The Winter Gardener’s Wishlist: December Tasks & Holiday Gifting

Posted by Woodland Tools Co. on 10th Dec 2025

December is a quiet month in the garden, but for the wise gardener, it is never truly silent.

While the soil sleeps under a blanket of frost (or snow, depending on where you are), the work shifts from the earth to the shed. December is the season of maintenance, appreciation, and preparation. It is the perfect time to show some love to the tools that worked hard for you all year, forage for natural holiday decor, and perhaps most importantly, prepare the perfect gifts for the green thumbs in your life.

Here is your master guide to closing out the year strong, with a little holiday cheer thrown in.

1. The Great Winter Tool Tune-Up

If you read our post, New Year, New Gear: Refresh Your Garden Tools for a Thriving Spring, you know that starting January with sharp tools is a game-changer. But why wait? December is the ideal time to perform "deep cleaning" surgery on your gear so it’s ready the moment the first bud breaks.

Scrub: Use a stiff brush and soapy water to remove dried sap and soil from your Heavy Duty Scratch Tools. Rust loves to hide under old dirt.
Sharpen: A dull blade crushes plant tissue rather than cutting it. Take a sharpening stone to your Heavy Duty Bypass Pruners to restore that factory edge.
Oil: moving parts need lubrication. A light coat of oil on the pivot points of your Compact Duralight Lopper prevents seizing and rust during damp winter storage.

2. Holiday Foraging: Decor from Your Doorstep

Who needs plastic decorations when nature provides the best materials? Winter foraging is a delightful way to get outside this month. Armed with a pair of Snips & Shears, you can harvest fresh greenery for wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces.

Pine and Spruce: Excellent for fullness and scent.
Holly and Winterberry: Add pops of red color to arrangements.
Dogwood: The red twigs (once leaves fall) make striking vertical accents in outdoor pots.

Pro Tip: When cutting thicker evergreen branches, upgrade to the Super Duty MaxForce Lopper to ensure a clean cut that doesn't damage the parent tree.

3. The Woodland Tools Holiday Gift Guide

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the gardener who has everything? We’ve curated a list based on gardening styles. (For more on matching tools to personalities, check out our favorite Valentine’s post: Love Your Garden: The Perfect Match Between You and Your Pruning Tools).

For the "Weekend Warrior"

They want the job done fast and right.

Gift: Super Duty Bypass Pruner. It’s the workhorse of the garden, comfortable for all-day use and durable enough for years of service.

For the "Deep Woods" Explorer

They are clearing trails, managing property lines, or dealing with heavy overgrowth.

Gift: Heavy Duty Machete or the Super Duty Brush Axe. These are serious tools for serious clearing.

For the "Tree Keeper"

They have high branches that need taming but hate climbing ladders.

Gift: Heavy Duty 14′ Tree Pruner. Safe, extendable, and precise—it’s the gift of safety (and a better view).

For the Stocking Stuffer

Gift: Woodland Tools Merch. From hats to shirts, help them rep their favorite tool brand in style.
Gift: A Gift Certificate. Let them choose exactly what their tool shed is missing.

4. A Look Ahead: Dormant Pruning

While we are focused on the holidays, the "true" pruning season is just around the corner. Late winter (January/February) is the prime window for dormant pruning of many trees and shrubs.

To get a head start on what you should be planning for, revisit our guide: Winter Pruning: Setting the Stage for Spring Growth. Use December to identify which trees have crossing branches or deadwood, so when the holidays pass, you are ready to cut.

Woody’s December Checklist

✅ Deep Clean: Scrub, sharpen, and oil all bladed tools. ✅ Forage: Collect holly, pine, and dogwood for natural decor. ✅ Protect: Ensure sensitive container plants are sheltered or mulched. ✅ Gift: Finish your holiday shopping (don't forget the stocking stuffers!). ✅ Rest: Enjoy the beauty of the winter garden from a warm window.

From all of us at Woodland Tools, we wish you a happy holiday season and a thriving New Year. See you in the garden!