This month’s Urban Jungle Bloggers challenge was to create a ‘green gift’ – a plant-themed present for a birthday, dinner, wedding or house-warming.
I can’t think of a better gift than a plant – living, long-lasting and ever-growing. When Chris and I moved into our current property we were given potted roses and herbs by several friends, and I love looking at them every day, knowing they will thrive in our home for years to come (unless we forget to water them, of course!).
For my creation, I chose succulents – beautiful, quirky, and easy to care for if destined for anyone with less than green fingers. Their leaves can also be propagated to create new plants, so they’re gifts that keep on giving!
I wanted to present the succulents in a simple but eye-catching way (no need to detract from their beauty), so I decided to plant them in one of my favourite new discoveries – washable paper bags by Uashmama, which I sourced from The Future Kept. These fantastically versatile things look stylish, can be squashed, washed and rolled without damage and, if the recipient repots the plants in another container, are reusable in all sorts of different ways. They’re also ideal for greenery; you just need to put a plastic tray in the bottom to avoid water leakage.
I then clipped gift tags onto the bags with miniature pegs (easily available via stationary and craft shops) and added a little bit of bakers’ twine for decoration.
I’m rather pleased with the results, which I think I’ll give to various family members who will be housesitting for us at different points over the next few months. After all, they’ll be keeping our plants watered and healthy while we’re away!
Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series run by Igor of Happy Interior Blog and Judith of JOELIX.com, encouraging people to share plant-related styling tips, ideas and inspiration. To find out more, head over to the website or search #urbanjunglebloggers.
All photography by Abi Dare
I’ve just discovered your site via the Urban Jungle Bloggers – it’s lovely! So happy to have found you – and adore the bags you’ve used here.
Thanks so much Candice! The bags are lovely, aren’t they – and so versatile. I’m using them everywhere at the moment – for plants, storage, all sorts! x
These are some wonderful ‘Thank You’s’, Abi! And THANK YOU for joining us again!
Thanks Igor! Really enjoyed taking part, as always x
I think the succulentes are the best choice for a green gift !
Indeed – I have a bit of a succulent addiction at the moment!
Those are lovely. I recently just discovered those bags too. I think succulents are great to give as a green gift because they do not need much attention which is perfect for a busy person or a newbie. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Barbara! I’m about to try propagating some, so I hope to have lots of succulent babies to give to people soon!
Lovely gifts! The washable paper bags are wonderful and you can never go wrong with succulents 😉
Thanks Yvonne – I totally agree about succulents! x
Ohhhh beautiful Abi! The gifts that keep on giving! Love how you used the bags from The Future Kept in your styling too, super nice 🙂 Thank you for sharing your green gifts with us!
Thanks Judith! I have a feeling I’ll be using these bags everywhere from now on…
Hey Abi, beautiful post! I love the curly leaf one, when I was in Copenhagen I saw them everywhere but they are harder to get here, good find!
Thanks Jeska! It’s the first time I’ve seen those plants over here – I got them from a Wyevale garden centre, if that’s any use!