Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: We all know elderly shut-ins or residents of nursing homes to whom we would like to give gifts. But what to choose?

Their needs are few and many resist accumulating more possessions. Here is the solution of a talented sister-in-law who saw a need and fulfilled it in a most unusual manner. Each month for a year she purchased and set aside three greeting cards appropriate to that month: thank-you cards for January, Valentine’s Day cards for February and so on.

All envelopes were stamped. Then, each group of three cards was gift-wrapped in pretty paper, also suitable to the month and labeled. The packages were placed in monthly order, with January’s on top and the whole group tied together with a ribbon. Thus, at Christmastime she had on hand a thoughtful, useful gift - an entire year’s worth of greeting cards the shut-in could send to recipients of her choice. - Trudi

What a thoughtful gift idea! Thank you! - Heloise