Summertime and Giving is Easy
Just check out our yard care gift guide.
Winter months might be best known as gift-giving season. But when you think of all the activities and events when the weather warms up, spring through summer has to be a close second. Parties. Weddings. Mother’s and Father’s Day. Plus, more babies are born in July, August and September than any other time of the year1 , which explains the flurry of summer birthdays. Also, spring is prime time for home purchases, which means housewarmings are around the corner2.
If you’re running short on gift ideas, think outside the house. Yard care items can be practical luxuries that also help beautify landscapes – and make the perfect presents for the people in your life. Need help? Here are our top five yard care gift picks for every occasion.
Hostess and Thank You Gifts (Under $25)
1. Garden gloves. For men or women. Simply styled or a fashion statement. These are essential for protecting hardworking hands from blisters, prickly plants and branches…and dirty fingernails. Also great for those who hate touching worms.
2. Plant markers. Now these are artistically designed in a variety of materials, such as copper, teak and more, to make eye-pleasing reminders of herb and annual plantings.
3. Watering can. Whether you go for the traditional or a whimsical take on the watering can (We’ve seen versions that look like poodles, pigs, mice and gnomes, to name a few) this is a must-have in any household.
4. Garden tub. Exceptionally versatile, these can be used to collect nearly anything, from weeds to leaves to the goodies from a vegetable garden.
5. Water gauge. Help your friends and family keep the lawn watered at the perfect rate. You can find beautiful decorative gauges that also add a nice garden accent.
Housewarming and Birthday Gifts (Under $50)
1. Garden hand tool set. Get your gift recipient set up with basics or add to their gardening arsenal. Save money on ready-to-go sets by choosing tools separately (think trowler, weeder, culivator, pruner and bulb planter for a start) and assembling them in a nice terra cotta planter.
2. Garden kneeler. Yard work like planting, weeding and mulching can take a toll on the knees and back. Provide some relief and prevent soreness with this gift, which pads the knees on one side and flips over for bench seating when work requires a higher level. You’re so caring!
3. Water timer. This handy device makes it much easier to stick to a good lawn and garden watering schedule, while saving resources by preventing overwatering. Just set it to the desired time and duration. (Remember early morning is best for watering.)
4. Outdoor broom. This is something people typically skimp on. But a high-quality broom constructed specifically for outdoor use will make sweeping grass clippings and other debris off driveways, walkways and patios much easier.
5. Stepping stones. Available in nearly endless styles, stepping stones can protect high-traffic areas in the yard, while also lending charm to the landscape.
Engagement and Wedding Gifts ($50 and over)
1. Decorative lawn sprinkler. Forget dragging that old sprinkler back and forth. These sprinklers are artistically crafted into lawn ornaments that add interest to the landscape while serving a very practical purpose.
2. Rain barrel. Environmentally conscious couple? They’ll love tapping into a rain barrel to feed a thirsty lawn and garden while conserving on water use.
3. Rolling leaf sweeper. When cooler weather comes, give the couple more time for cuddling. This piece of equipment “sweeps” leaves into an attached reusable bag that releases for emptying. And manufacturers claim it’s ten times faster than raking.
4. String trimmer. The wedding was just perfect. Now help the couple perfect their landscape with tidy, trimmed edges.
5. Lawn mower. A brand new, shiny lawn mower would certainly wow the newly weds. Starting at around $200, this is a great group gift.
Don’t forget the gift of your own elbow grease. A handmade certificate good for your mowing, raking, mulching, weeding or pruning services (or all of the above) is sure to be appreciated by anyone on your list – not to mention perfect for any budget.
1
Baby Center < http://www.babycenter.com/0_22-surprising-facts-about-birth-in-the-united-states_1372273.bc >
2
When is the best time to buy a new home? <http://homebuying.about.com/od/buyingahome/qt/BestDay2BuyHome.htm>
