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Christmas wish list
Every year around this time my friends and family ask me what I want for Christmas. I always think it’s obvious…things for the garden or about gardening! Somehow that translates into sweaters, socks and board games. So this year I thought I’d help my family out with some great ideas.
Dear Santa…
Bulbs are always at the top of my list! Bulbs are a great gift because you are not committing the recipient to anything too strenuous. To often, gardeners are given live plants, which come with a long list of care instructions and as nature’s guardians, we feel like we need to provide for these in the best possible way. Bulbs are a different story. They are easily kept until spring, and then planted and enjoyed with minimal effort. If you can’t get bulbs in your area, try a gift certificate from an online location that specializes in unique ones.
Tools are perfect to receive at Christmas. As a gardener, I get in a rut using the same shovel, pruners or rake over and over again. I rarely deviate, so when someone gives me a new tool, they change up my routine (usually for the better). Look for tools that come from the UK or even Japan. The quality is exceptional and both of those countries are known for their gardening prowess.
Twine. A gardener never-ever has enough string on hand. Having a beautiful twine holder or even a collection of different sized twine is an absolute luxury when tying up roses or even collecting twigs.
A faux-fur hot water bottle and a cleverly wrapped bottle of RUB-A535 is a win! Try spending several hours on your knees, reaching under shrubs to get at weeds and see how you feel. A true gardener will love that you understand their effort and will put your pain-relief therapy to excellent use.
A reclaimed barn board with a world map and a collection of pins is a little outside the box, but still a perfect gift! Just tell your gardener to mark all of the gardens around the world that they want to see. Not only is it inspirational, this is the perfect gift for you to actually make. Trust me, handmade equals special around the holidays.
This holiday, make the gardener in your life a little extra happy. This time of the year is tough on us as our favourite place in the world is either frozen solid or under a blanket of snow.
P.S. Mom, if you’re reading this article…I still love your sweaters, but maybe this time you could toss a new pair of leather gardening gloves in the box too!
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