With the growing availability of basically anything at the push of a button, we have been finding that the more thoughtful gifts are the ones which go down the best. Whether it’s something that shows that you were listening in that conversation a few months ago, or that just shows how well you know the person you’re gifting to, picking out a thoughtful gift is the ideal way to show your loved ones what they mean to you through a Christmas gift.
Sounds perfect, right?
We also know that it’s usually easier said than done, so here are some of our top ideas for taking a popular gift idea and making it personal.
1. Plant + Decorative Pot Combination
Un-cliche this classic combo with a little extra thought and a personal touch. We have three key thoughts to think when we advise on plant gift choices:
First, make sure that the plant is not going to be a source of stress. If you know their home well, think about what sort of position they would be able to put it in, or what sort of plants they already have. Consider whether they are a houseplant whiz, total novice or somewhere in between. And if in doubt, there are plenty of easygoing plant choices which will be ideal for any level of houseplant parent.
Next, to narrow your plant shortlist down further, think about what the shapes or names could mean as a gift. I don’t mean in a wishy-washy ‘language of flowers’ kind of way, but sometimes there is an in-joke or a personal angle to find here. From as simple as a Mother Fern for your mother, to as niche as a Spider Plant for your mate who you always tease about their arachnophobia, this sort of thought will make them smile and show the thought you’ve put in.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the aesthetics when you choose the pot. Make sure the plant fits (literally and colour-wise) with your chosen pot. And think about how well they might fit in your loved one’s home. Taking the time to pick out a chic plant pot that will fit with their freshly-painted feature wall, or the new rug they just showed you, or even picking out their favourite colour, will really show that you’re making it personal and that it was chosen with their space in mind.
By putting this personal slant on your plant gift, you show your consideration and care regardless of how much is actually spent - and hopefully make your loved one smile in the process.
2. Candles
It is often said that scent is one of the most evocative senses when it comes to memory. I don’t have a source to cite for that, but I can well believe it; so many times a smell has totally transported me to a different time and place. With St. Eval scented candles, you could find the perfect scent to remember a happy memory - or, more likely, the next amazing scent for creating new memories with. Or, if they are more of a visual person, you can find the perfect colour of dinner candle for their dining table. Maybe it matches their tablecloth, or is their favourite colour, or matches the fancy china that always comes out at Christmas? It could be the perfect gift to show that you’ve been paying attention to their style. And if that’s something they have spent time perfecting, to make their space look amazing, they will appreciate you noticing it - and adding to it.
3. Terrarium Kit
We’ve all got someone who prefers a Thing To Do over Just More Stuff. That’s one reason our terrarium kits are so popular at this time of year! With materials included, instructions provided and fun ahead, this is a great thoughtful gift which involves Doing Things - and you can even have it as an activity to do together and make more memories. And at the end of it, the recipient will have their own miniature world, with stunning plants requiring little maintenance and all arranged to their own taste. What’s not to love?
4. Workshop Experience
Taking the ‘spending time together’ gift a step further, why not buy workshop tickets for you and your loved one to attend together? Choose their favourite planty activity between forest or desert terrarium, kokedama or living wreaths and get your tickets. You can book the date after you’ve gifted it, too, so you can make sure to arrange the date together without spoiling the surprise. In each of our workshops, you’ll spend a couple of hours in our workshop space (a.k.a. the back room of the shop) learning how to make your chosen plant craft under our expert guidance but with your own eye to design. A great way of spending time together whilst making something green to add to your home, a Sprouts Workshop is the perfect experience gift.
5. Prints
Art to decorate a home with is an amazingly personal gift when you pull it off right. It’s a good joint present for a couple or family as well as for an individual. From Hello Grimes’ gorgeous colours to Strangford’s wacky animal prints, we’re sure you’ll find something that your loved one will cherish. Whether it’s an image of somewhere you’ve been together, a beautiful piece that just fits your loved one’s personality, or simply an illustration that uses their favourite colours and matches their home decor, there is so much gift inspiration in our print rack.
6. Grow From Seed
When you think ‘thoughtful gift’, you might not immediately think ‘seeds’, but that probably means you haven’t seen Sprouts’ selection yet!
Seedball tins are perfect for the lazy gardener who would still love to have beautiful blooms in their garden. Super easy to scatter on the ground, they are also easy to personalise. Each tin encourages different types of wildlife into the garden with native flora, so if your friend is a hedgehog hero or loves to welcome birds and bees into their garden, you can gift them a way to do this with a few little seeds. These can even be scattered on a local grass verge if they’re short on garden space!
If they are more likely to grow their own little crops indoors, another personal seed gift is the Grow Bar: these bars make growing easy by cultivating a group of herbs or fruits geared towards your friend’s interests. Whether it’s grow your own garnishes for the gin connoisseur, tomato and basil for the pizza baker or the perfect herbs for the curry chef, make it personal with seed choices tailored to your loved one’s taste.
7. Wildlife-Inspired Goodies
An easy thoughtful gift is the nice useful Thing that makes someone smile. Like with the seeds, this is a great way of showing appreciation for your loved one’s favourite animal or niche interest. Because who else would love the pin badge of the axolotl or the magpie keyring? You could pair a fox card with fox socks in a Christmassy box - for the friend who loves the vulpine or maybe just the rhyme. Or a badge of an anatomically correct lobster for the person who is your lobster <3. There is no end of creativity when it comes to choosing the imagery of your gifts and the meanings behind them.
At the end of the day, a gift is personal because you have chosen it. Whether your present is useful, ornamental or just plain silly, it is the thought that you put in that gives it its meaning and its emotional power. So get thinking and choosing those incredible, personal pieces.
