There is nothing more special than giving someone a present that you grew in your very own garden. A polytunnel gardener has even more choices when it comes to what they might grow to give away as Christmas gifts.
Growing Christmas gifts rather than buying them helps us to remember that the real gifts are those that nature gives us, not only to sustain us but also to fortify us and bring us joy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Edible Gifts From the Garden – Grow your own presents and prepare salads, chutneys, infused oils and dried herb blends.
- Herbal Wellness & Bath Gifts – Make herbal teas, bath salts, scented sachets and soothing beeswax balm.
- Decorative & Homeware Gifts – Create dried flower arrangements, herb wreaths and natural fire starters.
- DIY Growing Kits & ‘Gift to Grow’ Ideas – Share the joy of growing through seed starter packs and potted herbs.
- Harvest & Preserve Timing – Plan backward from Christmas for drying, preserving and crafting.
- How to Package Garden Gifts Beautifully – Keep it simple, low-waste and meaningful.
Edible Gifts From the Garden
Food is one of the most appreciated gifts you can offer. It is useful, delicious and full of personal touch. Here are several ways to create edible presents from your polytunnel crops:
Make Homemade Chutneys and Pickles
What to grow:
Tomatoes, green tomatoes, onions, chillies and herbs all thrive in the tunnel.
How to do it:
When you reach the end of your tomato season, collect the last green ones that won’t ripen. Combine with onion, vinegar, sugar, and spices to make green tomato chutney.
Basic recipe:
- 1 kg chopped green tomatoes
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 150 g brown sugar
- 250 ml cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 chilli or 1 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)
Simmer everything together until thick. Pour into sterilised jars and seal while hot.
Gift idea:
Wrap each jar in recycled fabric or a strip of hessian. Tie a small sprig of rosemary to the lid and label it clearly.
Infused Oils and Vinegars
What to grow:
Rosemary, thyme, basil, or chillies all infuse beautifully.
How to do it:
- Wash and dry herbs completely.
- Place them in clean, dry glass bottles.
- Pour in olive oil (for herbs) or white wine vinegar (for chillies and garlic).
- Store in a cool, dark place for 2–3 weeks.
- Strain, then decant into gift bottles.
Gift idea:
Add a tag with serving suggestions such as: “Use to drizzle over roast vegetables or salad.”
Dried Herb Blends and Salts
What to grow:
Herbs such as Oregano, thyme, sage, parsley, and rosemary.
How to do it:
- Pick herbs on a dry morning.
- Tie small bunches and hang upside down in your tunnel, in a shaded area with good airflow.
- When completely dry, crumble leaves and mix into sea salt or blend into seasoning mixes (for example: rosemary and lemon zest salt).
Gift idea:
Pack into small jars or paper sachets and label with your blend’s name and suggested use.
Herbal Wellness & Bath Gifts
Herbs also lend themselves beautifully to gifts that soothe and nurture. These are easy to make, especially if you already grow some aromatic herbs in your polytunnel.
Herbal Bath Salts
You’ll need:
- Dried lavender, chamomile or mint from your tunnel
- Coarse sea salt or Epsom salt
- A few drops of essential oil (optional)
How to do it:
- Mix 1 cup of salt with 1 tablespoon of dried herbs.
- Add essential oils if desired.
- Spoon into clean glass jars and label.
Gift idea:
Attach a note: “Add two tablespoons to warm bath water for relaxation.” Tie a small bunch of dried lavender around the jar neck for decoration.
Herbal Tea Blends
What to grow:
Peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, and sage make lovely teas.
How to do it:
- Harvest leaves or flowers on a dry morning.
- Dry slowly in the tunnel or an airing cupboard.
- Mix flavours: mint and lemon balm for a fresh blend, or chamomile and sage for calming warmth.
Gift idea:
Place a few spoonfuls of the dried blend into reusable muslin bags or paper envelopes. Label with the blend name and brewing instructions.
Beeswax Balm
This is one of the most practical and popular gifts you can make from garden ingredients. A small tin of balm for dry hands, lips or elbows feels luxurious yet is simple to produce.
You will need:
- 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
- 4 tablespoons carrier oil (olive, almond, sunflower or infused herbal oil)
- 1 teaspoon shea butter or cocoa butter (optional for richness)
- A few drops of essential oil (lavender, rosemary or mint work well)
- Small tins or jars with lids
How to make it:
- Set a heat-proof bowl over a pan of simmering water to create a gentle bain-marie.
- Add the beeswax and allow it to melt slowly.
- Stir in the oil and butter, keeping the mixture warm until fully combined.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool for one minute. Add essential oils if using.
- Pour into clean, dry tins or jars. Leave uncovered until set, then seal.
Optional infused oil:
Before you begin, you can create an infused oil from herbs you have grown. Pack a jar half-full with dried calendula or lavender, cover with olive oil and leave in a warm, bright place for 2–3 weeks. Strain through muslin. Use this instead of plain oil for an extra-special balm.
Gift idea:
Wipe the outside of the tin, add a small handwritten label such as “Lavender Beeswax Balm – handmade from my garden”. Decorate with a dried flower or small fabric circle under the lid.
Decorative & Homeware Gifts
If you prefer creative crafts, your polytunnel can supply an abundance of materials for beautiful, nature-inspired decorations and homeware.
Dried Flower Bouquets
What to grow:
Statice, strawflower, amaranth, larkspur, and lavender are reliable for drying.
How to do it:
- Harvest blooms when just opened.
- Remove leaves from stems.
- Hang in bunches in your tunnel, out of direct sunlight.
- When fully dry, arrange into small bouquets or posies.
Gift idea:
Tie the bouquet with raffia or garden twine. Wrap in brown paper and stamp with a small design for a rustic look.
Herb and Flower Wreaths
You’ll need:
- A wire or willow ring
- Fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and bay
- Dried flower heads or berries
How to do it:
- Attach herbs to the ring with garden wire, overlapping them slightly.
- Add dried flowers for colour.
- Let it dry naturally for a few days in the tunnel.
Gift idea:
Wrap lightly in tissue and include a note explaining that it can be hung in the kitchen to dry and used for cooking through the winter.
Natural Fire Starters
Use what you already have:
Collect dried herbs, lavender stems, pine cones, and wax remnants.
How to do it:
- Fill old egg cartons with small pieces of dried plant material.
- Pour melted wax (soy or beeswax) into each section.
- Let it set, then cut into individual starters.
Gift idea:
Bundle six together in brown paper, tie with string and label: “Garden-grown fire starters for cosy winter nights.”
DIY Growing Kits & ‘Gift to Grow’ Ideas
Encouraging others to grow their own is perhaps the most rewarding gift of all. It passes on knowledge and helps others begin their own growing journey.
Seed Starter Kits
How to do it:
- Collect seeds from your own plants or use organic seeds.
- Choose easy crops: basil, lettuce, peas or sunflowers.
- Include small pots, compost (in a paper bag), and simple handwritten instructions.
Gift idea:
Use a small recycled box or tin to hold everything. Add a label such as “Grow Your Own Kitchen Herbs – From My Polytunnel.”
Living Plants
If you have propagated cuttings or young plants, these make perfect gifts. Herbs like mint, oregano or thyme can be divided and potted up easily.
How to do it:
- Take cuttings or small divisions in autumn.
- Pot in compost and keep in the tunnel until established.
- Before gifting, tidy the plant and water lightly.
Gift idea:
Wrap the pot in recycled paper, tie with string and attach a small label with care instructions.
Themed Gift Boxes
You can combine several small items into one themed package. For example:
- A “Herbal Tea Kit” with dried herbs, a reusable tea infuser and a mug.
- A “Grow Your Own Salad” set with seeds, compost and a sowing guide.
- A “Kitchen Herb Kit” with potted herbs and recipe cards.
Group everything in a basket or reused wooden box lined with shredded paper or straw.
Grow Your Own Presents: Harvest & Preserve Timing
Timing your growing and preparation ensures your gifts are fresh, ready and beautifully made.
Plan backwards from Christmas:
- Early autumn: sow winter greens and herbs, start preserving summer produce.
- October to November: dry herbs and flowers, make chutneys and oils.
- December: assemble kits, label and package everything.
How to Package Garden Gifts Beautifully (Low-Waste & Affordable)
Presentation matters, but it doesn’t have to mean plastic ribbons or shop-bought decorations. Here are low-waste, practical ideas for finishing your gifts.
Wrapping Ideas
- Brown paper or recycled paper: Compostable, reusable, and easy to decorate with stamps or pressed leaves.
- Fabric wraps: Use scraps of linen, old scarves or tea towels, tied furoshiki-style.
- Glass jars: Ideal for preserves, salts, teas and oils. Add a fabric circle under the lid ring for decoration.
- Natural accents: Add a sprig of rosemary, holly or lavender for a festive touch.
Labelling
Handwritten labels or seed-paper tags make gifts personal. Include growing or storage instructions, or even a short note about how you grew the ingredients in your tunnel.
Reuse and Encourage Reuse
When you hand over your gift, mention that the jar, bag or wrap can be used again.
A polytunnel can be more than a growing space. It can be a workshop of creativity and generosity. By turning your harvests into gifts, you share the abundance of your garden and the values that shape it — patience, respect for nature and sustainable living.
Start small: a jar of herbs, a handmade wreath, or a living plant. With each gift, you are offering something far greater than an object. You are offering time, love and a reminder that the most valuable gifts are those we grow ourselves.
So this Christmas, step into your polytunnel, breathe in that earthy scent, and let nature help you prepare to give something truly meaningful this year.
FAQs
What are good quick garden gift ideas?
Try a small pot of herbs, a jar of dried mint tea, or a simple pouch of rosemary salt. These can all be made in under an hour.
What makes garden gifts special?
They show thought and care, reduce waste, and connect the giver and receiver to the land. Every jar, bundle or seed carries a story of patience and nurture.
Can I make garden gifts in winter?
Yes. Use your tunnel to grow winter greens, dry herbs, or prepare seed kits. Even if the days are cold, your tunnel will stay a few degrees warmer and protect tender plants.
How long do edible garden gifts last?
Fresh produce should be gifted within 2–3 days of harvest but preserves can last much longer. Chutneys and pickles can last 6–12 months in sealed jars. Dried herbs keep 3–6 months if stored in airtight containers.
