Thanks for the info. I sure could use one for my back. I like the idea of putting a bay leaf in to repel bugs.

dried corn ,very good lasts forever ,have even replaced covers and reused the corn ,not vermin proof but at my other place I put them in a metal box ,that stops any little devils.

Would putting these bags in the freezer for 24 hours kill any vermin? That's what I do for flour and so far no weevils

Make her polar fleece booties or socks. You can get the pattern from Joann's (green mountain patterns?). If you make booties, you can put the fashion fabric on the outside. My sister has a terrible time with cold feet and this resolved the problem.

MY children were given these corn bags when they were 2 years old and we have been using them since (they are now 15 years old). I have never had any vermin or anything in them unless you tend to get mice in your house. I like the smell of corn when it is warmed up.
I make sure that we do NOT store them in plastic bags...they just sit on the closet shelf when they are not being used to warm someone's toes, or put on an achy shoulder, or on a tummy with cramps. They are great. I have given them for gifts for 10 years now...

Does anyone have a picture of the rice/corn bags they have made for gift giving? I have been reading this topic for several days and would love to see an example

Let me get my kids to help me post pictures tomorrow.
I make them 12 inches square...with corners that stand up out of heavy muslin or duck fabric. I zig zag every seam since I don't have a serger, so that nothing ravels.
Then I make the covers out of flannel with a flap for a closure so that the cover can be washed---some are cutsy kid flannel...some are guy flannel, some and just normal flannel print.

My mom loved hers, she would warm it up and put in the bed while she was getting ready for bed, then when she would get in it was already nice and toasty!! I did as "Peaceandjoy" said and made inside with the filler, and then the cotton "case", that way you can wash it. I have used feed corn and rice both! Corn does retain the heat better, but if you use rice, use the jasmine rice adds a very subtle "aroma"! Good luck!

I just sent these out to a friend...a real coffee hound, in case you hadn't figured that out, lol.

I use cherry pits. They are cleaned, bug free and sold for use in pellet stoves. They add a wonderful aroma when added to the pellets or wood in a wood burning stove.