How did it ever get to Christmas and the festive season again, so quickly. My, how the months fly! It seems that the older one gets the faster the time seems to go.
Right about now you wonder what to get the kids for that special day. Something they don’t have, something, maybe educational and useful. But what? Hard decisions indeed!
Following are a few suggestions that you may not have thought of.
If you have a garden and the kids like to help you to weed or to do the many other jobs in the garden that require some special care. Why not get them their own garden gloves or a trowel or many of the other implements used in the garden. Many of these are available in smaller sizes to suit the younger child. Make them feel part of your hobby.
There are small spades, buckets and hoes available. Some of these could also be used at the beach or on holidays.
Maybe a few packets of seeds and a special place in the garden for their very own plot.
For older children, there are adult size versions of tools needed for the garden or maybe their very own off the ground garden, complete, with seeds or plants, potting mix, fertiliser and watering can.
Another idea is a small window trough for herbs or flowers, together with plants to suit, something that is theirs to look after.
If you have chooks, then maybe an addition to the flock, that maybe an older child can look after. While grandchildren could be given a gift card to spend on things they would like in their garden.
Over the years you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of “toys” that kids discard after a while, either it breaks, batteries die or just doesn’t interest them any more. Gardening is different, the kids see the fruits of their labour, can be taught how to grow things from seed and plant again, so the cycle is repeated and they learn the nature of things, what to do at different times and how to learn from experience.
Those parents who have some land to play with are real fortunate these days, There is room for a garden, chooks and a play area.
Older children may like to grow a particular vegetable ( one that’s easy to grow) and sell to their neighbours for a little pocket money.
When I was a kid we sold chokos on the weekends for extra pocket money. Your children need you to teach them how to grow “stuff”.
Tomatoes are a fruit that’s dead easy to grow and look after, they produce abundantly and by saving the seed and fertilising naturally, would not cost anything at all and be available most of the year.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that most people who are successful in life today, started at a young age along that pathway.
Kids often have a short memory span and go onto other things, however these different sorts of gifts, can have a lasting effect on their minds and maybe, just maybe get them interested in horticulture and go on to greater things in life.
Hope you all have a happy and safe festive season.
Till next time.
