Noel Cake Decorated Layer Cakes • Tropical Fruit Pies • Apple Strudel Fresh Apple Cake • Apple Caramel Pie assorted Pies enjoy Breakfast & lunch at richer’s • Large variety of bagels, muffins, danishes & rolls • Eggs, Any Style • Spinach Eggs • Egg White Omelets • Smoked Salmon w/Li & Capers • Veggie Burger • Goat, Feta Cheese • Chicken, Tuna & Whitefish Salads • Large selection of Non-Dairy Cakes • Poppy Seed Strudel Sugar Free Sponge Cake, Plain or Marble, Rugalach, Mandel Bread, Cookies Macaroons • Italian Pastry • Cannoli • Tiramisu • Lobster Tails now taking orders holiday Platters Catering hot souP Sugar free & gluten free productS available 718-631-7004 www.richersbakery.com To All My Friends Wishing You Happy and Healthy Holidays ! Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney GRAND OPENING! COLOR GEL Now $20 (reg $25) All coupons cannot be combined. Expires 3/1/2014. MASSAGE 20% OFF All coupons cannot be combined. Expires 3/1/2014. ALL SERVICES 10% OFF All coupons cannot be combined. Expires 3/1/2014. ALL WAXING 20% OFF All coupons cannot be combined. Expires 3/1/2014. Customers Come in for your Free Gift! PEDICURE AND MANICURE $18 EVERYTHING NEW! 14-35 150th Street Whitestone, NY 11357 718.767.3232 Fax: 718.746.3232 Mon-Sat: 8:30am-9:30pm Sun: 9am-9pm www.nailstore32.com Gift Certifi cates Available E-mail: [email protected] • CHOCOLATE MONDEL BREAD • STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE 249-14 Horace Harding Blvd. • little neck (Exit 32 off LIE Service Road) • BREAD: RYE, CORN, PUMPERNICKEL • ROLLS • HAMENTASHEN • CHIFFON CAKE • NAPOLEONS • ECLAIRS • DANISH • CANNOLIS Mon-Sat: 6aM-7pM Sun: 6aM-6pM late HourS For HolidaYS • BLACK FOREST CAKE • CHEESECAKE • TROPICAL FRUIT CAKE
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