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Holiday Gift Guide for Homesteaders (and Chicken Lovers)

The 2017 City Girl Farming Holiday Gift Guide for Homesteaders and Chicken Lovers

It’s that time of year again when we all scratch our heads to figure out what to give to to those we love. I’ve put together a few things to help you out this year. Gifts focused on the chicken lovers, the gardeners and the general homesteaders (and folks who long to be homesteaders but aren’t there yet) in your life.  Here I present to you the 2017 Holiday Guide for homesteaders and chicken lovers on your list. May it get your holiday creative juices flowing!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Chicken Lovers

Because I am one of those chicken lovers, let’s start with them first. There is tons of stuff on the market these days that targets chicken fanatics (because our ranks are growing). However, not every chicken-themed object is a good gift.  Here are some I’ve  come across that I think are fun, cool, or somehow unique. Some of them I’ve used as gifts for the chicken lovers in MY life and they’ve been a hit.

Chicken Wine Cork: Okay, this isn’t just another chicken-themed thing. Well, actually, it IS, but it’s hysterical! I’ve bought them for people who have LOVED them. Remember the rubber chicken from childhood? This is that, in miniature form, crafted to fit inside an open bottle of wine. (Bonus: It’s a great conversation starter at parties!) Get it here.

Chicken Stickers or Stamp for Egg Cartons: This is something I’d LOVE, but would feel guilty buying for myself. There’s lots of options out there from stickers to stamps. You can even get them at the City Girl Farming Zazzle store here.

Other Customizable Chicken Items: As a matter of fact, there’s all sorts of customizable chicken related gifts over at the City Girl Farming Store. Mugs, T-shirts. Pillows. Tote Bags. And more. Check out the whole selection here.

Chicken Forage Seeds: I love these for my girls. It’s a variety pack of seeds (Annual Ryegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Buckwheat, Flax, Millet, Forage Peas, Red Clover, Alfalfa ) specially blended for chickens. They also make for a great bee garden with a variety of cute blooming flowers creating an easy to grow, blooming garden to make everyone happy. My girls LOVE it. Here’s proof (if you look close you can see several hens enjoying the garden:

Chicken Coloring Book: Creative Chickens Coloring Book was a project I modeled after my own flock, combining my quirky personality with their whacky behavior. There are 20 original, hand drawn whimsical chicken drawings to color.  Great for children and adults. You can get it here.

Gifts for the Garden Geeks

Permaculture Cards: This deck of playing cards was thought up by a guy passionate about permaculture. He took his idea to Kickstarter and got it funded and now they’re available. Each card is full of fun facts and great photos to help educate the players of the card game.

Gardening Apron: This isn’t just any gardening apron! The Roo Joey Apron is the ultimate gardening apron with a huge pouch to fill and a chute to empty the pouch without any mess (or residue left behind).

Seeds: Okay this might seem kinda  boring to you, but think about a gardener! SEEDS are everything (and they’re somewhat addictive). There are some great ideas out there. For example, how about an Heirloom Survival Seed Kit?  If you’re worried about being to specific on your selection, what about a gift certificate from a good seed company like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds or Territorial Seed Company and then they can pick out what they want. (Trust me: a gardener never tires of seeds…of trying new seeds…of stocking up on old favorites…a Seed Catalog is like the toy catalog for kids. Bright, shiny, and oh so alluring.)

Heirloom Beans: This is dinner and seeds all at the same time! Rancho Gordo sells a wide variety of heirloom beans (for eating). Your garden lover can sample savory meals all winter long featuring hard to find heirloom varieties of beans. If they save some along the way, they’ll be able to plant their favorites in the garden next spring. Eat now. Eat Later. What’s not to love about that? (Not to mention that Heirloom beans are WONDERFUL. If you want to know more about them, check out my blog post on the subject–I’m an heirloom bean addict!)

Kid Gardeners: Cute seed kits (that come in egg cartons) and are a variety of themes (pizza, salsa, etc.) but my favorite is the Summer Fun seed kit that contains seeds to grow Birdhouse Gourds, Luffa Sponges, Sensitive Plant, Spaghetti Squash, Big Orange Pumpkins and Mammoth Sunflowers.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Homesteaders (and Homesteader-wannabes):

InstaPot: I LOVE LOVE mine! I’ve been wanting one for over a year and finally got one. I’m not disappointed. If you’re not familiar with the Instapot, it basically does everything: Pressure cooking, slow cooking, sauteing, baking, a warmer, a rice cooker and some models have a yogurt maker. Pretty much everything you need in a kitchen appliance (except for still needing a good blender!) There’s different models, sizes and options all designed to make life easier! Here’s one to look at.

There’s also great InstaPot cookbooks and ideas galore as well as much inspiration on Pinterest for what to cook and how to use this amazing all-in-one machine.

Fermenting Kit: Give the gift of good gut health with a fermenting kit.

Sprouting Kit: Another great gift for good health is a sprouting kit.

A Big Basket of Organic Fruits and Nuts: Even better if you can buy it local.

Local Handmade Gifts: Think soaps, local honey, hand knit items, etc.

Fatwood: I’ve heard people talking about Fatwood, but only recently experienced it. Fat wood is wood kindling that has been made from the base of the tree, where the resin is more highly concentrated. You can light a fire WITHOUT paper or kindling just with 2 tiny pieces of Fatwood. It’s amazing! Plus, added bonus is that it’s all natural. No added chemicals or anything else. And they’re sustainable. They take the stumps from trees that have already been cut and put them to good use.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fatwood. I’m hooked!

Essential Oils: Give the gift of health (and all sorts of DIY homesteading solutions). I use essential oils daily, both inside and outside the house. I use them on the chickens, too, when they’re sick or wounded. It makes so many things much more simple. And healthy. And non-toxic. If you’re interested in the kind I use, check this out. Or message me. I’d be happy to help you out.

For Homesteading Kids:

Don’t Throw it, Grow it: 68 Windowsill Plants from Kitchen Scraps: This book ROCKS! And it opens the curiosity for kids (and adults!) to see what will grow from the kitchen. (Think: the spices in the cupboard that are still in seed form (not ground), the end of the celery you chop off, etc.) Great book for curious children to open them up to a world of gardening.

Educational (and fun!) Board Game: Wildcraft Herbal Adventure Game. This is a cooperative board game that actually teaches about edible herbs and their uses, focusing on medicinal and first aid situations.

DIY Projects and Time

Lastly, it’s not all about what you can BUY. Sometimes the gift of TIME is the best gift of all and there’s hundreds of ways to do it. For example:

Who wouldn’t love free babysitting so they could go out one night?

Or help painting/fixing/cleaning something around the house/homestead?

What about ‘gift certificate’ for an afternoon of weeding or helping muck out the coop (you might enjoy it more than you think).

I have a friend who just gave a YEAR OF SOUP to someone.  Once a month she makes a big pot of soup and delivers it to her recipient. Mmmm. That sounds wonderful.

Get creative. It doesn’t have to cost anything but a little time.

Or, if you’re into DIY projects, things that I make that are oft-requested items are these:

Lemon Curd

Salsa Verde

Blackberry Jalapeno Jam

(All of the above recipes include canning instructions but don’t let that put you off if you’re not into canning–you can make it fresh and deliver it in a nice jar for refrigerator storage, or put it in cute packages and freeze it.)

Make Pine Cone Fire Starters

Another fun idea I’ve done is make Snowmen in a Jar kits for kids. They were a big hit. (And I even include labels you can print!)

Snowman in a Jar Kit

No matter what you do, nor what you celebrate, when it comes down to it, it’s all about your relationship with people. Hopefully this holiday gift guide for homesteaders and chicken lovers will get your creative juices flowing and you’ll think of even more perfect things than I’ve listed here. Have fun.  And happy holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide for Homesteaders (and Chicken Lovers) was originally posted by My Favorite Chicken Blogs(benjamingardening)

THE PLANTING OF THE TREE

"WELL done," said Aslan in a voice that made the earth shake. Then Digory knew that all the Narnians had heard those words and that the story of them would be handed down from father to son in that new world for hundreds of years and perhaps forever. But he was in no danger of feeling conceited for he didn't think about it at all now that he was face to face with Aslan. This time he found he could look straight into the Lion's eyes. He had forgotten his troubles and felt absolutely content. "Well done, son of Adam," said the Lion again. "For this fruit you have hungered and thirsted and wept. No hand but yours shall sow the seed of the Tree that is to be the protection of Narnia. Throw the apple towards the river bank where the ground is soft." Digory did as he was told. Everyone had grown so quiet that you could hear the soft thump where it fell into the mud. "It is well thrown," said Aslan. "Let us now proceed to the Coronation of King Frank of Narnia and Helen his Queen." The children now noticed these two for the first time. They were dressed in strange and beautiful clothes, and from their shoulders rich robes flowed out behind them to where four dwarfs held up the King's train and four rivernymphs the Queen's. Their heads were bare; but Helen had let her hair down and it made a great improvement in her appearance. But it was neither hair nor clothes that made them look so different from their old selves. Their faces had a new expression, especially the King's. All the sharpness and cunning and quarrelsomeness which he had picked up as a London cabby seemed to have been washed away, and the courage and kindness which he had always had were easier to see. Perhaps it was the air of the young world that had done it, or talking with Aslan, or both. "Upon my word," whispered Fledge to Polly. "My old master's been changed nearly as much as I have! Why, he's a real master now." "Yes, but don't buzz in my ear like that," said Polly. "It tickles so." "Now," said Aslan, "some of you undo that tangle you have made with those trees and let us see what we shall find there." Digory now saw that where four trees grew close together their branches had all been laced together or tied together with switches so as to make a sort of cage. The two Elephants with their trunks and a few dwarfs with their little axes soon got it all undone. There were three things inside. One was a young tree that seemed to be made of gold; the second was a young tree that seemed to be made of silver; but the third was a miserable object in muddy clothes, sitting hunched up between them. "Gosh!" whispered Digory. "Uncle Andrew!" To explain all this we must go back a bit. The Beasts, you remember, had tried planting and watering him. When the watering brought him to his senses, he found himself soaking wet, buried up to his thighs in earth (which was quickly turning into mud) and surrounded by more wild animals than he had ever dreamed of in his life before. It is perhaps not surprising that he began to scream and howl. This was in a way a good thing, for it at last persuaded everyone (even the Warthog) that he was alive. So they dug him up again (his trousers were in a really shocking state by now). As soon as his legs were free he tried to bolt, but one swift curl of the Elephant's trunk round his waist soon put an end to that. Everyone now thought he must be safely kept somewhere till Aslan had time to come and see him and say what should be done about him. So they made a sort of cage or coop all round him. They then offered him everything they could; think of to eat. The Donkey collected great piles of thistles and threw them in, but Uncle Andrew didn't seem to care about them. The Squirrels bombarded him with volleys of nuts but he only covered his head with his hands and tried to keep out of the way. Several birds flew to and fro deligently dropping worms on him. The Bear was especially kind. During the afternoon he found a wild bees' nest and instead of eating it himself (which he would very much like to have done) this worthy creature brought it back to Uncle Andrew. But this was in fact the worst failure of all. The Bear lobbed the whole sticky mass over the top of the enclosure and unfortunately it hit Uncle Andrew slap in the face (not all the bees were dead). The Bear, who would not at all have minded being hit in the face by a honeycomb himself, could not understand why Uncle Andrew staggered back, slipped, and sat down. And it was sheer bad luck that he sat down on the pile of thistles. "And anyway," as the Warthog said, "quite a lot of honey has got into the creature's mouth and that's bound to have done it some good." They were really getting quite fond of their strange pet and hoped that Aslan would allow them to keep it. The cleverer ones were quite sure by now that at least some of the noises which came out of his mouth had a meaning. They christened him Brandy because he made that noise so often. In the end, however, they had to leave him there for the night. Aslan was busy all that day instructing the new King and Queen and doing other important things, and could not attend to "poor old Brandy". What with the nuts, pears, apples, and bananas that had been thrown in to him, he did fairly well for supper; but it wouldn't be true to say that he passed an agreeable night. "Bring out that creature," said Aslan. One of the Elephants lifted Uncle Andrew in its trunk and laid him at the Lion's feet. He was too frightened to move. "Please, Aslan," said Polly, "could you say something to - to unfrighten him? And then could you say something to prevent him from ever coming back here again?" "Do you think he wants to?" said Aslan. "Well, Aslan," said Polly, "he might send someone else. He's so excited about the bar off the lamp-post growing into a lamp-post tree and he thinks - " "He thinks great folly, child," said Aslan. "This world is bursting with life for these few days because the song with which I called it into life still hangs in the air and rumbles in the ground. It will not be so for long. But I cannot tell that to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he would hear only growlings and roarings. Oh Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good! But I will give him the only gift he is still able to receive." He bowed his great head rather sadly, and breathed into the Magician's terrified face. "Sleep," he said. "Sleep and be separated for some few hours from all the torments you have devised for yourself." Uncle Andrew immediately rolled over with closed eyes and began breathing peacefully. "Carry him aside and lay him down," said Aslan. "Now, dwarfs! Show your smith-craft. Let me see you make two crowns for your King and Queen." More Dwarfs than you could dream of rushed forward to the Golden Tree. They had all its leaves stripped off, and some of its branches torn off too, before you could say Jack Robinson. And now the children could see that it did not merely look golden but was of real, soft gold. It had of course sprung up from the half-sovereigns which had fallen out of Uncle Andrew's pocket when he was turned upside down; just as the silver had grown up from the half-crowns. From nowhere, as it seemed, piles of dry brushwood for fuel, a little anvil, hammers, tongs, and bellows were produced. Next moment (how those dwarfs loved their work!) the fire was blazing, the bellows were roaring, the gold was melting, the hammers were clinking. Two Moles, whom Aslan had set to dig (which was what they liked best) earlier in the day, poured out a pile of precious stones at the dwarfs' feet. Under the clever fingers of the little smiths two crowns took shape - not ugly, heavy things like modern European crowns, but light, delicate, beautifully shaped circles that you could really wear and look nicer by wearing. The King's was set with rubies and the Queen's with emeralds. When the crowns had been cooled in the river Aslan made Frank and Helen kneel before him and he placed the crowns on their heads. Then he said, "Rise up King and Queen of Narnia, father and mother of many kings that shall be in Narnia and the Isles and Archenland. Be just and merciful and brave. The blessing is upon you." Then everyone cheered or bayed or neighed or trumpeted or clapped its wings and the royal pair stood looking solemn and a little shy, but all the nobler for their shyness. And while Digory was still cheering he heard the deep voice of Aslan beside him, saying: "Look!" Everyone in that crowd turned its head, and then everyone drew a long breath of wonder and delight. A little way off, towering over their heads, they saw a tree which had certainly not been there before. It must have grown up silently, yet swiftly as a flag rises when you pull it up on a flagstaff, while they were all busied about the coronation. Its spreading branches seemed to cast a light rather than a shade, and silver apples peeped out like stars from under every leaf. But it was the smell which came from it, even more than the sight, that had made everyone draw in their breath. For a moment one could hardly think about anything else. "Son of Adam," said Aslan, "you have sown well. And you, Narnians, let it be your first care to guard this Tree, for it is your Shield. The Witch of whom I told you has fled far away into the North of the world; she will live on there, growing stronger in dark Magic. But while that Tree flourishes she will never come down into Narnia. She dare not come within a hundred miles of the Tree, for its smell, which is joy and life and health to you, is death and horror and despair to her." Everyone was staring solemnly at the Tree when Aslan suddenly swung round his head (scattering golden gleams of light from his mane as he did so) and fixed his large eyes on the children. "What is it, children?" he said, for he caught them in the very act of whispering and nudging one another. "Oh - Aslan, sir," said Digory, turning red, "I forgot to tell you. The Witch has already eaten one of those apples, one of the same kind that Tree grew from." He hadn't really said all he was thinking, but Polly at once said it for him (Digory was always much more afraid than she of looking a fool.) "So we thought, Aslan," she said, "that there must be some mistake, and she can't really mind the smell of those apples." "Why do you think that, Daughter of Eve?" asked the Lion. "Well, she ate one." "Child," he replied, "that is why all the rest are now a horror to her. That is what happens to those who pluck and eat fruits at the wrong time and in the wrong way. The fruit is good, but they loathe it ever after." "Oh I see," said Polly. "And I suppose because she took it in the wrong way it won't work for her. I mean it won't make her always young and all that?" "Alas," said Aslan, shaking his head. "It will. Things always work according to their nature. She has won her heart's desire; she has unwearying strength and endless days like a goddess. But length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it." "I - I nearly ate one myself, Aslan," said Digory. "Would I - " "You would, child," said Aslan. "For the fruit always works - it must work - but it does not work happily for any who pluck it at their own will. If any Narnian, unbidden, had stolen an apple and planted it here to protect Narnia, it would have protected Narnia. But it would have done so by making Narnia into another strong and cruel empire like Charn, not the kindly land I mean it to be. And the Witch tempted you to do another thing, my son, did she not?" "Yes, Aslan. She wanted me to take an apple home to Mother." "Understand, then, that it would have healed her; but not to your joy or hers. The day would have come when both you and she would have looked back and said it would have been better to die in that illness." And Digory could say nothing, for tears choked him and he gave up all hopes of saving his Mother's life; but at the same time he knew that the Lion knew what would have happened, and that there might be things more terrible even than losing someone you love by death. But now Aslan was speaking again, almost in a whisper: "That is what would have happened, child, with a stolen apple. It is not what will happen now. What I give you now will bring joy. It will not, in your world, give endless life, but it will heal. Go. Pluck her an apple from the Tree." For a second Digory could hardly understand. It was as if the whole world had turned inside out and upside down. And then, like someone in a dream, he was walking across to the Tree, and the King and Queen were cheering him and all the creatures were cheering too. He plucked the apple and put it in his pocket. Then he came back to Aslan. "Please," he said, "may we go home now?" He had forgotten to say "Thank you", but he meant it, and Aslan understood.

Holiday Gift Guide for Homesteaders (and Chicken Lovers)

The 2017 City Girl Farming Holiday Gift Guide for Homesteaders and Chicken Lovers

It’s that time of year again when we all scratch our heads to figure out what to give to to those we love. I’ve put together a few things to help you out this year. Gifts focused on the chicken lovers, the gardeners and the general homesteaders (and folks who long to be homesteaders but aren’t there yet) in your life.  Here I present to you the 2017 Holiday Guide for homesteaders and chicken lovers on your list. May it get your holiday creative juices flowing!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Chicken Lovers

Because I am one of those chicken lovers, let’s start with them first. There is tons of stuff on the market these days that targets chicken fanatics (because our ranks are growing). However, not every chicken-themed object is a good gift.  Here are some I’ve  come across that I think are fun, cool, or somehow unique. Some of them I’ve used as gifts for the chicken lovers in MY life and they’ve been a hit.

Chicken Wine Cork: Okay, this isn’t just another chicken-themed thing. Well, actually, it IS, but it’s hysterical! I’ve bought them for people who have LOVED them. Remember the rubber chicken from childhood? This is that, in miniature form, crafted to fit inside an open bottle of wine. (Bonus: It’s a great conversation starter at parties!) Get it here.

Chicken Stickers or Stamp for Egg Cartons: This is something I’d LOVE, but would feel guilty buying for myself. There’s lots of options out there from stickers to stamps. You can even get them at the City Girl Farming Zazzle store here.

Other Customizable Chicken Items: As a matter of fact, there’s all sorts of customizable chicken related gifts over at the City Girl Farming Store. Mugs, T-shirts. Pillows. Tote Bags. And more. Check out the whole selection here.

Chicken Forage Seeds: I love these for my girls. It’s a variety pack of seeds (Annual Ryegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Buckwheat, Flax, Millet, Forage Peas, Red Clover, Alfalfa ) specially blended for chickens. They also make for a great bee garden with a variety of cute blooming flowers creating an easy to grow, blooming garden to make everyone happy. My girls LOVE it. Here’s proof (if you look close you can see several hens enjoying the garden:

Chicken Coloring Book: Creative Chickens Coloring Book was a project I modeled after my own flock, combining my quirky personality with their whacky behavior. There are 20 original, hand drawn whimsical chicken drawings to color.  Great for children and adults. You can get it here.

Gifts for the Garden Geeks

Permaculture Cards: This deck of playing cards was thought up by a guy passionate about permaculture. He took his idea to Kickstarter and got it funded and now they’re available. Each card is full of fun facts and great photos to help educate the players of the card game.

Gardening Apron: This isn’t just any gardening apron! The Roo Joey Apron is the ultimate gardening apron with a huge pouch to fill and a chute to empty the pouch without any mess (or residue left behind).

Seeds: Okay this might seem kinda  boring to you, but think about a gardener! SEEDS are everything (and they’re somewhat addictive). There are some great ideas out there. For example, how about an Heirloom Survival Seed Kit?  If you’re worried about being to specific on your selection, what about a gift certificate from a good seed company like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds or Territorial Seed Company and then they can pick out what they want. (Trust me: a gardener never tires of seeds…of trying new seeds…of stocking up on old favorites…a Seed Catalog is like the toy catalog for kids. Bright, shiny, and oh so alluring.)

Heirloom Beans: This is dinner and seeds all at the same time! Rancho Gordo sells a wide variety of heirloom beans (for eating). Your garden lover can sample savory meals all winter long featuring hard to find heirloom varieties of beans. If they save some along the way, they’ll be able to plant their favorites in the garden next spring. Eat now. Eat Later. What’s not to love about that? (Not to mention that Heirloom beans are WONDERFUL. If you want to know more about them, check out my blog post on the subject–I’m an heirloom bean addict!)

Kid Gardeners: Cute seed kits (that come in egg cartons) and are a variety of themes (pizza, salsa, etc.) but my favorite is the Summer Fun seed kit that contains seeds to grow Birdhouse Gourds, Luffa Sponges, Sensitive Plant, Spaghetti Squash, Big Orange Pumpkins and Mammoth Sunflowers.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Homesteaders (and Homesteader-wannabes):

InstaPot: I LOVE LOVE mine! I’ve been wanting one for over a year and finally got one. I’m not disappointed. If you’re not familiar with the Instapot, it basically does everything: Pressure cooking, slow cooking, sauteing, baking, a warmer, a rice cooker and some models have a yogurt maker. Pretty much everything you need in a kitchen appliance (except for still needing a good blender!) There’s different models, sizes and options all designed to make life easier! Here’s one to look at.

There’s also great InstaPot cookbooks and ideas galore as well as much inspiration on Pinterest for what to cook and how to use this amazing all-in-one machine.

Fermenting Kit: Give the gift of good gut health with a fermenting kit.

Sprouting Kit: Another great gift for good health is a sprouting kit.

A Big Basket of Organic Fruits and Nuts: Even better if you can buy it local.

Local Handmade Gifts: Think soaps, local honey, hand knit items, etc.

Fatwood: I’ve heard people talking about Fatwood, but only recently experienced it. Fat wood is wood kindling that has been made from the base of the tree, where the resin is more highly concentrated. You can light a fire WITHOUT paper or kindling just with 2 tiny pieces of Fatwood. It’s amazing! Plus, added bonus is that it’s all natural. No added chemicals or anything else. And they’re sustainable. They take the stumps from trees that have already been cut and put them to good use.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fatwood. I’m hooked!

Essential Oils: Give the gift of health (and all sorts of DIY homesteading solutions). I use essential oils daily, both inside and outside the house. I use them on the chickens, too, when they’re sick or wounded. It makes so many things much more simple. And healthy. And non-toxic. If you’re interested in the kind I use, check this out. Or message me. I’d be happy to help you out.

For Homesteading Kids:

Don’t Throw it, Grow it: 68 Windowsill Plants from Kitchen Scraps: This book ROCKS! And it opens the curiosity for kids (and adults!) to see what will grow from the kitchen. (Think: the spices in the cupboard that are still in seed form (not ground), the end of the celery you chop off, etc.) Great book for curious children to open them up to a world of gardening.

Educational (and fun!) Board Game: Wildcraft Herbal Adventure Game. This is a cooperative board game that actually teaches about edible herbs and their uses, focusing on medicinal and first aid situations.

DIY Projects and Time

Lastly, it’s not all about what you can BUY. Sometimes the gift of TIME is the best gift of all and there’s hundreds of ways to do it. For example:

Who wouldn’t love free babysitting so they could go out one night?

Or help painting/fixing/cleaning something around the house/homestead?

What about ‘gift certificate’ for an afternoon of weeding or helping muck out the coop (you might enjoy it more than you think).

I have a friend who just gave a YEAR OF SOUP to someone.  Once a month she makes a big pot of soup and delivers it to her recipient. Mmmm. That sounds wonderful.

Get creative. It doesn’t have to cost anything but a little time.

Or, if you’re into DIY projects, things that I make that are oft-requested items are these:

Lemon Curd

Salsa Verde

Blackberry Jalapeno Jam

(All of the above recipes include canning instructions but don’t let that put you off if you’re not into canning–you can make it fresh and deliver it in a nice jar for refrigerator storage, or put it in cute packages and freeze it.)

Make Pine Cone Fire Starters

Another fun idea I’ve done is make Snowmen in a Jar kits for kids. They were a big hit. (And I even include labels you can print!)

Snowman in a Jar Kit

No matter what you do, nor what you celebrate, when it comes down to it, it’s all about your relationship with people. Hopefully this holiday gift guide for homesteaders and chicken lovers will get your creative juices flowing and you’ll think of even more perfect things than I’ve listed here. Have fun.  And happy holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide for Homesteaders (and Chicken Lovers) was originally posted by My Favorite Chicken Blogs(benjamingardening)