Holiday Gift Ideas

I know it's only August, but my husband's birthday is coming up and to me that signals the start of the end of the year. I like to plan ahead, so here are some thoughts on holiday gift ideas:

• Gift baskets: I love gift baskets, and I love making them, too. One of my favorite ideas (although I've never made this particular one) is to take an empty bucket of popcorn (available at movie rental stores) and fill it with movies (or rental gift certificates), giant size candy, and popcorn. This would make such a great gift for a family.
• Memberships: A family membership to the Los Angeles Zoo is $65, and includes unlimited admission for two adults, all of their children and/or grandchildren ages 2-17, and reciprocal admission to zoos and aquariums throughout the country. Memberships at museums work much the same way.
• Cookies: Before I had a child, I often gave baked goods away at the holidays. (Now that I have a baby, I don't think I'll be doing marathon baking sessions for at least a few years!) The wonderful thing about baked goodies is that almost everyone appreciates them and they don't become clutter. I like to plan ahead, though, deciding what I'm going to make (chocolate lovers adore brownies), what doughs will freeze well so I can do that part well ahead of time, and how I'm going to package them. One year I made the mistake of presenting cookies in stacked origami boxes - it took me about a month to fold all of the boxes, and I promised myself I'd never do that again!

I'll have more suggestions in the near future!