Frugal Living Today

Does your friend or loved one have a decidedly un-green thumb but still loves plants?  Want to give them a special gift for the holidays this year that they’ll love without breaking the bank?  Why not go green?  This is an idea I had a few years ago when neighbors would always tell me that they loved my plants but had no luck in growing any themselves.  Give it a try!

Michael’s “Go Green” Holiday Basket

I start with a small terra cotta pot into which I have transplanted a small cutting from one of my aloe vera plants.  In a few weeks it will fill out quite nicely.  I chose aloe because it is such a simple plant to grow and maintain and it actually thrives when over watered and then allowed to dry out.  In other words, it is a brown thumb’s dream.  You could also use cacti, spider plants, rubber plants or any other hearty plant that can withstand a few days without moisture.

A trip to my local dollar store yields almost all the rest of the required accoutrements when I add a small gardening spade, gloves, a packet of wildflower seeds and - the most important part of my gift - a card like the image you see above.