14 Last Minute Christmas Gifts
For Grown-Ups on the Homestead
Plus 10 for kids
There is less than a week before Christmas 2021 and I am still scrambling for a few presents. I have a pretty strict criteria for gifts:
a. It must fit the budget. With 16 grandkids, 10 adults, and a husband to buy for, my spending limits are solid.
b. Bang for the buck. It must be totally awesome for the money.
c. It’s a gift that will be used over and over.
d. The best gifts are used outside or on the homestead.
I am including some links which are just for information. All these items are also available at Amazon. This blog isn't monetized at all. We just enjoy doing it.
Here are some ideas:
1. Trail Cameras – we have used trail cams on our farm for security, wildlife surveys, monitoring traffic on the driveway. Check out our Facebook page, Yellowcreek Conservation Club to see some great trail cam pictures of bobcats, deer, raccoons, turkeys, strange people on our farm at 4:30 in the morning. Our original set of cameras were a gift to my husband. We use Meidase cameras, but there are many good brands out there.
2. Butane lighters – not the pocket variety. These are used for serious fire-starting. We bought a handful of them and gave them as stocking stuffers to sons-in-law with a bucket of BBQ supplies.
https://www.ruralking.com/multi-purpose-butane-torch-stick
3. Walkie-talkies – there are lots of choices out there, pick a good set with a long range, though your actual range will be affected by hills, trees, etc. The range listed on the package is usually across water, not in the hills of West Virginia.
4. Bale knife – another great stocking stuffer, these things use a razor-like knife to cut through baler twine and lots more. They have a unique design that prevents you from getting cut.
5. Ammunition – seriously, ammo is expensive now and it can be difficult to find in stores. Grabbing a few boxes for your favorite sportsman/woman will win you brownie points.
6. Zip ties – I know, not the most romantic gift but who doesn’t wish they had a canister of zip ties with them. Bob received a bunch in a bucket of other farm essentials and we bless them every day. We keep the canister in the Kubota UTV and use them regularly.
7. Bucket of Guy Stuff – get a 5-gallon bucket and fill it with a small tool kit, lubricants, bolt loosener spray, zip ties, gloves, hand warmers, and whatever else seems useful.
8. Air Compressor – there are now small battery-operated air compressor that are workhorses. We have a Milwaukee brand compressor because Bob has many other Milwaukee tools. Batteries are interchangeable. All the guys in our family have one now. We use it for car tires, inflatable rafts, blowing out pipes.
9. Grilling Basket – we put together grilling baskets last Christmas. Included were lighters, smoking wood chips, fire starters, grill scrapers, BBQ sauce, hot pepper mustard, BBQ rub mix, seasoned salt and a magnet with cooking times and temps.
10. Fix-it Bucket – Hit Harbor Freight and fill a bucket with tools, tape measures, fasteners, sandpaper, a tarp, and anything else that hits your fancy. We love the flashlights, too.
11. Garden Basket – Fiskars makes an amazing garden harvest basket. It is large, has drainage holes on one side so you can rinse your vegetables outside. Include a pair of good gardening gloves, pruners, and some tools.
12. Essential Oils and Diffuser – Diffusers are being sold in many retail stores and online. Hold off winter cold with a Eucalyptus blend and a Protective blend. You can also include homemade hand cream and lip balm.
13. Survival kit, portable water filter, safety gear – You can buy or build a basic survival kit, add a LifeStraw or Sawyer portable water filter and water bottle. Include snacks that will keep in the car/backpack (check out the dried fruit and nut packs at Dollar Tree), a flashlight, and a good knife.
14. Wine
A few of the cool things I have found for kids:
1. JJ’s Pocket Knife – these knives are made of wood. They won’t cut a thing. They come in an Altoids-sized tin and you assemble them with the child. They look and move just like a grown-up pocket knife. These are great for little ones who aren’t safe with a sharp knife but these are more realistic than what you find in the toy section.
2. Walkie Talkies – the older the kid, the better the radio. Even 4-year olds like to get these. Be sure to include batteries.
3. Haversack – Read our blog post Raising a Wild Child for ideas and instructions on sewing and building a haversack. Also, there is information about putting together an investigation kit. Most of the items are found at Dollar Tree. Buy an identification book, too.
4. Paracord bracelet – or even better a book on making your own bracelet, paracord yardage, a loom, and other supplies.
5. Fiber Craft – including knitting or crochet how to books, needles, fiber. Include a coupon for lessons for some quality time with you.
6. Plant Press – buy one or give them the supplies to build their own.
7. Survival Kits – You can find these on Amazon and spend as little or as much as you want. Tools, flashlights, wire saw, paracord, knife, compass, lots more.
8. Lego Idea Books – these are great for the kids who have more Legos than they know what to do with. The books give them ideas and instructions beyond the basic Lego kits.
9. Jerky Making Kit – one of my grandson’s and I have had lots of fun making jerky. He does all the mixing and extrusion. I do the dehydrating. We talk about various flavor blends, evaluate spices and test the final product.
10. Camel Water Backpack – grab one of these for your hiker, biker, trail rider, busy outdoor kid. You will be an instant superstar.
Merry Christmas. May your holiday be blessed.
Polly
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