2021 Gift Guide: Gifts for Gardeners

While some folks have their slipper-clad feet kicked up on an ottoman, admiring the wrapped presents stacked neatly under their decorated tree, others (editor’s note: me.) are still scrambling to finalize their holiday shopping. I’d like to blame my severe, lifelong affliction to procrastinate, wherein I tell myself that I thrive under pressure. But with lingering supply chain issues (that’s the buzzword of the year, isn’t it?) and quickly-approaching Christmas date, I wanted to share a short list of, what I think are, some of the best gifts for gardeners if you, too, need to finish your shopping.

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Gifts for Gardeners

1. Seeds. Show me a gardener who says they have enough seeds and I’ll show you a liar. The limit does not exist. Seed packets make the perfect stocking stuffers or a fun secret Santa present for a fellow gardener. Share your favorite varieties, or simply use seeds as an excuse to bring a bit of beauty into your life via these gorgeous seed packets from Hudson Valley Seed Co. 
2. Plant-themed mugs. Or hats. Or t-shirts. Or sweatshirts. We gardeners and plantsmen and plantswomen are never shy about proclaiming our love of nature for all the world to hear it.
3. Duluth Heirloom Gardening Overalls. I have this pair in “ink garden print” and words cannot adequately express how much I love them. I usually wear a size 8/10 clothing and sized down to a medium and they fit perfectly, so keep in mind sizing if ordering for a loved one. Men, when in doubt, size down if you’re buying for a lady. 
4. A pair of gardening boots. I love my [gifted] pair of Merry People rain boots and am eagerly awaiting the US launch of a new color I have my eye on.
5. Hummingbird feeder. There are lots of styles out there, and since hummingbirds can be a bit territorial, it’s not a bad idea to have multiple feeders scattered around the property. 
6. The Whole Seed Catalog from Baker Creek. Simply stunning.
7. Hori-hori knife. I’m hoping Santa sneaks one of these in my stocking, since they come in handy around the yard for digging, pruning, harvesting, and weeding. 
8. A gorilla cart. While it may not be the sexiest gift around, it’s one of the most useful and versatile. 
9. Garden harvest baskets. Like with seeds, a gardener can never have too many baskets. I’ve had my eye on a sturdy one like this for a while to accompany my motley crue of thrifted, found, and repurposed baskets that I’ve accumulated over the years.
10. Gardening gloves. I’m always hunting for a pair, and whenever I find two they always seem to be two left gloves. 
11. Houseplants. You’ll likely want to make sure that if the gift recipient has pets at home that said houseplants are non-toxic, but that’s easy to quickly figure out.
12. Garden decor. My dad got us a ceramic gargoyle as a housewarming present and it’s one of my favorite things in the garden. Etsy is a treasure trove for garden goodies if you search “garden decor.”
13. A fruit tree. This gift requires a bit of advanced planning and gardening know-how regarding where to order from, what variety, and so on, but this would truly be the gift that keeps on giving, not unlike Clark Griswold’s jelly of the month club gift. Bonus points if you get that reference.