A planty Christmas gift guide with a difference
This post was first published in my email newsletter, The Plant Ledger edition 18. You can read all editions and subscribe here.
I love presents - especially, if I'm being honest, the ones I buy myself. So I decided my Christmas gift guide needed a twist: I wanted to reflect in some small way that the cost of living crisis and climate change may be reshaping the way many of us 'do' Christmas.
So, for every brand new item I suggest, there are one of two alternatives: something secondhand that you could pick up on eBay, in a charity shop, auction house or junk shop, or a budget alternative that's around the £5-£10 mark. I'm not listing any plants, because buying living things for Christmas is fraught with difficulties, but why not get a gift voucher for your loved one's favourite plant shop?
Transparency note: no one is paying me to suggest these products, but a few of them are things I have received as free gifts from the company concerned. I'll make that clear in the description of that item with #GIFTED in capitals so you are in no doubt.
Vegan potting tarp from Soil Ninja
If you make as much mess on the floor as I do when caring for houseplants, this is a great buy. This tarp is made from vegan, renewable materials by sustainable designers Shibui Ilk Studio in Dorset, and comes in honey or black. It rolls away for storage between uses, and is water resistant and wipable. £22 each.
Not-so-new option: make your own wine bottle wick waterers using this tutorial from Plant Daddy Podcast.
Copper trays from Crocus
These beautiful trays are fully sealed and watertight, so they'd make very stylish pebble trays, you could use them for Christmas table centrepieces or as windowsill protectors for plant displays: they also come in brass. £42.99 for a set of four.
Not-so-new option: Copper trays frequently pop up in secondhand shops offline and on: they come ready-patinated and often date from the Arts and Crafts era. This is my current favourite on eBay.
I am a fan of a technique called wick watering: so I'm excited to see a new pot range bringing this concept to a wider audience. This pot comes as a flatpack for you to build (watch this video first) and is made from recycled polypropylene. The pots pictured above are my faves: the Saved From The Sea range are made from salvaged recycled fishing nets. Pot prices start at £14. #GIFTED
Not-so-new option: make your own wine bottle wick waterers using this tutorial from Plant Daddy Podcast.
Greenhouse diorama kit from Museum Select
I can't imagine anything more satisfying as a festive project than putting this kit together and showing it off to family, friends and social media! It takes an estimated 10 hours, and is suitable for 14+. (This video shows the construction process to inspire or possible scare you!) £39.99 each - currently preordering for late Nov.
Stocking filler option: I love this greenhouse pop-up card, £6.99 from Etsy.
Propagation Kit from Hilda
I love the look of this kit, and the propagation discs and snips it contains could be game changers for your plans of filling the world with cuttings. It comes in a large letter postal box, so makes the ideal fuss-free gift to send to a planty friend far away. £17.50 each.
And to finish, three more stocking fillers under a tenner...
Plant Animals from Another Studio, £6.50 each
These are glorious and fun - who wouldn't want to spot a creature peeking from of your favourite plant? Choose from chameleon, flying fox and many more. #GIFTED
Trellis from LushPlant, from £7
I've tried making trellis, I am rubbish at it, so thank goodness for LushPlant's selection of plant supports made from biodegradable plastic.
Enamel plant pins by Virgovvitch, from £8.86
Want to wear your favourite plant close to your heart? Look not further than these delightful and detailed pins.