Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff answers:

The basics are not just attractive in foliage, bot useful in the kitchen.Of course they will be still small by mother’s day and depending on where you live ,will have to be kept inside until it warms up.Purple basil,green basil,parsley,thyme(drapes nicely)but be mindful it attracts bees.tarragon,chives and oregano are wonderful selections.That’s agreat gift!

GardenersCardiff answers:

I saw this the other day on TV and it seemed really cool for a dorm or really for anyone’s vanity/bathroom:
http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.CM_SCID.COLL.item.H164200.desc.Tabletop-Spinning-Cosmetic-Organizer-by-Lori-Greiner

If you want to include something special for your sister in your gift basket maybe a piece of jewelry would be nice. You can even get her a jewelry organizer and put the piece that you buy for her in it. Maybe something like this:
http://home-solutions.hsn.com/over-the-door-space-saving-jewelry-armoire-with-mirror_p-6215976_xp.aspx?webm_id=0&web_id=6215976&sf=hw&dept=hw0034&cat=hw0052&ocm=HW|hw0034|hw0052&prev=hp!sf!dept!cat&ccm=HW|hw0034|hw0052

Jewelry suggestions:
http://www.handmadegiftplace.com/Emily-Rosenfeld-Pewter-Wish-Come-True-Pendant.html
http://www.handmadegiftplace.com/Cynthia-Gale-Secret-Garden-Iolite-Key-Pendant.html
http://www.handmadegiftplace.com/Cynthia-Gale-Sterling-Silver-Envelope-Necklace.html
http://www.handmadegiftplace.com/Necklaces.html
http://www.handmadegiftplace.com/Inspirational.html
http://www.handmadegiftplace.com/Bracelets.html

There are a lot of “inspirational” pieces here which say “hope”, “dream,” love, etc:
Inspirational

I like your idea of a basket and know that your sister could probably use the items you suggested, but to make it unique and extravagant I think you might need to add something special. Best of luck to you!

GardenersCardiff answers:

Well, you should get something for her, as well as some item for each member of her family back home, as well as at least one item for her family as a whole. She will also be bringing gifts for you as well, and generally you give gifts when you first meet, and right before she leaves to go home. I would recommend items that are small, light, and new for her, if possible, and also represent where you are from and your country. Some small picture books or calendars, ashtrays, chocolates, fragrant bath salts, t-shirts, sauces or salad dressings like Ranch, pure maple or berry syrups, colognes, jams or baseball caps, coasters, nice soap or shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, flavored coffees/tea, keychains, postcards, etc. Would be great. If you’d like to do something really memorable for her, see if you can rent a formal dress and get her some high heels, and have her photo taken in a professional studio. Japanese really don’t do anything like that til they’re 20 in a kimono, and it will be something she will always treasure. Above all remember she will likely be shy at first, so get her involved with family activities – make her a member of your family as much as possible, doing things together like shopping, gardening, and so on. What you take for granted will all be new to her, so even things like going to the supermarket can be a good experience for her.