18 Ways to Turn Garden Surplus Into Homemade Gifts • Schisandra & Bergamot

If your garden has been especially generous this season, you might find yourself with more produce, herbs, and flowers than you can use. Instead of letting the surplus go to waste, why not turn it into heartfelt homemade gifts? Friends, family, and neighbors will appreciate receiving something made with love—and straight from your garden.

From savory treats and fragrant infusions to sweet preserves and decorative creations, there’s no shortage of ways to share your harvest. These ideas will help you transform your extra produce into memorable gifts that carry a personal touch.

Mint Simple Syrup

A glass filled with light brown liquid sits on a white surface, surrounded by fresh green mint leaves. — Photo Credit: Moon And Spoon And Yum

Fresh mint simple syrup is very easy to make at home and a versatile syrup that will bring a fresh mint flavor to desserts, drinks, and more! Vegan and gluten-free.

Get The Recipe: Mint Simple Syrup

Rosemary Salt

A glass bottle filled with coarse green salt sits on a wooden surface, surrounded by scattered rosemary sprigs and a cork. — Photo Credit: Moon And Spoon And Yum

Learn how to make delicious rosemary salt to add a pop of flavor to a large variety of dishes for the perfect finishing touch.

Get The Recipe: Rosemary Salt

Rosemary Simple Syrup

A glass of golden liquid placed on a wooden surface, surrounded by a semicircle of fresh rosemary sprigs. — Photo Credit: Moon And Spoon And Yum

Elevate your drinks and desserts with this cozy Rosemary Simple Syrup. It’s quick and easy to make, and perfect for giving as a gift.

Get The Recipe: Rosemary Simple Syrup

Spicy Yogurt Mint Chutney

A white bowl filled with green soup garnished with a mint leaf, with a spoon resting inside and mint leaves scattered nearby. — Photo Credit: Moon And Spoon And Yum

This spicy yogurt mint chutney is equally cooling and warming, making it a deep and rich condiment suitable for a wide variety of dishes.

Get The Recipe: Spicy Yogurt Mint Chutney

Mint Cilantro Chutney

A bowl of green chutney garnished with fresh mint leaves, with a lemon next to it on a white surface. — Photo Credit: Moon And Spoon And Yum

An Indian-inspired Mint Cilantro Chutney with a fresh, subtle heat from serrano and a touch of tang from lemon. This well-balanced coriander chutney works well with a variety of dishes. Naturally vegan, oil-free and gluten-free.

Get The Recipe: Mint Cilantro Chutney

Lavender Hydrosol

A glass bottle with a cork sits on a wooden surface surrounded by dried lavender sprigs and scattered lavender buds. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

An easy lavender hydrosol recipe with only two ingredients! This soothing lavender water can be used in skincare, food, drink, cleaning products and more!

Get The Recipe: Lavender Hydrosol

Aphrodisiac Tea

A wooden scoop filled with a mixture of dried herbs and flower petals rests on a dark wooden surface. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

An inspiredhomemadeaphrodisiac teablend designed to calm the nerves, ignite passion, enhance creativity and connect with your playful side.

Get The Recipe: Aphrodisiac Tea

Cardamom Ginger Coconut Milk Bath

A wooden spoon rests inside a glass jar filled with flour on a dark wooden surface. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

Soften and soothe your skin with this coconut milk bath recipe! Made with only 5 pantry staples this skin bath is the perfect way to relax after a long day.

Get The Recipe: Cardamom Ginger Coconut Milk Bath

DIY Lavender and Chamomile Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

A mason jar with a pump dispenser, filled with white liquid, tied with twine, is placed on a wooden surface. Dried lavender and yellow flowers are nearby, partially wrapped in paper. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

Learn how to make foaming hand soap at home today with this easy DIY recipe! With just a few simple ingredients and some foaming soap dispensers, you’ll have your own DIY liquid hand soap your skin will love. Who needs those expensive store-bought ones when homemade foaming hand soap is better in many ways?

Get The Recipe: DIY Lavender and Chamomile Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

DIY Chamomile and Hibiscus Tinted Lip Balm Recipe

Small open jars of reddish-purple balm with white lids are arranged on a rustic wooden surface, along with dried flowers and a wooden spoon containing powder. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

This tinted lip balm is made with almond oil, chamomile flowers, cocoa butter, beeswax, and hibiscus powder. It’s a perfectly easy DIY project that moisturizes your lips with a sheer flush of color!

Get The Recipe: DIY Chamomile and Hibiscus Tinted Lip Balm Recipe

DIY Violet Rose Body Lotion Bar Recipe

Five decorative floral-shaped soaps with embedded dried flowers on a wooden surface. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

This DIY Body Lotion Bar recipe is a MUST! These homemade lotion bars are super easy to make, non-greasy, and will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.

Get The Recipe: DIY Violet Rose Body Lotion Bar Recipe

DIY Shampoo Bars Without Lye

Two rectangular bars of soap with embedded bay leaves, surrounded by fresh green leaves on a dark wooden surface. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

With an uplifting rosemary and mint scent and completely natural, this DIY shampoo bar recipe helps revitalize your hair. Made with only five ingredients and completely lye-free, this shampoo bar couldn't be easier to make!

Get The Recipe: DIY Shampoo Bars Without Lye

DIY Melt and Pour Grapefruit Dish Soap Recipe

Two bars of soap, sprinkled with orange zest, are placed on a wooden surface alongside sliced grapefruit wedges. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

This simple yet effective dish soap recipe utilizes real grapefruit zest for its invigorating scent and its natural solvent, odor-neutralizing, and antibacterial properties, making it a great addition to any dishwashing routine.

Get The Recipe: DIY Melt and Pour Grapefruit Dish Soap Recipe

DIY Sweet Sleep Pillow Spray

A blue glass dropper bottle, a lit tealight candle, dried herbs in a wooden bowl, and a bundle of lavender on a wooden surface. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

This easy-to-make homemade DIY pillow spray recipe has an intoxicating blend of essential oils designed to help promote both deep sleep and pleasant dreams.

Get The Recipe: DIY Sweet Sleep Pillow Spray

Pumpkin Spice Bath Tea

A wooden bowl containing multiple small, tied fabric pouches. Two cinnamon sticks are placed on the wooden surface beside the bowl. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

An easy DIY bath tea recipe with a rich and comforting pumpkin spice fragrance and skin-soothing oats.

Get The Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Bath Tea

DIY Lip Scrub

A wooden bowl filled with granulated brown sugar sits on a wooden surface, with cinnamon sticks placed beside it. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

The perfect solution to dry lips. This DIY coconut sugar lip scrub recipe comes in a deliciously sweet chai flavor that leaves your lips feeling soft and supple.

Get The Recipe: DIY Lip Scrub

Chai Bath Melts

Close-up of spiced caramel candies on a wooden surface, topped with star anise and surrounded by cinnamon sticks. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

If you're a fan of the flavor of chai, then you'll love this DIY Chai Bath Melts Recipe. It is easy to make and leaves skin silky soft!

Get The Recipe: Chai Bath Melts

Violet Hibiscus Wax Melts Recipe

A ceramic bowl filled with assorted pink chocolates, some topped with small dried flowers, sits on a wooden surface. — Photo Credit: Schisandra & Bergamot

Indulge in the vibrant hues and delightful fragrances of violet and hibiscus with these enchanting DIY homemade wax melts. This straightforward recipe makes whipping up your own wax melts a breeze, so you can infuse any space with their aromatic magic in no time. Bring a burst of floral charm to every corner with these crafted wax melts.

Get The Recipe: Violet Hibiscus Wax Melts Recipe

Turn your garden’s abundance into more than meals—make heartfelt gifts that reduce waste and share your harvest’s story. Craft garden-inspired presents and spread homegrown joy year-round.