Gift Shopping? We have some suggestions - 10 gifts for the Special People in your Life

This selection of gifts includes Items from Backyard Patch Herbs and others from friends of mine on Etsy. I have grouped them by potential recipients. And if you want an extra Small Business Saturday coupon just join our Good Thyme Club and we will send out some special coupons to use Thanksgiving Weekend thru Cyber Monday!

For Him

Finding gifts for the men in life can sometimes be challenging.  But we found some great ideas:

DIY Grilling Kit - We make this great adventure gift so the recipient can blend their own grilling spices, from rubs to marinades they receive ingredients, containers and simple instructions so they can then regift in style.

If your man friends are budding mixologists, try out our Cocktail Kits:

From an easy just-add-booze Old Fashioned, to flavoring bourbon or making Faux Gin, these kits will let them stir up some great drinks for the holiday.

For Grandma/Grandpa

A fun welcome to visiting grandma and grandpa is this hand created Door Mat

If grandma or grandpa is a gardener, try out the Garden Stone personalized with names of family members.

Hostess Gifts

Give the gift of fun tastes with these Olive Oil Dipping Blends in a delightful gift box.  We have other versions as well, like Wassail and herb tea.

Teacher/Coach Gifts

This cute little Teacher Theme Ornament that can be personalized with the teachers name is a great idea

Celebration of teachers can include giving them something to do in their free time. Like these sweet Wassail blends that can be blended with Apple Cider for seasonal sipping.

 

For Her

Girlfriends, work associates, and other women in your life need a bit of fun too.  

Try out these Floral Book Markers for your bookish friends.

A great gift of flowers that will never fade or wilt, just like your friendship. Check out the variety of Crocheted Flowers.

And sharing a cup of tea even from afar is simple with this special Tea Cup Gift.  You get a vintage tea cup, tea bag and honey to sweeten.  Packaged wonderfully and shipped anywhere in the US.

Enjoy your holiday and time with friends and family!

Remember join our Good Thyme Club to get special discounts for Small Business Saturday!

Lemon Berry Basil Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

For this time of year as days get short, temps cool and colds increase we need a bit of a boost and this tea will doo that simply and easily.  You can make a batch ahead and drink as the need arises. This recipe makes 8 to 9 cups of tea, and can easily be multiplied.

Lemon Berry Basil Tea

1 Tbls Lemon balm for brighter moods 1 Tbls Holy basil to help with the waning sun 1 Tbls Elderberry, dried for virus prevention

Combine ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to combine.

To Use: Add one teaspoon to a cup of hot water and allow to steep 7 minutes. Sweeten with honey if desired. Sip and enjoy!

Herb-Stamped Gift Tags - How Tuesday

 Adding a Dash of Nature to Your Holiday Gifts can be simple and fun!

'Tis the season for giving, and what better way to add a personal touch to your gifts than with charming herb-stamped gift tags? This fun and aromatic project will not only make your presents stand out but will also infuse them with the delightful images of nature. So, grab your favorite herbs and let's get crafting!

Materials Needed:

• Fresh herbs with sturdy leaves (e.g., rosemary, sage, mint, scented geraniums)
• Ink pads of various colors
• Blank gift tags or cardstock
• Twine or ribbon

Step 1: Select and Prepare Herbs

Choosing the right herbs is the first step to success in this project. Opt for herbs with robust leaves and strong veins like rosemary, sage, any mint or if you have them a scented geranium leaf. Make sure they are clean and thoroughly dry to ensure a clean stamp.

Step 2: Stamp the Tags

Now, it's time to get creative! Press the leaves of your chosen herb onto the ink pad, making sure to get an even coating. This is where the magic happens!

Press the herb onto the blank gift tag with a firm and steady hand. Then, lift it gently to reveal the natural stamp.

Pro Tips: Experiment with different angles and pressures to achieve various artistic effects! Try a two-tone stamp by reusing a leaf already pressed onto a lighter color onto a darker one to get two colors at once.

Marcy Tips: I found the ink pressed around the edges and got on my fingers (you might want to wear gloves. But this gave me the idea of placing a leaf between two cards and getting both sides of the leaf in one pressing.  It turned out great!

Step 3: Add Finishing Touches

Allow the ink to dry completely before moving on to this step. Once your tags are dry, grab a pen and write your heartfelt holiday messages. Then, attach the tags to your gifts using twine or ribbon.

Pro Tip: Mix and match different colored ribbons to complement your herb-stamped tags.

Marcy Tip: I decided to stamp some leaves twice using a different darker color and ended up with two tone leaf prints!

Conclusion:

Voilà! You've just created charming herb-stamped gift tags that are sure to bring a smile to your loved ones' faces. These tags not only add a personal touch but also fill the air with the wonderful images of nature. Get ready to spread holiday cheer with your beautifully crafted tags on your presents!

Remember to snap some photos of your creative process and share them with us on social media using the hashtag #HerbStampedHoliday. We can't wait to see your festive creations!

Happy crafting and happy holidays!🌿🎁

Exfoliating Salt Scrub - Bath Blend of the Month

The low humidity in winter air depletes the moisture in your skin. This leaves the uppermost skin cells without enough moisture to keep them healthy. The result is itching, peeling and scaling of dead skin. First I suggest increasing the humidity in the air of your home. Simmering spices on the stove add moisture and freshen a room with delightful aromatherapy scents. Use a glycerin or olive oil base soap because they have fewer chemicals and are less drying. Next, remove dead skin cells by exfoliating with a textured soap or a salt scrub. Make your own salt scrub with my favorite recipe. Your skin will feel great and be soft and supple!

Exfoliating Salt Scrub 

• 1 cup fine grind sea salt
• 1 cup almond or avocado oil 
• 30 drops lavender essential oil 
• 30 drops lemongrass oil

Combine salt and oil in a bowl, Stir in lavender essential oil for stress relief and lemongrass oil for invigorating the mind. 

TO USE: After bathing while skin is still wet and you are still in the tub, use one tablespoon to gently massage skin. Avoid sensitive areas. Rinse well. Pat dry and lock in moisture with your favorite body lotion. Lavender lotion will effectively heal and moisturize dry winter skin.