Try it…
Satisfaction guaranteed to both giver and receiver! I started this initiative at Christmas 2008 and repeated it at my 60th birthday party in 2009. On this auspicious day as my guest left the venue, I gifted a variety of over a hundred potted plants, each one attractively wrapped with cellophane paper and tied with a ribbon. While the celebration was on, the plants formed an attractive backdrop on the stage behind, and had my guests presuming they were part of the decorations. Only as they bid me goodbye, much to their surprise and emotion, did they realize that I was presenting each family a potted plant, accompanied with a word of thanks. After all, these relatives and friends had been the rainbows in my life over my sixty years, and had blended as one through their inspiration, support and outreach in helping me cope with over two decades of painful and degenerative Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Gifting plants is now a regular feature with me, be it on special occasions, or when someone drops by on me after a long time, or when I call on someone. Many have told me this is a super idea, as it eliminates breaking one’s head over what to give to those who seemingly already have everything. Honestly, gifting a plant is something anyone can do with very little effort. Costs starting from as low as Rs.10 are variable to suit individual budgets, the choice is wide and the product is long lasting. It need not take up space in a home and one does not need the proverbial ‘green fingers’ to tend most plants. Also, plants do not die as easily as the more cynical may conjecture. A bit of sunlight or shade as recommended and a little TLC (read admiration) is all that’s called for. Perhaps a re-potting is necessary once in a year or two. Believe me, the reward is so satisfying! I myself get to enjoy the beauty of these plants until I give them away. Placed in my garden, they add colour and beauty to my own collection of over a hundred pots. When these are gifted, I acquire a new lot. And even with those I part with, the thrill for me continues each time a receiver excitedly conveys that my plant is thriving in their home!
I buy these plants at one of the horticulture training facilities/nurseries run by The Association of People with Disability at Lingarapuram, Jeevan Bhima Nagar and Kyalasanahalli, (Doddagubbi, off Hennur Road ) at Bangalore . www.apd-india.org.
As these plants are produced and nurtured by APD’s gardeners with disability and similarly by their trainees, I thus enable a worthy cause and simultaneously fulfill my bit for the environment. APD’s studies have proved the therapeutic value of plants, and many of the garden herbs they grow have medicinal and cooking uses. Again, a double purpose served! Then of course, among the hundreds of other plants to choose from, there is the visual beauty of new shoots emerging, buds appearing and blooming. And once the pot is gift wrapped, the presentation moment cannot be described as less than joyous for both giver and receiver!
GIFT A PLANT AND YOU MAY BE SOWING THE SEEDS OF A FUTURE GARDEN !
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