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GIFTS from garden, heart Presents can range from basket of fruits to homemade wines December 17, 2010 by Helen Parks, Victoria County Master Gardener edited by Charla Borchers Leon, Victoria County Master Gardener |
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Gardeners' Dirt VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION |
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PHOTO BY ORLAND PEREIDA/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER INTERN Various items from the garden will make special gifts for those on your list. From left, the McCoy pot from the 1940s with the orchid plant combine the traditional with the exotic; a vintage candlestick with grandmother's cookbook share history of the family; handmade soap and its porcelain dish are special personal care gifts; various canned items in decorated jars are easily dressed up with a simple bow and handmade card; special hybrid tea roses and an antique crystal vase make a perfect gift with color and fragrance; and monogrammed hand towels (or a wrap-around robe) have the special touch of personalization. |
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PHOTOS BY HELEN PARKS/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER LEFT: Colorful ornaments and holiday "filler" arranged in a beautiful floral presentation from the garden will brighten a home - or a room - for someone in a hospital or care facility. TOP RIGHT: Hand-harvested pecans in a decorated jar, along with a special recipe from a favorite old cookbook, make a perfect gift for someone special on your list. |
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PHOTO BY ORLAND PEREIDA/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER INTERN Kosher pickles with homegrown garlic and dill, along with wild chili petin peppers, are gifts directly from the garden - and boast the red and green Christmas colors. |
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Do you find yourself with less money to spend on holiday gifts this year? Why not give a gift that shows you care and save money, too?
GIFTS FROM THE GARDEN A gift from the garden can be a basket of fruit, nuts or berries, an antique family vase with fresh flowers or colorful plant or a bottle of homemade wine. Add a handmade card with a special memory or serving suggestions, a pretty ribbon, creative container and - voila! You won't have to wonder if it was used, appreciated or returned to the store. FOOD ITEMS Pecans - Every holiday season, my grandmother gave each grandchild a quart jar of hand-cracked pecans for our holiday baking. I looked forward to that gift each year, as it seemed to mark the beginning of the holiday season. Fruits and vegetables - Canning fruits and vegetables from my garden brings me joy, remembering the wonderful memories of my grandmother and mother as they lovingly handled each jar and pot of canning liquid. I am reminded of the warmth and smells of the country kitchen and the love and joy that went into each jar. INCLUDE FAMILY Bring back your own joy this holiday season as you plan those special gifts for friends and family. What are some garden items you enjoy or some memory that comes to mind? Include your family in planning each gift. Your children's hand prints or apple stampings on brown paper make great gift papers. The thought you put into the gift packaging makes it special. Choose garden items with each person in mind or if time is short, make large batches and duplicate the gifts. If you don't have a garden or flowers, try a farmer's market or your local food store. BAKED GOODS Check your freezer for those frozen fruits and make a peach or dewberry cobbler. Add a couple of festive pot holders and a tea towel to wrap your treat. Bake a pecan or pumpkin pie, a batch of nut-filled cookies, an elegant fig cake or a basket of berry muffins. Wrap in clear cellophane and tie with a colorful bow. Don't forget to add a special card made with a pressed wildflower, dried herbs or leaves from the garden. CANNED ITEMS If you enjoy canning, those jars of jams, jellies, salsas and sauces make a wonderful treat to thank the postman, co-workers or your child's teachers. Slip the jar into a see-through fabric bag with shiny cord ties. HOMEMADE WINE A good bottle of homemade wine made from dewberries or mustang grapes is sure to please any gentleman on your list. Add an engraved liquor medallion with your special greeting. PERSONAL CARE ITEMS Spa and personal care items are fun gifts to share with girlfriends and young teens. Herbal soaps, eye and facial masks, sugar scrubs, aroma candles and diffusers may require a day at the hobby shop choosing pretty bottles and special molds, but will be worth the time and money saved. Hobby shops, health food stores and the Internet are great resources to find the perfect recipe and fragrance. A monogrammed terry bag with pedicure gift card is sure to complement your special gifts. INCIDENTAL GIFTS "Secret Pal" gifts usually limit spending, so choose a small pot of herbs or lavender from your local nursery or flower garden. Color choice of container or wrapping can coordinate with favorite colors or office wall color. Add a whimsical garden critter or shiny holiday decoration. BIRD FEEDER KITS Put together a "Bird Feeder" kit for the kids. Place a pinecone in a colorful lunch bag. Add nuts, berries, birdseed and a small container of peanut butter to the bag. Include a simple picture instruction sheet and red yarn or string. A box of crayons and nature coloring book or small snow globe can keep a child busy until the birds arrive. As you plan your future garden, keep in mind some of the gifts you plan to give in the coming year. Along with the usual fruits and vegetables, plant special herbs or spices you will use as you create your new gifts. DECORATIONS FROM GARDEN With gift list complete, take time to decorate your own home. Fill glass containers with fruits, citrus, leaves and berries. Make a table or door wreath using kumquat or magnolia leaves. Add shiny beads and colorful fruits and berries. Make garland with greenery or leaves. Use floral tape and wire to weave in ribbon, beads or berries. Lastly, put your feet up, and enjoy the scents and colorful holiday decor as you start a new holiday tradition for your family. Show you care . . . give a gift from the heart. |
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HERBAL EXFOLIATING SCRUB
Make this scrub and restore moisture to dry hands, feet and elbows. A perfect "girl" gift for teens and women! What you need: 1 cup sugar or fine sea salt 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary or lavender flowers (for a fresh fragrance, citrus zest and juice may be substituted) 1/2 cup grape seed oil Grind herbs in blender. Mix with sugar or salt and add oil to make a paste. Scoop into container and secure lid. Apply to dry, scaly skin to exfoliate. Avoid contact with eyes. Rinse and pat dry. To extend scrub life: Do not use water; keep hands from contacting paste, (use a small wooden stick or spoon) and store in dark container away from light. Label with a special greeting. PINECONE BIRD FEEDER Most anyone who enjoys birds would appreciate this gift from the garden. What you need: Heavy-duty string or yarn Pinecone Peanut butter Small plastic knife Birdseed Small bowl Tie the string around the top of the pinecone. Leave enough string to hang it up from a tree branch. With a plastic knife, spread peanut butter all over the pinecone filling cracks in well. Pour bird seed into the bowl. Roll the pine cone in it mashing the seeds into the peanut butter. Hang the pinecone in a tree where you can watch the birds enjoy it. This is a great activity for youth to do. VCMGA COOKBOOK SALES Dewitt County pickup or delivery of cookbooks, call Virginia Ruschhaupt at 361-550-3300 for locations. |
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The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com. |