Gardening Gifts & Essentials for the Holidays
A few of my favorite things to give, receive, or use in holiday porch decor!
The Twelve Days of Christmas Roundup
The holiday season always brings a sense of creativity and connection, and I loved sharing a handful of my go-to gifts and gardening essentials in my Instagram series, The Twelve Days of Christmas. This blog brings the whole series together with extra details, helpful notes, and easy links to shop. Click the SHOP→ prompts, or tap on any image, to learn more.
Items purchased through some of the links featured here may pay a commission to Contained Creations at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work.
Day 1: Weatherproof Berry Picks for Natural Holiday Pots
I’ve tried so many artificial berry picks in my holiday container gardens. These are by far the best I’ve found at retail. They’re made entirely of plastic and wire, instead of coated styrofoam, so they don’t pop, crack, or chip. The stems are flexible, durable, and perfect for outdoor arrangements. I replenish my stash — in both cream and red — every October, so I’m ready when the season hits.
SHOP BERRY PICKS →
Day 2: Work Boots with Rugged Charm
If you want footwear that can handle garden projects and everyday life, check these out. They’re water-resistant, supportive, and have that rugged charm that looks as good with filthy overalls as with your favorite pair of jeans. I wore mine for the Southern Living® Idea House holiday refresh, and then straight through our family trip to Europe — rain, snow flurries, cobblestones, long walks, you name it. They held up beautifully and kept my feet comfortable the whole time.
SHOP BLUNDSTONES →
Day 3: Winter Blooms from Southern Living® Plant Collection
For anyone who loves winter interest in their planters, the Southern Living Plant Collection offers beautiful camellias that ship right to your door. They’re lush, cold hardy, and the blooms — in shades of white, pink, and red — are so refreshing during the colder months! Browse the entire collection and order from home. #SouthernLivingPlantsPartner
SHOP ALL CAMELLIAS →
Day 4: Beautiful Planters from Hooks & Lattice
It’s a great time to refresh your porch for winter or get a head start on spring. My friends at Hooks & Lattice agree, so they’re offering 20% off planters, window boxes, and hanging baskets with code PLANTERS20 now through December 24, 2025. #HooksandLatticePartner
SHOP & SAVE AT HOOKS & LATTICE →
Day 5: The Subtle Lift Your Planters NeeD — Potrisers® Pot Feet
The perfect stocking stuffer for container gardeners! These discreet pot feet are tough, last season after season, and practically disappear under your planters. They allow excess water to escape, improve air flow, and make cleanup easier which keeps porches and patios tidier. #PotrisersPartner
SHOP POTRISERS →
Day 6: Sentimental Ornaments for Garden Lovers
There’s something so sweet about pulling out ornaments each year and remembering where they came from, whether it was a trip souvenir, a thoughtful gift, or a funny prize during a holiday gift exchange. Here are some favorites for anyone who loves plants, gardens, or simply getting their hands (and feet) in the dirt.
SHOP ORNAMENTS →
Day 7: Gifts That Grow…Bulb Kits and Gift Cards from White Flower Farm
White Flower Farm’s quality and attention to detail make holiday shopping easy and low-stress. Choose a beautiful Paperwhite or Amaryllis bulb kit for winter blooms, or send a gift certificate they can use to purchase beautiful plants in spring. Order soon for Christmas delivery! #WhiteFlowerFarmPartner
SHOP WHITE FLOWER FARM →
Day 8: Cozy Winter Gardening Gloves
A friend in the business introduced me to these tough and comfy winter gardening gloves years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since! They have a warm, soft interior lining and a PVC coating on the palm for extra grip. Perfect for lots of tasks, from handling your evergreen boughs and wreaths to planting shrubs.
GET THE GLOVES →
Day 9: The All Purpose Garden Tub
This lightweight and flexible tub holds anything a gardener needs including potting mix, mulch, debris, or tools. It also makes a great “gift basket.” Fill it with a plant, a hose, a sprayer, and pot risers for a practical and fun gardening gift.
SHOP TUBS →
Day 10: The Handy Hose I Use Everywhere
An Xhose is the perfect gift for small-space gardeners. It’s lightweight, collapsible, never kinks, and is easy to move around. Whether you’re watering plants, rinsing patios, washing cars, or carrying a hose to work sites or horse shows, this one just makes life easier. Pro tip: it’s always best to bring your hoses inside for the winter.
FAVORITE HOSE →
Day 11: My Favorite Sprayer for Everyday Tasks
This comfy, soft gel handle reduces stress on your wrist and hands, and the smooth thumb control lets you easily change water flow without clenching your hand. My favorite setting for watering container gardens is the shower, with the thumb control set to about 50% pressure to gently soak roots. It’s simple, sturdy, and makes everyday watering so much easier and more fun. Pro tip: In cold climates, detach sprayers from hoses and bring them inside for the winter.
FAVORITE SPRAYER →
Day 12: The Dolly That Saves Your Back…and Your Pots!
This Potwheelz® dolly is truly saving backs everywhere. Watch how I use it to move heavy planters before cold snaps and storms, to chase the sun, or anytime I want to switch things around. The extra-wide base, curved back, and swivel wheels make it far more planter-friendly than a standard dolly. It glides smoothly on hard surfaces and can even cross grass. (Note: This is not recommended for stairs.) A perfect group gift for that special gardener in your life! Learn more at Potwheelz.com and click below to shop. #PotwheelzPartner
SHOP POTWHEELZ →
Wrapping Things Up for the Season
I hope this roundup sparked a few ideas for giving, decorating, or treating yourself this season. Gardening brings so much joy and creativity, and I love being able to share the pieces that make the process easier and the results more beautiful!
Wishing you a cozy, joy-filled Christmas. Cheers to more gardening projects in 2026!🥂
Warmly,
Steph
PS: Thinking about spring container gardens already? My Cottage Container Gardens post has plenty of ideas…from favorite cottage-style plants to effortless ways to create that soft, romantic look in your planters.