Any homesteader or farmer worth their salt will tell you to just make them something for Christmas. Which can pose a problem for those creatively or time challenged. And we can be so, so hard to buy for because undoubtedly we “can make it ourselves, don’t waste money on it” or “I can get it at the thrift store/salvage yard” and so on. All the while, our pants are undoubtedly being held up by bailing twine.
So I have created a list of some great choices for useful gifts for that resourceful, repurposer in your life, ranging from under $20 to under $500.
Under $20
- sheep/Alpaca wool boot insoles (Lismore Sheep Shop, Pauls Convenience, Barrington Wooden Mill, Shelburne Museum)
- wool socks (above list, Erin Doane, Uncle Sid’s, Island Traps and Feed Store )
- thrifted cast iron frying pan (The Antique Barn, Dayton)
- a box of mason jars or accessories (Canadian Tire, Walmart etc )
- Medicinal Herbs of Eastern Canada Book (Barrington Wooden Mill, local bookstores)
- electrical power bars, extension cords
- jackknives
- nail brushes and hand balm gardeners soap (Pat’s Pride, DTC Natural , Yarmouth Natural Store)
- Herbal tea Blends (Sunny Slopes Farm)
- Duracell headlamps
- SmallFarm Canada, Hobby Farm magazines
- beef jerky or specialty bacon (Lequille Country Store, Annapolis)
- personalized egg carton stamp (Etsy, Passage Print)
- artisan spices (Yellow Brick Road Farm, Barrington woolen museum gift shop)
- Dried Herbs/saffron/local tea (Coastal Grove Farm)
- Black Garlic Jelly (Yarmouth Farmer’s Market)
- Amish Dough Whisk ( Lee Valley)
- Artisanal Honey or Maple Syrup (Farmer’s Market near you)
- Fire Cider (Robertsons Farm & Apothecary)
- Farmers Market Gift Certificate
Under $100
- antique or new butter molds
- Tickets to a Wild Game Supper or Prize Calendar (Ducks Unlimited)
- thermal label maker
- Artisanal Sourdough Book by Emilie Raffa
- Weck Jars (Yarmouth Natural )
- heated chicken waterer (Ocean Breeze, Island Traps)
- 12″ cast iron frying pan
- gift certificate to the feed store if you truly are at a loss
- dehydrator (Cabela’s, Wilsons Home Hardware, Lee Valley)
- sheepskin slippers (Lismore Sheep Shop)
- Garden Calendar or Gardening Books (Niki Jabbour, Halifax Seed))
- hatchet
- Yeti Coffee Cup
- wool throw blanket
- electric boot dryer
- Seed Storage System ( photograph storage boxes work great)
- Sheepskin steering wheel cover
- Wooden Checker Game, or Custom Cutting Board (Stillbay Home Goods, Argyle)
Under $500
- Wireless weather station
- Cast iron dutch oven
- Wood splitter, or new axe (Darren Hudson)
- Automated chicken coop door (Ocean Breeze)
- Good Rubber boots (Vernon D’Eons, Scotian Gold)
- Carhartt outdoor gear (Scotian Gold, Marks’ Work Warehouse)
- Gotswold wool overalls
- Cold frame (Lee valley, local carpenter )
- Smoker (Cabellas)
- Mounted Kindling splitter (Lee Valley)
When we were first married my husband would panic shop from the $500 category. I usually marched that right back to the store the week after Christmas to trade it in for a book I wanted. It is just who I am. I grew up with small Christmas gifts wrapped in newspaper. So I prefer simple gifts and traditions, over big spending. When our four children were little, I always tried to remember they will have grandparents buying for them as well and plastic toys were fun but usually ended up in a garage sale the following year.
This rule is great for kids and could be applied to anyone in your life for gifting: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.It never steered me wrong. For a farmer or homesteader, this could look like a butchering knife they need, a wool cap or socks to wear, a thrifted book on farming or herbs, and a heated chicken waterer. Perfection.
Love Jenn xx
