I highly doubt I know a single person who doesn't love Italian food! Who doesn't like the aromas of rich pesto sauce, hot onions, and newly made breadsticks? If anyone knows how to do comfort food, it's the Italians! Unfortunately, I don't have a drop of Italian blood in me, but despite this, that does not mean I do not appreciate the culture, language, and obviously the food and wine. Because I myself do not come from an Italian family, I am inspired by the ceremony and traditions that define an Italian dinner table. I have learned a bit about typical Italian table manners and have decided to share a few of them here. First, before beginning the meal, any newby should know that an Italian meal is not a hassled occasion, but might last as long as three hours. This means, sit back, relax, and relish your food slowly. It is conventional for every single guest to bring a favored dish to contribute. What this means is there may be as many as ten courses in a meal. At this point I'd like to suggest a piece of advice not to serve yourself too much too fast. 
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Comfort Food Gifts Italian Style
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A Great Choice Organic Baby Gifts
Corporate perks include time off, free meals, health programs and an specialgift for life events like the birth of a new baby. Corporate gifting is always an imperative choice since you want it to be useful and appreciated. Therefore, something well thought out is very important. So what to send to the infant. Many of our best business customers at BasketsbyRita send gift baskets to their employees when a new baby is born. They order everything from our Organic Baby girl gift basket, baby boy bassinet gift basket, New Baby gift basket and our baby girl gift basket or our baby boy gift basket. 
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Gifts For Thanksgiving Food Abundant
Since the 1800's, American citizens have recognized Thanksgiving by imitating the vision of the pilgrims and the Indians meeting together for a friendly meal. As nice as this vision of friendship may be, it is not the reality. The story of pilgrims and Indians was one of unreciprocated camaraderie. while the Indians presented the pilgrims with supplies and skills to make do their first winter the pilgrims thanked them by declaring war and laying siege to them. Even though this is not what we prefer to think about as we join together to feast with our loved ones, maybe it offers a new aspect to the season. The pilgrims were ravenous and immoral. They took from the Indians and repaid them in the most severe ways possible. Maybe instead of imitating the romanticized story of the pilgrims and Indians as pals each Thanksgiving, we should look back on the betrayal the Indians endured at the hands of their "friends" the pilgrims. Now I don't mean that Thanksgiving should be a solemn day of reflection and remembrance, but perhaps we should take the day to consider our own friendships. Of all the things we offer thanks for on Thanksgiving, the men and women we cherish should be at the very top. 
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Send Joy In a Well Chosen Gift
A few days ago I received fantastic news... I am going to be an auntie (again)! One of my lifelong friends just discovered that she's having a baby and in about six months we will all be greeting a little baby into this world. The second she told me the news I started thinking about a baby shower, welcome gifts, and all the toys, diapers and apparel that this infant is going to need. I began looking on the internet for items to welcome a new little one and I stumbled across the Bearington Baby collection from Bearington Bear. Bearington Bear has been in business for 14 years and in that short time they have won more design awards and nominations than any other teddy bear manufacturer. Not only are their products nice and soft, but they are made to last. This seemed like the style of product I wanted. I don't think there's anything more special to a youngster than their favorite teddy or blankie. Often, by the time the child turns six, the teddy or blankie which they've hung on to since birth is so used that it becomes an eyesore that mama would rather not hang on to. This is sad when you consider all the great memories these cuddly items stir up. Not to mention the security they provide the little one. 
Monday, May 9, 2011
Celebarte Congratulations Graduates!
Graduation is a significant life event for anyone. Whether graduating from a bachelor's program or earning a doctorate, graduation is an achievement worth celebrating. In the United States, achieving 57% of the population between the ages of 3 and 34 are enrolled in some type of training. Whether attending cosmotology school, medical school, or elementary school, these individuals are taking steps toward a brighter future. Of this 57%, only several will truly complete high school and then of course postsecondary institutions as well. In 2009, 8.1% of High School Students dropped out of class before graduating. Of those who had started as Freshman in the class of 2006, around 75% graduated. When investigating Postsecondary Schools, the number of individuals who graduate are even smaller. In 2001, 38% of worthy students of 2 year establishments graduated in conjunction with 65% from 4 year establishments. This confirms that it takes hard work and devotion to complete an education and this is why we should commend those who see it through. A friend of mine recently moved from Rhode Island to Colorado to finish his education half way across the country. He is lucky enough to attend a university with a few campuses across the county which allows him to transfer his credits without restraint from one campus to the next. He did not leave because he was unsatisfied with the city in Rhode Island or in order to experience another school. His only reason for heading to Colorado was so that his family in California could go to his graduation ceremony. My friend is from a large Mexican family and he is the first among them to graduate from university. For his family this means there will be a huge party that may last several days. He will not only be surrounded by loved ones and lots of great food, but he can look forward to the charity of gifts. Gift giving is an important part of any graduation celebration, because it grants family and friends an opportunity to convey to the graduate that they are proud of them. Giving gifts is a form of showing that you support what the graduate is doing for their self as they prepare for their future. As the graduation season approaches, consider the relevance of the words “Congratulations!” Whether said with money, presents useful for a future career, or a custom made Pamper Her Gift , recognition for a job well done means just as much as the self satisfaction a graduate gets from their recent accomplishment. 
Thursday, April 28, 2011
A Red and A White For Dear Old Dad's Day
Can you believe that Father's Day has officially only been around since 1972. It took 4 presidents and a Maine senator to at last make it official. Mother’s Day had been around for nearly 60 years by then. Sonora Smart was the first person to advocate Father’s Day to recognize her Father who was left to raise his 6 children when his wife died giving birth to their 6th child. It was then proposed to complement Mother’s day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. Currently Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates around the planet and typically involves giving gifts, amazing dinners to dads, and family-oriented activities. To help in support of Father’s day young members of the YMCA went to church sporting a rose: a red rose to recognize a living father, and a white rose to honor a deceased one. Perhaps surprisingly enough Father's Day was at risk of disappearing from the calendar while Mother's Day was met with excitement, Father's Day was often met with snickering. Not all dads are exactly alike! OK, so you’re thinking what in the world can I purchase my dad for Father’s day? I don’t live at home any more and have no idea what he wants. You aren’t truly considering purchasing a gift card to Lowe’s or Home Depot are you? That’s about as personal as a another wool sweater. 
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Take A Little Time to Chill
If you know a tax preparer, CPA, new lawyer or a college student, you may be aware of the stresses they go through this time of year. Preparing for and cranking through reams of paperwork or cramming for midterms, finals, or that big test can really take it out of someone. You often can’t be there to help them, but want to show them that you are thinking of them. We don’t think it’s appropriate for you to stress out trying to find something to reduce their stress, so we have a few ideas. These are easy to choose and effortless to order if you feel it’s correct for your situation. These items are organized in two categories – first items to help someone suffer through the peak period. These are frequently caffeine and chocolate rich items that will help keep them going. Second are items to help them wind down. One thing busy people can always use is a few munchies to hold them over until their next meal or to help them with their “all nighter”. Baskets by Rita has a handful of appropriate ideas for gifts that can help that student, lawyer or CPA during those long days. For the caffeine dependent night owl, there’s the Chocolate and Coffee basket that puts together assorted chocolates with Starbucks frappuchino and coffees. Here are two tastes they will enjoy and keep things cranking into the wee hours. If they don't drink coffees but could still use a bit of caffeine, a stress relief basket might be the perfect gift. This basket includes a can of Red Bull with a decent variety of munchies. They also get a stress ball to squeeze when a client (or professor) is being extremely difficult. The survival gift basket is another nice choice. It contains caffeine both in the Monster drink as well as the frappuccino. It also contains a healthy mix of fast munchies to to get them through. OK, so much for the caffeine laden choices. You can really help them relax after a endless day. If caffeine is the last thing they should have, you might choose something to help them relax after a stressful day. Our first option is focused on the hard-working female. A very good choice for relaxation is the Luxury Spa Gift Basket. This comes in a galvanized metal tub filled with lotions, scrubs, soaps and even a relaxing CD. This is undoubtedly the most romantic choice on this list. A gift that will relieve the overstressed frantic people in your life is a gift indeed. If you like this article please follow us on Facebook or Twitter. http://www.basketsbyrita.com http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Chocolate-and-Coffee-Gift-Basket_p_56.html http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Stress-Relief-Gift-Basket_p_50.html http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Survival-Gift-Basket_p_52.html http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Luxury-Spa-Gift-Basket_p_143.html http://www.facebook.com/basketsbyrita http://twitter.com/basketsbyrita Helping fight the stresses of this time of year If you know a tax preparer, CPA, new lawyer or a college student, you may be aware of the stresses they go through this time of year. Preparing for and cranking through reams of paperwork or cramming for midterms, finals, or that big test can really take it out of someone. You often can’t be there to help them, but want to show them that you are thinking of them. We don’t think it’s appropriate for you to stress out trying to find something to reduce their stress, so we have a few ideas. These are easy to choose and effortless to order if you feel it’s correct for your situation. These items are organized in two categories – first items to help someone suffer through the peak period. These are frequently caffeine and chocolate rich items that will help keep them going. Second are items to help them wind down. One thing busy people can always use is a few munchies to hold them over until their next meal or to help them with their “all nighter”. Baskets by Rita has a handful of appropriate ideas for gifts that can help that student, lawyer or CPA during those long days. For the caffeine dependent night owl, there’s the Chocolate and Coffee basket that puts together assorted chocolates with Starbucks frappuchino and coffees. Here are two tastes they will enjoy and keep things cranking into the wee hours. If they don't drink coffees but could still use a bit of caffeine, a stress relief basket might be the perfect gift. This basket includes a can of Red Bull with a decent variety of munchies. They also get a stress ball to squeeze when a client (or professor) is being extremely difficult. The survival gift basket is another nice choice. It contains caffeine both in the Monster drink as well as the frappuccino. It also contains a healthy mix of fast munchies to to get them through. OK, so much for the caffeine laden choices. You can really help them relax after a endless day. If caffeine is the last thing they should have, you might choose something to help them relax after a stressful day. Our first option is focused on the hard-working female. A very good choice for relaxation is the Luxury Spa Gift Basket. This comes in a galvanized metal tub filled with lotions, scrubs, soaps and even a relaxing CD. This is undoubtedly the most romantic choice on this list. A gift that will relieve the overstressed frantic people in your life is a gift indeed. If you like this article please follow us on Facebook or Twitter. http://www.basketsbyrita.com http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Chocolate-and-Coffee-Gift-Basket_p_56.html http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Stress-Relief-Gift-Basket_p_50.html http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Survival-Gift-Basket_p_52.html http://www.basketsbyrita.com/Luxury-Spa-Gift-Basket_p_143.html http://www.facebook.com/basketsbyrita http://twitter.com/basketsbyrita
Friday, March 4, 2011
Home Spa Mothers Day Idea
Gifts Mother’s Day as we know it is a relatively recent holiday, though it is not a “Hallmark holiday” designed to sell more cards. There are a number of Mothering day or mommy-focused holidays in history like Mothering Day in the UK, Cybele in ancient Greece, or Mothering Sunday in much of Europe. Mother’s Day was developed by Anna Jarvis in 1912. Mother’s day was specifically chosen to be a singular possessive meaning it was meant for each family to honor their mother, not plural possessive that would be used to commemorate all the mothers of the world. Following congressional passage, It was officially established on May 9, 1914 when president Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s day as a national holiday to be observed on the 2nd Sunday of May. Mother’s Day has thereafter observed by many other countries and cultures. In many cases, the date was changed to fit current celebrations or to complement with a significant date in which the majority are based on religion. As a result, Mother’s Day is celebrated in February in Norway and on December 22nd in Indonesia, with a number of other dates in between celebrated by other societies. One of the ceremonies of Mother’s Day is to give your mom a gift along with positive wishes as a way to honor her. If you live near by (and are visiting your mom regularly!) you almost certainly have a good idea what to get her. However, those of us that don’t live close by can be at a total loss. Consider the activities Mom likes a perhaps send her a surprise with that theme. Gift baskets are superb when it comes to gifts with a theme. If your mom enjoys golf there are golf themed baskets. Quite possibly she is into tea and relaxation then buy a nice tea baskets or a relaxing pamper gift basket. Maybe she enjoys fine wine and you know she wants red wine or white wine or even champagne. There are numerous great wine gift baskets to choose from that feature wine to make sure that would make a appropriate mother’s day gift basket. The options are many and what a gift baskets does, is give you a nice assortment of goodies that she will enjoy with the theme she will appreciate. Rather than sending kitchen gadgets yet again this year, you could consider a Relaxation Gift Basket. This beautiful spring gift basket has everything she'll need to relax and pamper herself. A fresh vanilla citrus scent will relax and invigorate! A keepsake woven basket is the perfect tub side accessory. This relaxation gift basket is wrapped in cello and tied with a citrus green bow. Available in different prices and you can even add champagne. Includes two Body Lotions, Moisturizing Bath Foam, Bar Soap, two Hand Lotions, Relaxing Bath Salts, Sugar Scrub, Exfoliating Body Scrub, Hand Soap, Hand Cream, Bath Mitt, and a wooden Soap Dish. 
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Easter Gifts Filled For Kids
Easter remembers Jesus Christ’s resurrection, making it the ultimate essential of all Christian holy days. However, at this time the meaning of the holiday is covered by dyed eggs and rabbits. Easter can fall at any time between March 22 and April 25 since is occurs the first Sunday after the full moon. Easter is also related to the Jewish Passover in symbolism and it’s location in the calendar. What’s with Bunnies and eggs and Easter? Well the bunny is a well know sexual image of fertility. Religions connected with Babel associate the rabbit with periodicity, both human and lunar. The Mother Goddess Semiramis (Easter) is related with the moon. Therefore, the Easter bunny characterizes the Mother Goddess and is associated with once a year Spring time fertility rituals worshiping the Mother Goddess. Dyed Easter eggs are a part of the activities too that came from the egg which was a sanctified symbol among the Babylonians. They assumed that a wonderful size egg dropped from heaven into the Euphrates River from which the Goddess Semiramis was born. It makes you wonder how many of us honestly think about the actual meaning of this holiday besides the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It has grown to be another retail holiday and very commercialized. However, it is a time for families to join and enjoy the day. 
Monday, January 17, 2011
Her Valentine's Day Love Thoughts
Love is in the air and in the Chocolate around the middle of February. Every Valentine’s Day it feels like people give the exact same thing. A box of chocolates, a cheesy teddy bear, bath products, sexy intimate apparel, jewelry, it’s all so predictable! While nearly all people wouldn’t complain about receiving a gift from someone they love, there have got to more personal ways of proving your love and affection. If you feel like your gifts are becoming gushy from year to year and you want to step it up a notch, why not make something yourself that says that you took the time to create something that comes from your heart. Not only will this mean more, but it will be unique and genuinely communicate your feelings in a way that no greeting card can. Here are some ideas that will show you really care. You could Create a coupon book that they can redeem at any time. Include coupons for a free massage, dinner and a movie, a night out at a fancy restaurant, or a day exempt from cleaning. Each coupon should be an opportunity for you to show them you love them by pampering them or cutting them some slack and giving them a chance to relax. These are great ways to show that special someone how much you really care on that one day of the year declared I love you day. There are lots creative ideas for creating romance without spending lots of money such as Make your own chocolate covered strawberries. Dip strawberries in dark, milk, or white chocolate and cover them in sprinkles, chocolate chips, cinnamon, or cookie crumbs. You can also leave them plain for a more classic take. Lay them out on a nice tray in the bedroom, living room, or kitchen and enjoy them together I love Valentines day with all this positive energy of love and romance and caring. If all else fails you could Create a scavenger hunt. Come up with clever clues which you can write out on decorative clue cards leading your loved one around town or just around the house from one clue to the next. At the end, present them with a gift or set the mood with a romantic hideaway which they’ve worked for by answering all of the clues correctly.