The ancient practice of yoga has many benefits for both the body and the mind and if someone you know either currently participates in yoga or plans to join its ever expanding ranks, then a yoga gift basket is a useful present that will delight your friend or loved one.  There is a large array of choices to consider when deciding on the contents, and it is very important to keep the specific needs and wishes of the recipient foremost in the process.  Are they just beginning and in need of more basic items?  Are they happy with their progress but have worn out some clothing or are ready to move on to a different routine?  Perhaps they already possess a fairly complete set of accessories but you have heard them mention something that would be a perfect complement to a piece of equipment, or they have run low on a consumable product.  The following are a few suggestions for items to put in yoga gift basket.

One possibility is an outfit or piece of clothing.  Again, it is vital to think about individual preference, as some people prefer a one-piece outfit while others are more comfortable with top and bottom.  Range of motion is most important of course, with the variety of positions required by the discipline.  Form fitting but stretchy clothes are available as well as looser articles that are snug enough at the waist to avoid exposing too much flesh in the more extreme positions.  Maybe an over shirt is the way to go if the environment where the yoga happens is on the cool side.

If the recipient needs to transport their mat to a class then a mat bag or sling is useful.  The bag provides protection from wear and weather and may have pockets for other items like a water bottle and street clothes, or breathable storage for sweaty clothing after the class.  A sling is a simple way to carry the mat and some of them can also be used as a yoga strap.

For practice at home, a DVD is invaluable and can be found for levels from beginner to advanced and for specific needs such as weight loss, flexibility, postnatal and spirituality.  Videos are even available that target certain areas of the body.

A thoughtfully assembled yoga gift basket will bring a smile to the face of somebody you know and increase his or her enjoyment of the art.

How did Memorial Day come into existence in America?
Memorial Day came into existence because people wanted to remember those who died bravely.  It was originally called Decoration Day. It came into prominence as a result of community groups in the South who set aside a day to decorate the graves of dead Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War.  The practice grew to include Union soldiers as well.  While lots of communities lay claim to having begun the observance of a Decoration Day, it was not until 1966 that President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that the official birthplace of Memorial Day observances would be Waterloo, NY, in commemoration of the first national observance on May 5th 1866.  In 1868, due to the efforts of General John A. Logan, who led a prominent veterans’ organization, a proclamation was issued that Decoration Day should become a nationwide celebration on May 30th.  At that first national celebration, flowers were laid on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
In time, Decoration Day came to be celebrated in almost every state. The observance was expanded to honor and remember all American soldiers who died serving their country. Some southern states, however, still honor their Confederate War dead separately.

Here are some of the trivia that you can make into questions
Decoration Day became Memorial Day officially in 1967.

It was declared a national holiday in 1971, and

it is celebrated on the last Monday in May.

It is one of three holidays (the others are Washington’s Birthday, now Presidents Day and Veterans Day) that are shifted from their actual date to a specified Monday.  This adds up to a long weekend.
Why was May 30th selected to celebrate Memorial Day?
Some have said that May 30 was selected because flowers would be in bloom throughout the country.  Other sources note that May 30 is not associated with any battle.

How do we celebrate Memorial Day?
The traditional American Memorial Day celebration featured parades, flags flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, speeches, visits to national cemeteries to place flags on the graves of the fallen.  The VFW sold poppies for people to wear.  At 3 p.m. local time, the nation is asked to pause for a moment of silence.  This is known as the Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance.   After Memorial Day was folded into a long weekend, the celebrations became less aimed at remembering our war dead and more geared to family events – picnics, barbecues, festivals and sporting events.  The Indianapolis 500 has been held on Memorial Day weekend since 1911.  The holiday is thought of as the beginning of summer.
There are several nationally televised events, which seek to restore the dignity and solemnity of Memorial Day. The change in the tone of this holiday has become a source of concern for veterans groups, who feel that the picnic-like atmosphere has detracted from the historical intent of the day.