How are your Christmas preparations coming? With the weather we've been having, the sight of fresh flowers or plants in our homes gives such a welcome festive touch! It might be kind of a challenge to wrap them up snugly and bring them home from the store, but they certainly are a delight! I remember one Christmas Eve afternoon, as Mom and my sister and I were preparing the Christmas Eve meal, Keith said he had to go downtown for a few minutes. When he returned, he had three beautiful flower arrangements, one for each of us. Each one was made up of roses, but each was a different color. Mom's was red, Margie's was pink, and mine was a beautiful deep cream color. I recall that the day was very cold and windy, and the sight of those beautiful flowers absolutely lifted our spirits! So, there, I've given you a gift idea for any gardeners on your list!
Get out your list and check it twice! Gift ideas with a gardening theme are easy. Poinsettias, Norfolk pines, miniature spruce, and orchids are all popular plant choices at this time of year to give or receive; flower arrangements are always such a treat; and if you want to think ahead, you might want to give your gardener a gift certificate from a local greenhouse.
There's more: a handy pair of secateurs; good gardening gloves; or how about a garden wagon? A unique birdbath; a special statue; or maybe solar lights? Interesting planters; watering cans; a garden bench the list goes on and on! Some of these items aren't available right now, but you can make up a special little certificate with a "gardening IOU" for now, and then present the actual item to your gardener later in the spring! I found a delightful site on-line with the author talking about the "twelve days of Christmas" for his gardening wife; it included things like nine bags for mulching, eight rakes for raking, seven plants for potting, six hoes for hoeing, five trays of plants you get the idea! It was very cute! If you want to check it out for yourself, you'll find it at themusicalgardener.blogspot.ca .
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society had their board meeting and planning meeting for the coming year. It's going to be a great year, with more interesting speakers, great presentations, and possibly a great road trip! I won't tell you more until the details are finalized, but I know you will enjoy what is on the calendar!
This is a good time to remind you that you don't have to be a member to come to the meetings. If you have an interest in gardening, you're more than welcome, and you'll be among friends! Of course, we'd be delighted if you join the group, the more the merrier! But if you just want to come and hear the speaker, that is okay too!
So be looking forward to a great year ahead! It's always fun to plan ahead and look forward to great times with other gardeners!
Stay warm and have a good week!
