Six Tips For Creating a Custom Garden Gift Basket

Theme gift baskets are very popular for all occasions including birthdays, housewarming, weddings, and even graduation.  If you need a special gift for someone who enjoys digging in the dirt, creating a unique garden gift basket is sure to be a hit.

Before you make any purchases, think about the gardener and build a simple profile that will help you choose just the right items for their garden gift set:

1. Are they a “newbie” who just started gardening or is this a hobby they have enjoyed for awhile?  Beginners may enjoy “how-to” books while experienced gardeners may enjoy more advanced books about garden design, gardens of the world, or even a particular kind of gardening (organic, perennial, vegetable, etc.)  And beginners may get very excited about receiving some basic gardening tools like a trowel, shovel or rake, or even a paid of gardening gloves.  Garden magazines are great gift ideas for all gardening levels. 

 

2. Do they garden indoors or outdoors?  You may want to include live plants or seeds in your gift basket depending on the timing of your gift and their geographic region.  Special tools and grow lights are available specifically for indoor gardening.  Many flower pots and plant stands are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use while you’ll find others that are more specific to one or the other.

 

3. Is their outdoor space decorated with accessories like their indoor space?   Many gardeners use their outdoor space as an extension of their indoor rooms.  Think about how they decorate and accessorize their indoor living areas.  Chances are they will incorporate the same style outside as well.  Accessories like birdhouses, special lighting, sculpture, candles, and wind chimes add a personal touch to “outdoor rooms” and garden areas.

 

4. Do they take pictures of family, vacations, or other parts of their life?  Many gardeners enjoy using pictures to record the bounty of their efforts!  Many scrapbooks and photo albums have a floral or garden theme that compliment outdoor pictures.  (Believe me, we gardeners love to remember warmer days by looking at our garden pictures when it’s cold and snowy outside!)

 

5. What about clothing?  Gardeners can always use another pair of garden gloves, a garden hat, or even outdoor shoes or boots that accommodate wet and muddy conditions.  And you can always find great shirts or jackets with special messages only a gardener will enjoy.  Some of my favorites are “At Least My Plants Listen To Me”, or “Likes To Play In The Dirt”, or even “Gardeners Learn By Trowel And Error”!

 

6. Do they grow flowers, vegetables, or both?   This is where you can be creative with the container you choose!  Yes, baskets are great (and there’s quite a variety of shapes, sizes, and color to choose from) but don’t stop there.   Consider starting with a non-traditional container for your gift basket.  How about a flower pot, a watering can, or even a wheelbarrow?

Just as you do when purchasing any gift, thinking about the recipient first will help you make good decisions about what to include in your custom gardening gift basket.  Just a few minutes of prep time will result in a great gift for gardeners.  Not only will they be excited with all the presents, they’ll also appreciate your time and thoughtfulness in preparing a gift especially for them. 

Custom garden gift baskets get our green thumbs up!