If you give seeds, make sure they're quick growing and can be started off immediately they are unwrapped. Spring and summer are easier seasons, with herb kits for windowsill growing, or sunflowers, beans or mange-tout being sure-fire winners for outside. Just don't forget a tape measure for those sunflowers, with a note book to record progress.

Bulbs are a wonderful instant package if given at the right time of year - in winter choose from kits with compost, containers and specially prepared bulbs such as huge Amaryllis flowers, shorter Hyacinth, or compact Crocus, miniature Iris, or daffodils.

Mushroom growing kits are great for most of the year, if you have somewhere with the right growing conditions (not too hot, not too cold, out of the sun).