Great Green Hostess Gifts

Hostess gifts might not strike you immediately as an organic gardening topic, but if you think about it, your gift choices when you visit friends and family this holiday season can make a difference. Chosen from a green, organic perspective, your hostess gifts can reflect your organic and green living values.


Choose Living Gifts

As an organic gardener, I love receiving living gifts.  Instead of a flower arrangement, I like nothing better than to receive a beautiful green plant, a flowering plant, or a tiny shrub that I can plant outside in the spring.  Best of all, most flowering plants cost much less than floral arrangements, so you'll save money in the bargain too. They last longer, don't add to landfills, and depending on the plant, add beauty, clean indoor air or both.

Some great ideas for green hostess gifts of living plans include:

•    Green plants that clean the air:  These include plants such as pothos, Peace Lily, dracaena and others. Most are suitable for low light conditions. Peace Lily (spathiphyllum) blooms with white flowers that last a long time but tend to have little or no scent, which is great for people with pollen allergies. You can find these plants for sale in many florists, greenhouses, home and garden centers or even supermarkets nationwide.  One caveat is to be careful of your plant choices if your host or hostess has pets. Some of these plants are poisonous to pets.  For a complete list of plants that are poisonous to pets, please see the ASPCA's website, which provides a comprehensive listing for most domestic companion animals: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

•    Flowering plants: Flowering plants can be placed inside a decorative bowl and used as a centerpiece during the holidays, then enjoyed as houseplants year round.  Choose from among African violets, Christmas cactus, gardenias, jasmine and miniature roses.
 
•    Evergreens:  Norfolk pines and small evergreen trees add a festive touch to the holidays. Decorate with a few simple ornaments, tie on a bow, and your host or hostess has a living holiday decoration they can enjoy year-round


Plant a Tree in Someone's Honor



Other Ideas

If your host is an organic gardener, you can create an organic gardening gift box or basket. Fill it with gardening gloves, a few simple tools such as Felco pruners, and an organic gardening book or gift certificate to a seed company specializing in heirloom or organic seeds.


During the holiday season, give your host or hostess green living gifts that reflect your organic spirit while honoring and thanking them for their hospitality.


About the Author

Jeanne Grunert is a writer and marketing consultant who moved from New York City to a 17 acre organic farm in rural Virginia. She writes about gardening, health and raw foods for many publications, and her gardening book, Get Your Hands Dirty – A Beginner's Guide to Gardening, is available from her website, www.sevenoaksconsulting.com

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These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.


Written by:  Jeanne Grunert
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