gift guide: gardeners + green thumbs

WHEN MY dad started working from home 2 years ago, he slowly and [I think] sort of inadvertently began building a little cactus nursery near a big window in the house with wee clippings from his various ‘mother’ cacti. What started as a single rescue mission has turned into a whole gaggle of little pots with shoots at various stages of growth and my dad tends to the little guys like a proud papa. It’s pretty adorable.

IT’S EASY to understand why there are so many super passionate gardeners out there. Gardening connects you to the earth and nature in a way that‘s rare in most people’s daily lives. That connection and the time spent tending to precious plants, whether in a windowsill or on an acre, can provide soothing + peaceful solace for busy lives, making space for quiet reflection, reducing anxiety and calming frayed nerves. It can also be a serious mental challenge, which is also healthy. Plus you get the immense satisfaction of watching something that you cared for grow and bloom and sometimes you even get to eat the fresh ‘fruits’ of your labor. My son inhales almost all of the potted herbs before they even make it inside. And our big old dog used to nibble each perfectly ripe raspberry off the bush, one by one, with the gentleness of a tiny baby bunny. It’s just that satisfying to pull something delicious straight from the garden and devour it.

SO IF you love someone who loves to get their hands in the dirt, this Gift Guide is for you. It’s full of beautiful and creative things, many handmade, to elevate any gardener’s practice. Enjoy, lovelies, and save a late summer ripe tomato for me. xo

gifts for gardeners + green thumbs

>> Barebones Living designs and makes timeless, high quality tools for gardeners and outdoor lovers of all kinds [the Hori Hori Ultimate is one of their most loved and popular tools]. But it’s also a super cool company with a serious mission to ‘build relationships and connect community through food, nature and the pull of fire,’ which they do not only with their amazing products, but also through incredible philanthropic work and their status as a Certified B Corp. Any of their gorgeous things would make a beautiful, thoughtful and useful gift for the gardeners and outdoor lovers you love. >>

>> No need to sacrifice style while you’re out in the muck with Australian brand, Merry People’s Bobbi Rain Boots. They’re a classic Chelsea-style boot reimagined in natural rubber with a neoprene lining for comfort and protection. And they come in a bunch of super cute color combos like Beetroot + Light Pink. Wear them for gardening, camping, tromping through the mud, festivals and anywhere else you might encounter some mucky muck. They have a mid-calf version, too, if you’re going deep. << $129.95

>> Keep that fierce sun off your face in style with this handmade Cotton Crusher Hat. It comes in 4 pretty colors, has an inner drawstring for fit, has UPF 50 and is totally packable. I’m totally in. << $36

>> These Barebones Living Classic Work Gloves are made with flexible cowhide and a keystone thumb design for maximum dexterity. They come in 3 different naturally-dyed, chemical-free colors and 3 sizes to suit just about anyone. >> $38

>> These pretty Opinel Hand Pruning Shears are the perfect intersection of form + function. Opinel has been designing knives for 120 years [their pocket knife is on the Victoria + Albert Museums’ list of the 100 best designed objects in the world] so I think it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing around a blade. Combine that with their distinctive style and you get the perfect shears for green thumbs who want their tools to be as beautiful as their garden. << $59

>> Handmade in Montana, these Plant Markers are pretty and super easy to read. They’re made from untreated wood and come in a ton of different herb + veggie options, plus they’ll make them custom if you’re into growing something more exotic. << from $1.95

>> Hedley & Bennett's gold-standard aprons can handle any kind of mess you make. There are a bunch of styles, colors and prints to choose from, including a line of Denim Aprons and water-resistant Waxed Canvas Aprons that would be a super durable choice for gardening. >> from $58

>> Grow a wee avocado tree in your kitchen from the pit of last night’s guac in this pretty glass Avocado Vase. << $48

>> Get those seeds to exactly the right depth with this thoughtfully handmade Gardener’s Dibble. It has easy-to-see markings so you know how far down into the soil you’ve reached. Each one is hand-turned in Maine from local Ash. << $25

>> Love this cute Grow With the Flow T-Shirt, it’s just happy and sunny for the plant-lovers you love. It comes in 3 neutral colors and a huge range of sizes from infant to adult. << $20

>> Learn about dry gardening pioneer, Ruth Bancroft, in The Bold Dry Garden. Her famous namesake dry garden in Walnut Creek, CA is one of the most acclaimed and you can see why in these gorgeous pages. << $37.50

>> Protect your arms from rashes, sun exposure and allergens while keeping cool with Farmer’s Defense Sleeves. They come in a bunch of fun prints or solids, are machine washable and provide UPF 50 to shield your skin from the sun. << $26.99

>> YouTube sensation, Huw Richards, teaches newbies and seasoned green thumbs alike how to grow an abundance of veggies in one raised bed year-round in Veg in One Bed. << $24.99

>> This Down to Earth Gardener’s Hand Remedy is lovingly handmade in Southern Maine. It contains all sorts of magical ingredients that not only help keep hard-working hands moisturized, but also provide anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties for warding off anything sketchy lurking in the soil. << $23

>> Love this Woven Ranch Sun Hat. It’s Fair Trade Certified hand-woven in Mexico from palm fibers. It has an interior cotton band for fit, comfort and mopping up sweat, offers UPF 50 protection and has a pretty leather adjustable chin strap. You’ll be protected from the sun and looking super stylish, too. << $68

>> This Butterfly Garden Seed Kit comes with everything you need to start a little patch of butterly-loving wildflowers to attract some pretty friends to your garden. They also have kits for Honey Bees, Herbal Tea, Cut Flowers and more and they’re all perfectly packaged for gifting. This is a sweet gift for little gardeners, too. >> $25

>> I just love this stunning handmade Recycled Sari + Seagrass Bird House. Each nest is made by an individual World Fair Trade certified artisan who chooses the fabric they like, so each one is truly unique. << $46

>> Established in 1921, Steele Canvas Basket Corp has had some time to perfect their craft. This Heavy-duty Steele Canvas Steele Canvas Garden Utility Tote Bag can handle whatever you throw at it. It has 8 (yes 8) exterior pockets to store ALL the stuff and reinforced leather handles so you can drag this beauty all around your garden without a care. << $99

>> Part useful guide and part gorgeous inspiration, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by florist farmer, Erin Benzakein of Floret Farm in Washington, would make a really beautiful gift for any flower lover or gardener. Her Year in Flowers book on floral arranging looks amazing, too. << $29.95

>> These Madison James Flyaway Sticks have a bit of a cult following. They’re a blend of geranium, Texas cedar, clove and a few other ingredients that are super effective at keeping mosquitoes, horseflies, hornets and other annoying creatures at bay. Burn them while working in the garden, camping, picnicking or wherever else pesky bugs might ‘bug’ you. << $42

>> This fabulous MQuan Marigold & Sun Birdhouse is a gorgeous piece of art that doubles as a home for your garden’s little birdies. MQuan’s work is always stunning and it’s all handmade and hand-painted in upstate NY with a love and intention that comes through in her work. This sweet little home is safe for the outdoors, has drainage holes and good ventilation. It’s assembled onto a hemp rope for solid hanging. She has gorgeous Planters, Vessels and ‘Rocks’, too, that would all make a spectacular gift for anyone who loves to spend time enjoying their garden. << $425

>> This vintage-inspired Barebones Living Harvesting & Gathering Bag is so cool. It’s made of super durable paraffin waxed canvas and has a watertight removable liner. The bottom drops out so you can easily retrieve your bounty. And you can wear it either on your shoulder or back depending on your activity and comfort. >> $79.99

>> This gorgeous Succulent Garden Jigsaw Puzzle is double-sided for an extra challenge and two puzzles in one for when your green thumb is ready to come inside for a bit. << $15.99

>> These Sunny Two-Room Pollinator Houses attract several kinds of pollinators depending on which color you choose. Leaf cutter + mason bees like the yellow house, ladybugs, lacewings, butterflies and moths like the design of the blue + salmon houses best. Whichever you choose, you’ll be attracting beneficial, non-aggressive insects to your veggies, herbs and flowers. << $30

>> Take your gardening one step further by learning to use those plants, herbs and flowers to make herbal blends and potions for healing from The Green Witch. The book also has suggestions for rituals, sacred food recipes and advice about how to commune with nature. << $17.99

>> Seriously elevate the aesthetics of your plant-care ritual with this beautiful Plant Mister. Choose an all-brass or brass + glass mister to replace that plastic spray bottle you’re using now. << $42

>> Flora: Inside the Secret World of Plantsis as fascinating as it is stunning. It’s both an in-depth botanical guide and pure work of art that anyone interested in plants, science, art or gardening would enjoy. << $50

>> Plantables & Paper on Etsy has a massive selection of seed bombs and plantable paper that would make such cute gifts or party favors. You can order a Sampler Box for a good variety or just choose your favorite. << from $6

>> Floriography is a unique, beautifully-illustrated book that teaches you about the historical significance and secret meaning of a wide variety of flowers and herbs. Alongside her gorgeous illustrations, artist Jessica Roux, tells you all about the clear messages that flowers imparted, both for love and malice. << $19.99

>> Scrub up those dirty hands after a good session with this handmade Cake Body Garden Grit Soap. It’s hand-made in small batches in TX with coffee grounds, poppy seeds and pumice for a really deep down clean after playing in the dirt. << $6.50

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gift guide: support + get well

THERE ARE some gifts you wish with all of your heart you didn’t have to give. My little circle of friends has endured some serious health doozies lately. From cancer to surgery [LOTS of surgery] to ‘just’ general illness, my gals have been through a lot. So I’ve had some good practice now at putting together packages for friends and loved ones who just really need to feel the heartfelt love and support you’re putting out.

WHEN YOUR special people are struggling with treatment or illness or any bumpy patch in their life, it’s hard to know what to say and what they might need. If you know them well and can ask, maybe they’ll tell you [if they know themselves]. Otherwise, you can never go wrong with a few heartfelt + beautiful things to pamper them. Just about anything given intentionally and with love that makes them feel extra special or grounded or cozy can really make a difference when someone is in need of some extra propping up. Pick one or bundle a few to really spoil them. Also check out my posts on Blankets and Clean Beauty for lots more ideas on helping your special person feel extra loved-on. And don’t forget about any kiddos in the house who might not be getting quite the same attention they’re used to during a family illness. A little acknowledgment goes a long way. xo

Support + Get Well Gifts

+ Sunday Citizen has taken the incredible health benefits of weighted blankets to another level by adding thousands of bits of healing amethyst, clear quartz and rose quartz crystals to their insanely soft version. So you get the feeling of a snuggly hug with the added bonus of nature’s powerful healing energy. + $269

+ Radiant Malas are handmade in Boulder, CO with love and intention by two women who lovingly hand-select each crystal bead + unique guru bead for their specific vibrational powers. They over-hand knot each one-of-a-kind necklace and make the hand-tied tassels, too. + from $128

+ SKiVYs’ soft and stylish dresses have a specially-designed built-in bra that’s made for both comfort and function. The perfect combination of feminine styling and legitimate support leaves you looking put together and ready for the day while still feeling really comfy + cozy, which can be super useful if you have lots of visitors checking in. + from $68

+ When skin and hair are extra sensitive, a pure silk pillowcase can make a big difference. The slippery nature of silk’s natural fibers reduce overall friction, protecting extra delicate hair and skin. Plus they just feel really nice. Lilysilk’s Pure Silk Pillowcases are also OEKO-TEX certified, so you can rest knowing you’re not laying on gross chemicals. They’re available in standard and king sizes in lots of colors. They also have gorgeous Silk Sheets if you want to be covered from head to toe. + from $39

+ Linda Hsiao hand-makes these Daruma Wishing Dolls in LA. You color in one eye while focusing on a wish or goal, then set it somewhere where you’re reminded of your goal. When you reach it, you color in the other eye and say ‘thank you’ to your Daruma. + from $36

+ The Tea Spot’s Everest Tea Tumbler steeps your brew while you’re on-the-go or on your way to the doctor and then keeps it nice and warm for hours. And to make your gift even more impactful, The Tea Spot donates 10% of all sales in-kind to cancer survivors and community wellness programs. + $33.95

+ Big Heart Tea Co sources their teas directly with a strict focus on quality, equity for farmers and environmental stewardship. You can shop by intention, choosing teas that benefit inflammation, calming nerves or soothing digestion. Or just pick the ones that sound yummiest. + from $9.99

+ Bombas Gripper Slippers are a stylish and super soft way to keep those frozen toes away. They are comfy, unisex, machine washable and come in different color+ print combinations. + $50

+ Puzzles can be super meditative and relaxing. Jiggy’s puzzles are extra gorgeous because they’re all designed by emerging female artists around the world. They also come with special glue so you can frame your hard-earned piece of beautiful artwork, so it’s really two gifts in one. You can even make a custom Personalized Puzzle with a meaningful photo or drawing. + from $40

+ Keep that nurturing + healing hot tea flowing at the perfect temp with a Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle. It’s fast and has variable temps and lots of control so at least you can be in full control of something. Plus it’s stunning to look at. Add a pretty Carter Move Mug for outings, too. + $189

+ Sunday Citizen’s Robes + Wraps come in various fabrics that are all designed for ultimate super soft comfort. This Snug Ribbed Cardigan is part robe, part cardigan and just the kind of super cozy thing you want to snuggle up with when you’re not feeling yourself [or even if you are]. It’s made of extra soft microfiber, comes in 3 pretty colors and is totally machine washable, so go ahead and wear it everyday if it feels good. + $140

+ Your special person can wear your support all the time with Jax Kelly’s pretty Mineral Point Studs [love mine]. This Smoky Quartz pair is for ‘protection’ and there are several other energizing stones to choose from. Rose Quartz for ‘love’ and Amethyst for ‘healing’ and Amazonite for ‘hope.’ They’d all be a beautiful and meaningful way to say ‘I’m always here for you.’ + $34

+ Prima’s CBD Unwind Bath Gems detoxify, purify and moisturize, making them a perfect companion when you’re not feeling your best [or even if you are]. They melt away tension and stress leaving you restored and maybe just a bit more prepared for what’s next. + from $15

+ Talking Out of Turn’s Selfie Care Kits are perfect for spoiling teens or the young at heart. There are 6 different cute themes to choose from and they all include a mug with a cute saying, a stone face roller, a weighted unscented eye mask and neck wrap [love mine] and an inspirational letterpress card. It’s wrapped up all cute in a sweet box and ready to brighten someone’s day. + $70

+ When you love a little who’s under the weather, it can be so easy to bring a smile with an Ooly Happy Pack full of bright, fun treasures to keep them occupied. They come in lots of different themes to appeal to just about any kiddo. This can also be a great little gift to acknowledge a babe with an ill family member who might not be getting as much attention as they’re used to. + from $16.95

+ From joggers to hoodies, if you want comfy clothes, Vuori is your one-stop shop. The line is designed for performance, but is just as happy taking it easy, so it’ll be ready for action once your special person is up and running again. It’s unfathomably soft and made to be lived in. My husband and I are both huge fans. +

+ Le Bon Shoppe’s Cloud Socks are like a squishy warm hug for your feet. I really love them. They’ll keep all the frozen toes away. + $14

+ Ilia Beauty’s Lip Wrap Treatment Mask is heavenly. It has Papaya Enzymes to buff away the rough or flaky skin on super dry lips, which makes way for the magical moisturizing ingredients to sink in. It is also super neutral so it won’t bother people who might be feeling extra sensitive to taste or smell. + $26

+ Slumberkins are therapist-designed to help kids navigate tricky emotional challenges. Each set comes with a ‘Snuggler’ and a book that teach kids how to name and manage their stress and anxiety. Alpaca is specifically aimed at ‘stress relief’ and Fox is for ‘family change.’ They’re a beautiful gift for any child, especially those facing illness. + $48

+ Sometimes it’s tough to focus on looking at a book when you’re not feeling your best, so gift your special person unlimited entertainment they can listen to instead with an Audible membership. They’ll have access to millions of titles to keep them occupied. Gift anywhere from month to a year. + from $15

+ A Kindle Paperwhite is basically ALL the books in one for endless options. You can gift it with or without a Kindle Unlimited subscription that provides access to a million books, audiobooks and magazines. It’s great for home, on-the-go or while waiting for appointments. And it’s now waterproof, which is such a bonus. + from $129.99

+ Tending to plants is said to help people feel calm and happy. The Sill ships high-quality house plants in chic pots all around the country, making them so easy to gift. In addition to giving your special people something beautiful to look at, you’ll also be nurturing their soul, which is a gift in itself. + from $21

+ Warmies stuffed animals are insanely soft + cuddly as you’d expect. But they’re also filled with dried French lavender so you can warm them up in the microwave and they’re perfectly weighted for extra soothing. + from $14.99

+ I just love these little ceramic hearts handmade by artist, Tere Hurst, of Little Rabbit Ceramics and I love to gift them, too. They’re just a sweet little reminder that you’re thinking of your special person. They can also keep one in their pocket to rub like a worry stone when they’re feeling anxious. + $22 for 12

+ Help your special people reduce stress and clear negative energy with pretty smudge sticks from Wild Fire Apothecary. They have white sage, palo santo and sandalwood ropes to clear the air and bring calm. Wild Fire also has a bunch of really pretty cement dishes and wooden bowls to burn and display your treasures in. + from $1.99

+ Handmade in Oakland, Rheal’s Concrete Hands are ready to hold special little treasures, just like you want to hold and support your special people while they’re struggling. Pop a little treasure [like these hearts I love] inside so they know you’re there for them. + from $18

+ A pretty hand-painted Moglea Notebook provides a really special place to record thoughts or keep important notes. There are several designs to choose from and each one is unique. + from $20

+ Give your special person a wearable reminder that you’re thinking of them with one or a few colorful handmade beaded Ubuntu Life LOVE Bracelets. In addition to being super cute + sweet, they also provide meaningful work for Ubuntu’s ‘Maasai Maker Mums.’ + from $10

+ Sometimes you just want to to hide behind something soothing and beautiful and rest your aching bits for a while. Handmade in KS, these heart-shaped eye pillows are made from organic cotton and filled with organic flaxseed and lavender so you can use them hot or cold. + $29

+ A cozy wrap can be super comforting, like a soft hug. Zestt’s Organic Cotton Dreamsoft Travel Scarf is versatile and SO soft + so cozy for snuggling up at home, on the go or at long appointments. + $59

+ A friend who just had his own whole series of health journeys said reading Man’s Search for Meaning while he was down changed his life. And judging by the more than 46,000 reviews, he’s not alone. It has long been lauded as one of the most influential books of our time, sharing inspired thoughts on suffering and inner strength and perspective. There’s also a Young Adult Edition for the teens you love. +

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