Making Birds Part of the Holidays!

 Beautiful Colors are Everywhere!

It's time for the holidays again!  Fall approaches and then before you know it, the holidays have arrived! It is a beautiful time of year right now with the leaves changing colors, and the cool and crisp air makes me want to take a deep breath! My breathing is even more enjoyable right now thanks to my Salted Caramel Yankee Candle wafting through the air as I write this. You would never know I have 7 dogs and a cat in this house. It smells like I have been baking ALL DAY! No, I am not paid by Yankee Candles to mention them, but I will because I get so much enjoyment from my candles. Candles are one of life's simple pleasures! In fact, not many people know this.....um....up until now, but I have a closet for my Yankee Candles! Don't worry, it's a small closet!



Why am I talking about the fall, and holidays, and candles when I am supposed to be talking about birds? Well, it's my favorite time of the year! I love the holidays and although I am not into the over indulgence displayed in our society these days or going into debt for Christmas gifts, I do think that small thoughtful gifts are absolutely wonderful! I never have to top off last year's gifts or keep up with anyone. I buy something meaningful and DONE! Who has time or money to go crazy buying extravagant gifts for that one special day in December? Ok, apparently a lot of people do, but I am not one of them.

This Mocking Bird is Enjoying Fall too!

            So, my idea is to find something in the world of birds this year to use as gifts for those that I love or for those that I don't necessarily "love" but are still worthy of gift. Hahahaha! It is common knowledge that not everyone is a bird watcher, but there are many reasons that people don't take part in this wonderful connection with nature. It may be that the thought has never crossed their mind! Sometimes just the power of suggestion is enough to get people interested. I did not even realize that watching birds was "a thing" until a few years ago. I am so thankful that my eyes were opened to "birding" so that not another day goes by without my taking part in their world.

Bird Alley in My Yard

           Make birds a part of the holidays for you and your family this year! Oh, and don't forget your friends too. There are more birds to the holidays than just turkeys! Here are some simple gift ideas below. I have included the link on the home page for Wild Birds Unlimited just to make it easy for you. Click the link and then go to the ONLINE SHOPPING link. There are so many ways to shop on that site and you can find a gift that suits YOUR wallet!. If you don't get your products there, that is fine too,  but if you buy seed, remember the quality of seed is not always the same depending on the vendor and we want to protect the birds!


IDEAS TO KEEP IT SIMPLE:
1-A bird bath
2-A suet feeder and if you can afford it, include the suet as well. It's not very expensive.
3-A peanut feeder. This is easy. They sell the peanuts too.
4-Give a gift card of any amount!
5-Window feeder - These are fun!
6-A bird house is a low maintenance gift. Birds need places to go in harsh weather and they WILL use these. Make sure that you get one that is made properly. Houses for décor are not meant for real birds. Stores like Wild Birds Unlimited make sure that the measurements and ventilation are appropriate for birds to live in.
7-Don't forget children! They have adorable stuffed birds that sing when you squeeze them. They are real recordings of birds which makes them educational as well. I actually learned the songs of the birds in my own yard by buying these for my granddaughter!

Those are just SOME ideas. If you look online there are lots of FUN choices!

It's like being a kid in a German candy store! I am partial as I lived there 6 years!

Good luck and Happy Holidays!