The shopping season is in full swing here. Like so many of you, I have been immersed in finding perfect gift choices – mainly though, for the grandkids. I’ve spent hours upon hours combing through all sorts of catalogs and websites and stores trying to come up with gifts that they not only like, but will also spark their imagination, curiosity and creativity long past Christmas morning. More than once, I’ve wished I could find lists of great ideas all in one place!
Finding gifts for gardeners can be a lot like finding gifts for kids. It takes time to discover the one thing that perfectly matches the needs, the wants, and the abilities of the recipient. To help you find the right gift for that special person in your life, we’ve put together an extensive list of ideas that will absolutely delight both new and seasoned gardeners.
- High quality, ergonomically designed garden tools — save those wrists and backs
- Gardener’s tote — carry all the tools at once (think about filling the tote with the tools from #1)
- Garden stools — ones with side pockets to hold tools are especially convenient
- Knee pads or kneelers — keeps those rocks from becoming embedded in the knees
- Three sets of gardening gloves — three different weights, lengths and fabrics; all designed for specific uses
- Brimmed hat with UV protection -- reversible is handy
- All-weather clogs or boots— no more everyday shoes ruined by mud puddles
- Gardeners Hand Cream -- shea butter helps soften those work hands
- Rain gauges and attractive outdoor thermometers — include a promise to install
- Set of garden tags — styles available for every taste
- Garden covers — protect the tender plants from cold weather and garden marauders
- New garden cart --- replace the old, hard to manage wheelbarrow with a new cart that's easy to manage
- Classy watering can — who says it has to be galvanized aluminum
- Composting bin with a drum that turns — include a counter top bucket for convenience, especially in winter
- Potting bench with storage bins for soil and amendments
- Garden shed JUST for the gardener — no sharing!
- Greenhouse kit — gardening can become a four season activity
- Cold frame — if a greenhouse is too much, then a cold frame could be the way to have all-year gardening
- Raised bed kit — eliminate painful bending over by bringing the bed up to a comfortable height
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- Wind chimes — gentle sounds to fill the garden
- Fire pit — consider a fire and water bowl for a striking combination
- Fountain/ water feature — to introduce tranquility into your landscape
- Set of garden lighting — with professional installation to make it even easier
- Art piece — either free-standing of wall mounted can create a unique focal point
- Stylish outdoor furniture — make the patio the go-to space in your home
- Set of striking outdoor pots — replace those worn, chipped ones
- Decorative trellises — it’s time to change out the tired, old ones that have seen better days
- Gift certificate to a local garden center — fill all those pots and beds
- Gift certificate to a mail order catalog — often a source for heirloom varieties not seen anywhere else
- Subscription to a favorite gardening magazine — buy several individual copies and let the gardener decide
- Gardening book — either a “how to” or one exploring some of the newest landscaping philosophies
- Annual pass to an arboretum or botanical garden — a truly all- season gift
- Fees for a horticultural class — continuing education courses are often available through local colleges
- Trip of a lifetime to renowned American gardens — educational and inspirational
- A butterfly wading pool — these beautiful pollinators need a place to rest and quench their thirst
- A bee hotel — native bees will check into a private room, then stay to visit the garden
- Squirrel proof bird feeders — most gardeners love birds too!
- A variety of premium bird seed blended for your area — different types of seed brings different types of birds
- Heated bird bath — fresh water is hard to find when the temperature is below freezing
- Gift certificate for professional landscape design — the entire yard or a new feature area
- Green wall structure —create a unique feature either indoors or outside
- Specimen tree — either evergreen or deciduous
- Indoor herb garden — imagine how much better meals will taste seasoned with fresh herbs
- Seed-starting equipment — an opportunity to have a garden designed around your own favorites, not the local grower’s choices
- Adjustable LED grow-lights -- a great solution for a low light space
- Seed-saver kit — a much easier way to store those precious seeds from one season to the next
- Terrariums — bring a piece of the outdoors into your living area
