Over the years, garden trends have come and gone. Fairy gardens, elf gardens, even gnome gardens have made their way into our psyche and, if we all come clean we might even admit trying a few of these specialty styles while justifying that we did it for the kids! Yet, the one garden that we could create, albeit for a short period, is a Santa garden.

A santa garden is, as the name suggests, a garden devoted entirely to that affable Christmas character, Santa Claus. Obviously it's for the kid's enjoyment more than our own...that goes without saying, really! But picture the whimsical possibilities: Santa's sleigh pulled by Donner and Blitzen, elves scurrying around carrying packages tied with bows, christmas trees adorned with tinsel and a myriad of Christmas symbols.

While most people love to make their front yards a Christmas lighting spectacular, their back gardens remain relatively unchanged. This is a perfect spot for you, and the ankle-biters, to start creating a winter (or summer - depending on your relationship with the equator) wonderland.

You're probably wondering "Why?" To which I would retort, "Why not?" Our gardens are a place to enjoy and be frivolous within so why not include the kids and get their ideas about creating a santa garden as well.

A Santa garden is a great way to celebrate the festivities and take advantage of a season that is usually extreme at both ends of the globe. Here are some options to get you into the creative mood;

• Bring the garden indoors and decorate your santa garden in a spare room or to one side of the living room.


• Integrate your santa garden with another theme, ie. the beach, an Hawaiian luau, Santa-meets-the-Cotswolds etc.


• Add some poinsettias, dwarf conifers and even reams of mistletoe to your garden to bring it inline with the Christmas festivities.


• Find quirky santa adornments such as baubles and figurines to bring your santa garden to life

But, mostly what a santa garden needs is a heap of inspiration and if you have some children in your home they will be the conduits for this creativity. It may even become a helpful family bonding time trying to create one. All the best.