When I was growing up, my family never really celebrated Thanksgiving. Because my parents are from Mexico, this holiday was only something they learned through me and my sister, and the handprint turkey crafts we brought home from school. It wasn’t until I met my husband that Thanksgiving became a tradition in my life.
Earlier this year I saw a TikTok that reminded me of my in-laws preparing such an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner (my sister-in-law usually makes an amazing kale and beet salad, while my mother-in-law’s herb stuffing is everyone’s favorite), and I was inspired to create a useful-yet-delicious DIY host gift. Once you make it, you’ll ditch the ubiquitous bottle of wine host gift and stick to gifting nature’s bounty!
How to Make a DIY Flower-Free Produce Bouquet
In the TikTok video, creator “Plastic-Free Sophia” creates a lush herb and veggie bouquet as an alternative to flowers to bring for her friend’s birthday. Immediately I thought this was such a unique idea, and a fun way to replenish ingredients and groceries for a host after they’ve spent tons of time and money cooking. Since my in-laws cook every year for Thanksgiving, I decided this year that just bringing a dessert or bottle of wine wasn’t enough.
I made my own version of this bouquet by first laying down some tissue paper (butcher paper keeps things a bit more intact and fresh, but I couldn’t find any — you could also opt for actual bouquet paper for a fancier look), followed by some beets, kale, parsley, and carrots that I bought at my local farmers market. I then wrapped it in a v-shape using twine to tie it all together.
On the bow, I added a sprig of thyme and sage. The end result looked like the most verdant and lush bouquet — no flowers required! It was so much easier than I thought it’d be, and it’s inherently so much prettier than chocolates or a bottle of wine. Plus, it’s actually useful! My favorite part about this trick is that you can customize it with different ribbons or paper and the hosts’ favorite veggies, or whatever looks the prettiest when you go shopping.
Depending on what’s in it, this DIY bouquet can last a couple of hours on a table as decor (my in-laws always have a buffet-style table, which is where I’m thinking it can sit pretty on Thanksgiving). In the fridge, it holds up for about a week, but I recommend using the ingredients after three to four days for optimal freshness.
After I discovered this trend, I found dozens of different ways people are creating them on social media. Clearly, veggie and herb bouquets are one of the most elevated, thoughtful host gifts — especially around the holiday season. Have some fun, get creative, and put your arranging skills to the test!
Have you tried this DIY flower-free bouquet? Let us know in the comments below!
