This Christmas I am focusing on gifting things that teach people how to fish. I will shop from Heifer International and give thoughtfully chosen things based on interest.
Perhaps someone is interested in beer – a book about home brewing might be exciting enough to start them off on that path.
Who doesn’t love warm homemade bread right out of the oven? How about a book on artisanal baking and some new bread pans?
And just because someone isn’t an avid gardener doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate the gift of a blueberry bush that bears year after year with little effort on the part of the recipient. If they live in an apartment consider a potted low bush variety.
Any baked goods or jams should come with the recipe, home preserves should also have suggestions for uses (i.e. lavender jelly is a unique gift and makes a great icing for cupcakes or roast poultry.)
How about a collection of essential oils along with a book about aromatherapy and making your own lotions?
A copy of The Art of Simple Food for someone trying to learn how to cook seasonally?
A copy of Nourishing Traditions for someone trying to learn how to eat more healthily?
Or copy of In the Sweet Kitchen for someone with a sweet tooth.
A copy of Four Season Harvest or Fresh Food from Small Spaces for someone interested in growing a large portion of their own food, no matter how cold or how small their living accommodations.
With the planning and doing of Thanksgiving behind me I finally cracked my open my fall One Green World catalog. It may be too late in the year for them to ship bare root but you can frequently order them now and they ship in the spring when it’s appropriate to plant.
Here is what’s on my list:
3 Seaberries (one male, one sweet and one sour)
1 European Elderberry
2 Red Currants
1 Black Currant
1 Rosa Rugosa
1 Mulberry tree
2 Olive trees (for wind pollination)
2 Almond trees (for wind pollination)
1 Grape for the planned trellis spanning across the driveway
1 Red Dragon tree
1 Mason Bee house. I really want honey bees but my husband has not warmed up to this idea yet so I’ll start small.
The almond trees will hopefully end our desire to purchase peanut butter from warmer climates. The olive trees will hopefully supply us enough olives for eating and oil. The seaberries, rosehips and currants will hopefully curb my family’s cravings for orange juice. The elderberry will make lovely syrup to boost the immune system and help reduce the duration and strength of any flu viruses we encounter. The mulberry tree will hopefully provide a lot of low maintenance and tasty berries to snack on summer through fall. The grapes are for eating and juice, and the Red Dragon will provide a good lemon substitute for juice and cooking.
These selections will likely be the last large plant buy I make since I am just about strapped for space. I think any of these bushes would also make fine gift selections for anyone with a yard that strives to eat more self sufficiently, especially in a small urban garden.
