Happy Mother’s Day! I associate this weekend with flowers and planting. Maybe not this year with the chilly weather, but it is usually safe to plant flowers on Mother’s Day weekend. Gift me a live plant to put outside or a hanging basket and I’m a happy woman. Flowers just seem to brighten any day.

What do you get someone who has everything? It is always a struggle to come up with something different. At a certain point of downsizing and realizing you have too much stuff, the last thing most people need is more stuff.

Here are some gift ideas for year round gifting that don’t require a box. Reminder: Father’s Day is June 16^th.

Newburgh Pottery

Located just around the corner from the historic Washington Headquarters: 102 South William St, Newburgh, NY,

201 741 3552, www.thenewburghpottery.com , Info@thenewburghpottery.com

Newburgh Pottery opened in September 2018 by Husband and Wife team, David and Jenny Moldover. They are a ceramic design and production studio that also offers 8 week courses, weekly 1 time workshops, and studio memberships for experienced potters and ceramicists who are looking for an affordable, low hassle, stress free place to do their work, and a community to be a part of. They do custom orders and gift certificates.

OMGbrows

2 Union Street, Montgomery NY 12549, 845-769-7307, www.omgbrows.com

This is beautiful little spa boutique in the village of Montgomery, New York. They specialize in eyebrow styling, eyelashes and facials and carry their own line of OMGbrows eyebrow cosmetics as well as skincare and specialty products. They offer gift certificates, a just for men menu and beauty parties for any occasion.

A Gift of Desmond

Desmond Campus for Adult Enrichment

6 Albany Post Road, Newburgh 12566    845-565-2076, desmondcampus@msmc.edu

Gift Certificates are available year round and can be obtain for any special occasion. They can be in any domination needed, just call 845-565-2076 or stop by to purchase one.

The Desmond offers Day Trips, tech classes (how to use your new camera, Phone, iPad), Book clubs, art classes, art history/music history, language classes, wine tasting classes, healthy classes, exercise classes, our famous speaker series and so much more.  You can view the brochure on www.msmc.edu/communityed

Gift of Art

Find an artist you like and either commission them or take lessons with them. There are so many talented local artists to choose from. Over the years, I have acquired quite a few pieces of art by local artists. Finding that special piece of art that speaks to you is quite easy. Visit a local gallery, art school, studio tour, artisan fair or search online. You will find you don’t have to look too hard or go to far. When art connects to your heart, you know you found that special piece to bring home.

Laura J Bolle: known for her animal portraits but also paints people. I have her beautiful painting of a house hanging in my house that I love.

http://www.bolleartstudio.com, bolleart@yahoo.com

Nancy Reed Jones: private lessons, paint & sip classes for art or painted items like flower pots.

Nartist57@aol.com, www.nancyreedjones.com

Bruce Young: Pen and ink house portraits.

theartofbruceyoung.com, bruceyoungart@gmail.com

Gift Certificates to favorite restaurants, spas or services that the recipient needs or wants or frequents regularly are great ideas too.

Claudia Jacobs is professional stager, decorator and owner of Claudia Jacobs Designs in Newburgh. Visit claudiajacobsdesigns.com or call 294-8993. Send questions and photos to ClaudiaJacobsDesigns@gmail.com.