Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Christmas Gifts from Nature

I have a lot of people to buy holiday presents for that are really difficult.  My recent visit to my local flower shop, Bow Street Flowers, provided a lot of inspiration for quick and lovely holidays gifts straight from nature.

How about a laurel wreath that will last well beyond the holiday season?

Or a sparkly bird ornament?



A prettily decorated wreath?



An elegant arrangement of evergreens in a birch pot?



Potted paperwhites or amaryllis?



Cyclamen or a Lady's Slipper Orchid?



Sweet little pots of dried flowers?



How about a hellebore or Frosty Fern swaddled in pretty paper and tied up with a bow?




Or how about a beeswax candle, handmade soaps or little birch bark ornaments?



Maybe not a bunny but they sure are cute.

I'd be thrilled if a guest stopped by the house with any one of these lovely gifts from nature.

Stop by your local independent florist or:

Bow Street Flowers
108  Beacon Street
Somerville, MA  02143
617-492-0080

Open Mon-Fri 10:00 to 6:30
Saturday 10:00 to 5:00
and Sundays 12:00-5:00 through Christmas

47 comments:

  1. Great suggestions. I too, would love any of those things. I hope Shelley has something left when I visit.

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    1. Jen,
      She'll have plenty and she'll put you to work.
      S.

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  2. Those are my kind of presents! I took early Christmas gifts to my family at Thanksgiving - amaryllis bulbs. Thanks for sharing, Steve.

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  3. Now, Bunny boy...I told you that you DO NOT need to get me a gift this year...again.


    Geez.



    All gorge indeed!

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  4. My vote (for a gift to receive as well as to give) would be the squared wreath!

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    1. Mark,
      I agree. The square wreath is very handsome!

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    2. I thought you already had one for your door?? Its an amarylis for me ... tomorrow!

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    3. Webb,
      You're right. I did have a square wreath last year but I don't have one yet for this year.

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  5. Yes, I'd gladly accept any of those, thank you! All are lovely gift ideas!
    Claudia

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  6. Dear Santa
    I would like a White Cyclamen.
    But a Red one would be fine too.
    :D

    (seriously, thanks for the great idea. A wonderful gift for people on my list who have everything!)

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  7. I'd rather have any one of these beautiful gifts from a local florist than anything else. I'm sure you'll make everyone happy with any of these choices...looks like such a pretty place, wish I lived closer to visit...and shop. I'd take home the square wreath for sure!

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  8. They each receive my vote although the Laurel wreath and the birch bark with greens are my top two!

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  9. I love square wreaths -- her's are great. How incredibly nice to share and promote this shop. I need to get in there!! And you're right, nature offers some really lovely gifts.

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  10. I'm with you, I would be thrilled if someone showed up at my door with any of those gorgeous items!

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  11. For sure the grass is always greener because I want each and every one of those items and I'm pretty sure with the exception of the ornaments and the bunny and the sq. wreath i could bring any one home.

    but they look prettier in Shelly's shop.

    In the spirit now?
    xo jane


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  12. Steve please feel free to bring me a gift of your choosing any time. Thanks! Karn

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  13. Steve, I agree, I would love any of the items you shared. I especially like the the evergreens in the birch pot. I love everything organic. Have a wonderful week. Bonnie

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  14. Lovely - but beeswax candles won't die on you. Don't think you can post a rabbit.

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  15. I agree Steve; these all are special, and very thoughtful gifts!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art*by*Karena

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  16. I'll take the bunny! But everything else is pretty darn nice, too!

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  17. nature does it best, thanks for the inspiration steve

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  18. Totally loving that bunny with his/her modern abstract coloring!

    I think a Hellebore would be a grand pressie, or some of that handmade soap. It all looks grand, and I am having quite the case of big-town envy right now :)




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  19. Just lovely! I would be delighted with any of those delightful gifts. Love Linda x

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  20. This place is on my list to visit when I'm in your area....I too would be happy with any one of these gifts...well except for that bunny, maybe. Love those square wreaths...didn't you have one of those last year? Did you make your advent wreath this year?? I'm sounding like a stalker now!
    annie

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  21. Lovely goodies! I'll have the wreath, the soaps and the bark ornaments thank you very much! You are a very thoughtful gift buyer and just gave me some great ideas.

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  22. I'll take one of everything please.

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  23. I bought a couple ornaments here last year that I display year round. I'll have to make a visit soon! Thanks for the reminder!

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  24. Wouldn't I love to be on your giftee list! Thanks for the beautiful inspirations. I wonder if there is a local florist in this small town out here in the desert where I live now? I'll have to research that.

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  25. Beautiful shop, Steve! I love the laurel wreath. If I can find one here in DC, that's what I want for our front door. Otherwise, it will be a boxwood wreath.
    Loi
    PS - My cyclamen plants flower for months!

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  26. Hi Steve, great idea. Add me to your list (I am not too fussy and I think you could buy for me easily)! ;D
    hehe.
    xo Terri

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  27. I love that you mentioned this! I'm trying to get back to basics this holiday season and what better way to do that than with natural gifts! Beautiful, and thank you for sharing.

    Tim

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  28. I give potted paperwhites every year. Love the scent, the height, the terra cotta pot. (I guess I tend to give what I'd like to receive!)

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  29. I'll be right over with Bugs Bunny! LOL!!! Love ALL your ideas!

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  30. What a lovely shop. I'd be broke if it was close by. I've never seen a Frosty Fern--perfect for the season but it's too dry here for most ferns. Wondering what your tree(s) will be like this year.

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  31. I'd be giddy if someone gave me a laurel wreath for Christmas. It would likely stay up all year. Wondering if you'll do a square wreath like last year?
    Camille

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  32. I love frosty ferns with paperwhites and white cyclamens. Definitely worth a trip to Somerville!

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  33. You are always inspiring Steve...maybe I shall do the same for some of my gifts. And that bunny sure is adorable :)

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  34. gorgeous shop and i adore the boxwood wreaths! xx

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  35. Great ideas and what a wonderful shop. I have been chomping at the bit to get into a lovely flower shop like that. I loved your last years tree!!!!

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  36. You read my mind! I'm giving my Mom beeswax candles. They are pretty $$, I hope she knows they're not your mother's candles anymore! No more petroleum by-product candles in her house from now on. (Especially on the dining room table.) I also like to give my gourmand brother different spices as a present. Easy to send. Something he wouldn't readily buy for himself.

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  37. I'll take the bunny please...just for the look on someones face when I wrap a red bow on it and say Merry Christmas :)

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  38. the bunny, the soaps and the white ciclamen!

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