This year’s collection of gift-worthy items is designed to help you find a way to express your love while keeping you out of the shopping malls. For further inspiration, check out these past posts and and the ongoing discussions about DIY Holiday Gifts. Let us know what you think and feel free to add your ideas, too.

Books

We have asked about your favorite preserving and gardening books. Here are a few that are mentioned often:

1) Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. 2) Putting Food By. 3) Stocking Up III. 4) You Grow Girl. 5) Rodale’s All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. 6) Encyclopedia of Country Living.

And three more books – for the compost-obsessed, the busy parents, and the headbangers in your life.

The Kitchen

It’s gift-giving time! Naturally, handmade is the best kind of gift – the HOMEGROWN Holiday Swappers are trading their homemade edibles this week. Presents that promote hands-on activities are some of our favorite kind of gift, too. Here are a few ideas for In The Kitchen, In The Garden, On The Couch (OK, these will inspire folks to make, grow and foster change), and In The Automobile. Enjoy and happy gifting!

In The Kitchen

Every home chef needs a quality hardwood cutting board. For those with the tools, there is a DIY cutting board plan and tutorial.

And here is a lovely handcrafted board from reclaimed North Carolina curly rock maple on Etsy:

Community Supported Agriculture

What better way to say “I love you” than a weekly share of fresh local produce? Family farmers are taking on members now. Find participating CSA farms near your loved ones at Local Harvest and The Eat Well Guide.

An apple cider press is a terrific gift for a family, or an enterprising apple grower.

Celebrate with your main squeeze by making your own hard cider.

In The Garden

Start fantasizing about what others may be growing in their plots. A cheerfully wrapped package – complete with seed packets and a garden plan – is sure to delight.

Seed Companies:

High Mowing Seeds (VT)

FEDCO Seeds (ME)

Johnny’s (ME)

Seed Savers Exchange (IA)

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (MO and CA)

Abundant Life Seeds (OR)

Seeds of Change (NM)

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (VA)

Online garden planning tools

Free drag and drop garden planner

More detailed and customizable garden planner

Kitchen garden design planner for a 3′ x 6′ raised bed

Organic mushroom growing kits – intimidating? Sure! Unique? You bet! And the rewards are oh, so yummy!

On The Couch

Michael Pollan’s Botany of Desire DVD. Organic Gardening Magazine readers get 20% off by entering the code GARDEN at PBS.org.

The documentary that changes lives: Food Inc. DVD is also available at PBS.org

In The Automobile

Homemade car freshener using citrus and cloves – easy and pretty!

Turn your friends on to new music with mix CDs like this one from KCRW – so hip and cool!

Check out these past posts and discussions about DIY Holiday Gifts, too. Let us know what you think and feel free to add your ideas, too.

If you liked it, share it!