| What is a gift bucket, and have you ever received | | | | bucket contained items totally meant to pamper a |
| one? It's a thoughtful present that says more than | | | | female. |
| any number of cards or vases full of flowers. | | | | Inside I found five items that contained the essential |
| One remarkable day when I returned home from the | | | | oil of lavender, which is a very calming and relaxing |
| hospital after having major surgery, my best friend | | | | fragrance. I lavished my body in body lotion, hand |
| was there waiting for me. As he welcomed me | | | | cream, and lavender shower gel. Then I burned the |
| home, she outstretched her hands and offered me | | | | scented lavender candle, as I gently placed the |
| what I later found out was a gift bucket. It was a | | | | scented silk sleep mask over my weary eyes and |
| big, colorful package and my friend was grinning ear | | | | drifted off to sleep. |
| to ear as she handed it to me. | | | | Thankfully, I took only a short nap so the candle |
| I had never seen such a playful and inviting looking | | | | didn't catch anything on fire. |
| present waiting just for me. What was inside my | | | | But the finishing touch was that all those feminine |
| special gift bucket? | | | | presents were neatly tucked inside of a cream |
| Before opening the package, I read the sweet note | | | | colored enamel bucket which I can use over and |
| from my friend who is always surprising me with fun | | | | over again. |
| moments and mementos to brighten my day. | | | | Having surgery is never much fun, and the recovery |
| Then I proceeded to open the big cellophane | | | | time, often spent alone, is something many people |
| wrapped gift. It contained a crazy-looking stuffed | | | | experience during their lifetime. However, what made |
| monkey, an assortment of candies, a smattering of | | | | this time more memorable for me was that my best |
| cookies, and a coffee mug with a big smiley face on | | | | friend bought me something out of the ordinary. I like |
| it. I thanked my friend and then she left. | | | | surprises, and these gift buckets said more to me |
| The very next day there was another gift bucket | | | | than a stack of get well cards or vases of flowers. |
| waiting for me on my front porch. This time, the | | | | |