Last-Minute Gift Ideas For Homesteaders

Inexpensive Ways to Spread Yuletide Cheer!

The Cold Antler Collies

Happy Holidays from Cold Antler Farm! It’s almost Yule here, and as the nights grow longer I find myself slowly adding more decorations, hanging more scented pine boughs, and playing my favorite Christmas Carols in the background. Eggnog is the new coffee creamer, bells and bobbles hang from garland, and evenings by the fire are cozy as can be, chestnuts not required.

If you’re a homesteader, farmer, backyard chicken keeper, or even just farm-curious: here are some inexpensive gifting ideas using what you already raise, make, or grow to help spread merry tidings. Over the years I’ve used versions of all of these for for friends and neighbors.

Inexpensive doesn’t mean cheap though, because every gift idea below includes the work of your farmstead. And even if your operation is only three chickens named after Tina Turner’s backup singers; you can still share their bounty!

These gift ideas all can fit into the gift basket category, meaning a collection of related things presented in an intentional way. They are designed to be impressive without costing you a lot. For some of these suggestions, small purchases under $20 (like real maple syrup or a paperback), can make them a little more robust or instructive, but there are suggested alternatives and options as well.

And please, if you have any great ideas to share with the community, add a comment below! I would love to hear other basket ideas, or any holiday tradition you’ve created for holiday gifting from your farms or gardens!