Store-bought gifts are nice, but there’s something extra-special about making a gift for someone you care about. The very nature of gardening implies a bit of do-it-yourself spirit on the part of the gardener. Why not share a piece of yourself with the gardener on your list by making a gift that he or she will surely treasure.
Customized seed collection. Buy a collection of seed packets. Choose flowers, herbs, or vegetables based on the type of gardens your gardener grows. Tie them together with pretty ribbon, raffia, or twine and place in a reusable container, such as a basket that can be used later to bring flowers or vegetables inside, or in one or more pots. If you enjoy painting, purchase one or more plain terra cotta pots and paint them in bright colors.
Gardener’s hand cream. Gardening can be very tough on the hands, sometimes to the point of causing cracked and peeling skin. Using a thick, soothing hand cream before going to work in the garden is a good preventive measure to protect the hands. Using the same cream afterwards can also help sore fingers and damaged skin heal. (A word of caution: As with any skin care product, be careful of possible allergic reactions to any of the ingredients). Here’s a sampling of the wide variety of recipes available online:
Garden plant markers. For gardeners who plant a wide variety of plants, flowers, herbs, or vegetables, or those that vary their plantings from year to year, garden plant markers are a great garden addition. In addition to being an interesting addition to the garden, they help gardeners remember what’s planted where. Markers can be made from a wide variety of materials including wood, rocks, metal, and even popsicle sticks. The main thing to consider when choosing a material is making it waterproof so that your markers will be able to withstand the outdoor elements over time.
My personal favorites are these markers from Birds & Blooms (w/copper sheets) and In My Own Style (w/hangars and orange juice can lids). Other creative ideas can be found at Instructables and Little House in the Suburbs (w/aluminum cans) and Heavy Petals (w/river rocks),
Bird bath. My all-time favorite DIY bird bath idea comes from Darning Diva. Possibilities for the bowl are endless. Try visiting thrift shops for glass or ceramic bowls, or try decorating a terra cotta pot tray with stained glass or ceramic mosaics. You can also buy a plain bowl and paint it yourself. Large, shallow bowls tend to work best. Be sure that the center of the bowl on the outside bottom is a solid, flat surface since that’s where the flange will need to be glued in place.
Bird house. Purchase a simple wooden bird house from a craft store like Michael’s or Ben Franklin. Paint it in bright colors or decorate it with mosaic tiles.
Wind chime. Wind chimes come in a variety of sizes and styles and they make a whimsical and relaxing addition to any garden. Two ideas for making wind chimes can be found at RepairHome (w/household items) and DIY Network (w/beads). A trip to the local thrift store is likely to yield lots of ideas, such as wind chimes made with old keys, sea shells, flatware, or sheets of colored glass.
Click here for other gift ideas for gardeners.
Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…
When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…
Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…
A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…
Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…
Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…