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I absolutely love gifting (and receiving) homegrown produce and flowers. Gifts like these truly create memorable and heartfelt experiences for everyone involved.
Picture a friend or loved one opening a beautifully wrapped jar of homemade jam made from fruit you’ve grown and nurtured in your own garden. The thought and effort you put into creating such a personal gift is sure to delight anyone who receives it.
Even if you’re not into making jams or preserves, there are many unique gift ideas you can share straight from your garden. So, let’s dive right in for some inspiring ideas!
I started food gardening in early 2022 and created a YouTube channel about it to document my journey. Around November and December of that same year, I had more crops and flowers than I could use, so I had to think of ways to share the harvest.
That’s when some of these unique garden gift ideas came to mind. I wanted to make something that would quickly come together for my family and friends, but also feel personal and reflect the care and effort that was put into my garden.
That said, if you find yourself in the same boat as I was, these ideas are not only thoughtful but also affordable and sustainable. Best of all, they work beautifully for any occasion or season!
Garden Gift Ideas: Edible Delights
Edible goodies are what I first think about when deciding what to gift from the garden. I try to consider the person’s preferences, such as whether they like homemade jams, relishes, infused oils, or body care products.
Ultimately, the idea is to turn something simple into something truly special for the person receiving it. Here are some unique DIY garden gift ideas you can try out this season:
Herb Bouquet
For the holidays of 2022, I decided to make an herb bouquet for my mom. I harvested a nice little fragrant mix of thyme, basil, parsley, and rosemary from my garden. I also tucked in a few vibrant calendula flowers to add some color and beauty.
The golden color of the calendula stood out nicely against the green herbs. The bunch was tied together, and then placed in a vase with some water. It was as simple as that. She loved it, not only for its beauty but also for how useful it was in her kitchen.
To make your own herb and flower bouquet, gather whatever herbs and flowers you’re currently growing. Snip them near the base of the plant, tie them together with some twine, and place into a vase or container of choice. There are no rules here, just creativity and sharing 🙂
Fruit Jams or Preserves
The very first jam I made – and gifted – from my garden was a roselle jam (aka rosella, sorrell). It’s similar to hibiscus, but the calyxes have a fruity/tart flavor. It was absolutely delicious, and the people I gifted it to still talk about it – two years later!
If you live in a warm, subtropical, or tropical climate, I highly recommend growing roselle. It’s so easy to grow, fuss-free, and very resilient.
You can make jams out of many different fruits, and can mix and match them to create your own unique flavor combinations:
Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries.
Stone Fruits: Peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, and nectarines.
Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes (often combined with other fruits or made into marmalade).
Tropical Fruits: Mangoes, pineapples, guavas, and passion fruit. (Speaking of passion fruit, if you want to try something new and delicious, check out my easy passion fruit mousse recipe after this post!)
Other Fruits: Apples, pears, figs, kiwis, and even tomatoes for savory jams.
Vegetable Relishes & Chutneys
Vegetable relishes and chutneys come in a variety of styles and flavors, and also make wonderful gifts. You can make jars of savory or sweet goodness that will pair beautifully with cheeses, sandwiches, or roasted dishes. This is another thoughtful way to share your harvest and add a personal, homemade touch to your gifts:
Sweet Relish: A classic relish typically made from cucumbers and eaten with hotdogs and hamburgers (in the US). Though there are many recipes out there, it’s normally sweetened with sugar and spiced with mustard seeds and turmeric.
Corn Relish: A mix of corn, peppers, and onions in a tangy-sweet brine. It’s great as a side dish or as a topping for grilled meats.
Chow Chow: A Southern style relish made from green tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and peppers, often with a tangy vinegar base. It’s versatile and pairs well with beans or barbecue.
Zucchini Relish: Made with shredded zucchini. It can be made sweet, savory, or spicy, and is a fantastic way to use up your excess garden zucchini!
Piccalilli: A British style relish using a mix of vegetables like cauliflower, onions, and cucumbers in a mustard flavored brine.
Pepper Relish: Made from sweet or hot peppers. It can be made tangy and slightly spicy (or mild), and is perfect for garnishing dishes.
Tomato Relish: Usually a chunky condiment – like a salsa – made with ripe tomatoes, onions, and spices. It’s great on sandwiches, burgers, pasta, or with chips.
Carrot Relish: Grated or diced carrots combined with onions and spices. It’s bright, flavorful, and adds a fresh crunch to meals.
Infused Oils & Vinegars
Infused oils and vinegars also make wonderful gifts. Though beautiful on their own, you can elevate the gift by using bows, ribbons, and/or printable labels on each bottle.
All you need are glass bottles, a handful of dried or fresh herbs and/or edible flowers, high quality oil, and/or vinegar. Important: if ingredients like garlic or fresh herbs are used in oils, refrigeration is recommended to prevent botulism:
Garlic and Rosemary Oil: Perfect for roasting vegetables, meats, or dipping bread.
Chili Oil: Great for stir-fries, pizzas, or marinades.
Lemon Basil Oil: Bright and fragrant, pairs well with salads or seafood dishes.
Thyme and Orange Oil: A sweet-savory combination great for drizzling over chicken, fish, or pork.
Basil and Garlic Vinegar: Ideal for Italian-style dressings or marinades.
Raspberry Vinegar: Sweet and tart, great for vinaigrettes or as a glaze for meats.
Chive Blossom Vinegar: A beautiful pink vinegar with a mild onion flavor.
Citrus Herb Vinegar: Combines lemon zest, thyme, and rosemary for a bright and refreshing twist.
Jalapeño and Cilantro Vinegar: A zesty infusion perfect for tacos or salsas.
Creative Garden Gift Ideas: Beyond the Edible
If you’d like some non-edible garden gift ideas that can bring beauty into someone’s home in a thoughtful and personal way, this list is for you!:
Dried Flowers and Herbs
Pressed Flower Art: Create DIY crafts like pressed flower picture frames, wreaths, wall art, or handmade cards and bookmarks.
Herb Bundles: Arrange bundles of dried herbs for décor or for functional use in aromatherapy.
Dried Herbs and Flowers: Use them for sachets, or combine dried flowers, herbs, and spices for a fragrant potpourri.
Seeds and Starters
Seed Packets: Share seeds from your garden such as flowers, herbs, and/or vegetables, and personalize them with hand-decorated envelopes.
Starter Plants: You can pot up seedlings or cuttings from some of your favorite plants, like succulents, flowers, herbs, or easy-to-grow vegetables.
DIY Handcrafted Gifts
Natural Dye Kits: Use dried flowers, homemade beetroot powder, or plants like hibiscus, marigolds, turmeric, or even onion skins with instructions for creating natural dyes.
Bath Soaks: Combine dried herbs and flowers like lavender or chamomile with salts for relaxing bath gifts.
Sugar Face Scrubs: Mix sugar with soothing and aromatic dried herbs or flowers like lavender, calendula, rosemary, or chamomile for a natural skincare treat.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re feeling inspired to try some of these creative garden gift ideas this season. There’s something so fulfilling about turning what you’ve nurtured into something meaningful for others.
From delicious jams to thoughtful DIY creations, these ideas are all about celebrating the joys of growing and gifting. Not only do you get to enjoy the rewards of your harvest, but you’re also spreading love and creativity with others. Enjoy!
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