Homesteader's Christmas Wishlist

Gifts for every budget that any homesteader would love to open Christmas morning!

Every November the Christmas scramble begins. We start to think about loved ones and what they might appreciate come Christmas morning. As a homesteading mama, I have several wishlist items I'm hoping for!

​Cross my fingers that Santa will be generous this year! If you are a fellow homesteader and you don't know what to ask for this Christmas, then keep reading! You are sure to be inspired. Or maybe you have a homesteader in the family and you can't seem to find the perfect gift. My wishlist will start you in the right direction. 

I have compiled a Christmas list for all types of homesteaders and all budgets. Some of these items I already own, love and use and some items I have had my eye on for some time. ​

---

1. Flow Hive Bee Hive: I have never owned honeybees before but one day I will. This has been one of my most fundamental homestead goals. Beekeeping always seemed so overwhelming to me. I was really excited when I stumbled upon the Flow Hive a few years ago. You can literally "tap" your beehive and harvest honey without disturbing the bees. There's very little gear needed and a lot less work! The company was founded in 2015 by a father-son team. They are certified B Corp as well as give back to many different community projects. They have three different models of Flow Hive available as well as starter bundles to help the new beekeeper get started with everything they need! On my wishlist is the 7 frame start bundle!

​2. All American Pressure Canner: The world of pressure canning! Every homesteader should know how to use one. WHich is exactly why this sucker is on my wishlist! I have never pressure canned before but the thought of putting up green beans fresh from my garden reminds me every year why I need one. What i love about this brand is they are made right here in the USA in Wisconsin. This canner is high quality and uses a "metal to metal" sealing system, so you never have to worry about a bad gasket. They come in six sizes and I have my eye on the 21 quart. 

3. Souper Cubes: These silicone molds are the prefect addition to your homestead kitchen. With Souper Cubes, you can freeze meat stock, leftover soup, or freezer meals in perfect cubes that make it easy to stack in the freezer. No more bulky, odd shaped frozen foods that take up too much room. They come in one and two cup size trays with little hash marks so you can freeze smaller amounts if need be. I would love to add both sizes to my kitchen. I make large batches of meat stock weekly. Being able to freeze a portion in these convenient shapes and sizes will be so helpful. As a homesteader, i am always looking for ways to put up food for later and products that will simplify the process. 

4. Elderberry Syrup Kit: I love making elderberry syrup. This gift could be given already made in a cute mason jar with instructions or as a kit to be made. Either way, elderberry syrup is a must have during the winter months when were most likely to catch something icky. I usually blend my own but this kit by St. Fiacres Farm comes with all the immune supporting herbs you need to make a kick butt batch of elderberry syrup. You only need to add raw local honey and apple cider vinegar to complete it. When your farm animals depend on you, there's never a good time for a sick day. This gift will be much appreciated! 

5. DōTERRA Essential Oils: This is my Swis Army Knife of the homestead. This gift will cover all the bases any homesteader can ask for. Immune support ✓ Farm animal care ✓ Garden helper ✓ Aches & pains ✓ Natural cleaner ✓ plus more! I have been using oils for alomost six years now and I can't imagine life without them. DōTERRA has assembled several beginner kits that give you a variety of the most popular oils to get started. You also receive individualized support from yours truly complete with a welcome gift and consultation. 

6. Cast Iron Waffle Maker: Ever since I learned about the dangers of non-stick coated cookware, I have been searching for a waffle maker that would not poison my family with each delectable bite. After a year of searching I was so happy to find this cast iron waffle maker in a Lehman's catalog. I love making GAPS diet friendly pumpkin waffles that feel like a complete splurge for special breakfasts. This waffle maker is going to be just what we needed in our homestead kitchen. Every homesteader values cooking on cast iron, and for good reason! We love the non-stick surface that builds up over time and the nostalgia too. It looks pretty as well as being completely functional. 

7.Masontops Complete Fermentation Kit: I love the vintage skill of fermentation. Fermented foods have an abundance of gut healthy probiotics, unique to which vegetable is used. With the emergence of large food corporations that value shelf stable commodities, we have stepped away from the traditional fermented foods of our ancestors. Fermentation can seem overwhelming at first. I have stumbled many times which learning the ins and outs. But have no fear! The benefits far outweigh the learning curve. This kit by Masontops has everything you need to explore the world of fermented foods. The recipes in the kit are simple and tasty and the tamper, weights, and airlocks are easy to use, clean and of high quality. As I mentioned above, I like to be able to preserve the fruits of my labor. Fermentation is another great way to do this! 

8. Books: The winter is my down time. I usually pick up several farming books to keep me busy, learning and preparing for the next season. Some of my favorite homestead books are "The Backyard Homestead" series as well as the Mother Earth News magazine subscription. I have a long list of favorites from the publisher Chelsea Green as well. Most homesteaders I believe would appreciate any book that covers gardening, beekeeping, canning etc... 
​

There are my top homestead Christmas wishlish items! I hope you will find this list inspiring as you go shopping for your fellow homesteader. I must admit, I couldn't possibly include all the amazing things homesteaders would love and appreicate. Some honorable mentions would be Bogs Boots (I live in mine!), emergency oil lanterns (I plan on picking up several of these soon), an awesome indoor seed starting set up (I still need to do some reasearch on this and thats why I didn't go into detail about them here), and the good ol' standby SEEDS! 

What is on your homestead Christmas wishlist?