We've reached that time of the year when the struggle becomes real! What on earth do you get your employees, clients, students, co-workers, etc. for Chrismahanukwanzakah? I, for one, am terrible at figuring out what to get people, hence, in the last newsletter, I asked for a little help. I also asked just about everyone else … and the following are the tip gift ideas for 2022. From inexpensive to gaudy and everything in between—here we go!

Hey, when it comes to simple, it doesn’t get much better than seed mixes, and Eden Brothers has for years been my favorite when it comes to quality and choices. In fact, you can choose between 41 seed mixes that are themed with regional mixes also available.

Personally, I’m a fan of the Endless Summer Mix—blooms for the entire growing season is the way to go!

This one is a regional pick, but a book that's an excellent guide with outstanding photos and descriptions of a little over 500 species of California natives (many of which have ranges that extend far beyond the state’s borders).

"California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora" is written by Matt Ritter, who's a professor of botany at Cal Poly—San Luis Obispo, so you can be sure that everything is spot on.

It’s certainly worthy of collegiate textbook status, but also well-suited for anyone who wants to peer into the diversity of flora in the western U.S.

It seems like every year I ask for fun (and sometimes deadly) gifts. Every year I get a shirt that’s too small and socks, but I’ll keep the faith.

This year’s deadly weapon, which is also a nifty tool, is the Off Grid Tools Survival Axe. This little gem has 31 “essential survival features,” even though I don’t know how essential a bottle opener is unless we’re talking about surviving holiday dinners with family (just kidding, Mom).

What really sold me on this is the fact that hidden in the handle is a saw! So what doesn’t get hacked we can saw up … genius!

Finally, a garden journal that checks all of the boxes! Designed by New York Botanical Garden and the LuEster T. Mentz Library, "Gardener's Log Book: A 5-Year Planner," is a waterproof log book that's the perfect place for recording work in the garden.

It's been designed for recording seasonal activities, from building catalog wish lists early in the year to noting the first signs of spring to recording what vegetable crops you planted and their yield to organizing yourself for bulb planting in fall to, finally, putting the garden to bed for the winter.

A five-year grid at the beginning of each month offers space to note annual garden cycles over time, and journal entry pages are lined for notes or graphed for diagramming plantings. This would be the perfect gift for clients!

I've worn many a straw hat in my life and a few years ago I landed upon a Hemlock Hat Co. wide-brimmed, straw hat that’s excellent for my big head (seriously—and not just because I'm a professor). I’ve abused mine for three years now with little to no issues with quality.

What’s impressive is that there are so many options where folks can really express their personality and style. Oh, and Bob Henderson—thanks for the idea!

I realize that AirTag is only compatible with Apple devices (Tile Pro is great for Android users), but I’m a Mac guy and so Androids out there will have to live through this one.

My pitch for this product is pretty easy: About six years ago, I saw a tracker and giggled because I thought it was just for forgetful people and who's really going to admit they're so forgetful that they need to get a Bluetooth tracker?

But then my second kid was born and things got crazier. Then I decided it would be a good idea to become a university administrator (WTH was I thinking?) and poof—my ability to keep track of anything that's not attached to my body and/or capable of making a sound suddenly became impossible to keep track of. Keys, my truck at the grocery store, my family (although they make considerable noise), my briefcase ... so, yep, I took the plunge and these things are pretty nifty indeed.

Where they're really beneficial is with keys (which is frustrating when you're at a client’s property) and equipment (because equipment theft is a real problem).

When it comes to getting a job done having the correct tool is key. And for much of what we (horticulturists and gardeners) do, a dump trailer is an excellent (and time-saving) tool. There’s the obvious hauling of mulch and stone, but also hauling away refuse, plants or even setting up a mobile swimming pool (don’t laugh—you can make a swimming pool out of just about anything).

Texas Pride makes high-quality dump trailers at a good price point. Most half-ton trucks can pull a 7K-GVWR dump trailer without too much of a problem, which is why I went with this model. But there are a range of sizes available if you have a big ole’ truck. Just means you can have a bigger pool, right?

The final gift idea may just be the best. You can always donate to charity in someone’s name. Of course, the question I always ask is: which charities are really charitable. Good question, eh?

Well, leave it to the good people at Charity Navigator to rate just about every major charitable organization in the U.S. and many international charitable organizations as well.

As for me, Feeding America is where my money is heading this Chrismahanukwanzakah!