Daffodils and Paperwhites for Last-minute Christmas Gifts

When you run into the Lowe's or Home Depot or your favorite garden
center this week, looking for an extra string of lights, or a discounted
wreath, find the display of fall bulbs. I bet you'll find a few bags of
beautiful tulip, daffodil and paperwhite bulbs, priced to sell. If you
have a few extra minutes in the Christmas rush and crush, you may put
some into the ground (and yes, I did, last Friday when the afternoon warmed up to 70 degrees), or you can make lovely gifts for friends and
family.

First, paperwhites: these fragrant blooms take really well to indoor
forcing. Pick up a bag of gravel while you're at the Depot and find a
few shallow dishes around your house. I prefer sealed ceramic dishes for
this - the saucer will need constant watering and unsealed terra cotta
will ruin the surface underneath. Gently place gravel in container,
nestle the paperwhite bulbs among the stones, and add water. Because of
the moisture factor, I keep these in my sunny kitchen and bathroom,
where I can monitor the water level daily. If you're giving these away,
don't add water, and wrap with cellophane and a pretty bow and add
instructions for water and light.

You can also take the smaller approach and gather a few jelly and
canning jars for a collection of bulbs. Just place a few pieces of
gravel in the bottom, fill with a bit of dirt, then add a bulb. I found
this idea on Wenderly's site and she recommends not watering right away, but placing the jars with bulbs in a dark place for a few days to encourage root growth, then bringing out the jars, putting in a bit of water and watching the bulbs grow.

I found daffodils marked down 75 percent at Lowe's (half off at Home
Depot), and decided to use them for teacher gifts. Very simple here, and
it's easy to set up assembly-line style. Clean pot, gravel in bottom, 5
or 6 bulbs place upright on gravel. Fill in with potting soil and pat
down the soil.

Wrap with cellophane and tie with a pretty gold ribbon (I buy gold and
silver ribbon after the holidays and have a stash of lovely wired ribbon
to use throughout the year.)The  daffodil pots were given to teachers and family this year. I have a few extras on hand, for last-minute and unexpected gifts.

Christmas is all about new beginnings - a baby, new life for those who
believe. And a planter full of the promise of spring will make a
wonderful Christmas gift.

I wish for you and your family the blessings of Christmas!


Text and images copyright 2011, Lucy Mercer.

For more of my stories and pictures, check out A Cook and Her Books. Find me on Twitter @acookandherbook and Facebook A Cook and Her Books.