Holiday Gift Guide 2022
This week marks the one-year anniversary, more or less, of The Bees’ Knees. I’m so grateful to you for joining me on this adventure!
In appreciation, I’ve compiled a few gift ideas for the ecologically- or botanically-minded folks on your holiday list. While we’re shopping, let’s all do our best to support local and independent businesses as much as possible.
1. Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
This rec is a repeat from last year. Call me lazy, but I swear it’s that good. Tallamy has inspired legions of people – myself included – to start taking responsibility for the ecosystems in their backyards. He argues that it’s our personal gardening choices that are our best hope for saving the planet. This book helped me understand the direct connection between what I plant at my own home and our global wellbeing. Price: $25.
2. Garden Revolution by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher
If Tallamy provides the why on sustainable gardening, Weaner provides the how. His expertise on creating ecologically sound prairies has earned him the moniker Mr. Meadow. I wrote a bit about him in this post. From the book’s blurb: “Traditional gardening practices are time consuming and labor intensive, and result in landscapes that require constant upkeep. But there’s a better way: by following ecological principles, we can have landscapes that are alive with color and friendly to local wildlife, and that evolve over time – with much less work and effort. Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher show you exactly how to create these exciting, stimulating landscapes.” We all have much to learn from Weaner. Price: $27.
3. Birding Binocs
Once we’ve got our native plant thing going, we want to know who’s new in the ‘hood. Also, the Great Backyard Bird Count of 2023 will take place in February. Now’s the time to prepare! There are field glasses to be found at every imaginable price point, but the Audubon Society rates the Nikon Prostaff 3S 8x42 highly in its “top-scoring binoculars for under $150” category. Price: $130.
4. Membership in Wild Ones
Wild Ones is a U.S.-wide nonprofit with local chapters throughout the country. I belong, for example, to the Nation’s Capital Regional Chapter. Wild Ones promotes “environmentally friendly, sound landscaping to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities.” They offer loads of valuable educational resources, including professionally-designed native garden templates. They’re also a friendly bunch! Gift memberships are available at various levels. Price: $40 and up.
5. Classes at Mt. Cuba Center
Mt. Cuba Center is a beautiful botanic garden in Delaware focused on conservation of native plants. I wrote about it here. It’s a wonderful place to visit in person if you’re in the area. Short of that, how about stuffing a few stockings with online classes-on-demand? The course catalog includes “Eco-Gardening: Plain and Simple,” “Best Native Plants for Containers” and “Instant Rain Garden,” among others. I’ve taken most of them and can attest they’re full of great info. Importantly, they can be watched at the viewer’s convenience. Price: $15 per class.
6. Gift Certificate to Your Local Native Plant Nursery
Mainstream nurseries do sometimes sell native plants, but as discussed here, you’re almost always better off patronizing a store that specializes in local species. If you don’t already have a native plant nursery on speed dial, check out the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center Suppliers Directory, which allows you to search by state or zip code. For my neighbors here in the DMV, the wonderful Wildflower Native Plant Nursery sells gift cards right on their website. Easy peasy! Price: up to you.
7. Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs
As discussed here, nighttime is a habitat for many animals. We can help protect it by lighting our outdoor spaces responsibly. There are many brands to choose from, but we’ve put Bluex Dusk to Dawn Bug Light Bulbs at our front door and Aukora Motion Sensor Light Bulbs out back. The yellow bulbs are less confusing to insects and birds, while the motion sensor bulbs stay dark unless they’re needed. I know, this doesn’t sound like a particularly swanky gift, but hear me out: branding is everything. What if you wrap the bulbs up all fancy and call it a Firefly Conservation Kit? Maybe pair the bulbs with a firefly cocktail recipe and the promise of a summertime evening under the stars? (Locate your little soiree away from the motion sensor bulbs, though. Just saying.) I’m sure you’ll think of something. Price: $15 - 30 per pack, not counting the bar tab.
8. Cool Tools
How about a catch-all for corralling the bits and bobs that are helpful to carry around the garden? You could up the ante by throwing in a few tools. I recently got a nifty Puddle-Proof Tote from Gardener’s Supply Company and kitted it out with a new folding saw and ratchet pruner to help with shrub maintenance and a trowel knife for weeding and planting. I know, this violates my recommendation of patronizing local businesses, but I had a gift certificate (thank you, Amy)! Price for the tote: $55.
9. Devotions by Mary Oliver
My son gave me a copy of this book a few years back (thank you, hon!), and I love dipping into it from time to time. Oliver is brilliant at depicting the natural world around her in spare but vivid language. I can’t help but smile when I read snippets like,
This morning the goldenrod are all wearing
their golden shirts
fresh from heaven’s soft wash in the chill night.
So it must be a celebration…
Let Oliver be a reminder of our glorious natural surroundings as we hibernate indoors through the long winter months. Price: $20.
Today’s Bees’ Keys selection is my gift to you. Oh He Dead is a DC-based band that’s starting to get well-deserved national attention. Enjoy!
Happy Anniversary, Lolly! And thanks for all the great gift suggestions.
Great suggestions! Thank you.