Fairies, fairies: everywhere you look, you see fairy wings and fairy crowns and books and more books about the wee creatures. Children are fascinated with the idea of fairyland. If you’re looking for the perfect birthday gift for a special child who’s entranced by the fairy realm, why not make them their very own miniature living fairyland in a pot? Building a fairy garden is a simple, inexpensive way to create a magical gift.
Materials Required to Build a Fairy Garden
To create your fairy garden, you’ll need some simple supplies. These are available at most craft and garden supply stores. The following supplies are essential for your fairy garden creating extravaganza:
- A planter of some sort. I’ve made fairy gardens in everything from repurposed teacups to the traditional garden planter. Have your child paint a picture on the outside if the garden is a gift, or use pot markers. These are markers with paint in them.
- Pea gravel for the bottom of the pot, to increase drainage.
- Potting soil.
- Two or three plants. I like to choose plants that have fairyland types of names, like elfin thyme. You can also choose plants with bell-shaped flowers that look like plants fairies could hide in. I also like to have plants that look like small coniferous trees or plants that look like fairy staircases. Make sure that you choose plants that are not poisonous, since children will be playing in this garden.
- A groundcover plant. Thyme works well for this purpose.
- Accessories. This is where you can get creative. Pieces of wood, bark, shells, and rocks make excellent fairy furniture and ponds.I’ve also added clear marbles, because they look like a fairy’s crystal ball. I also add small dollhouse cooking supplies, such as doll teapots and cups, so that the fairies can have a tea party. You can also buy fairy furniture on Etsy if you so desire.
- A fairy ornament, if you wish.
Indoor or Outdoor Fairy Garden
Fairy gardens can be part of indoor or outdoor decor. If they’re outdoors, place the plants in a large planter. Choose plants that are winter-hardy and perennial, so that the child will not be disappointed in the spring. Indoor fairy gardens can be very small, like the garden in a teacup. Incorporate ferns and other hardy indoor plants.
Put Together Your Fairy Garden
To put together your fairy garden, place a small layer of pea gravel over no more than a third of the container. Fill the rest of the container with potting soil. Place the plants in the soil, taking care to cover the roots. Dress up the garden with accessories, or place these in a small bag or purse so that the recipient can accessorize the garden.
Other Fairy Party Ideas
Looking for other ideas for a fairy-themed birthday party or a birthday or Christmas gift for a fairy connoisseur? Try out the following ideas, and your fairy-lover will be tickled!
- A patchwork fairy hat
- A hand-dyed play silk fairy cape
- Fairy bling, otherwise known as rocks, crystals, and geodes
- A simple, no sew purse to hold the fairy bling
- A pair of homemade fairy sparkle slippers
- Magic fairy bubbles
Image Credits: [Biewoef] [nkzs]
Tricia,
This is one of the coolest ideas I’ve ever read about. I would love to have my own fairy garden, and I might make one someday. In the meanwhile, I’m emailing this to someone with a little girl.