On the fourth Sunday of every July, we gather to recognize and commemorate the most overworked and underpaid workers who don’t mind doing it, 24/7/365: our parents.

This year, 2010, Parents’ Day falls on July 25. What will you do to honor your parents on this day?

1. Lazy Days

Do not let them do anything. Anything they want, get it for them. Need something at the store? No problem. You’ll get it. Need to do something around the house? Do it for them. Do the chores without them having to tell you. They’ll appreciate the day off.

2. Gifts

It’s not enough to give them gifts you made yourself. You have to give them gifts they will be able to use and actually need or want. Don’t make a mug for them if they already have a hundred in the cabinets. If your mom has been debating whether to grow a garden or not, go the extra mile and buy the tools and seeds she needs. If you want to go even further, plant them already ahead of time. If your dad needs to practice his golf swing, get him membership at a local driving range. Making the gifts as personal as possible (and not for your convenience) makes them appreciate the gesture more and feel your love even more.

3. Meals

Cook all their meals for them. And if you can’t do that, order the food ahead of time and prepare them at home. Going to restaurant may be convenient but sometimes trying to make it to a reservation and dealing with all the people there is more stressful than cooking a meal. Oh, and be sure to get their favorite foods. It is, after all, their day and it should be what they want.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you do it together. After all, that’s the whole point of Parents’ Day, to show your love and appreciation for them with them.

Enjoy Parents’ Day with your parents!

It’s time for the annual jokes about giving your father a tie — so I thought it would be a good time to find out what Father’s Day gifts dads have actually enjoyed getting over the years.

There were some surprises. Matthew Smith, a new father, says “I honestly love ties.” Maybe your dad does, too — you should know.

Most people’s suggestions fell into one of two categories: Spending time with your father doing something he likes, or high quality gifts based on his interests.

Chris Beem, for example, says, “The year before my dad died I gave him a deep sea fishing trip. He loved it because he hadn’t been in years. My dad, brother, and myself all went . . .”

The special activities don’t have to cost much. JAC remembers one year “I just took Father’s Day, and did everything he liked to do–we played volleyball with my aunts and uncles.” An all-request dinner and family bike ride followed. “It was just a really good day, and that happiness is something that is irreplaceable.”

When it comes to gifts you can wrap, Matthew Smith says, “I wouldn’t refuse an axe . . . something of heirloom quality. I am tired of disposable items.” He also suggests searching etsy.com for something locally made and useful, like bike baskets.

Bridget Delaney recalls about her late father: “He loved to make flies for fishing. The greatest thing we could get him was shiny tinsel stuff for his crafts or colorful dusters . . .”

Other good gifts, according to readers, were: matching leather jackets for the father and his only grandson, a handmade card that the father kept on his office wall for 20 years, golf or fishing gear, wine, and sports tickets.

It looks as if the best Father’s Day gifts are those that show you know — and care — what’s important to your father.

Do you keep the environment in mind when you shop for gifts for other people? Choosing a gift that is original and well suited to an individual that can do good things for the environment is a winner all the way.

Let us take a look at some eco-friendly gift giving ideas that can work regardless of whether the occasion is Christmas, Mother’s Day, a retirement, a house warming, etc.

Give the gift of life, which for the environment translates to a tree. Either purchase a “grow a tree” kit for someone special or find somewhere that you can dedicate a tree in someone’s honor. This is a gift that no one would expect, but one that demonstrates how much you truly care about the person.

For the gadget savvy person in your life who cannot live without a cell phone, Blackberry or iPod, buy them a solar powered gadget for it. In this way the individual can use the free, renewable and constant energy supply of the sun to power the important electronic device.

If you have the time and the energy to visit a selection of local food producers, then buy that special person in your life a variety of locally and organically grown fruits and vegetables. Buy a delightful basket or box to place the food items in. This gift option is delicious as well as healthy and will receive a thumbs up from the environment. You might have a hand in encouraging the recipient to become more conscious about what produce he or she purchases.

Are you a whiz in the kitchen? If yes, then you might want to whip up a batch of something homemade. Start from scratch and make jams, cookies, or whatever would suit the individual it is intended for the most. Perhaps some homemade jam for the homemade bran muffins would make an ideal gift that is environmentally sound!

How about a water barrel as a gift? For the recipient who lives in a house, as opposed to an apartment or condominium, this can make a very simple but worthwhile gift. A water barrel can collect and store rainwater, which can be used to water the garden and the lawn. This lends itself to a lower water bill and less consumption of water overall. Put away the hose and make use of the barrel instead!

Holidays are wonderful opportunities to tell the people closest to you how much they matter and to say thank you for their presence in your life. One way that many people choose to do this is by giving cards and gifts. Tokens of love, even those of the material kind, are always welcome.

It is important to bear in mind, however, that holiday gift giving does not have to be reserved for special holidays. You can create your own special occasions based on what is happening in your life and the lives of those around you. You might decide to present someone with a gift just because you saw something they would like while you were out shopping and wanted to say, “I love you.”

Case in point. Last week I was out strolling around at a second hand shop that sells everything from clothing to bedding to furniture to books and so on. I happened to walk down the aisle where bedding is sold, and something caught my eye. It was a beautiful big throw with a picture of two lion cubs on it. It was gorgeous, and to make matters even better, it was brand new! The packaging was still on it. I knew right away that my mother would adore it. It looked cozy and warm, and it featured baby animals on it. It was a gift for a non-holiday, but it made her happy, so that made my day, too.

Holidays are important times but think of all of the other days of the year. Every day needs to be celebrated, and if you wish to do so with a token of thanks, love and appreciation then by all means do it! If you want to buy someone a gift or bake them a tasty treat, then by all means don’t let anything stop you from doing so!

Say whatever you need to say whenever you need to say it with lots of love and enthusiasm. Bear in mind that the gifts you give for non-holidays do not have to be pricey or grandiose. They need only to be given from the heart. If an occasion warrants a small gift, then be the bearer of that gift.

When it comes to giving gifts in the corporate world it is not the same as the gift giving that takes place among informal circles (in other words, your family and friends). While gift giving is most common during the Christmas season, there are other holidays and occasions throughout the year where it may be called for.

Giving gifts in the corporate world is often about showing employees how much they are valued for their efforts. It also might be a way to thank your clients for their continued business. It also might be a more personal gift, such as for a client who has recently gotten married or had a baby.

Before sending a gift, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the company’s policy on gifts. You want your gift to be well received and memorable and for that reason, entirely appropriate. Inquire if the company has a written manual on such and then do your research before buying a gift. It is also useful to get a handle on what the receiver of the gift likes. You don’t want to send chocolate to a person who is allergic or send coffee to someone who only drinks tea. If you are not privy to what the person likes, then it is always a safe choice to send a gift that would be appropriate for the office.

Remember that the gift you send does not just say something about you but the business you work for as well. What message do you wish to convey with your gift? Aim for a classy and timeless gift of good quality.

There are lots of gifts that would fit the bill. Gift baskets are high on the list. Who would not enjoy a selection of different foods and/or a delectable fruit basket? Gift baskets are always winners in corporate America!

Choose Your Packaging Wisely

The gift you choose is important but so is the packaging it comes in. Buy the best quality wrapping supplies that you can afford, as well as the nicest card. The personal touch always wins top marks, so customize the gift if you can. Even if you order a gift over the Internet, a handwritten card or note will speak volumes to the recipient.

Everyone is not equally adept when it comes to wrapping gifts. Despite my valiant efforts, I have wrapped my share of less than picture perfect looking gifts!

There is no tried and true formula for choosing gift wrap that is becoming to the eye or for wrapping a gift in an ideal manner. It is more a game of trial and error. Try different things and see what works (but have fun trying!).

If you want to wrap a gift for a birthday, graduation or holiday that will convey a message of specialness to the recipient, then it is important that you put some creativity into it, as well as a dose of your unique personality. It is also important to remember that it is practice that can improve your skill at gift wrapping.

Shopping for Gift Wrap

When you shop for gift wrap, use wrapping paper as your starting off point. Choose the color you want or the design you want, and then you can buy ribbon that either matches or contrasts. Or you might want to buy two different shades of the same- one dark and another light.

Next buy fancy bows or whatever you wish to give the gift some real charm and character. For example, you might decide to buy red wrapping paper and then buy a silver ribbon and matching bow. The choice is up to you.

Then it is time to buy a tag for the person’s name. There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to name tags, or you might decide to have a card and no name tag.

Finally, you need a sharp pair of scissors and some good quality tape. You can buy tape dispensers that fit comfortably on your wrist and allow for pre-cut sizes of tape. This makes the wrapping process much simpler.

Basic Rules of Gift Wrapping

There are a few basic rules of gift wrapping that it helps to know.

• Start with an appropriate size of wrapping paper.
• Cut it to the size you require and make sure the paper is tight when you wrap it. Loose will not work!
• Have your tape ready when you need it.
• Neatly fold down any edges that have not fallen into place.

Now how does it look?