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Gifts for the Gardener---Are They Kidding??

So, I'm working on the obligatory "Holiday Gifts for the Organic Gardener" article right now for my About.com site, and I also happened to get the latest issue of Horticulture in the mail over the weekend. Some of you have probably seen it. On page 21, they have a piece titled "Dig It: Gifts to Give" that features nine gifts that one might consider for a garden-addicted friend or family member. Most of the items are, admittedly, quite pretty. Some, including a weather station and solar-heated bird bath, are very practical. Nothing amiss here.

Until one gets to the bottom row of photos. There is a very cute charm bracelet featured. The charms consist of a watering can, shovel and hoe, rose, etc. Cute. Then you read the description:

Photo courtesy magnums.net
"Gardener's Bracelet has 14K gold charms, $995."

Nine hundred and ninety-five dollars. Very close to a grand, and easily over a grand after you add taxes and shipping.

Wow.

First off, it makes me marvel at the budgets some people apparently are able to enjoy. A thousand dollar gift to one person? I suppose that between a husband/wife this would be possible, but it usually involves something with a diamond or other precious gem.

And then I realized the true source of my agitation: if someone ever spent a thousand dollars on this particular gift for this particular gardener, they would deserve a swift smack upside the head. Lovingly, of course.

A thousand dollars??!! Do you know how many yards of compost or mulch that would buy? How many seeds and flats? How many pairs of Felco pruners or seedling heat mats? You can buy a small, inexpensive greenhouse for less than a grand. If it were between a greenhouse for my seed-starting obsession and a pretty little thing I'd probably lose as I rushed around after kids and in the garden, I'd easily take the greenhouse. No-brainer.

Maybe I'm being too practical (I've been accused of that before...won't be the last time) but I just don't understand what kind of gardener would prefer this pretty but very useless trinket over actual garden-related stuff.

Me...I asked for heat mats and a pair of #2 Felcos for Christmas, to which the husband said "that's so practical. Don't you want something else?"

No way. When the practical parts of your life perfectly intersect what brings you unending joy, I'm pretty sure you're one of the lucky ones. I know I am.

What do you think? Am I being too practical? Would this be the kind of gift that turned you on? And, if you received it, how many of you would eBay it for cash to buy garden stuff?

Posted by Colleen Vanderlinden Comments: (13) Trackbacks: (0)

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Nancy Bond said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 12:20 (Link) (Reply)

When the practical parts of your life perfectly intersect what brings you unending joy, I'm pretty sure you're one of the lucky ones.

Wow, what a wonderful thought/statement! I think I'll print that out and tape it above my monitor!

I'm with you -- I'd rather have something a tad more practical for that sort of money, though the bracelet is cute. ;-)
Anonymous said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 12:49 (Reply)

The bracelet is cute, but I can guarantee the first thing that would happen would be I would lose it in the garden digging or some such!

Not quite sure of the exchange rate but $1000 seems excessive for that trinket, I might offer £250 at a push!

£1000 would go a long way in my garden ..... miles even!
Amy said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 12:53 (Link) (Reply)

Yes, I'd rather have a good load of well rotted manure, or some really sweet gardening tools, than a bracelet I would be constantly worried about breaking or losing!
inadvertentfarmer said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 13:02 (Link) (Reply)

Oh my goodness. I can't imagine spending that kind of $$$ on a trinket. I would put that straight towards a greenhouse, ohhh I would love a greenhouse!

Love, your thought about parctical intersecting with your joy...very, very well said.

I'm starting a quote of the day next week on my blog...can I quote you (and give credit of course)? Kim
Jenny said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 13:54 (Link) (Reply)

If I had a bracelet that cost $995 I'd definitely want some shiny gemstones on it. I'd (lovingly) smack anyone who bought me such a thing, though, and probably ask them to take it back (since presumably anyone who gave me such a thing would be someone I knew well enough to ask that of). I like pretty trinkets, but I'd rather spend big money on practical stuff, too.
Dee/reddirtramblings said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 14:45 (Link) (Reply)

Heck no! I love trinkets & jewelry, but $1,000 for a garden themed bracelet, are you kidding? I asked for a wrought iron gate to the side yard this year, and a cookbook. Woo-Hoo!!~~Dee
Frances said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 16:52 (Link) (Reply)

I love your title, it drew me in to read your story. I get that magazine and did not even notice the price on that bracelet, not the least bit interested at all. I do like jewelry and garden related is a bit cutsy, but that price in unbelievable! I'm with you, get the greenhouse!

Frances
gina said,

Tuesday, November 18. 2008 at 23:46 (Link) (Reply)

First off, I really do not care for gold jewelry. I like the idea of the charm bracelet but I think I'd prefer some cheap silver charms for the charm bracelet that I got like 30 years ago.

My verdict - 1000 is way too much money to spend on something like that.
OldRoses said,

Wednesday, November 19. 2008 at 00:21 (Link) (Reply)

Am I missing something? Why is everyone worried about losing an admittedly over-priced bracelet in the garden? Maybe I'm weird, but I don't wear jewelry while gardening. I also differ about gifts. Practical I can buy myself. Gifts should be something I wouldn't buy myself.
Blackswampgirl Kim said,

Wednesday, November 19. 2008 at 00:25 (Link) (Reply)

I agree with Gina (I don't care for gold jewelry) AND with Dee (Oooh... the wrought iron work I could buy with $1k!) AND with all of the rest of you, too. Frankly, the only thing I own (besides my car) that cost that much is my diamond engagement ring. (And, truth be told, it was a ring that I didn't want at all--I hinted and finally flat-out stated that it would be way more fun to have, for example, a vintage ruby ring as an engagement ring. I don't care for diamonds.)

And I do love that statement you made that so many other commented on, too. Maybe someday I'll be one of those "lucky ones." :-)
Colleen Vanderlinden said,

Wednesday, November 19. 2008 at 09:22 (Link) (Reply)

Nancy: Thank you! And I agree, it's cute, but not $1000 cute...

Anonymous: Welcome to ITGO! And, yes, $1000 would go quite a long way in my garden, too!

Amy: Absolutely. And now that I think about it, I'd probably break something like that before I'd lose it...I tend to be a bit on the klutzy side :-)

InadvertentFarmer/Kim: You and me both! And thank you! I'd be honored.

Jenny: Yep. Pretty is nice, but for that kind of money, I better be able to do something with it besides look at it!

Dee: Ooh, an iron gate---now that is something that's well worth the money. I hope you get it (and you'll post a photo when you do, won't you?)

Frances: I thought the same thing---"Oh, that's cute! Wonder how much......what?!" The greenhouse is definitely more worth the money.

Gina: I'm with you!

OldRoses: Good point, though I'd still find a way to lose it :-) I won't buy expensive practical stuff for myself, so that's what gifts are good for!

Kim: Truth be told, my wedding set was still under $1K. My car would be about it!

Thanks for the comments, all!
Sarah said,

Wednesday, November 19. 2008 at 12:27 (Link) (Reply)

First, the bracelet is very cute; second, I'd probably lose the charms within a week - most bracelet charms are flimsily attached. Third, if someone's going to spend that much money on me, it had better be on something useful! So, I totally agree that it is not a practical gift.
However, I could see my Grandma wearing something like that. She's more of a passive gardener - not quite as into it as the rest of us out here in blogland. I guess it depends on your income and priorities. :-)
~Sarah
Anne said,

Monday, November 24. 2008 at 12:35 (Link) (Reply)

I'm with you. If someone decided to spend a grand on a piece of jewelry like this (which I can't imagine anyone I know doing), I would have to have a serious chat with them about my priorities. I can't even imagine all the garden stuff and plants I could get for that much money!

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