Botanical Garden Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are officially here, which means the search for unique and memorable gifts is in full swing. The good news is that your local, one-stop shop for botanically inspired, locally crafted gifts is right here at the Botanical Garden!
The Garden Shop is open Tuesdays-Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you can also find much of our inventory—including our holiday plant sale—online.
Whether you’re shopping for kids, friends, family, or just for yourself (you deserve it!), check out our top gift ideas below.
For the Kids
Treat a budding plant lover to everything they need to build their own mini ecosystem at home! This set includes a container, soil, pebbles, activated charcoal, top-dressing, decorative materials, three two-inch plants, plus care and assembly information and an educational video. Plants can be selected at pickup. $20-$45
Green Tones Musical Instruments
An eco-friendly company, GreenTones creates sustainable, musical toys. They are also part of the 1% For the Planet, a group of businesses that contribute 1% of their sales to environmental nonprofits. So, that toy you purchase for a holiday gift helps the planet, too.
The Baby Bear Shaker, Beginner Drum Set, Melody Glockenspiel and more are all great for inspiring the kids in your life musically and creatively. $25-$40
For the Plant Enthusiast
For the plant lover in your life (even if that person is YOU!), shop our holiday selection of orchids and amaryllis online! We have plenty of stunning varieties available. $13.99-$34.99
For a unique, thoughtful present that will keep giving all year long, give the gift of exploration to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Use code EXPLORE to receive $10 off any new gift membership. $65-$115
Memberships include:
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- Unlimited admission
- Location for one photo shoot per year
- Magazine subscriptions
- Shopping Discounts
- Reciprocal privileges
- Free and discounted classes
- Reciprocal Privileges to more than 330 North American gardens
If you enjoy crafting, pick up a macramé kit and create a beautiful plant hanger for someone who is running out of windowsills for their houseplants. Or, gift them the kit so they can build one on their own. Each kit contains a six-inch pot and saucer, macramé cordage, wooden beads and wooden ring. $15
Learn on Saturdays is our beloved winter lecture series, and this year we’re taking it virtual. Saturday mornings from Jan. 9 to April 24, hear from a different gardening expert about everything from garden pests to maple syrup! We’re offering 8-week punch cards or full season passes this year, and they make a generous holiday gift for the gardener in your life. $25-$90
For the Reader
By David L. Culp, featured speaker for the 2020 Virtual Symposium
In this book, renowned garden designer David Culp elaborates about the celebrated garden at Brandywine Cottage. The book includes monthly focuses including recipes, to-do lists, flower arrangements, and practical gardening tips. Readers will also hear about various plant sources, wildlife habitat, plant biodiversity and meadow gardening. Culp aims to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. $35
Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style
By Christin Geall, featured speaker for the 2020 Virtual Symposium
Develop your floral design skills with this informative and entertaining book on the principles of floral style. Christin Geall draws upon the fine arts and historical sources to inspire readers to create their own works of floral art. Cultivated offers lessons and Christin’s personal reflections on color, creativity and aesthetics. $27.50
Browse our full selection of books here.
For the Entertainer
Light, refreshing scents of cactus flower, peonies and peaches combine in this beautiful glass candle bowl. Creates an ambiance when lit and looks beautiful as décor, too. $37
Ceramic Botanical Appetizer Plates
This gorgeous floral set of small plates comes with a gold caddy for convenient storage; perfect for small appetizers and beautiful enough to leave sitting out between uses. $52
