Christmas comes but once a year with the same question, what should I buy her/him. For the garden in general many options are available and usually items that would not normally be bought by the intended recipient.

Most of the plant nursery supplies or garden centres as they now seem to be branching out to are stocking numerous items that may well fit the bill for that 'difficult person'!

Pots or containers are great for condo dwellers or persons with a small garden or even a large patio. Sizes and shapes are varied as are the finishes being textured, gloss or plain terra cotta, so design concepts can be met and matched to the individual.

Pots/containers are mostly used for the obvious that is plants; interior designers now use them for holding dry flowers or canes, with even glass containers being very effective in the right area.

Plant nurseries have stocked their premises with numerous items of interest and not just for the Christmas period. Wood of all things is making a statement in its use of functional and aesthetically acceptable gifts, ranging from wheelbarrows, though more of a ladies size which would look attractive as a statement in a stand alone location in the garden and full of potted plants!

For the small cosy cottage garden wishing wells could be used at the end of a garden path aside a small wooden table and chair; a play area for children would also create a nice location in the garden setting.

Water features have been around for a year or so and still appear to hold the interest of the gardening public, with numerous shapes and sizes to choose from. When using water features in a garden setting location is an important criterion in order to achieve impact, for in the wrong place they simply look isolated and bereft of appeal.

Contingent on the shape, size and style of the feature and the obvious need of close proximity to a tap, areas of visual impact would be important to make a statement. For the really modernistic garden patio some interesting and 'futuristic' pieces can be found.

A patio or large verandah would be complemented with the addition of a fire pit or chimera, they are not only attractive to view and fit well into most areas in addition to keeping the area warm on a chill evening whilst roasting chestnuts or just simply having a bbq with friends; the feel of a warm fire on the outside.

Statuary is an important part of 'decorating' a garden, an additional interest to offset the soft landscape; figurines, obelisks, rocks of various shapes and sizes an all play a part in enhancing the garden setting.

Large statuary or other pieces of interest really come to life when highlighted by garden lighting which is under used in Bermuda.

Framed scenes of old gardens and landscape can add much to a room whilst bringing the outside in, with warm or seasonal landscapes framed to add interest to any wall.

Arches are an interesting feature if located in a place that directs you somewhere; when used in such a way they add charm and interest to a garden, especially when planted with rambling roses or fragrant vines.

When used in collaboration with a wheelbarrow and a wishing well and perhaps a bird bath, the spectrum of ideas knows no bounds! Tools and equipment are of interest to most gardeners, especially if it helps 'quicken the work load'.

Some ideas that may help in this exercise include; sprayers both hand held and knapsack types.

For the larger property Knapsack types are ideal, they come in a three or four gallon size are relatively light in weight and cover a large area, whereas the smaller one gallon sprayers are ideal for the small garden or simply for spraying lawn weeds as spot treatment.

Many lawns suffer from under fertilizing and weed control or combination fertilizer weed control — if given any at all — to overcome this problem the use of a drop or rotary spreader will increase the appearance of your lawn, including the weeds it they are not treated with perhaps a sprayer as mentioned above.

Drop spreaders are best used in small garden as they literally drop the fertilizer/weed control in a straight line, the rotary will 'throw out' the fertilizer/weed control mix in a wide arc which is fine for larger lawns, but has the downside of covering plants and footpaths which can well cause damage with certain chemical combinations. I would recommend two useful tools for use in every garden these being a strong pair of pruning loppers and long handle edging lawn shears.

oppers are a must when pruning branches to large for secateurs to cut, they offer the power and leverage to cut through material without too much effort, to keep them functional oil and sharpen on a regular basis.

The weed whacker can be useful in certain areas but it can be devastating in others, especially when edging lawns by creating an uneven edge; long handle edging shears will give a straight cut with a more clean finish, and not be too hard on the back. Composting is literally a dying art! Good compost is worth its weight in gold, and for the small garden compost bins should prove useful for recycling garden waste; it is also the cheapest and easiest way of disposing of same!

Giving green won't make friends see red, but they will remember you throughout the year. So have a happy and prosperous 2008!