The 2012 Homesteader’s Gift Guide

I’ve had a blast putting together this gift buying guide for the homesteaders in your life!

In it you’ll find gift ideas from quality companies for homesteading enthusiasts of all kinds. Personally, I try to avoid the “big box stores” and instead support small businesses when I purchase Christmas gifts for friends and family.

If you have some homesteaders (or even just wanna-be homesteaders!) on your gift-buying list this year, have a look at some of the quality companies I’ve been pleased to partner with over the past year.

Homestead Drying Racks

Homestead Drying Racks is a longtime sponsor of The Prairie Homestead– and for good reason– I LOVE my rack! I have the largest one available– The Homesteader. I use it on pretty much a daily basis in the summer– it even prompted me to write a break up letter to my clothesline. 😉

But this family-owned company has more than just drying racks– check out their other off-grid laundry items (I’d love a plunger washer!), homesteading DVDs, grain mills, and more.

This set of beginning homesteading DVDs would make a fantastic gift for any budding homesteading family– get $30 off of the set until January 1st!

Pantry Paratus

I think it’s safe to say that most homesteaders are “kitchen geeks”– I know I sure am! Pantry Paratus has got you covered when it comes to kitchen gadgets, appliances, and tools. Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas:

I have an All-American Pressure canner that I got from Pantry Paratus and I love it! I use it constantly- in fact– I just put up a bunch of homemade turkey stock from my leftover Thanksgiving bird. Purchasing a tool like this is an investment that can be passed from generation to generation.

If you are looking to spend a little less or stuff some stockings, how about a Butter Keeper, or this set of Flour Sack towels? I’ve given butter keepers as gifts in the past and love them!

Exclusive Special for Prairie Homestead readers: Get the Roo Gardening Apron for 40% off! I could totally use one of these when I’m out in my garden. These would make a great gift– or buy 2 and keep one for yourself. You can choose between beautiful shades of charcoal, plum, or green.  It truly is one-size-fits all and you can request an extension strap for free. This deal is only going to be good through December 16th.  You must use the coupon code:  PRAIRIE  

Also– you can get free shipping on any order of $300 or more– no coupon code required.

Lilla Rose

If you know a hard-working homesteading gal who doesn’t have much time to worry about her hairstyle, consider one of these clips to stuff her stocking! I’ve worked with Lilla Rose Consultant Jill Wright for quite a while now (follow her Facebook page for specials, giveaways, and styling tips.) I personally own several clips in a variety of sizes– and I even have a mini one waiting for Prairie Girl once she gets a little more hair!

Lilla Rose clips are feminine without being too frilly, and they allow for a variety of hair styles. Click here for styling and sizing videos to make sure you select the proper size.

**Special for new online customers**—Buy-3-get-1-free!  Purchase any 3 items from Jill’s Lilla Rose website and send her a message that you did. You’ll then receive a certificate for a free item of your choice (up to a $16 value.)

Cultures for Health

Give the gift of bacteria this year– good bacteria, that is! Any whole food enthusiast would be thrilled to receive any one of the starter cultures (yogurt, cheese, sourdough, kefir, buttermilk) from Cultures for Health. I routinely purchase my cheesemaking supplies from Cultures for Health and I love this company!

I’m betting the real foodies on your gift list would love any of the cheese kits, seed sprouting sets, or fermentation supplies as well.

MadeOn Skin Care Products

It’s really popular to give scented lotions and soaps as Christmas gifts. The problem is that many of those commercial products contain lots of icky synthetic stuff that you really shouldn’t be rubbing all over your skin. Why not choose a natural option instead?

I love using MadeOn hard lotion bars. Not only am I supporting a quality small-business, but these bars are so natural that you could literally eat them if you wanted… (Ok– don’t eat them– but IF you did, it wouldn’t hurt ya…) My personal favorite is the Au Chocolat bar— it is absolutely decadent!

 

 

For the Homesteader Library

I use the internet constantly to glean information– however– there is still nothin’ like holding a real book in your hands! Plus, sometimes it is vital to have hard copies of important information if the power goes out. These are a few of my favorite volumes that I’m sure any homesteading enthusiast would love to add to their collection.

I just recently added The Encyclopedia of Country Living to my collection, but boy oh boy– what an INCREDIBLE resource! I wish I had had this book a long time ago- it’s invaluable.

The Backyard Homestead is a wonderful book for beginners who are looking to get their feet wet. It touches on a variety of topics- from gardening to food preservation to animal husbandry. It was one of the first homesteading books I purchased and I still reference it on a regular basis.

If you know someone interested in home dairying, Keeping a Family Cow is a must-have. It has answered countless questions for me and I keep it handy at all times.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fermenting Foods would make a wonderful gift for any real foodie. (Just let them know you don’t think they are an idiot…) Wardeh does a very thorough job of explaining all sorts of fermenting– start to finish. Plus, there are loads of recipes!

And lastly, if you are looking for a small gift for a faraway friend, an eBook makes a great choice! Send them their own digital copy of Your Custom Homestead. It won’t cost you anything in shipping fees, and the 21-days worth of baby steps can start your friend or family member on their own homesteading adventure.

This post contains affiliate links.