Is there anything more rewarding than gifting surprises to the ones you love? If you’re struggling to find a Christmas present for the gardeners in your life, check out our list of gift ideas for the green-thumbed individual. Are you the gardener? Pass this list onto your friends and family if they’re unsure of what to gift a plant-loving person.
The best part of this list is that all of the presents are either low or no-cost, so even if you’re on a strict budget, you can bring some holiday joy to your gardening friends.
Gardening Books
Gardening books are perfect for beginner and expert gardeners alike. A new gardener can flip through and gain valuable information or use the book as a handy reference tool. Advanced plant parents can peruse a gardening book for inspiration.
I don’t use my gardening book collection much to collect information anymore. During the winter months, though, looking through the titles on my shelf is my favorite way to get excited for the season to come.
Books are also reasonably inexpensive, so they’re the perfect budget Christmas gift for gardeners. Here are a few of my recommendations:
1. For the Person New to Gardening
The All New Square Foot Gardening book is the ideal read for newbie gardeners. It’s one of the first books I purchased when I started gardening and have since gifted it to a few people. The method itself is super simple to follow, and I love all the included charts, visuals, and reference material.
2. For the Organization-Obsessed Gardener
Do you know someone who loves making lists and keeping a strict schedule? Or maybe someone who might benefit from doing so? This handbook includes piles of valuable information.
It contains weekly list reminders of what needs to be done in the garden. You fill in your region’s first and last frost date and follow the recommendations on the page.
3. For the Indoor Plant Lover who Needs a Bit of Help
If you’re looking for a gift for the plant-murderer in your life, this is it. We all know someone (maybe even ourselves!) who adores plants but can’t seem to keep them alive long enough to enjoy them.
Give them this handy, affordable houseplant guide that will outline pretty much everything they need to know to succeed and become an indoor plant guru.
Gardening Gloves
Gardening gloves are a super low-cost, practical gift. Even if someone already has a few pairs, they’re likely to appreciate a pair of gardening gloves. Gardeners constantly misplace, lose, and soil their gloves, so a backup pair is always welcome.
Soil
Go ultra-practical and gift your gardening friend bags of soil to fill their beds or for early spring seed starting.
Depending on the source, soil is a low-cost gift, and any gardener can find a use for excess earth. If it’s wintertime where you’re located, consider buying a gift card to the local garden center so your gardening giftee can order or purchase soil in the spring.
Other Raw Materials
Speaking of soil, other garden-related raw materials are equally suitable as a Christmas gift for gardeners. Last year, I added cardboard to my wishlist. People ignored the weird request, but once I explained it to my friends and family, they seemed on board. I used it to mulch and kill the grass around my raised beds.
Sure, a stack of cardboard seems like an odd gift, but I really did want it! What else might a gardener appreciate? Rocks for landscaping. Sand. Mulch. Old plant pots. Compost. It all depends on their gardening goals!
Gardening Log
A garden log is an invaluable tool. It’s the perfect way to stay organized. There are 2 options: Buy a pre-made garden log for your giftee to keep track of their seed starting and planting.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider creating a DIY log for your friend. If you’ve got spreadsheet skills, why not create a Google Sheet that your person can use to keep track of their gardening chores?
Garden Gnome
Garden gnomes are available in all shapes and sizes, from super cute miniature gnomes to large imposing decorations. There are gnomes suitable for all price points, too.
Seeds
You don’t need to spend anything to gift someone seeds. Package saved seed from your own garden, and you have an incredibly thoughtful gift on your hands. If you’re not a seed saver, pick out a few packs of seeds from a reputable seed seller. Every gardener is sure to appreciate a gift containing seeds.
Seeding Square
If you know a gardener who’s into square foot gardening, gift them this convenient seeding square that helps with planting and bed organization. The square is sturdy, waterproof, and super easy to use. It’s also an excellent Christmas gift for young gardeners who are starting to become interested in the hobby.
Plant Parkers
Buy or create homemade plant markers for a pal’s garden. Plastic or wooden markers are a useful stocking stuffer for those getting ready for the seed starting season around the corner. Decorative plant markers – whether store-bought or handmade – are a thoughtful, practical gift and are available in a variety of styles and shapes.
Fabric Grow Bags
My birthday wishlist this year was filled mostly with gardening-related items. One of the featured wishes was a pack of fabric grow bags for growing potatoes. The person who gifted them had no idea what they were for, so it was fun to explain how I intended to grow spuds inside them!
If you’re uncertain of what your gardening friend needs, grow bags are a great choice as a Christmas gift for gardeners. They made an excellent add-on gift, and anyone who loves growing stuff will easily find a use for a pack of fabric pots.
Plants
If you know someone who likes growing things, you can never go wrong with gifting them a plant. The choices are endless! Choose from ornamental plants like succulents and air plants or opt to gift an edible plant like a lemon tree. Make it an ultra-thoughtful gift by giving away a plant from your own garden.
Hand Creams, Soaps, and Other Self-Care Items
Gardening is rough on the skin. After a day of planting, pruning, and harvesting, my hands need a bit of TLC. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to really appreciate bath and body items.
I love taking a bubble bath at the end of an arduous day – whether it’s due to work in the garden or elsewhere. There’s something restorative about having a calming skincare routine, too. I imagine I’m not the only gardener who would appreciate this type of present.
Apron or Tool Belt
Use your sewing skills to cook up a handy tool belt as a Christmas gift for the gardener in your life. They can use it to transport tools or other supplies around the garden or yard. Don’t quite have the required seamster abilities to get the job done? Buy an apron made, especially for gardening. Does your gardening pal love to cook? A regular kitchen apron also makes a great gift.
A Coupon for Your Time
Use heavy card stock, and whatever artistic skills you may have to create coupons for your garden buddy. Not able to afford a fancy present? Gift your time instead. Coupon ideas might include:
- A day of help in the garden
- A helping hand with canning
- Help with cleaning out your shed
- An afternoon of weeding
- Help raking leaves in the autumn
- Help building something you need for your garden
- One-time coupon for a lawn mowing job
Preservation and Cooking Tools
If you know a gardener who loves being in the kitchen, there are a host of gift options available. Buy tools to help a vegetable gardener make the most of their harvest.
A fermentation crock is a nice gadget that’ll allow your friend or family member to make delicious pickles, Sauer kraut, or Kim chi when they have excess pickles and cabbage on their hands.
Know someone who’s nuts about canning their own jams and tomato sauces? Gift them a package of high-quality mason jars – super useful but with an affordable price tag. If you have a bigger budget, consider gifting a dehydrator to your gardening bud.
Garden Tools
Even the best garden tools start to wear down over time. While gardeners have the best of intentions, it’s tough to keep track of tools at all times, and they inevitably end up left out in the rain or snow at some point or another. Gift single garden tools or present a set to a gardener.
They’ll surely find a new tool useful, even if they already have the tool in question.
Seed Starting Supplies
I enjoy the seed starting process, but I hate the stress that comes with prepping and planning for it. I’m always worried about having enough supplies (flats, trays, plant markers, etc.).
I also hate spending money on seed starting stuff. Find out about your friend or relative’s favorite seed starting products and wrap them up with a bow. They’ll thank you for making their life easier in the late winter and early spring when seedling production is in full swing.
