Make personal gifts from your herb garden

By Kathy Hatfield
Gardening Columnist

If you're one of those procrastinators who puts off holiday shopping until the last minute, don't panic. There's still time to prepare thoughtful homemade gifts. Many of these gifts use the herbs from the indoor garden described in the September issue of the North Forty News; other ingredients can be found at local grocers or organic foods markets.

Herbal vinegars are one of the easiest gifts to make. They can be used in salad dressings, marinades, vegetable sauces and roasted meats and fish. Start with a clean glass bottle with a nonmetallic lid. Here's an opportunity to reuse catsup, beer or wine bottles. Use a cork stopper if the original cap doesn't work.

Fresh, clean herbs and a good quality vinegar will ensure the best results. Rice, red wine, white wine, fruit or sherry vinegars work well. Colored vinegars in a clear glass bottle add to the charm of the gift. Avoid distilled white vinegar since it tastes sour. Add about 1/4 cup of fresh, clean herbs for each 2 cups of vinegar. Chopped herbs will give the vinegar the most flavor. Store the vinegar in a cool dark place for about two weeks, shaking it every few days. Then strain and discard the old herbs and add a few fresh sprigs to the bottle. Seal the bottle and add decorative touches as desired. Include a favorite recipe with the vinegar to make the gift extra special.

Here are a few suggestions for herb and vinegar combinations:

• Rosemary in white wine vinegar keeps its shape for a long time.
• Basil, oregano and thyme in red wine vinegar are a useful combination for salad dressings.
• Chive flowers in white wine vinegar add flavor to many vegetable dishes.
• Wine vinegar with lemongrass, tarragon and sage is a great addition to marinades.

Herbal teas are easily made by putting crushed, dried herbs into a small glass jar. Package with a special label and attach a tea ball with a ribbon. You can make special tea blends by adding orange or lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves or pieces of ginger to the herbal teas.

Here are some ideas for gift teas:

• Chamomile tea reduces stress and tension and aids digestion.
• Tea made with lemon balm is calming and is said to fight bacterial infections.
• Both lemongrass and mint teas are soothing to the stomach and reduce sinus congestion.
• Hyssop tea relieves cold and flu symptoms, but can be somewhat bitter if used without a sweetener.
• Sage tea not only relieves nasal congestion, but also soothes a sore throat.

And don't forget the teas that simply taste good!

Bath bags are a special gift for those who enjoy or need pampering. Though you can make your own bags, it's even easier to buy muslin bags with a drawstring, which are available at craft stores. After adding the dried herbs to the bag, tie securely. The bag can be hung under the faucet as the bath fills, or simply let it float in the bath water. Attach a label with directions for use and an explanation of the benefits of using the herbal bath bag.

The herbs suggested here can be used in a mixture or individually. For a relaxing blend, try catnip, chamomile or lemon balm. If you prefer a morning pick-me-up bath, try basil, lavender, marjoram, mint, rosemary or thyme. Oregano and sage are good to soothe aching muscles. For additional skin-softening properties, add oatmeal, ground almonds or even powdered milk to any of the herbal mixtures.

In a similar manner, herbal sachets can be made from a decorative fabric and ribbons. They'll lend a fresh, clean scent to linen closets or dresser drawers.

If anyone on your gift list loves to cook, consider the gift of an indoor herb garden. Growing each herb in its own small pot will give the grower the freedom to move the plant to the appropriate window for best growing conditions. You can place several of these herbs into a decorative container or basket for gift giving.

Don't forget your feline friends! Though catnip is soothing to us, to cats it's an energizer. Put some of the dried leaves into a sturdy cloth bag and watch them enjoy it!

Experiment, be creative, use your imagination to come up with pleasing combinations. Adding your own labels, ribbons, and other decorative touches will further personalize the gift for someone special on your list.

If you are looking for more information, e-mail your gardening-related questions to me at ocwildflowers@frii.com.