Even unskilled gardeners are delighted to receive a flowering plant as a birthday gift.  As long as they have instructions and a little motivation, a plant can be a personal and unique gift that can last for years to come.

One idea for a birthday flowering plant is an amaryllis bulb garden,  usually given as it’s ready to begin sprouting.  The receiver will have stunning blossoms to look forward to in the coming weeks.  But keep in mind a bulb garden will require some effort to properly water, fertilize and store bulbs.

A bonsai tree also makes a wonderful gift.  It doesn’t take up too much space and looks beautiful with nearly any decor.  Caring for a bonsai tree is fairly straightforward.  A bonsai tree needs light, misting and regular fertilizing.

An azalea plant generally requires only some light misting and pruning.   It represents abundance and will keep blooming season after season.

A miniature rose bush also makes a nice birthday gift.  It needs plenty of  light to bloom indoors, but once they are planted outside in a sunny spot, they can be quite resilient, and show their happy flowers again and again.

An exotic orchid can be the ultimate gift, but most require considerable attention to water, humidity and drainage, and are known to be tempermental.   These typically aren’t recommended unless the birthday recipient has an affinity or knack for taking care of plants.

If these options still seem like too much responsibility, a wreath made from beautifully preserved fruits and
flowers can smell wonderful and serve as a lasting decoration; minimal care required.

Prices can range between twenty and seventy dollars for a flowering birthday plant, depending on the
presentation and vessel used. To reduce your carbon footprint, go with what’s in season and sourced locally, if possible.

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If a teen is a music aficionado, you might consider ipod speakers (regular or travel size), headphones, an itunes gift card, or an ipod dock alarm clock.

For an outdoor enthusiast, try hiking gear such as a swiss army knife, a nifty compass, bicycle accessories or stylish water bottles.

For the media junkie, a collectors’ set of their favorite books like the Lord of the Rings is something teens will keep for years to come.  Special edition DVD box sets or computer games also make great gifts.

If the teen is into beauty and fashion, a great jewelry box or natural makeup kit would be much-loved.  Teens also love a makeover, and you could schedule a makeover session with a cosmetologist at a local department store.

The best part of these gifts is that they show you support and encourage their interests, which teens are sure to love.

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You can also give a gift of a product that is truly local and difficult to find outside of that region. For example, this article suggests St. Louis’ Fitz’s Root Beer.  Many local favorites ship nationally and internationally for exactly this reason.

For the person who misses New York:

“Zabar’s is quintessentially New York; give attendees the New York Goodies box, that includes cinnamon rugelach, black and white cookies, a chocolate babka, and other treats in a signature Zabar’s box. $65; www.zabars.com”

For those yearning for Oklahoma:

“Pecans are big business in Oklahoma; give a 16-ounce jar of pecan praline honey butter from long-time pecan farmers, the Bryant family. $6.95; www.enjoypecans.com”

All-American Gift Guide.

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