Giving a tree as a gift: a present that means something
There are occasions when a material gift falls flat. A birth, a death, a wedding, parents' anniversary: these are moments when you want to mark something, and where one more object marks nothing at all.
Giving the planting of a tree in someone's name answers this. Here are the cases where it really works, and the cases where it is not the right gesture.
For a birth
A tree planted in the year of a birth grows alongside the child. It is a gift that does not get put away in a cupboard and that gains value over time rather than losing it.
Parents often receive many objects at a birth. A tree is one of the few gifts remembered ten years later.
For condolences
This is probably the case where the gesture is most fitting. Faced with a bereavement, words fail and flowers fade. Planting a tree in the name of the person who has gone leaves something alive.
The family then receives a concrete trace, with a name linked to a real planting. Many prefer this to a wreath.
For your parents
Honouring your parents while they are alive is an intention many people carry without knowing how to put it into practice. A tree planted in their name is announced to them simply, with the photos of the planting.
It does not wait for a particular occasion. That is often what makes it strong.
For a wedding
Two trees planted in the names of the newlyweds, or one tree per guest for major ceremonies: the gesture adapts to the scale. It also avoids the embarrassment of a gift that turns out to be a duplicate.
When it is NOT the right gift
We have to say it honestly: this gift does not suit everyone.
- for someone who expects an object to unwrap, a tree planted far away can disappoint;
- for a very young child, the idea stays abstract unless you show them the photos;
- if you are looking for an immediate effect on the day itself, plan ahead: planting follows the seasons.
A gift that means something to the giver but not to the receiver is still a failed gift. The question to ask is simple: will this person understand the gesture?
How it works
When ordering, you give the name of the person the planting is dedicated to. The tree is planted in Africa by teams on the ground, and the photos of the planting are sent, with the chosen name.
You can then pass these images on yourself, at the right moment. It is often that moment, more than the order, that makes the impact.