In a Twinkling: Instant Gifts
Chocolate Lover's Delight (about $40) Who can resist chocolate? If your chocolate lover is also a cook, assemble these essentials: a chocolate cookbook, a nutmeg grater for grating chocolate, a tea-size sieve for sifting cocoa, a miniature whisk, a variety of chocolates (cocoa powder, chocolate chips, baking chocolate squares), assorted gourmet instant hot chocolate mixes, and a few truffles. Package everything in a papier-mache box painted to look like milk chocolate.
Dress-Up Kit (about $15) For a girl age five or six to nine or 10, this dress-up kit will bring squeals of delight. Shop yard sales and thrift stores for fancy dresses, old hats, glitzy shoes, evening bags, and costume jewelry. You can find feather boas at crafts stores. Pack everything in an old suitcase.
Doggie Indulgences ($50) For the dog owner, a galvanized tub (handy for bath time) filled with essentials will make a welcome gift. Some items to include: a wool blanket (to cover the car seat when traveling with a pet), grooming brush and conditioning shampoo, rawhide chew bones, personalized food and water bowls, specialty dog food, a leather collar and leash, and (if you're up to it) a coupon for dog-sitting, bathing, or walking.
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