Ideal Christmas Gifts for the Gardener in Your Life

As the festive season approaches, many of us are pondering the perfect presents for our loved ones. 

If you have a gardener in your life, finding a thoughtful and useful gift can be a delight, as there’s no shortage of items to make their gardening experience even more enjoyable. 

Whether they are seasoned horticulturists or just starting their journey into the world of plants, here are some ideal Christmas gift ideas that will surely bring a smile to their face.

1. High-Quality Gardening Tools

Every gardener appreciates sturdy and well-crafted tools. A set of high-quality hand tools – think trowels, pruners, and weeding forks – makes an excellent gift. Brands such as Burgon & Ball or Spear & Jackson are known for their durable and ergonomically designed tools. For a special touch, consider personalising the tools with their name or initials.

2. Personalised Garden Markers

Help your gardener stay organised with personalised plant labels or markers. These can be made from wood, slate, or metal, and can be engraved with the names of plants, herbs, or flowers they’re growing. A set of stylish, reusable plant markers is both practical and charming, adding a personalised touch to their garden beds.

3. Indoor Plant Kits

For those who may not have a large outdoor space or prefer tending to houseplants, an indoor plant kit is a lovely option. These kits often come with seeds, pots, and soil, along with instructions on how to grow various herbs, flowers, or even succulents indoors. It’s a great way for them to enjoy gardening throughout the winter months.

4. Gardening Gloves

Every gardener needs a sturdy pair of gloves to protect their hands while working. Opt for high-quality gloves made from materials such as leather or breathable fabrics. Look for pairs that offer flexibility, comfort, and durability – some are even waterproof or thorn-resistant, making them perfect for those who deal with prickly plants.

5. Compost Bin or Wormery

For environmentally-conscious gardeners, a compost bin or wormery can be a thoughtful and practical gift. These bins allow gardeners to recycle their organic waste into rich compost, perfect for nourishing their plants. Modern designs are compact, stylish, and odour-free, making them suitable even for smaller spaces.

6. Garden Kneeler

Gardening often involves a lot of kneeling, which can be tough on the knees, especially during long planting sessions. A comfortable, cushioned garden kneeler makes a fantastic gift. Many models come with handles to help with getting up and down, and some even double as a seat for when they need to take a break.

7. Wildlife-Friendly Gardening Kits

Encourage your gardener to create a wildlife haven with kits designed to attract bees, butterflies, and birds. Bee hotels, bird feeders, or even wildflower seed mixes are excellent choices. These gifts not only benefit the garden but also support the local ecosystem.

8. Books on Gardening

For gardeners who love to read, a beautifully illustrated gardening book can be a great source of inspiration. Look for titles that focus on their specific interests, whether it’s growing vegetables, container gardening, or landscaping ideas. Books by renowned British gardeners like Monty Don or Sarah Raven are sure to be appreciated.

9. Stylish Watering Can

A high-quality, stylish watering can is a practical gift that also adds a touch of elegance to their garden or indoor plant collection. Choose one with a long spout for easy watering, and consider an eye-catching design in copper, brass, or enamel for a timeless look.

10. Subscription to a Gardening Magazine or Seed Club

Give a gift that keeps on giving with a subscription to a gardening magazine such as Gardens Illustrated or The English Garden. Alternatively, a seed subscription club, where they receive new seeds to plant each month, will keep their garden flourishing all year round.

11. Packs of seeds

You can buy large orders of seeds from local garden centres, some supermarkets and from Amazon. Why not buy them a range of seeds for planting flowers and also herbs and food plants? Microgreen kits are also a good idea.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect Christmas gift for the gardener in your life doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether it’s practical tools, stylish accessories, or a little indulgence for their hobby, any of these thoughtful gifts will surely add joy to their gardening experience. This Christmas, help them make the most of their passion with a gift that nurtures both their green thumb and their heart.

Happy gifting!

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Creating a New Family Christmas Tradition: A Feast by All, for All

Christmas is a time for coming together, celebrating family, and indulging in delicious food. 

If you’re looking to add a touch of novelty and excitement to your festive feast, why not start a new family Christmas tradition? 

One way to make the day even more memorable is by getting everyone involved in preparing the meal. 

You can have each family member take charge of a different course – from the starter to the dessert – creating a shared experience that blends creativity, tradition, and fun.

Here’s how you can kick off this wonderful new tradition:

1. Plan the Courses Together

A successful collaborative Christmas meal starts with a bit of planning. Decide in advance how many courses you’ll have, keeping it festive but manageable. For a traditional Christmas feast, you might opt for four key courses:

The starter

The main (usually meat)

The vegetables or side dishes

The dessert

Gather your family and decide who will be in charge of each course. You could draw names from a hat, assign roles based on cooking skills, or let everyone choose what they’re most excited to prepare.

2. Incorporate Personal Tastes and Traditions

A family feast is about blending everyone’s tastes and traditions. Encourage each person to bring their own twist to their dish. The starter could be inspired by an old family recipe or a modern favourite, while the main course might reflect the region’s traditional roast or something entirely different. The vegetables can be a mixture of classic options like Brussels sprouts and roast potatoes, or something more adventurous like spiced carrots or glazed parsnips.

The beauty of this approach is that it allows everyone to share a bit of themselves through the meal, blending old and new flavours.

3. Host a Family Cooking Day

If you have the luxury of time, consider turning the day before Christmas into a family cooking day. Gather in the kitchen to prep ingredients and help one another with the more time-consuming aspects of cooking. For example, the person in charge of the starter can begin preparing soup or baking bread, while others peel and chop vegetables, or prep the pudding. This not only lightens the load but creates bonding moments around the stove.

If there are younger children in the family, assign them simple but important tasks like mixing ingredients or setting the table. It’s a great way to include everyone, no matter their age.

4. Presentation: A Feast for the Eyes

Another way to elevate this tradition is by making each course a showstopper, not just in taste but in presentation. Encourage each family member to think creatively about how they want their dish to look. The starter could be plated in individual portions, the vegetables arranged artfully, and the dessert garnished with a festive flair. You could even take photos of each dish to create a ‘family feast album’ – a fun way to commemorate the day and see how everyone’s skills evolve year by year.

5. Create a Story with the Meal

As each family member presents their course, ask them to share a little about why they chose that dish. Perhaps there’s a story behind the recipe, or it reminds them of a fond Christmas memory. This transforms the meal into more than just food – it becomes a tapestry of shared stories and experiences, weaving together everyone’s history.

6. Enjoy the Moment – Together

When Christmas Day finally arrives, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your collective labour. The beauty of this tradition is that the feast isn’t solely the responsibility of one person – it’s a shared creation, made with love by the whole family. Plus, you’ll likely discover new flavours and dishes you never thought to include before.

7. Rotate Responsibilities Each Year

To keep things fresh, rotate the roles each year. This way, everyone has a chance to try their hand at a different course, challenging themselves and exploring new recipes. It also ensures that each person has the opportunity to shine as the ‘star’ of the meal. Over time, this tradition could even spark new family favourites and become the highlight of the festive season.

Final Thoughts

Starting a new family Christmas tradition that involves everyone in the kitchen brings a new layer of meaning to the festive season. It’s about more than just the food – it’s about creating memories, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company. With each person contributing to the feast, the meal becomes a true reflection of the family, filled with love, laughter, and a delicious blend of flavours that are uniquely yours.

So, this Christmas, why not begin this wonderful new tradition? Get the whole family involved, roll up your sleeves, and create a Christmas feast that’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

Evercalm Christmas gifting as if you mean it

Evercalm Cleanse & Nourish Duo   

RRP: £25 

Will smooth and strengthen skin around-the-clock. Perfect for all skin types & ages including sensitive. 

Products include; Cleansing Gel, Overnight Recovery Balm & a free gift of cleansing wristbands 

Evercalm Gift of Calm

RRP: £55

Unwrap calm skin this Christmas season with this essentials trio from REN's award-winning Evercalm range. 

Products include: Barrier Support Elixir, Global Protection Day Cream, Overnight Recovery Balm & a free gift of a beauty bag 

Radiance Brightening Duo 

RRP: £25

Two brightness-boosting skincare essentials for glowing skin. Featuring REN's cult product Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic.

Products include: Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream & a free gift of cotton rounds 

Radiance Gift of Glow

Reveal a 3-step glowing-giving skincare trio. Get your glow with radiance boosting skincare formulated to limit irritation. 

Products include: Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream, Glow and Protect Serum and a free gift of a beauty bag

https://www.renskincare.co.uk

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Final Ride: Ex-Royal Marine in his 80th Year Completes 435-Mile Epic Cycle Challenge through the French Pyrenees for Veteran’s Charity

In a truly remarkable feat of endurance and dedication, ex-Royal Marine Jonathan Thomson, in his 80th year, has completed his fifth and final epic cycling challenge for PTSD Resolution, the charity for forces veterans’ mental health.

The ‘Pyrenees 24’ challenge was a gruelling 435 miles (700kms) with an astonishing elevation gain of 35,832 feet - equivalent to cycling from London to Edinburgh and 1.23 times the height of Mount Everest from sea level.

It marks the culmination of Jonathan’s amazing fundraising efforts, which have raised over £153,000 to date - enough to fund therapy for more than 180 veterans and their families.

On Wednesday 18th September, Jonathan, along with a team of committed cyclists, completed their final fundraising challenge through the French Pyrenees. Costs were covered privately by the team, so all funds raised will go directly to PTSD Resolution, which has 200 therapists offering nationwide support.

Over seven days the intrepid team comprised Jonathan, Jez (former Royal Marine), Jim (former Royal Navy pilot), Matt (former Royal Marine) and Bill (former Royal Marine).

Since 2020, Jonathan and his “fellow pilgrims” have completed five gruelling challenges for PTSD Resolution — collectively cycling an astonishing 4,900 km with 190,325 ft climb - across Scotland, the Orkneys, Shetland, Wales and the Pyrenees. This latest effort saw Jonathan embark on his second Pyrenees adventure - remarkably, in his 80th year.

Jonathan says, “Too many of our veterans of all ages, and some men and women still serving, suffer the evil effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This wrecks their lives and deeply affects those of their families and close friends. It is also a major cause of suicide. PTSD Resolution provides well-developed and well-proven treatment for this condition, which is why we continue to cycle on their behalf.”

PTSD Resolution

With over 4,000 referrals so fa, registered charity PTSD Resolution is firmly dedicated to assisting UK Veterans, Reservists and family members struggling to reintegrate into everyday life. Founded in 2009, the charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS). It provides free, prompt and effective therapy, with treatment available online or by phone.

Said Charles Highett, CEO of PTSD Resolution: “Jonathan’s incredible efforts over the years have made a significant impact on our ability to provide crucial mental health support to veterans and their families. The donations raised will potentially transform not just veterans’ lives, but those of their families and communities, too. His fantastic dedication embodies the spirit of service that continues long after leaving the armed forces.”

The Pyrenees Challenge

The ‘Pyrenees 24’ challenge began on September 11th, 2024, as the riders set off in crisp autumnal weather. They cycled through landscapes rich in history and natural beauty, from ancient châteaux to serene forests and vast mountain vistas. Each day presented its own challenges, yet the team’s spirit never wavered.

Here’s a summary of their seven-day journey:

Day 1: A gentle 51-kilometre warm-up, climbing 2,900 feet through historic villages.

Day 2: 96 kilometres covered with 5,587 feet of climbing, battling rain and low clouds through the forests of Ariège.

Day 3: Another 96-kilometre ride with 5,869 feet of climbing, encountering local wildlife and early autumn chills.

Day 4: The most challenging day, covering 115 kilometres and ascending 8,697 feet over high mountain passes.

Day 5: A 102-kilometre descent through Mediterranean oak forests, climbing 4,281 feet.

Day 6: A gruelling 124-kilometre ride battling strong headwinds across high plateaus, climbing 3,754 feet.

Day 7: The final 99.7-kilometre stretch, climbing 4,737 feet and following old railway lines.

A Mission Fulfilled

As the journey concluded on September 18th, Jonathan expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported his efforts over the years. “This has been our last expedition, ever,” he announced, reflecting on the extraordinary experiences and the generous support received.

Jonathan is also a deserving Finalist of the 2024 Soldiering On Awards, up for the ‘Inspiration Award’ - “to honour a person that has overcome significant challenges, injury or disability, and whose ongoing or past outstanding achievements are an inspiration to others.”

While ‘Pyrenees 24’ marks the end of Jonathan’s cycling expeditions, the impact of his remarkable efforts will continue to resonate in the lives of the individuals he has helped transform.

The Pyrenees 24 donation page remains open for those wishing to contribute to this worthy cause. To support PTSD Resolution and help more veterans access crucial mental health services.

For more information about PTSD Resolution and their work, visit www.PTSDresolution.org.