Our Permaculture Life: The Simple Christmas - guests make their own gifts

The Simple Christmas - guests make their own gifts

It’s hard sometimes to know what to buy family for Christmas, and I am loath to buy little trinkets for the sake of getting something ‘nice’. I’ve decided therefore to help my family make their own gifts this year:

Rosemary is delightful in a herbal oil - it lasts well too because of the low water content in the leaves.
The very versatile Tulsi makes wonderful teas.
I’m also considering setting up a table for them to make their own natural tooth cleaning powder, calendula or comfrey balm and pot of mixed herb cuttings.

There's something really satisfying about making things from scratch - whether it be cooking, craft, dressmaking, woodwork, building or growing food for that matter. 

It's not just the quality of the items, but the meaning that is constructed during the making process, and the skills developed too. It's no surprise the maker movement is so popular, and people love receiving or buying handmade unique gifts.

At the many workshops I have led around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, I have certainly noticed that the most popular are the ones where people have the chance to get hands-on to make something of value they can take home.

Quite often I take along dozens of plants to teach people how to take different sorts of cuttings. Everyone goes home with their selection of plants to add to their garden.  I see lots of people coming back again and again for more cuttings - different ones (and replacements!). I love hearing the stories of how well their edible gardens are growing and how much they enjoy sharing their produce and plants with others.

Other workshops I run involve making personalised blends of herbal teas, herbal oils, herbal vinegars, herbal balms and lotions. This one has been particularly popular. People who come along love creating their own special blends and are amazed at actually how simple this all can be.  

So hopefully the family will enjoy ranging through the garden harvesting herbs and making some lovely smelling personalised oils and teas to take home this Christmas day.





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