No matter the age or degree of your graduate, forego the traditional card with cash and give something meaningful. Here are a few great ideas to treat the grad in a personal, memorable way. Whether you’re budget is zero dollars or a few hundred, these ideas will leave a lasting impact.

1. Write a letter. Graduates are usually feeling sentimental at graduation time. Share your reflections in a letter. What observations can you share about their progress? What is your advice for the future? Take this moment to say what you want to say. Choose nice paper and a quality pen because this is a keepsake.

2. Create a time capsule kit. Help your grad save this exciting moment in time in a special way. An airtight oversized jar is a perfect time capsule. Add some of your own elements (photos of the grad, mementos, etc.) or let them fill it with their friends.

3. Share a favorite children’s book. The wisdom in children’s books is often appropriate for a graduate headed into an exciting new future. One of my favorites is How to Behave and Why. Great life advice for anyone of any age.

4. Send a fresh delivery. When you can’t be there in person, a thoughtful gift like our Graduation Ribbon Box can be a good substitute. Our bite-sized treats and a personal note will be a sweet spot in the day. I love the idea of having it delivered the night before with a note about savoring the sweet moments.

5. Say it on a Big Cookie Cake. With up to 20 characters, you can create a funny, sweet, or encouraging message on one of our Big Cookie Cakes. Buy one locally or have it delivered.

6. Remind them where they came from. If your grad is headed off to a new place, one of these state pendant necklaces is a great way to keep home close to their heart.

7. Put a ring on it. I’m in love with these old-fashioned signet rings. Your grad’s initials along with a cap and gown make them look so grown up!

8. Watch the time. A nice watch with a personal inscription is a timeless gift. (Pun intended, wink, wink.)

Mrs. Fields Secrets readers can save 15% off all graduation gifts online! Simply use discount code 12HF2 at checkout!

Here’s your chance again to win another amazing gift of FREE cookies from Mrs. Field

Enter the contest by leaving a comment on our blog.  If we pick you as our winner, we will contact you via the email you’ve provided.

We will draw 1 name from the correct answers given and that person will receive a FREE Mrs. Fields Springtime Tin ($44.00 Value, with shipping). Answers will be accepted until midnight (May 17^th, 2012). Limited to one win per month per entrant. Winner will be notified via email.

Prize Details:

This week we’ll be giving away one of our Springtime Tin – item #11EV323, a $44.00 value, including shipping. It contains 60 Nibblers® bite-sized cookies. Perfection!

Question:   Fill in the blank….

Mrs. Fields’ in 1990 operated  ____  international stores in Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

Have you picked up a copy of Celebrate Magazine yet? We’re so excited to have our cookies (and blog) featured in this fabulous magazine on newsstands right now. You’ll find oodles of great ideas for creating incredible food and parties this summer, like this All-American Cookie Stack. Make it for your next party and watch the crowd go wild!

All-American Cookie Stack
(courtesy of Celebrate Magazine)

1 1/2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 (13.6 oz.) can coconut milk
2 1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
30 (3-inch) Mrs. Fields semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 whole strawberry for garnish

Directions
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and coconut milk; beat until just combined. Add cream; beat at low speed until mixture begins to thicken. Beat at high speed until very thick (do not overbeat).

On a large serving plate or cake pedestal, arrange 7 cookies in a circle; place 1 cookie in the center of circle. Dollop 2 cups cream mixture over cookies; gently spread with a spatula. Arrange 6 cookies over cream mixture; place 1 cookie in center of circle. Dollop 2 cups cream mixture over cookies; gently spread with a spatula. Repeat procedure twice, spreading remaining 2 cups cream mixture on top of cookie stack, with one cookie on top. Cover and chill for 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Just before serving, top with blueberries and strawberries, with a whole strawberry on top. Makes approximately 10 servings.

HINT: Cookies can be pulled from the stack if refrigerated for less than 4 hours. Cookies will begin to soften if refrigerated longer than 4 hours. At that point, cut into servings with a serrated knife, or scoop servings with a large spoon.

Celebrate Magazine has a great offer for Mrs. Fields Secrets readers: Get a free trial issue of Celebrate Magazine plus a fabulous price on a subscription. Check it out here!

Just because this salad is wearing bow ties, doesn’t mean it’s snooty. This is my absolute favorite summer salad, chock full of savory chicken and green onions, then plenty of sweet, sweet crunch with apples, grapes, and pineapple, all married with al dente bow tie pasta and a sweet creamy dressing. Mmmm! I make a batch and then find myself sneaking to the fridge at every opportunity to sneak a quick bite. I love it because it tastes light enough to be a side dish, but hearty enough to be a main course! This recipe makes a lot and will last for several days (or one large party). Perfect for upcoming summer barbecues, potlucks, and picnics. Enjoy!

Sweet Summer Bow Tie Salad

6 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
1 (16 oz.) package bow tie pasta, cooked to al dente
1 bunch green onions, cleaned and sliced
1 bottle coleslaw salad dressing
2 cups mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 lb. red seedless grapes, halved
4 small crisp apples
1 cup slivered almonds

Directions
In an extra large mixing bowl combine chicken, pasta, onions, coleslaw dressing, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Chill until ready to serve. Right before serving, stir in pineapple, celery, grapes, apples, and almonds. Serve chilled.

HINT: Simply this recipe even more by using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local store!
HINT: Can’t find coleslaw dressing? Check the produce section, near the prepared coleslaw.

The summer salad season has me so excited. Check out my Fresh Corn Salad (so simple!), and my Favorite Chicken Salad, perfect for sandwiches and road trips!

Fresh Corn Salad

Favorite Chicken Salad

What’s your favorite summer salad? Share your ideas!

The end of the school year is coming quickly, so I’ve gathered my favorite ideas for teacher appreciation gifts. Some to make, some to buy, all to delight that special teacher.

1. Couture Clipboards. Brighten her day and her desk with a colorful new clipboard.
2. Crayon Monogram. This DIY project is colorful and personalized. Follow the link for a tutorial.
3. Pencil Necklace. A piece of jewelry that’s perfect for a teacher.
4. Twinkling Smile Tote. This sunny gift is delivered fresh and full of gourmet cookies.
5. Notebook Paper Tote. The kids can draw their best rendition of their favorite teacher. Follow the link for a tutorial.
6. Teacher Subway Art. This is adorable on a clipboard or in a frame.
7. Cookies, Milk, & Report Card. Find free downloads for this fun gift. Add your own favorite cookies.
8. Word Cloud. Create a personalized, colorful, word cloud for teacher with Tagxedo. Print and frame it.
9. Big Cookie Cake. Write “Thank You” or your own custom message (up to 20 characters) and serve it up on a delicious cookie cake.
10. Custom Mug. Simple decoration turns this mug into a keepsake. Follow the link for a tutorial.
11. Many Thanks Mini Trunk. Sweet, simple, and full of your thanks.
12. Pencil Vase. Fresh Number 2 pencils paired with fresh flowers—lovely! Follow the link for a tutorial.

Share your favorite Teacher Appreciation Gift ideas in the comments section!

Whether you want to take better photos of your kids, your vacations, the flowers in your yard, or the cookies you just baked, I’ve got five quick tips to improve the quality of your photos.

1. First and foremost remember these two terms: lighting and composition.  These things alone make the difference between a good photo and a bad photo. A great subject lost in poor lighting is, well, lost. Natural light is always best, so do your best to seek it out and use it. Composition refers to the arrangement of subject matter within the picture. Study photos you love. What makes them so great? You’re likely to find a pattern—interesting composition and great lighting.

2. Follow the “Rule of Thirds.” Or, in simpler terms, avoid putting your subject in the center of a photo. This applies to horizons also. Keep them above or below the center line of your photo. It may be counter-intuitive at first, but you’ll notice that offsetting the subject is more pleasing to the eye and makes for a better photo. Read more about the Rule of Thirds here.

3. Make sure your subject is clearly the focus of the photo. Clutter or poorly placed subjects often result in your eyes being unable to find a home; they will naturally wander around the photo looking for an interesting place to land.  A photo should lead the eye to the subject. Sometimes it’s only a matter of taking a few steps to your left or right to find a background that will enhance and not detract from your subject.

4. Avoid using the flash on your camera. The reason why flash point-and-shoot photos look so boring is because they are.  A harsh flash pointing at the subject directly in front of the camera results in harsh, flat, boring lighting.  If at all possible, turn your flash off and use the light that is available. (If you must use a flash, try this trick to bounce the light and make it softer.)

5. Take the camera off “auto” and have some fun. Experiment with your camera! The auto setting is there for one reason and one reason only—to take well lit, properly exposed photos, but not necessarily interesting photos and definitely not artistic photos.  We live in the digital age. If something doesn’t look good, you can just delete it, learn from it, and move on.

{Image via Digital Photography School}

Here’s your chance again to win another amazing gift of FREE cookies from Mrs. Field

Enter the contest by leaving a comment on our blog.  If we pick you as our winner, we will contact you via the email you’ve provided.

We will draw 1 name from the correct answers given and that person will receive a FREE Mrs. Fields Springtime Tin ($44.00 Value, with shipping). Answers will be accepted until midnight (May 10^th, 2012). Limited to one win per month per entrant. Winner will be notified via email.

Prize Details:

This week we’ll be giving away one of our Springtime Tin – item #11EV323, a $44.00 value, including shipping. It contains 60 Nibblers® bite-sized cookies. Perfection!

Question:   Guess this years top selling Mrs. Fields Mother’s Day themed item.

Assigned to bring a snack for the team? I’ve got three fabulous snacks to share with the team that are delicious and nutritious too! No-bake Energy Bites are so sweet, you won’t believe they’re loaded with healthy protein and fiber. Snack Bag Butterflies are such a cute way to pair two fun treats together. Finally, homemade baked apple chips are so delicious, healthy, and portable! And addictive. Did I mention addictive?

Forego the traditional pouch of rubbery fruit snacks and treat the team to one of these three fabulous treats!

No-Bake Energy Bites
(from Smashed Peas & Carrots)

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then using a cookie dough scoop or melon baller, divide and roll into bite-sized balls. Store in an air-tight container and keep refrigerated for up to one week.

HINT: Substitute peanut butter for your favorite nut butter (almond, cashew, etc.). Nutella also works great for a chocolate-y twist.

Snack Bag Butterflies

snack-sized zip-top bags
clothespins
colored push pins (optional)
red grapes
goldfish crackers

Directions
Gather snack bags in the middle and attach a clothespin to divide the sides. Open the top of each side and insert grapes and goldfish crackers. Seal bag. Push pins into the top of the clothespin to create antennae (not recommended for small children).

HINT: Pair any snacks in this clever display: pretzels, m&ms, jelly beans, raisins or other dried fruits.

Baked Apple Chips

2-3 apples
ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Wash apples and slice off top and bottom to create a flat surface. Remove core and slice apples into thin layers. Spread slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake for 30-60 minutes, depending on the thickness of the apple. Remove from oven when edges begin to curl and appear barely browned. Do not overcook. Allow to cool and dry completely before storing in an air-tight container.

Precious Petals Ribbon Box

The Perfect Petals Box is so pretty, so delicious, and so perfect for mom. (This is also one of my favorite picks for grandmas and aunts!)

Mother's Day Bite's Box

Mother’s Day Bites Box is a collection of bite-sized cookies and brownies, making it easy for mom to take a nibble here and there for ultimate gourmet snacking.

Springtime Tin

Finally, our Springtime Tin is a generous tribute. There’s at least one cookie for everything you love about her!

To enter, leave a comment answering the following question: What’s the most important lesson you learned from your mom? 

Don’t delay, this giveaway only lasts two days! Enter now and tell your friends. I can’t wait to read all about the wisdom of all the great mothers out there!

Fine print: One entry per person, please. Comments will be accepted until midnight Wednesday, May 9. Winners will be selected and notified via email.

You can check out all of our Mother’s Day gift ideas online. Best of luck!

One of my favorite treasures is a recipe binder from my grandmother, filled with hand-written recipes of her favorite dishes. I love her recipes, her careful handwriting, and the time it must have taken to put it together.

It wasn’t until I had children of my own that I truly understood the time, energy, and love it takes to feed a family. That’s also when I gained a new appreciation of my own mother and the endless meals she prepared night after night. For Mother’s Day, I love the idea of a personalized recipe book for mom, filled with all of the family favorites. It’s the perfect tribute after all those years of cooking for the family. Have fun, collaborate with other family members, and enjoy a trip down Memory Lane. Here are a few ideas to help you pull it off:

1. Digitize. If you’re computer-savvy, digitize your collection of recipes for mom. Type them, scan them, or use creative online editing tools to give them extra oomph. Print them out and put them in a binder, or upload the recipes to create a one-of-a-kind, hard-bound book using sites like Shutterfly or Blurb. It’s easy and surprisingly affordable.

2. Organize. If mom’s recipe box is a jumbled, yellowed collection of cards, torn papers, and newspaper clippings, organize it into logical categories: appetizers, drinks/cocktails, meat dishes, side dishes, casseroles, breads, soups, cakes, cookies, desserts, etc.

3. Add photos. Get extra ooohs and awwws from mom by adding family photos from the past. Or take fresh new photos of some of your favorite dishes for a true cookbook-quality feel. Better yet, use both.

4. Include memories. Add one or two sentences about specific memories you have of the dish, when it was served, or why it’s so special to you. It changes your recipe collection into a family history.

5. Collaborate. Collect favorites from other family members to include. Ask them to include their memories too.

6. Make extras. You’ll want a copy for yourself after all that hard work, so be sure to make extra. Aunt Lucy, your sisters, and Cousin Jane are all going to want one too. (I speak from experience.)

If making a recipe book isn’t in the cards for you this Mother’s Day, you can still find fabulous personalized gift ideas at Mrs. Fields. My favorites are the Personalized Cookie Jar and Cookie Tin.

Happy Mother’s Day gifting to you!