Homemade Holidays from the Homestead

This holiday season, skip the store-bought presents and share something that’s truly meaningful – handmade treasures from the homestead. Whether it’s a jar of homemade jam, a blend of natural tea or a glass blown ornament from a local artisan, these thoughtful creations capture the true essence of homestead living.

In this rustic gift guide, you’ll find a variety of ideas to make or find within your own community. Each item is simple and thoughtful without requiring much time or money, just add your own touch of creativity.

Edible Gifts

Share a taste of the homestead with edible gifts made and preserved from the abundance of your garden or orchard. Homemade jams, jellies, pickles and infused oils bring the garden straight to the table.

Try these simple do-it-yourself (DIY) recipes:

• Rosemary Infused Olive Oil: Warm fresh rosemary sprigs and olive oil together in a pot over low heat for about six to eight minutes. Let cool, then place rosemary in a jar. With a funnel, pour the olive oil over the rosemary. Seal.
• Strawberry Jam: In a saucepan, add one pound sliced strawberries and two cups sugar. Stir over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice and boil for about 15 minutes. Let cool just slightly, then pour into jars to completely cool. Cover and refrigerate or water bath to preserve.
• Homemade Pickles: Wash and slice cucumbers into chips or spears – pack into mason jars. Top with fresh dill and garlic. Combine water, vinegar, sugar, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper in a large bowl. Stir until combined and pour over cucumbers until fully submerged. Seal and refrigerate or water bath to preserve.

Consider pairing these items with complementary foods for an extra touch: a fresh baguette with the rosemary infused olive oil, bagels with the strawberry jam or a loaf of homemade sandwich bread with the pickles.

Package your edible gifts in mason jars topped with a fabric square and tied with twine. Add handwritten labels so recipients know exactly what’s inside.

Herbal and Wellness Gifts

If you love growing herbs in the garden, sharing herbal and wellness gifts is a natural choice. Dry fresh herbs to make herbal teas, fragrant sachets or infused bath salts that capture the homestead, bringing it indoors. These types of gifts are perfect for those with a wellness mindset or those on a personal healing journey.

Here are a few herbal and wellness gift ideas to try:

• Dried Herbal Sachets: In a breathable fabric bag, combine dried herbs such as lavender and chamomile with rice or flaxseed. Tie the bag with a festive ribbon or sew shut.
• Infused Bath Salts: Combine Epsom salts, coconut oil and 15 to 20 drops of essential oils. Mix well then distribute the salts into a glass jar. Seal.
• Natural Teas: In a dehydrator, dry the herbs used in the tea recipe. When fully dried, crush the leaves and add them to a glass jar. Seal. Consider gifting a stainless-steel tea infuser with the blend.

Try making these herbal tea blends:

• Chamomile, rose petals and lavender
• Lemon verbena, bee balm, lemongrass and orange peel
• Mint and rose geranium

Combine these with complementary items to round out the gift: tuck a bag of tea into a locally made mug, tie a beautiful wooden spoon to the bath salts for scooping or include a small bottle of essential oils with the dried herbal sachet.

Handmade Crafts and Decor

Feeling crafty? Put your skills to good use this holiday season to make homestead-inspired crafts and decor that anyone would love. From rustic ornaments to wood slice coasters to candle holders, the options are endless.

Try your hand at these handmade crafts and decor gift ideas:

• Farm-Inspired Ornaments: Cut silhouettes of farm animals such as chickens, pigs and cows out of black paper. Paint small wooden circles with white paint – let dry. Mod Podge the silhouettes to the wooden circles. Punch a hole at the top and tie a red ribbon for hanging.
• Wood Slice Coasters: Use a saw to cut sections of a branch into 1/2-inch-thick “cookies.” Sand the smooth surfaces, then paint with a clear varnish and let dry.
• Candle Holders: Spend some time thrifting around town where you’ll find unique and interesting candle holders. Wash and dry the holders, then apply a primer. Use spray paint, applying thin, even coats. Apply more coats as needed. Let them dry.

But don’t let the crafting end there! Pair these handmade items with something useful: tie four coasters together with twine and tuck them into a gift bag with a bottle of local wine. For the candle holders, complete the set with homemade beeswax candles.

Practical Homestead Gifts

Some of the best gifts are those that get used every day. Practical homestead gifts are thoughtful and useful, offering something that lasts and reflects the rural lifestyle.

Here are a few ideas:

• Homemade Soap: Mix lye into hot water – let cool. Add olive oil, coconut oil and mix. Blend with an immersion blender until the mixture thickens. Add essential oils if desired. Pour the soap into molds and let set for at least 24 hours. Remove from molds and cut to the desired size.
• Beeswax Candles: Melt beeswax in a mason jar. Remove from heat and stir in coconut oil. In another jar, glue a wick to the bottom, draping the top over the side. Fill the jar with the melted beeswax and coconut oil, leaving one inch of room at the top. Let the wax harden for about one hour. Trim the wick, then screw on the lid.
• Wool Dryer Balls: Raise sheep? Gift handmade wool dryer balls! Wrap the end of the wool yarn around two fingers. Wrap tightly around a few times. Fold the yarn over, then begin wrapping into a ball (about the size of a baseball). Tuck the excess yarn into the ball.

To keep the theme of practical running throughout, wrap these gifts in brown paper, add a sprig of pine and tie it with twine. Use a marker to write who it’s to and from on the package.

Local Artisan Spotlight

If cooking or crafting isn’t your thing, then let someone else do the creating for you. Supporting local artisans not only adds meaning to your gift, but it also gives back to the small businesses that keep the community thriving.

In your area, look for:

• Woodworkers: These folks create beautiful home decor out of reclaimed barn wood. Items such as serving boards, cutting boards and wall hangings make great gifts.
• Glass Blowers: ‘tis the season for glass blown holiday ornaments.
• Beekeepers: Support your local beekeeper and give a jar of pure, local honey.
• Potters: Gift a handmade mug or bowl.

Another idea is to shop at your local farmers market or holiday craft fair to find other treasures.

Consider pairing local finds into a gift basket. For example, pair a handcrafted mug with homemade natural tea blends, a cutting board with a jar of your jam or a glass blown holiday ornament with your very own homemade farm-inspired ornaments. There are so many options to choose from.

Give Small, Give Local

Giving small, homemade and local is a great way to keep the handmade tradition of the homestead alive. The best part? These ideas don’t require a lot of time or money.