Growing bonsai is an art that needs total commitment. These miniature trees need a lot of attention and will quickly die if they don’t get it. There are a few things you should be aware of before you begin growing your first bonsai. You have to keep in mind that you are dealing with a living, growing tree that needs proper care.

Many people wonder what the big deal is when it comes to growing a bonsai tree. It’s just an indoor plant that needs water and light, isn’t it? If this is your attitude toward the art of creating bonsai, don’t even get started.

A healthy bonsai requires environmental factors that are just right. Room temperature and lighting must be carefully monitored. It’s essential that you give it the correct quantities of fertilizer and water. Bonsais are fragile and it doesn’t take much to kill them.

Here are a few tips to help ensure that your indoor bonsai trees will thrive.

1. Give it enough water to make sure the roots receive what they need. The quantity will depend on the species you are raising. And be certain that there’s good drainage because you don’t want water accumulating at the roots.

2. The right lighting conditions are also important for your bonsai’s health. It’s best to keep it shielded from direct sunlight between 11 am to 2 pm, when the sun is at its hottest.

3. Give your bonsai appropriate nutrients to help it thrive. Use mild fertilizers specifically formulated for bonsai. It needs to be fed during the growing season only, not while it’s dormant.

4. In order for your bonsai to stay healthy, you need to repot it occasionally. Check the guidelines for your particular species so you know how often to repot.

5. Tropical or subtropical bonsai plants have special needs. During the cold months, you’ll have to keep them protected from winter conditions. Make sure they’re located far away from exterior doors that let in cold air.

6. As your bonsai becomes adjusted to its surroundings, don’t tend to it unnecessarily. Hold off on the pruning shears for a while. In the first year, your main concern should be that the tree is healthy and alive. Just make sure it has sufficient water, light and fertilizer.

Once you have the basics down, you can start to learn more about pruning and shaping your bonsai. As you become more skilled in the art of bonsai, you will experience tremendous satisfaction and pride in your handiwork.

Looking for a special way to show your appreciation to someone? Why not make up a cookie gift basket. Just about everyone has a sweet tooth when it comes to cookies, and there are so many different flavors to choose from, and endless possibilities for how to arrange and package this yummy treat.

You don’t have to know a lot about a person to give them cookie gift baskets, so it’s a perfect present to show your appreciation to your hair stylist, a favorite teacher, the mail carrier, or the paper boy or girl. On the other hand, it’s also simple to individualize a cookie basket for a loved one by picking out a favorite treat and wrapping it up in a personal manner. Both ways, you’re likely to bring out a smile.

You’ll want the cookies to be fresh-baked, so either make them yourself if you’re a talented baker, or purchase them from a quality bakery or gourmet cookie shop. The hardest decision in making your cookie gift basket will likely be what kind of cookies to choose. If you don’t know the person well, an assorted variety is the best way to go. If the gift is for your favorite “cookie monster”, and they’re crazy for chocolate well, you know what to do.

Choose an attractive basket or cookie tin and arrange your goodies decoratively. Use pretty cellophane or a gift basket bag to wrap your gift, and then tie it up with a large, colorful bow. Attach a card with a personal message. These little touches will show you care.

You might want to have a theme for the decorations on your cookie gift basket. For birthdays, use fun, festive colors and include some birthday candles or party favors in with the cookies. Christmas calls for red and green, and pretty satin or velvet ribbons and bows. At Halloween , you can wrap up cookies shaped like ghosts and pumpkins, and use orange and black for your decorations.

Different occasions also call for different flavors. Spices such as ginger and cinnamon are ideal for Christmas cookies. Halloween and Thanksgiving cookies could be pumpkin flavored.

Keep in mind that there are those with special dietary needs who can’t eat sugar or products containing wheat or gluten. Some bakeries have cookies to meet these and other needs such as diabetes. You can also look for a recipe that meets the person’s requirements and make up a batch of your own special cookies. Sugar substitutes are available that can replace the real thing in baked products.

With all the types of cookies available and fun ideas for packaging, making up a cookie gift basket is sure to be a pleasure for you. Not to mention a real treat for the person on the receiving end.