Are you looking for the precious present. Something for the gardener in your life? Here are some ideas of gifts that are thoughtful and inexpensive
I don’t often sit and contemplate what I’d like as a treat, even as Christmas approaches. To be honest, sometimes it’s just enough to be alive, with a roof over my head and food in the cupboard and a greenhouse in the garden of course!
But winter brings it’s new challenges and with them the run up to the seasonal festivities. It’s not my favourite time of year, but I try to embrace it and join in, in my own way.
Normally that includes some serious baking, a lot of wreath weaving, and some alcohol. But this year, my energy levels are low and I am barely able to harvest the winter stems let alone weave them into their glorious forms to adorn the doors of my neighbours and friends. The cold makes my joints ache, so instead I am going to linger longer indoors out of the chilly weather and remember my festive highs of yesteryear while compiling a short list of my festive wish list. Maybe it will inspire some ideas with you, things to buy an experienced gardener that is maybe feeling the cold.
Warm heart
I’m rather blessed already in my garden with a chiminea and an official Kadai Fire Bowl, which doubles up as a fire pit in colder weather and is a barbecue in the summer. It’s perfect for sitting around with a cup of hot chocolate when visitors descend, and it’s a great centre piece for any outdoor gathering. My cold hands can be wrapped up in warm gloves and a lined hat (not wool) to keep the heat in, is a must and always a thoughtful gift.
A heated gilet is definitely on my wish list, something that can keep me toasty warm when I do venture out to check the greenhouse, or visit my wonderful chickens. I’ve got a rechargeable heat belt that I use for aches and pains, which offers cordless warmth under layers of clothing and its ache-soothing heat is right where it is needed and it’s lovely.
A bundle of driftwood makes great kindling, or why not melt some wax over some fir-cones to make some home-made fire-starter.
All tooled-up
Having spent decades testing garden tools, I think my gardening kit is pretty complete, but there is always something that needs replacing. My hands don’t operate the pruners and secateurs like they used to, but when I want my trusty secateurs, they are missing and I know exactly where they have gone. My better half who does most of the gardening now, covets my favourite snips and thinks nothing of scooping them up and hiding them away in his man-cave so that they are there when he wants to use them. Which means that if I do want them, I can’t find them. There definitely needs to be his and hers in garden tools. I want colours and styles he won’t be seen dead with, to ensure my kit is where I want it when I want it. Either that or an invisibility box that hides my precious tools away from everyone else. Failing that maybe an Apple AirTag so I can find where he has hidden them!
Seeds of hope
Sometimes these dark days can feel overwhelming. But a few packets of seeds in the bright and colourful packets can seem like a bag of pick n mix sweets. Even the seed catalogues and online resources can fill our hearts with hope in the depths of winter. Home-saved seeds from bee friendly plants tucked inside a Christmas cracker, or a handful of bought-packets makes a thoughtful gift that will go on giving pleasure for months and months. And if chosen carefully those plants might feed the pollinators or even the birds too. It’s a cost-effective gift that will bring hours of pleasure. Nurturing seedlings into mature plants that flower is a worthwhile and rewarding pastime, something to share and bring joy in so many different ways, but there’s something to be said in sharing seeds from your favourite plants with anyone that has a garden. The tiniest seed can sprout a whole new hobby and pastime.
Bird support
One gift that is truly a win, win for everyone is anything that supports our garden birds. That might be a nest box, a roosting pocket, a bird bath or some bird food. The garden birds play a vital role in the ecosystem and they light up the garden. Their delicate song add a whole new dimension to the garden, while their lively antics lift the spirits, especially on the feeders. I love watching the birds bathe in their water bath, or hopping around in the borders plucking juicy aphids from the stems. Plants that bear fruit, nuts or berries are a great gift for anyone that loves wildlife, bare root plants are more cost effective and will quickly establish in the garden. A wildlife hedge, or edible hedge helps support many layers of nature. These are all things that would embellish any garden and be valuable ways to help the birds through the winter, which has to be a gift for everyone.
And some help please
Gardening is more of a luxury these days. And so, some support and help to keep it healthy for me and for my wildlife chums is so very precious. Possibly the most powerful gift you can give to anyone is some of your time. It might be a simple promise, or even an IOU, but Christmas is a good time to make that pledge. Knowing that your precious plants, garden and greenhouse will get the attention it needs is a healing salve like no other and makes the very best gift. I’m very lucky to have the help that I have, but do take a moment to think about your cherished elders, do they need some assistance. A pretty gift card with the promise of an hour or two gardening is worth its weight in gold. But don’t underestimate your knowledge and experience. Why not offer some training to a youngster, but use your garden as the school yard, then you get hands on help where you need it and you pass on some of your skills. So, your gift is a gift to you too and keeps on giving. Presents needn’t be expensive. Just remember the precious present is right now!