Easy Handcrafted Gifts from the Garden
The economy has been tough on all of us. Most people have cut, even slashed, their budgets for the holiday season. Regardless, I still feel that the best gifts are the ones handmade, or semi-handmade. All that time spent shopping and standing in line could be better spent creating something thoughtful that comes from the heart. Those are the presents I like best. So, here are some ideas about what you can do with all what you have harvested, or are about to harvest, out of your garden this season. Even if it does not leave you much, is it not just as satisfying to share (and brag) about what you have grown with your own two muddy hands?
Pepper Garlands
I am very proud of my pepper empire, so, as usual, I grew quite a few of them this year. By now, I hope you have picked all yours and are drying them out or keeping them in a dry area. I keep mine in a basket, next to the eight potted peppers in my kitchen. I intend to make dry garlands and hand them out as gifts or as part of a gift package to those to whom I gift more than just “a box of chocolates.” They look pretty, are edible, and that person can reseed and plant them next year. A very practical and thoughtful gift, especially if you know a pepper lover! My mom does not have a spicy palette, but she begs me for them every year.
Note on making garlands: I am not the craftiest gal, so I am sure you can probably be more creative than I. I usually wait for the peppers to dry, but that is not necessary. I use your regular round key holder, sewing thread and needle. First, I sew the peppers together through their green tops (where you severed them from the plant), just one by one (and like sewing, be sure to knot one end). When I’m done, I attach the thread to the key holder. I do this mostly so that I can hang them on my wall and pluck them off when I need them. I often decorate with herbs, weaving them in with the peppers. Also, you may want to wrap that “pepper key chain” around craft pipe cleaners or around dried sage or rosemary. I bet you can come up with many ideas.
Herbal Arrangements
Speaking of sage, if you managed to dry herbs, gifting one or a variety of several in a cute container (either dried and crumbled, or whole) looks rather impressive. Wrapping herbs in twine, string, thread, or yarn also creates a nice presentation. Herbs are so costly during the winter; a dried assortment of, say, rosemary, basil, thyme, and oregano is both tasty and thoughtful.
Herb-Infused Vinegar or Oil (or both!)
Another use of herbs, dried or otherwise, is to make herb-infused vinegar (any variety will do) or olive oil. My husband keeps a constant bottle full of pepper-infused vinegar on the shelf year-round. I recommend going to the dollar store or some other cheap retail outfit and purchasing a cute bottle. Then go somewhere where you can buy bulk vinegar or oil (depending on your preference), such as The Kiva, Market of Choice, or New Frontier. At those places, not only is it organic, but it is cheap! Throw in your peppers, herbs, or both with your liquid in your container, and let it set. There is no specific time frame, but I would suggest at least a week. Add a ribbon and voila! Cost effective and easy!
Seed Sharing
Sharing your collected seeds from your garden is another simple addition to any gift basket. Be sure to label and date!
Finally, do not forget that all of the above can be done in large batches. Surely, you are not going to give your ten year old pepper-infused olive oil. But these gifts, either combined, given as small tokens of appreciation (perhaps to your ten year old’s teacher or to your chiropractor), or even out at the office, are easy to do and sure to impress. Good luck, and happy holidays!
Written by Sabrina McNamara for DiscoverEugene.com
