I'm thinking of including 1-3 packs of seeds with my Christmas cards this year. What do you think? Would you like to get a Christmas card from a relative that had some packs of seeds included?
Posted by Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 81 comments
I finally got good at maintaining a vegetable garden this year (3 years of trying and i finally figured it out). I saved a bunch of seeds and would like to buy seed envelopes to include a few packs with each Christmas card.
I'm always talking to people about starting a vegetable garden to be self-sufficient, even if it's just keeping 1 tomato plant alive. I think this idea is my opportunity to spread the message.
What do you think? Is it a corny idea? Personally, I would be jazzed to get seeds.
hzpointon@reddit
Yes, if the seeds were hallucinogenic
kitlyttle@reddit
I think it's a great idea. Even among those who don't choose to use them, most will toss them in a drawer, not the trash bin. Maybe in the future they will get used. Send well packaged, healthy seeds that store for a few years.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Send them to people you know that have houses and not Apartments or Renting.
Nonny_in_Aus@reddit
You can still be a gardener/ prep and have a mobile garden. I have trees in portable hessian bags and herbs growing in pots. Renting is not the end of prep.
bugabooandtwo@reddit
If it's an apartment, some stores have special smaller planters for herbs and spices that you can put in the kitchen by a window.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Yes they do. My wife has several. They are for small plants obviously.
monkey888777666@reddit
People in apartments can have balconies. People who rent can stay in one place long-term. This comment seems to me to be too rigid in its idea of who can grow a tomato plant.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Yes, if they are lucky it will be facing the right direction and are allowed to put potted plants on it.
monkey888777666@reddit
Well, two of the four directions (south and west, if you're in the northern hemisphere) are right. I wouldn't avoid sending something as small as a few seeds to someone who lives in an apartment just because some apartments don't have balconies.
But, then, where I live, keeping potted plants on a balcony is normal. Maybe it isn't in your region.
Poorly_disguised_bot@reddit
We're not allowed to keep anything on our balconies where I live.
There's a real risk that things will be blown off the balconies because of how wind gusts around us.
Also the primary cause of apartment fires near us is from people on higher floors flicking cigarettes off their balconies and setting plants and furniture on lower floors ablaze. Even with smoking banned in our building, I've found cigarette butts thrown from higher floors blown into our balcony.
I was mortified when a friend showed up at our place with a potted plant as a housewarming gift. Years later I'm still trying to get rid of the damned thing.
monkey888777666@reddit
You don't keep plants inside your home? We live in different worlds.
Poorly_disguised_bot@reddit
Only begrudgingly. I was told to absolutely avoid keeping plants indoors because of concerns around mould.
My rubber plant is immaculate and lovingly maintained.
Misfitranchgoats@reddit
exactly. Heck, I have a big garden and raise a lot of livestock. I still grow veggies on my deck. I have to keep the cherry tomatoes contained or they try to take over the world or at least my garden. I don't plant cherry tomatoes in my garden anymore as they really did just volunteer everywhere.
mcoiablog@reddit
My daughter had an apartment with a small balcony. She grew over a dozen vegetable plants in pots on it. She also grew herbs on her kitchen window sill. My sister grows pots of veggies by her front door. I know lots of people in apartments that would love seeds. I think it depends on the person.
AAAAHaSPIDER@reddit
I had over 40 plants in my old apartment. Only one south facing window, but I even grew tomatoes inside.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Fantastic.
Warburgerska@reddit
Yeah, it's frustrating getting plants from friends and family which can not survive in your current living situation.
Nonny_in_Aus@reddit
Fabulous idea! Friends that live in apartments get herbs that don’t go wild and those that live on property get something that they like- lettuce, toms or other. Wonderful idea!
lonewarrior76@reddit
I would like it because I'm a gardener & homesteader. Like maybe some celebrity tomatoes or Carole Cantelope, arugula, cucumbers or lettuce...nice.
levivilla4@reddit
I would but then again, in interested in this kind of atuff.
it's human nature to gift or to love in the way we'd like to receive it.
Doesn't always get received the way we'd hope. I'd say just hang on to them for yourself unless you know %100 the people you're gifting to are inclined in the same things you are or like gardening.
Otherwise they'd be like...."oh, uh, ok, seeds....cool I guess" and toss them in the garage or junk drawer.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
Most of my family is super into gardening, but only me and 1 other sister have a vegetable garden.
I don't think I'll send seeds that will inconvenience someone. Example: i won't send pole beans or cucumbers to someone i know doesn't have anything for the plant to climb. And I won't send anyone indeterminate tomato seeds that get 10'+ tall. I'll send dill to most people because you can easily grow it inside or outside, and it benefits butterflies and ladybugs. Plus I harvested thousands of dill seeds this year. I also have seeds for a few interesting varieties of melons.
levivilla4@reddit
Smart thinking! You're a better gift diver than me! Very thoughtful, I just give people cash as a gift.
But then again, that's because that's the kind of gift I like most of all! 😅
The1Zenith@reddit
Absolutely! I used to do a lot of seed trading so let me give you a few tips in case you haven’t mailed seeds before. Make sure to mark the envelope “Fragile! Do not machine! Hand sort only!” Wrap the seeds packet in bubble wrap too.
AvgAll-AmericanGirl@reddit
I would love it, especially if they are heirloom seeds.
natiplease@reddit
If you send me generic tomato seeds I'd be thankful and appreciate them. (As someone capable of planting them)
But if you sent me weird plants that grow in my grow zone (weird fruits, berries, or vegetables) you will forever be the cool one and I'll do my utmost to raise them properly and share.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
Let's make that happen. Want to be added to my Christmas card list? What zone are you in?
natiplease@reddit
Oooh random strangers knowing my address! I live in 7b
squirrelcat88@reddit
I’d be tickled pink!
booksandrats@reddit
That's a great idea! Thank you
OldSnuffy@reddit
It depends on the plants,and the family...the thought says it all.a fresh clean pint jar, stuffed full of a whole garden worth of seed (no corn,too much room) can be a long term literal lifesaver.
Hot-Profession4091@reddit
I send my sister seed I saved every year. They keep coming on one condition, that she gardens with my niblings.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
My oldest sister got me fully invested in my vegetable garden. We've been trying to convince the middle sister to do it too. She lives in an area where she could just throw seeds and they'll grow well any time of year.
vba7@reddit
There is a very strange scam where someone sends unknown seeds and asks random people to plant it. Im confused people here havent heard about it?
Government wrote to not plant those seeds, since they can be used to spread plant diseases. Some have claimed those are sent by sellers from various websites that try to boost their rankings (but how is this supposed to work if you ordered nothing?)
Also, if u send random seeds to me, how can one know this isnt marijuana or some other controlled plant?
rocketscooter007@reddit
I buy seeds off etsy more often than I should, lol, but I just love the surprise of the packaging they come in. Some people put alot of work into it, I've had some in a little paper packet with art drawn on it. Some come with cute logos, you never know what you are going to get, and it's awesome. And the Thank you letters that come with them, you can tell it means alot to them.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
I got a cutting of a maypop off etsy. It's over a year old and finally blooming. I think in the spring it's going to take off and produce fruit.
SchoolFacilitiesGal@reddit
If you send your own, please include detailed directions. My daughter lives in an apartment which has a community garden. I think that's unusual, but some apartment dwellers do have garden access
pgl0897@reddit
Congrats on the veg garden. I am hoping to take my first steps on this same journey over the next few months, so if you have any resources like books or YouTube channels you found helpful that you would signpost to I’d be glad to hear your recommendations.
The seeds are a great idea. I say go for it.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
Look into "trench composting". That's 1 of the things that greatly improved my soil. If you're setting up your beds now to start growing in the spring it's a perfect time for trench composting. It's like free fertilizer.
pgl0897@reddit
I’ll get on that! Thankyou.
wantinit@reddit
I would love to receive seeds
Enigma_xplorer@reddit
So I think it depends on your audience and the seeds you chose.
I mean there's not really a good traditional festive connection between seeds and Christmas so it feels a little weird? I mean it's not even the season for planting so personally I wouldn't even be able to use them for months? You have to find a way to make that connection in your card so it fits tastefully? Some plants have underlying symbolic/cultural meanings you can play on for example as a way to wish good health or prosperity?
Do the recipients already garden? If so seeds might be a nice gift. If they do not already garden and do not have an interest in it this might not be well received? More like projecting the gift you would want to receive instead of your recipient? It kind of comes off like you don't know me or this gift is more about you than me?
You also need to think about the types of seeds. If I were to receive a packet of carrot seeds for example this feels like a more utilitarian gift. While useful for sure its probably not something that's going to bring joy and excitement especially if they are not gardeners already? Kind of like receiving toilet paper as a gift or one year my mom got my dad a nail gun for Christmas knowing we needed to put on a new roof on the house. Of course she was well meaning. Every guy likes getting tools and she knew that was one that would be needed that he did not have but the emotions/perception of getting nail gun for Christmas is basically work and chores you know? You might want to choose something more lighthearted and fun. Something that can be grown as an indoor houseplant in a pot. Think maybe a set of herb seeds or some fragrant flowers that will make their homes smell nice. Or maybe something like a sunflower that will attract birds they can watch from their window. Something that requires little investment on their part but is a gift that keeps on giving. For non-gardeners this might even be a nice introduction to get started. If they have kids you could frame it as a project they can do with their kids.
I think seed packets in Christmas cards is a little unorthodox but if done with some care and thought could turn out to be a unique and memorable gift. It could even turn into a tradition if you all share your prized heirloom seeds you personally developed from your respective gardens.
horse1066@reddit
Sunflower seeds, pretty easy to grow
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
Ooooo... good idea! I harvested a ton of those seeds this year. Sunflowers are so pretty and simple to grow.
TacTurtle@reddit
Don't they irradiate mail to kill potential pathogens?
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
I don't think so because I've bought seeds from seed companies and had them delivered.
ROHANG020@reddit
Uncle bob yes, cousin It no, our boss no, jim your neighbor yes...because stranger on the internet would know your answer...
PlayingGrabAss@reddit
If you would enjoy it, go for it. I doubt that it will spur anyone to start growing their own food, but worst case scenario it’s harmless and best case scenario people love it. Seems worthwhile to me.
Radtoo@reddit
I think it doesn't hurt to provide easy vegetables and fruits and such for people with a garden. As seeds or as potted seedlings.
On the other hand, keeping one tomato plant alive in an apt really isn't self-sufficiency and most people likely won't turn it into a hobby. In most cases the cost of learning and doing this far outweigh simply buying a few tomatoes.
reduhl@reddit
I think it is dependent on which seeds and if they will grow where they are being sent. You also have the issue of if the people know how to grow the things.
spizzle_@reddit
Lots of people won’t use them I’m sure but it’s a kind gesture that people will remember. If they use them or not it’s a fun idea.
neighborhoodsnowcat@reddit
If you give them to people who have the resources and inclination to grow them, then I think it's a good idea. Maybe have a small alternative gift for people who don't.
chasonreddit@reddit
I would much rather get seeds than a photo of your rescue dog in a bow tie.
Just an FYI, I'm not sure what you planted, but if you saved seeds from last year they may or may not breed true. If they were hybrids they probably will not. If they cross pollinated they will not (this happens to me all the time if I grow zucchini and yellow squash in the same area. Same with different tomatoes)
I don't save seeds as such, but sometimes I just spade in fallen fruit in the fall, and it comes back in the spring.
No_Display8591@reddit
I got some one year, don’t remember where, but the card was infused with seeds and biodegradable. You just planted the whole card.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
I was thinking about that paper with the seeds in it, but I order photo cards every year and I don't want to break that tradition.
No_Display8591@reddit
Ok well just think about mailing- you don’t want the seeds to make little dents in your photos.
SunLillyFairy@reddit
I'd love it... but a lot of people who I send cards to would smile... then just toss them. I think it's a good idea, but if you know the recipient won't use them it's a waste. If I was doing it for people I didn't know as well, like at work, they'd just all get them with some little instructions... and If know some folks would use and others would toss. I'd give seeds that are very easy to sprout, wouldn't want to discourage beginners.
TerriblePabz@reddit
I wish people would send me Christmas cards with heirloom seeds of The 3 Sisters. Would actually be the perfect intro gardening trio to send to anyone interested in it
SMB-1988@reddit
I love that idea! I noticed the apartment comment above. Maybe people in apartments need seeds for small simple things like basil or parsley. Easy to grow on a windowsill in a small pot.
FurEvrHome@reddit
I gave seeds of specific plants that my family mentioned loving... Okra, different flowers, peppers.... it was well received by those who already garden. I would be pretty jazzed too if I got seeds in the mail! I love that you are sharing seeds that you saved, it would feel super special to me.
Mountain-Status569@reddit
I think it’s only a good idea if you know the recipients would use them. If they don’t already garden, you’re giving them a project and big expense, and they’re almost guaranteed to toss them.
DistinctJob7494@reddit
Yeah I think it's a great idea. Just pack some you're sure they'll use and nothing they're allergic to.
craftyisthenewsexy@reddit
I would absolutely love it, but I think you might want to check with people beforehand so they're not wasting the seeds.
EffinBob@reddit
I think it's a fairly seedy gift.
Eredani@reddit
I see what you did there.
Eredani@reddit
It's only a corny idea if you give corn seeds.
Use non-GMO heirloom seeds.
Plague-Rat13@reddit
That’s an awesome idea. Maybe also include QR codes to sites that teach how to plant care harvest?
Nepentheoi@reddit
I would love to get seeds, especially if they're tailored to small spaces. If not, I would donate them to my community garden or Buy Nothing group, but still appreciate them. For the biggest impact, choose stuff that's easy to grow.☺️
MmeHomebody@reddit
It's a great idea. Maybe make sure things like cherry tomatoes and herbs go to people in small apartments or other places they can only grow in small containers. I would love to get a Christmas gift like this, especially knowing it's seeds the giver grew themselves!
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
That was my other question. I was planning on using these seed packets/envelopes that I put my own seeds in to store for next year. OR I could buy a bunch of seed packets in bulk with seeds already in there to mail out.
RegNurGuy@reddit
Yes, spread the food around. Hopefully they use it and don't ask you for food when the time comes.
Intrepid_Bat4930@reddit (OP)
Hahhahahaha! That's so true! Everyone that i show my basement to always says "now I know where to come if the shit hits the fan."
greyblue2285@reddit
I think it's a fabulous idea! Definitely a gift that can keep on giving. Granted, if members of the family)friends live in an apartment, quite frankly I don't see how that can be a hindrance. There's books, downloads that can be found to show its possible to grow in smaller spaces. If these people haven't grown before maybe start of small (i.e. Herbs that can be grown in a kitchen window ect).
Warburgerska@reddit
Depending on the flats orientation stuff will not get enough sun light or too much.
Rude_Veterinarian639@reddit
I'd be thrilled to get seeds, especially if they're new/interesting/different.
Love to try new plants - some turn out great and some not so great lol
If someone could develop a faster maturing hot pepper plant, I'd be ecstatic lol
Rugbone1017@reddit
Send seeds that don’t take up a lot of space peppers and herbs not corn or cucumber to much space is needed for those
novicegardenerrr@reddit
Love it
TastyMagic@reddit
I think the special thing is that they are seeds you grew and saved. It's akin to giving out jars of homemade preserves or something.
As long as the seeds were for things that are relatively easy to grow, I would be stoked!
kkinnison@reddit
dont it is a waste
A lot of people don't even have a place to grow crops. and a lot of the times people don't know the first thing about growing beyond putting seeds into soil and making sure it watered.
ginger1870@reddit
This is a fabulous and thoughtful concept! It’s also easy to plant seeds in hydroponic setups.
likatora@reddit
I think that a packet of heirloom seeds would be a wonderful addition to a card, one that would allow for continued thought and good will throughout the year, beyond the season of giving. Be sure to include seeds appropriate to living situations, what can be grown in a pot vs. Planted in the ground, but it really is an idea that could reap thoughtfilled rewards later.
rfox1990@reddit
There are some cheap all in one herb containers always available…cheap little stocking stuffer idea and kinda fulfills your mission, but I like the seed idea.