Choosing the right gift for your very special friends and relations can be an interesting challenge. The challenge is to know your loved ones well enough to know what they want. Some make it difficult by buying everything they want before Christmas arrives; others make it difficult by not wanting anything.
This is when real creativity is necessary.
The gift of memories can be just the ticket for those who don’t want anything. Buying a paver for a local fundraiser not only honors a specific family member or the whole family, but also goes to a good cause. Consider two paver opportunities:
Pavers for sale at CVH
The Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation has announced an opportunity for the community to add a personal touch to the expansion of Cascade Valley Hospital.
The foundation is raising funds to create a roof garden by selling personalized pavers.
The roof garden is the result of a requirement by the state health department to provide natural light in some interior rooms, said the expansion project manager, Connie DiGregorio.
“Since the department of health required we open up that space on the second floor to provide light inside, we decided we might as well make it accessible to the public,” DiGregorio said.
The foundation then agreed to adopt the project and raise money to make it a public space for families and patients mobile enough to get there, DiGregorio said.
Foundation member, Barbara Tolbert said the goal is to create a peaceful, relaxing place.
“We are pursuing an Asian Zen sort of feeling,” Tolbert said.
“We plan to have a water feature with gurgling sounds,” DiGregorio said.
Pavers will be made of a composite organic material, rather than solid stone, to keep the weight down, Tolbert explained.
The deadline to order is Feb. 1, 2009, in order to complete the project for the grand opening of the expansion in September. The pavers are 16-by-16 inches with room for three lines and 14 spaces on each line. Cost is $100. Businesses who want to include their logo can buy the pavers for $1,000. To order, call Kelly Penny at 360-618-7849 or go to the Web site at www.CascadeValley.org.
Pavers for welcome center at Camp Killoqua
Personalize pavers are also being sold by Camp Fire USA of Snohomish County for Legacy Square at the Welcome Center of Camp Killoqua where thousands of people will see the names for years to come. Free cards are available to announce your gifts.
Each Paver is a triple gift, said Toby Brown.
“First to those you honor. Second helping Camp Fire USA Snohomish County Council qualify for the $100,000 construction ‘Top-Off’ Challenge Grant from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust; and third to the thousands of youth that will benefit in the years to come by the expansion at Camp Killoqua.”
Pavers start at $100. Those who meet the deadline of Dec. 15 will have their pavers in the first group installed. Paver forms are available at Camp Fire USA, 4312 Rucker in Everett, on line at www.CampFireUSASnohomish.org/capital.htm or for information call Toby Brown 425-258-5437 ext 227.
How about a soothing massage or other luxury treatment
For those who already have everything they ever wanted, then consider a massage, manicure or a day at the spa. The challenge may be to choose the right one, but Earthwise Healing Arts, at 437 N. Olympic Ave., in downtown Arlington offers an assortment as does Points & Pathways at 3710 168th St. NE, in Smokey Point.
Or how about some state-of-the-art fine quality lotions, like skin care from Lavenders at 437 N. Olympic, or lavender lotion and soaps made of lavender grown locally at the Lavender Hills Farm on (108th) Lauck Road in Marysville, which is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas.
Give the gift of health
Membership to athletic clubs may sound a bit too virtuous, but are sure to be appreciated come January. The Marysville YMCA offers gift certificates at 6420 60th Dr. NE in Marysville. Or try Curves, at 20265 74th Dr. NE, and the Stillaguamish Athletic Club, at 4417 172nd St. in Arlington.
Something practical?
How about renting some equipment so you and yours can finish a long-planned project together. Rex’s Rentals, at 525 West Ave., will fix you up, or stop by Arlington Hardware for the Carhartt clothing or a few boards for the new cabinet, at 215 N. Olympic Ave. The wife is sure to appreciate new flooring for the kitchen from Unique Interiors in Arlington or Van Dam’s in Marysville.
A new mattress from Everrest, at 1217 First St., in Marysville, should be good for the relationship.
Hobby supplies
Hobbyists are the easiest to buy for. Quilters can always use another pack of fabric or other paraphernalia, from The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe, 315 N. Olympic Ave.; Model makers never tire of a new project, go to the Old Silvana General Store, 1401 Pioneer Hwy, in Silvana; or how about a brand new baseball, soccer ball, or football from Action Sports, 430 N. Olympic Ave. in Arlington. An exotic plant, indoors and outdoors, is always welcome by the avid gardener, check out Sunnyside Nursery for a great selection, at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd. (Go Saturday, Dec. 13, when there is also an art show for another option for those art enthusiasts in your life.)
Or an adventure
Try a discovery flight from Out of the Blue Aviation at the Arlington Airport call 360-474–1060.
Good food and good wine
A variety of preserved fish can be acquired at Kasilof Fish Co. and the perfect wine to go with it, from The Wine Shop at Lakewood Commons (see the new business story on page A3) or WineStyles at 6608 64th St. NE in Marysville, which is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Or a good ol’ fashioned present
A purse or hat, a wall decoration, a new vase or other decorative items can be found at Unexpected Gatherings, 1515 Third St., in Marysville and at Favorite Pastime, 313 N. Olympic Ave., in Arlington. Flowers by George, at 335 N. Olympic in Arlington, has some fun hats, purses and many excellent decorative items, as does Details Home Decor & Gifts, at 4716 61st St. in Marysville.
Try a book on the history of this place
Autographed copies of “Clear the Deck!” by Cory Graff are available at Book Works bookstore. It’s a photo-essay book of aircraft carrier accidents of World War II written by the aviation historian at Flying Heritage Museum in Everett. The book is $16.95 at The Bookworks, 1510 Third St., Marysville.
