Your gifting guide from Daniel Stowe Conservancy.
By Caitlin Conner, Marketing + Communications Manager
If you’re anything like me, you looked at the calendar this morning and realized that you have less than ten days left to shop for Christmas presents. Often, this realization leaves me in a panic, frantically flocking from one store to the next (or relying on two-day shipping) to find the perfect gift that usually just doesn’t exist.
Or maybe you have that one in-law, cousin or aunt who is just impossible to shop for. They already have it all, they’re picky or they simply don’t care for more “stuff”. Add in a difficult gift to the equation and you suddenly find yourself scrolling gift guide after gift guide from popular influencers or blogs, all filled with the same stuff you saw last year: beauty kits, wallets, kitchen gadgets and the like. I don’t know about you, but those gift guides usually leave me at a dead end.
This makes writing a gift guide on behalf of Stowe a little ironic, but like many others this year, I’ve found myself jaded to the consumerism that comes with the holiday season. Many of us are tired of cheap, plastic holiday decor, gifts that might end up in the landfill and spending just for the sake of wrapping something to put under the tree. For this reason, I’m leaning toward the gift of experiences, adventure and memories to fight the natural inclination to let the Amazon packages stack up on my doorstep and spend the weekend before Christmas jumping from department store to department store, filling my cart with gifts that feel good enough, but not the perfect find.
To inspire you to skip the “stuff” this year, too, Stowe’s gift guide focuses on giving the people on your list something that lasts far beyond the wrapping paper and plastic: the gift of nature, adventure and time together with family and friends through a gift membership or special event or experience at Daniel Stowe Conservancy.
As an added bonus, every gift membership and other purchase supports our work as an environmental nonprofit, helping protect natural spaces, create meaningful outdoor experiences and offer a restorative alternative to the rush of consumerism, making your purchase a thoughtful way to support causes that you and your loved one care most about.
Make their 2026 a year of adventure! Read on to get inspired…and skip the line at the mall this weekend.
Gift Membership
A gift membership is a membership that you purchase for someone else (friends, family, colleagues, etc.). Instead of buying regular admission tickets, you’re giving the recipient a year-long membership to the gardens — including all the benefits that come with it.
Gift memberships unlock a full year of benefits, including:
- Unlimited free admission to the Gardens, plus exclusive member events
- Free access to Stowe’s new Prairie Castle Playground – a huge win for families with little explorers
- Discounts on programs, events and classes – great for art enthusiasts, outdoor lovers and the perpetually curious
- Invitations to members-only experiences and early previews
- The knowledge that your gift directly supports conservation, education and community impact
I maintain a gift membership is the perfect solution for anyone on your list because it’s totally customizable based on levels:
- For that friend who just moved here who wants to get out and explore more? Individual Memberships provide one year of daily admission to the Gardens at Stowe, and include one named digital membership card for an adult.
- For the couple in your life who love going on unique dates, Dual Memberships provide one year of daily admission to the Gardens at Stowe, and include two named digital membership card for two adults sharing a household.
- For the family whose kids would adore a giant, three-story playground and half-mile Adventure Trail – check out Family Memberships that provide one year of daily admission to the Gardens at Stowe for the members of the household, and include two named digital membership cards for two adults sharing a household as well as children/grandchildren.
- And for the family who spend a lot of time with grandma and grandpa, a Family Plus membership provides one year of daily admission to the Gardens at Stowe for the members of the household, and include up to four digital membership cards for up to four adults sharing a household, as well as children/grandchildren.
Stowe understands that families vary and can look different than what fits in a standard definition for membership purposes. If you have a situation which needs accommodations, we will work within the limitations of our programs to ensure that your needs are met. Just reach out to our Membership Manager, Erin Fisher!
You can purchase a gift membership online or in-person at Stowe’s front desk or any retail locations during open hours at any time. If you want to purchase a gift membership over the phone and receive a gift membership brochure to wrap before Christmas, please do so by this Friday, December 19. You can reach Erin at 704-825-4490 x 106.
Tickets to Holidays at the Garden
Another gift that’s great for anyone on your list is tickets to Holidays at the Garden…and yes, it’s not too late to purchase them! Surprise your loved one with an early Christmas gift or special Christmas Eve night (Holidays at the Garden is open 4:30-7 p.m. on Christmas Eve!). Or gift your tickets on Christmas and join us for our last hurrah days of Holidays at the Garden on December 26 and 27.
Either way, this dazzling exhibit isn’t around for long and it makes the perfect holiday gift that you can enjoy with the whole family. 2025 features include:
- Over one million lights twinkling over 90 acres of sprawling botanical gardens
- Glowing, interactive lights across our spectacular Prairie Castle Playground and Adventure Trail that make for magical evenings your kids will never forget!
- Food trucks, fire pits and hot cocoa to keep the evening cozy
- Our 14-foot Orchid Tree made up of individual orchid blooms in the Great Hall
- Live music on select evenings in the Great Hall
- Our highly anticipated Four Seasons Light Show
- The Peacock Parlor, an adults-only speakeasy (shhh!) with exclusive holiday cocktails ($5 cover charge)
- Over 50 wooden Community Trees creatively decorated by members of our community. From individuals to families to local businesses, this display highlights the artistic talent and colorful ideas of our members and guests. Follow the road beyond the Williamson Conservatory to explore the Community Trees exhibit.
Tickets to Ice Sculptures
Can’t make it to Holidays at the Garden or want to experience the magic all over again? Join us in January to beat the winter blues at Stowe’s first-ever Ice Sculpture exhibit! Step into a magical, frozen world as Stowe transforms into a wondrous winter wonderland! We’ve teamed up with Ice Trade Sculptures and Ice Mill to display 20+ breathtaking, nature-themed ice sculptures across The Gardens.
Plus, Ice Sculptures will be your last chance to catch the twinkling lights of Holidays at the Garden, as portions of The Gardens will still be lit with thousands of lights…including our Prairie Castle Playground so the kids can play after dark!
Tickets to Ice Sculptures at Stowe make for a magical winter evening for the entire family and a great way to give the gift of art and outdoor adventure all in one.
For the Music Lover
Need a gift for someone who may not enjoy the cold? Or a couple seeking a cozy date night featuring smooth tunes? Look no further than Jazz at the Garden: Inside the Great Hall!
Hosted on January 31 from 6-8:30 p.m., Jazz at the Garden kicks off the new year in style with an unforgettable evening with renowned saxophonist and Billboard-charting national artist Art Sherrod, Jr. and special guest guitarist JJ Sansaverino!
For the On-The-Go Family
Maybe your recipient already has a membership to Stowe. Or maybe you’re already giving a membership or event tickets as a gift and want to include an extra bonus. Either way, a gift card to Big Leaf Café makes sure their entire visit is covered – no hangry kids here. Big Leaf provides grab-and-go sandwiches, wraps, chips, parfaits, candy, coffee, soda, beer, wine and select cocktails, so a gift card lets them make the day of it without having to worry about stopping for lunch. You can buy a Big Leaf gift card in-person.
For the Outdoor Enthusiast (Or Coffee Lover!)
If your gift recipient loves nothing more than hitting the trails but they already have all the gear they could possibly need, a gift card to The Trailhead Store is a thoughtful way to provide them with fuel for their hike. The Trailhead Store is a coffee shop located in The Village at Stowe and is completely free to enter; no membership or admission necessary! It also is the gateway to the 8+ miles of free-access trails on Stowe property, making it the perfect stop before or after a long hike.
Aside from delicious coffee and lattes (brewed with Columbian Jade and Elise Obsidian Coffee Company), The Trailhead Store also serves grab-and-go meals and snacks, wine and beer. There’s nothing more serene than enjoying a peaceful morning on the Stowe trails, then kicking back on the porch or outside with a sandwich and coffee to enjoy the view of the ponds (trust me, you can often catch me there!).
You can buy a gift card in-person at The Trailhead Store.
For the Eclectic Shopper
Some folks on your list might just appreciate a physical gift they can open. And while we’re all about the gift of experience, the Farmhouse Garden Center helps fill in the gap, providing all the delightful gifts you could possibly want. From cute holiday decor to charming kitchen supplies, there’s something for everyone at The Farmhouse Garden Center… much of it with a botanical flair.
Still unsure? A gift card to Farmhouse ensures they pick out their own unique gift. You can buy a gift card in-person at Farmhouse.
Whether you’re gifting to families, friends, coworkers or someone who “doesn’t need anything,” your purchase creates a ripple effect by supporting local green space and inspiring outdoor adventure.
