Are you stuck on what to tuck into stockings this year? Another candle or pair of novelty socks is easy, but it's gone by February. A packet of heirloom seeds costs about the same, fits in any stocking and turns into a whole season of fresh food and flowers. In this post, you'll find why seeds make such a good gift, a few bundle ideas, and tips for making your gift a success.
Why give seeds as a gift?
- It's an experience: You're giving the fun of watching the first sprout, quiet summer evenings watering and the pride of eating something you grew yourself.
- It's hopeful: In the middle of a dark winter, a seed packet is a little promise that spring is coming.
- It's affordable: Seed packets let you give something thoughtful to coworkers, neighbors and teachers without breaking the budget.
- It's low-waste: A paper packet becomes plants, food and, for heirlooms, even seed for next year.
Why heirloom seeds make the best gifts
Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated, which means you can save seed from the plants and grow the same variety again next year. Many come with history, too. Cherokee Purple, for example, is a dusky, rich-flavored tomato said to have been grown by the Cherokee people long before it was shared more widely in the 1990s. A packet like that comes with a story to tell.
Easy seed gift bundle ideas
- Taco night: Jalapeño, Cilantro and Roma tomato. Tie them together with a favorite salsa recipe card. Salsa is one of my favorite things to make and can, so this one's close to my heart.
- Salad lover: Red Russian Kale, Bloomsdale Spinach and Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, all easy, fast-growing greens.
- Pollinator pack: A few flower seeds like sunflowers, alyssum and coneflower to bring bees and butterflies to the yard.
- Kitchen herbs: Basil, chives and parsley for a windowsill or patio pot. Our Herb Kit makes it simple.
- Kids' garden: Fast, fun crops like radishes, sunflowers and bush beans that show results quickly.
Tips for giving seeds
- Match the gardener: Apartment dwellers will love herbs and compact crops. Someone with a big yard might want tomatoes, squash or melons.
- Add a note: A handwritten tag with when to plant (for example, “start indoors in March”) makes the gift feel personal and easy to use.
- Store them right: Keep seed packets cool and dry until it's time to wrap them. A kitchen drawer works fine; a hot car doesn't.
- Not sure what they'd like? A 99Heirlooms gift card lets them pick their own varieties.
Give a garden this year
A few seed packets can turn into a summer of tomatoes, salads and flowers, and that's a gift people remember. Every packet is non-GMO and USA grown, and I pack each one by hand here in Minnesota. If you're stocking up for everyone on your list, seed orders over $35 ship free.
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