Well, because this post is about gifts from our gardens, and let's face it, our gardens aren't producing much in November and December.
(Unless you live Down Under, that is. And if you do, I'm kind of jealous. I was lucky enough to visit many, many years ago and would love to go back again.)
Because giving something from your garden to another gardening friend is a gift from the heart, don't you think? I've shared iris roots, comfrey plants, walking onion bulbs and so many more plants with friends, but not at the holidays. They're good gifts for summer birthdays, but not in December.
The easiest and most obvious all-season gift from your garden is seeds. Just gather some seeds from your favorite flowers or vegetable plants, put them in a cute printable seed packet, and give an assortment to a gardening friend. Set them in a cute pot and add a gardening tool or two and you're set.
But what if you need a gift for a special friend or family member who isn't a gardener?
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If you grow an herb garden or even just a few herbs in pots, dehydrate the herbs for a culinary herb basket. I wrote about how to dry and store homegrown herbs here.
I fill empty spice jars or little Mason jars and print labels such as these. If you have trouble getting those old spice labels off the jars, sometimes nail polish remover works.
Basil grows so abundantly in my garden that I usually have way more than I can use in a year, so I always have jars of dried basil to gift to others. Rosemary, thyme and oregano are others I grow in my herb garden.
Catnip mice are simple to sew from scraps of fabric, and are even easier to sew by hand than by machine in my opinion. Stuff with some fiberfill and a bit of dried catnip from your garden for the cat-lovers in your life.


My favorite recipes for jams and jellies are Spiced Caramel Pear Jam, Triple Berry Jam (in the photo above) and Harvest Apple Jelly.


Julie at The Farm Wife has a tutorial on handmade sachets filled with homegrown herbs and flowers such as lavender. Her step-by-step directions are detailed and thorough. Wouldn't you love a set of these to keep in your dresser drawers?
If you have the talent and flair for this, you can craft some absolutely breath-taking gifts and perhaps even some income by making and selling these. There are a plethora of how-to videos on YouTube.
Do you have other ideas for homestead- and garden-based gifts? I'd love to have you tell us about them in the comments.
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My hope is to inspire you, and to encourage your homesteading plans and your dreams of a simple, self-reliant, God-dependent life. You can follow me at:
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I need to do the simmering potpourri!
ReplyDeleteIt's incredibly easy - yes, you do need to make some. :-)
DeleteNot too early to think about Christmas and you have some great ideas here. The jam looks so good. Lilac syrup is one I have never heard of.
ReplyDeletebetsy
The lilac syrup is intriguing, isn't it, Betsy?
DeleteYou have some great ideas here! I need to make some jellies. I hadn't thought of saving apple trimmings for potpourri. I may have to try that, too.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the thought of using scraps to make something beautiful, Michelle?
DeleteHi Kathi,
ReplyDeleteI love you DIY gift ideas especially herb wreath - what a beautiful gift and I can only imagine the lovely aroma it would have. Congratulations on being featured on Homestead Blog Hop. Pinned & twitted. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!
Isn't that herb wreath beautiful? Thank you for stopping by, Marla!
DeleteWhat a wonderful collection of gift ideas, Kathi! (And what a treat to see my Lilac Syrup directions listed in this great line-up!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Your Lilac Syrup looks so gorgeous... wish I had some lilacs so I could make some this spring.
DeleteThanks so much for linking up your post with us at Encouraging Hearts & Home. It’s always fun to get new ideas! I hope we will see you again next time. :)
ReplyDeleteI make a ton of food gifts for holidays. Found you on simple homestead link party
ReplyDeleteI love giving and getting food gifts for the holidays, Candy, they're practical and there's no clutter. :-)
DeleteGreat ideas, Kathi! Congrats on your feature on the Simple Homestead Hop!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!
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