Chirstmas Ideas for bird lovers

[The Outlaw]

Seems I've exhausted all of my more interesting ideas on bird lover gifts this year. With time running out, I'm wondering what suggestions you may have for homemade gifts. I was thinking of making up birdie muffin mixes and sending them in Christmas tins with baking instructions. Or, I suppose I could actually bake the darn things and do the same thing. I'm just afraid if I do that, they may be confused with human muffins and you can imagine the bad reviews my baking would get. I am a proud cook, afterall.

My second idea was to make up some really good birdie trail mix and package it the same way. In any event, let's hear some other suggestions. I'm getting old and time's a wastin.

[PEANUT]

Nancy That Is A Wonderful Idea. You Could Just Make Sure The Baking Directions Are On The Packages Narked With Not For Humans.

[Stizby]

Got any pine cones available? Take copper wire (or any other bird-safe wire) and wrap it around the top of the pine cone near the core of it and then fashion into a nice hanger. You can roll the pine cone in peanut butter and then roll it in bird seed or millet. You can dress it up with a red ribbon if you like. While I have made these for my parrots, I imagine they would be equally popular with wild birds.

Just a thought . . .

[Imagemneye]

OK-Now-Ya all have got to promise to NOT Laugh at my Lack of Talent(it really is hard to turn a penquin into a Blue and Gold or African Grey)LOL.BUT--This is what I came Up with as a Personilized gift for a Parront.I have many different embellishments,and even tiny santa hats to put on them-but theses 2 seemed to be favorites!--Anyhoo----I can take the Ribbing-just Dont laugh out loud--OK!!!!! Bonnie

[basketbagley]

Nancy, my best idea is one that I"M doing, so I'm not gonna share! It would ruin my surprise!

Your birdie muffins or birdie bread is a good idea. I'll try and think if I can come up with any others. you already make toys, so I can see this could be tough!

[Sophiestkated2]

Originally Posted by Imagemneye

OK-Now-Ya all have got to promise to NOT Laugh at my Lack of Talent(it really is hard to turn a penquin into a Blue and Gold or African Grey)LOL.BUT--This is what I came Up with as a Personilized gift for a Parront.I have many different embellishments,and even tiny santa hats to put on them-but theses 2 seemed to be favorites!--Anyhoo----I can take the Ribbing-just Dont laugh out loud--OK!!!!! Bonnie

Bonnie, those are awesome!!! You have so much talent! I can only imagine you doing all those left handed! Good job! They are spectacular!

For other ideas, I still love the Christmas crackers idea that Nanth told us about.

They are, for those who haven't heard of them, the cardboard center of a paper towel roll. Not a bathroom roll, please. (And for those worried about the paper towel roll, just use a cleaned piece of PVC pipe), stuff the center with shreds of paper, soft plastic baby toys, nuts, dried fruits..., whatever your bird likes. Roll it up in a few sheets of tissue paper, and tie the ends with raffia or ribbon, like a Christmas cracker. Think big ol' Tootsie Roll. (Not you, Bonnie! Not you!!)

My guys love them!


Jeth

[Tiki]

I did enough shopping at Bird Paradise and that bird shop in Pensacola for the next 3 Christmases! I stocked up on happy huts, I will try a couple in the Cockatiel room, and I now have one extra to alternate for Chaska when she poops in one and it is being washed.

[Alyce Johnson]

How about gift baskets of toy parts, so they can make their own toys?
If the gift recipient is the crafty type, that is.

I cant find the suggestions for good gifts for bird lovers original thread,
so I'm adding my suggestions here:
#1)The Shark brand "retractor" model hand vac. It has a cord, so it doesnt
run out of power, the cord retracts (hence the name) and it picks up everything
in it's path! It's an amazing little thing! We just got one...
#2)There's a very beautiful large format book out for macaw lovers:
"The large macaws: Their care, breeding & conservation" by J. Abramson,
B.L.Speer & J.B.Thomson. Dr Speer is my avian vet, and he's wonderful.
The book is fabulous, but it was a bit pricey (just under $200). Worth it to
some of us macaw lovers/parents though.