Gifting the Gardener

I have seen a number of gift list suggestions in various newspapers, magazines, etc. but they all leave me un-tantalized. I thought I would make my own list – keeping in mind that I represent the pragmatic, down-to earth, less whimsical variety of gardener person.

If someone is new – to anything- they are easy to shop for…because they need everything.

New gardeners need:

• good basic hand tools
• maybe some extra nice gardening gloves ( which work for more experienced gardeners, too)
• a special garden trug, things like that
• Garden related baskets of soaps and lotions are nice, as well.

For any gardener

• I would put a gift card to a good quality nursery, seed or plant company tops on the list. In fact I would place it inside a gift basket of my own making.
• The ideal is that garden trug, good for bringing harvested veggies or cut flowers into the house
• or a handy gardener’s tool holder, to tote things around the yard.

Stuff Garden Tote with:

• bag balm or Burt’s Bees Hand Repair Kit
• good pumice soap or something similar that gets ground-in garden grime off.
•  gift cards and a garden catalog and a note saying you ordered the catalog for them
• some comfy gardening socks (like Ozone Women’s Mona Linen Socks)
• garden clogs
• and …why not? dress it up with some chocolate cookies on sticks that look like flowers.
• Something I always wanted was a good barometer set. So I think that makes a good gift.
• Target sells Smith and Hawken products, which has elegant garden related offerings. A rain chain or a rain barrel OR both.
• I was reading over @ The Vermont Gardener on Kathy‘s suggestion, and he had some of the first ideas that appealed to me. Bird houses were on his list. I have a penchant for those, and many gardeners do, so that is a thoughtful gift, include some birding accessories and you are set!
• Of course there are many cute ideas in the way of garden accessories and signs, etc. Those are highly individual in taste- but sometimes it is just sweet that a person recognizes your interests(should I say passions– when it comes to gardening?).
• A truly beautiful and useful garden book is always welcome… if you are interested in checking out my suggestions in the aStore, be my guest… if only to make a list to take on your shopping trip.
• Botanical Garden Membership
  Another idea, …I might have mentioned it in another post… is a membership to a local Botanical garden. They often have special events and perks for members, which keeps that gift giving through the year. That is another thing I know I personally would appreciate.
• I also love gardening magazines- some of the best information has been from catalogs and magazines. Again, announcement cards in a container, maybe a fancy dancy Haws watering can with good quality sunscreen or high spf moisturizer, a few bandana ‘kerchiefs, etc. Maybe an excellent pruner like a Felco.
• And to throw in with another gift…maybe a CD of nature sounds. The sounds of the outdoors can be very calming, especially when that is what you love…frogs on a pond, the waves lapping against the shore… I’m ready to drift off to the sounds of those right now.