Now that the holiday shopping spree has lightened many of our wallets it might be a great inspiration for many to utilize their green thumbs and make wonderful gifts that from their gardens. Here we wanted to share so wonderful gifts that can be made from some of our gardens.

Edible Gifts:

Fruit jam and jelly  – Who doesn’t enjoy real fruit jam? Make a small gift basket using half pints of strawberry, apple, raspberry, or pepper jelly. Take this gift basket over the top by including a loaf of homemade bread.

Homemade fruit candy – From jelly squares to fruit leather, the natural sugars found in many types of homegrown fruit is a healthier alternative than store bought sweets. Buy a few decorative tins at the local dollar store and you’ve got the perfect DIY garden gift for recipients of any age.

Dried herbs and seasoned salts – Need the perfect housewarming or hostess gift for a beloved culinary expert? Fill a mixing bowl with spice jars of your own dried herbs and seasoned salt made from dehydrated red peppers, onions, and garlic. Round out the basket with beautiful dish towels or oven mitts.

Baked goods – Turn that mountain of zucchini, pumpkins, or carrots into breads, cookies, and cakes. These handmade garden gifts can be baked from prepared, frozen produce for that fresh out of the oven flavor. Add a homemade gift tag and seasonal bow.

Pickles – From refrigerator dills to homemade giardiniera, create edible DIY garden gifts with a tangy ensemble of homemade pickled veggies. Add a jar of pickled watermelon rinds to sweeten the collection.

Fresh herbs – Get kudos from that finicky home cook on your gift list with a basket or bouquet of live herbs. Grown from root cuttings taken before frost strikes in the fall, these gifts from the garden are ready just in time for the holiday gift-giving season.

Beauty Products:

Most of these can be made from a small window box of herbs or from flowers that you may have dried over the season. These are all simple projects but will need additional ingredients that can add up the cost of making these projects.

Essential oils

Handmade soap

Herbal face mask

Herb-scented candles  

Lotion bars

Rose water

Salt-based scrub

Sugar scrub

Decorations:

Ornaments – Make a corn stalk angel, decorate a pinecone, or insert a bit of pine bough into a clear, glass ornament.

Leaf print apron – Use fabric paint and leaves to stamp an artistic design on plain muslin, then cut and sew an apron or garden smock.

Flower arrangements and wreaths – Preserved flowers, grapevines, and dried fruit are ideal for crafting gift-worthy home décor.