This is the fun part! Now that you have your ideas, ask your parent or friend if they can take you to a store to buy your gift. Have several solid ideas before you go, so if the store doesn't carry one item, or if you find it is out of your budget, you still have another option. Once at the store, look for your gift and make your purchase!  If the gift needs other items to work, like batteries or cables, get those as well. This way, they can use their gift right away. Check online for specific items that you may not find in a store, such as sold-out figures. Ask your parent for permission first, however. Square or rectangular items, like books or DVDs, can be wrapped or tucked into a gift bag. Stick with gift bags for other items, such as teddy bears or candy. Add a ribbon or a bow to make the package look prettier.   A wrapped gift will be the easiest to hide on your bag; just add the bow at the last minute so that it doesn't get crushed. A gift bag another great option, as long as you don't mind carrying it around. You could also just leave it on your locker. Use colors or themes you know they like. For example, if you know they like superheroes, choose something with a picture of their favorite action hero on it. Many people keep cards as momentos. A card is a great place to briefly write why you gave them a present ("Happy Birthday!" or "Congratulations on your leading role!") and let them know why you chose that gift or what they mean to you.  You should still give them a card, even if it's an experience gift, like a movie. Mention the experience in the card so that they'll have something to remember. You can buy your card at a store, or you can make one yourself. Even if you aren't very crafty, you can make one using a computer and fun pictures.

Summary: Go shopping! Wrap your gift or place it into a gift bag. Add a card.


Mice can get a variety of infestations that have similar symptoms to a mite infection. For example, mice can get a lice infestation that presents very similarly to a mite infestation. In order for your mouse's issue to be treated correctly, you need to figure out what type of infestation the mouse actually has. When your veterinarian inspects your mouse, they should be able to tell what kind of infestation your mouse has. Treating a mite infestation requires you to apply a medication. The medications used for mite infestations may be applied on the skin, given orally, or injected by the veterinarian. They are usually applied twice, two weeks apart, to kill all adult mites. There are several medications that may be prescribed that are all macrocyclic lactone anti-parasitic drugs:  Selamectin Moxidectin  Ivermectin If the mite infestation has caused your mouse's skin to become infected, you may need to give it additional medication. Discuss this option with your veterinarian, as he or she may want to allow your mouse's immune system time to clear up the infection before relying on medication.  One reason for waiting on further medication is that infections are often treated with antibiotics. Veterinarians are in agreement that antibiotics are overprescribed and that over prescribing them leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.  Once the mites are eliminated, it will be easier to get the infection under control. If one of your mice has a mite infestation, and it lives with other mice, then they may all be infested. Discuss the problem with your veterinarian but it is likely that the vet will have you treat all the mice you have. Infestation is transferred via direct contact. If you have other mice that are housed separately, be sure to keep uninfested mice away from the infested mice until the infestation is totally cleared up. Eliminating a mite infestation will require you to thoroughly clean and disinfect all equipment the mouse comes in contact with. This includes its cage, any feeding containers, and all toys.  It's important to completely clean and sanitize the cage. First use soap to clean all debris off the surface of the cage. Then use bleach to disinfect the cage completely.  All bedding and food should be removed and then replaced once the cage is sanitized. The cage should be both thoroughly cleaned at the beginning of treatment and weekly after that.

Summary: Differentiate between infestations. Treat the mouse with a product recommended by your veterinarian. Treat secondary infections. Treat all other mice you have. Clean and disinfect all equipment.


You may be eager to find out everything that's happened to them since you last saw them, but don't ask too many questions. Similarly, don't bombard them with information about yourself or brag about your current life. Instead, keep the conversation balanced, with each of you sharing information about yourselves.  Don't feel pressured to share sensitive information. Balance questions with details about yourself. If you didn't part with your old friend on the best of terms, you'll probably want to address this fairly soon — ideally, the very first time you reconnect. Pretending that your painful memories don't exist is a bad choice. Doing this can give the impression that you don't care about your friend's hurt feelings, or, worse, that you're deliberately ignoring them, so swallow your pride and openly acknowledge any tension early on. If, after your time apart, you've decided that you were partially or completely to blame for your painful split, offer your sincere apology. If you don't believe you were at fault, simply acknowledge your desire to move on with a few words like this: "Hey, I know the last time we saw each other we weren't on the best of terms. I was hoping we could put all that behind us and start fresh." Be wary of immediately returning to your previous level of intimacy with your old friend. Keep in mind that your friend may not have the same plans in mind for your reunion as you do — he, for instance, may only be interested in a brief, one-time meal together while you're seriously trying to restart your friendship. It's best not to get too invested in your reunion before it happens. Instead, approach it with an optimistic but calm attitude. This way, no matter how your reunion goes, you won't end up feeling hurt and disappointed. To avoid an embarrassing faux pas, be careful not to bring up controversial topics until you have an idea of where your friend stands on them. Keep in mind that even if these topics were at one point the topic of frequent conversation between you two, they may not be today. People — even people close to you — can have their opinions shaped and molded by their experiences until they barely resemble what they once were. Below are just a few topics you'll want to avoid until you get a chance to "feel out" your friend:  Religion Politics Hot-button news topics Money Negative gossip about mutual friends The opposite sex Finding it difficult to come up with things to say to your old friend? Just try asking him about what he's been up to since you've last seen him. When he answers, ask questions about his answers. As a general rule, most people like to talk about themselves — psychological studies have shown that people spend the majority of the time they spend communicating talking about themselves, rather than others. Below are just a few sample questions you may want to try asking:  Where have you been working or attending school recently? How are things with the guys/ladies? How is the family? Can you help me with this problem I've been thinking about? Read any good books lately? A responsible amount of alcohol can usually take the edge out of awkward social situations. Thus, if you and your old friend are of age, consider having an alcoholic beverage or two to calm the jitters that can come with making a connection with an old buddy. With luck, after a drink or two, you'll feel loose, friendly, and ready to have a great time! Whenever alcohol is involved, it's important to drink responsibly. See our responsible drinking guide for more information and remember to never, ever drink and drive.
Summary: Keep the conversation balanced. Address any old conflicts directly but politely. Keep your expectations in check. Don't make assumptions about your friends' opinions. When in doubt, ask questions. If you're old enough, ease tensions with a drink.