Christmas gifts are a yearly ritual and it can take thought to give something practical.

Consider several aspects before choosing a garden-orientated gift. First, is the person a keen gardener or just a “knockabout” type? Is the gift designed for ease of use and what is the user’s age?

With tools and equipment for use in the garden, quality is the key to longevity, assuming the piece is maintained correctly — especially in Bermuda with its salt-laden winds. With hurricanes being in vogue for the past three years, chainsaws and associated pruning saws would be great gifts.

Lawns are invariably neglected or under-fertilised. Consider gifting a fertiliser spreader, which gives a uniformity and thus all-round improved growth and appearance. These can be found as either a drop type for small areas or broadcast for larger lawns. Also, for assisting reducing the workload on larger lawns, the use of a mechanical edger gives a clean tidy finish to please any spouse.

Long-arm loppers/saws are also very useful for established gardens when plants are of a more mature nature. Often, a simple gift is worth its weight in gold — a water wand with an on/off switch and nozzle combined with a good quality non-kinking hose makes watering so much easier; the length of wand can vary from two to four feet, which is ideal for reaching across wide borders.

I recently noticed one of the local nurseries had some interesting garden furniture in the style of small decorative benches and simple seats. When placed in the right area it offers a visual impact as well a functional purpose; colourful Adirondack seats will also fit nicely on any patio. Wooden planter boxes are also an unusual addition, as are colourful wooden open-top barrels. For the youngster who is keen on getting his hands dirty, tools are a great gift for budding gardeners.

We see more and more condos being built; this offers the owner little, if any, green space. House plants and hanging baskets make a great impact. When purchasing plants for indoors, remember plants ordinarily grow outdoors where there is light and fresh air. As this is not the case indoors, try to match those conditions so the plant is placed in an area that is light and airy or shady and cool.

The range is vast — from palms as floor plants to Dieffenbachias, Aglaonemas, Philodendron and ferns on credenzas. Hanging baskets can also be found in a range of plant types with ferns and Aeschynanthus, or lipstick plant, and Philodendron scandens being popular for ease of maintenance. However, they all require attention. Do not overwater and do fertilise to keep them healthy and long-lasting.

When Christmas is over and it’s time to relax during the long, dark nights, consider one or more of the several books written for the Bermuda market, including Bermuda Roses Re-visited by the Bermuda Rose Society; A Gardener’s Guide by the Bermuda Garden Club, and Bermuda’s Flying Flowers, which reviews the seven butterflies found here.

Associated interest is found in Breeding Birds of Bermuda and Breeding Sea Birds of Bermuda.

Being written by “locals”, the knowledge base is accurate — or as much as it can be when dealing with Mother Nature — and is therefore well worth following.

Enjoy the festivities and see you in the New Year!