Daffodil Bouquets for Sale

typical bouquet of 10 mixed daffodils make a lovely vase display. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Daffodil Bouquets for Sale

Years ago, I shared a bouquet of fresh daffodils from my garden with a work colleague living in a colder climate. Now decades later, she still mentions the surprise and delight of getting a handful of cheerful daffodils and jonquils in the mail. After sending half a dozen bouquets to current colleagues, I thought I would share with you.

You will make someone’s day late winter and spring by having us ship them a bouquet of fresh daffodils hand-picked from chemical-free Bluebird Gardens in Rolla, Missouri.

The 10-flower bouquet is the right size for most desk-size vases. Once hand-picked, the daffodils are washed, dried, then carefully tucked into water tubes so they ship hydrated. I include one open flower so the recipient gets a hint of what the rest in bud form are. Shipping as buds provides the flowers a longer shelf life once they arrive at their destination.

Available late February through April depending on weather.

Free gift card by a local artist with your special message, just let us know if this is a special occasion and what you want written on the card.

some of the flower-themed gift cards we include with each bouquet. (charlotte Ekker wiggins photo)

When not in flower vases, daffodils and jonquils are gracing my limestone hillside. They also provide nectar and pollen to resident native and honey bees.

bluebird gardens apiary features a variety of daffodil bulbs. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Bumble bees seem particularly fond of daffodils and jonquils. So am I!

2024 daffodil sales ended April 15, 2024.

For more easy home decor, gardening, beekeeping and cooking tips, subscribe to Garden Notes.

Charlotte

Personalized Gift Boxes

Some of the personalized custom gift boxes available at ozark farms. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Personalized Gift Boxes

Several years ago, I started making personalized gift boxes for those late minute shoppers who still wanted a custom gift. These personalized gift boxes have been favorites of some of our customers for years, and given enough advance notice, are boxes we can pull together based on a particular theme and interest.

personalized gift boxes for teachers and embroidery lovers. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

To absolutely no one’s surprise, I made up personalized gift boxes for beekeepers, gardeners and quilters. I’m also a fan of gingerbread so I have one for gingerbread cookie lovers, teachers and embroidery lovers.

Access to these custom personalized gift boxes has been made easier by consigning them at Ozark Farms, 11600 Mo-72, Rolla, Mo., which will have a Christmas at the Farm event December 16, 2023.

personalized gift box for gardeners including gardening gloves and snips. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Make Your Own Personalized Gift Boxes

You can also make your own personalized gift box. Start with an interesting book. Your local book store should have a nice selection. Add a handmade soap, which most people won’t buy for themselves but usually love once they have them. Set a budget limit, then look for items to compliment the book subject.

Your office supply store should have nice boxes, cards and shipping supplies to package the items.

If you are shipping, don’t include perfumes, nail polish - anything flammable.

Remember to ship to US before December 15 to arrive by Christmas.

For more tips on gardening, beekeeping, cooking and easy home decor, subscribe to my weekly Garden Notes.

Happy shopping!

Charlotte

Personalized Book Gifts

local author books at rolla books and toys including my beekeeping books. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Personalized Book Gifts

Our family had the tradition of opening one gift at Christmas Eve - usually a book - and spending the rest of the evening reading. Then after the holidays, guess which gift is picked back up. That’s right, the books.

Over the decades, books have been a favorite personalized gift and one I like to bestow as well. Especially if one knows the author, or admires the author and would love an autographed copy.

There are several ways to personalize book gifts.

The most obvious way is to get the book autographed. Most authors I know will be glad to do that if you let them know the recipient’s name. Most of my books available for purchase are already autographed.

The second way is to add a book plate inside the front cover with the name’s recipient, date and dedication.

I am fond of adding a magnetic book mark, which can serve as a gift tag as well as keep book pages protected.

One of the gift books I received last year had a lovely surprise. The gift giver had added a photo of the two of us together as the gift tag.

To get inspired, check your local book stores for local author books. Some retailers will also provide autographed copies if you request them when you purchase the books.

For more tips on gardening, beekeeping, cooking and easy home decor, subscribe to my weekly Garden Notes.

Charlotte

September Gift Flowers

New England Asters are usually available at garden centers late winter for fall planting. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

Asters

Traditional September gift flowers are a hardy family of flowers that include white and purple daisy-like flowers.

You may have heard of New England Asters, a favorite pollinator plant. These perennials are also a hardy addition to any garden because once they start blooming, they bloom until frost.

Fall-blooming asters symbolize a strong and powerful love. They also indicate faith and wisdom.

Charlotte

Personalized Tree of Life Quilt

Personalized winter tree of life quilt makes a great gift. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Personalized Tree of Life Quilt

Another cold front is moving into Missouri but I am nice and warm curled up in one of my lap quilts. It’s why I love giving, and recommending, lap quilts throws as gifts, they are not only practical but they can also take a turn as a quilted wall hanging.

To make these even more special, lap quilts throws are easy to personalize with custom embroidery. We personalized winter tree of life quilt for a customer with machine embroidery but you can also personalize these on your own:

• Print off and add photos on each of the leaves to reflect a family genealogy tree.

• If you don’t have photos, you can add family names, one in each of the leaves.

• You can also add photos on either side of the tree to mark the joining of two families into one.

If you want to leave the leaves as they are, they are boxes around the border where family names can easily be added.

The only side where I would not add photos or embroidery on the second row is on top where loops on the back side easily turn Winter Tree of Life Quilt into a quilted wall hanging.

I could also see using this as a wedding gift so guests can sign it with an indelible pen instead of a guest book.

See what I mean? Very versatile as a gift and quite warm as well!

Charlotte