There’s nothing quite like receiving a handmade or homemade gift at Christmas. When someone invests their own creativity, time, and heart into a gift, just for you, it ranks at the top of best gifts – at least in my opinion! My most favorite gifts are those that my family has made for me for Christmas. I don’t forget those. They are precious and very much loved.
You, too, can give gifts of creativity that include some of your dried herbs right from your garden. And if you didn’t dry your own, that’s ok. Buying the herbs then using them in your homemade gift is just as special.
I’ll be sharing gift ideas for you to make for the next several weeks.
Lavender
This is one of the most loved fragrances that herb gardeners and women everywhere adore. Even some men like it! And cats, too!
One of the easiest gifts you can whip up in no time is a sachet. These are greatly appreciated by lavender lovers and can be made in all shapes and sizes with a variety of fabrics. They can be hand sewn or machine stitched and personalized to the recipient’s own tastes. They can be super simple or highly detailed. Here’s some samples to inspire you:
Thyme
Purchase a live potted thyme plant and create your own saying, painting it on an appropriately sized plaque, wood sign, or other surface which can be poked into the dirt or just hung on it’s own in the kitchen.
Of course, you could create a whole mini garden with your own artsy signs or sayings. What a treat for the herbal gardener-chef!
Wall Hangings
My neighbor is a die hard gardener. He lives to grow things! At 86, he does more work than most folks half his age. It’s kept him young and enthusiastic about life. Last Christmas I made a wall hanging and stuffed the pockets with seed packets and gloves. He was thrilled beyond words and has it hanging prominently in his greenhouse!
This is truly the best part of Christmas for me – making gifts for those I love. You can cater to each person’s special interests and infuse your own heart into it. Creativity has no limits. Give it an inch and it takes a path that turns into miles! And it’s such a fun journey along the way!
Next week, we’ll add some more herbal gift ideas.
Click for Part II and Part III.
I’m sure many of you have made gifts as well. Please share your ideas in the comments below!