Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family

I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving Eve!  One of the items on my Holiday Check List for this week is to complete my Christmas gift lists.  This includes not only finalizing my family's wish list, but also deciding what gifts we will be giving others.  I know I always appreciate some extra ideas to help with Christmas gifts so I figured I'd share some ideas from my family.

The Rural Outdoors Dad (aka My Farmer)

Electric Smoker:  If you don't have an electric smoker you need to get this on your list this year!  This is the perfect gift for the guy in your life (that you also can use!)  You can use your smoker all year long and have a lot of fun experimenting with different types of meats, rubs, marinades, etc.  Most sporting good stores have sections dedicated to smokers and outdoor cooking.

Yellow Work Gloves:  What guy that works outside doesn't need some new work gloves?  For My Farmer his go-to pair of work gloves are the classic yellow work gloves.  These are very affordable and you can buy them in large packages, so you always have a pair available!  An added plus for those that wash clothes in your home, they can be easily thrown in the wash with your other chore clothes.  These would also make a great stocking stuffer!

Ammunition Box:  If you have a hunter or a trap shooter on your list like my husband, then they need an ammo box.  Ammo boxes come in a variety of sizes and help your gunman's (or gunwoman's) ammunition stay organized, dry and safe.  Many boxes are stackable as well so you can sort your ammunition into different boxes for your different firearms.

The Mom Who Likes To Keep Busy (aka Me)

Magazine Subscription:  I will be the first to admit that I stay pretty busy - but what Mom doesn't!  I know this upcoming year I'm going to appreciate when I get a magazine in the mail to just sit and relax with.  (With soon to be 3 kids ages 3 and under I'm going to deserve a little "me" time.)  So whether you're into cooking, home decor or would just like some more ideas of things to do with your kids, there is a magazine for you.  This year I'm asking for a subscription to Family Fun.  They always have a lot of great ideas!

Kitchen Gadgets and Tools:  One thing I have on my wish list every year are at least a couple different new kitchen gadgets and tools.  Sometimes they are brand new items I've always wanted but have never purchased for myself, while others are replacements for ones that I've had since college...  I love to cook and bake and this year I'm hoping someone gives me some new silicone baking mats, pot handle grips, a bouncy whisk and a pie bird.

Learn A New Language Program:  Maybe for some of you it is too early to start thinking about New Year's Goals, but for me, I know I'd really like to learn how to speak Spanish.  So on my list this year I'm hoping someone will help me with that goal by giving me a Spanish language learning program.

The Imaginative Hands-On 3 Year Old Boy (aka LP)

Walkie Talkies:  On our farm we use two-way radios and our son loves using them, so we're going to give him his own pair this Christmas.  What a fun toy for boys and girls to use with their siblings and friends!  I remember having some when I was a kid and my sisters and I loved playing with them.  I can't wait to see how LP enjoys his!

Building Toys:  Whether it is Legos, Lincoln Logs or simply blocks of different sizes and shapes, kids love building things and LP is no different.  This year while making wish lists we saw some really neat building sets that use bolts and screws, to magnetic colored shapes, to gears.  There are so many fun sets available that will help your preschooler use their imagination.

Hot Wheels Car Maker Playset:  LP loves anything with wheels and he loves to make crafts.  So why not combine those loves and get him a Hot Wheels Car Maker!  He gets to pick out the car type, color and decals.  This should be a lot of fun to make and play with!

The Happy Go Lucky 18 Month Old Girl (aka MP)

Melissa and Doug Learning Sets:  Who doesn't Love Melissa and Doug products?  One thing I've looked into for MP this Christmas is some of their learning sets.  They have learning sets from food, to occupations.  Most of these sets are wooden, and some are available in felt too.  There are so many neat ideas they have - the hard part will be choosing exactly which one to buy!

Books and CDs - We personally give our kids one piece of clothing, one toy and one book (3 gifts to represent the 3 gifts Jesus received) for Christmas gifts.  Reading is so important to us so we are always looking for new books for our kids.  We also like to get our kids a new CD in their stocking every year too.  This year our library has gotten us hooked on Laurie Berkner!  If you have any preschoolers and under on your shopping list this year you'll have to check out her catchy songs like "We are the Dinosaurs", "These are my Glasses" and "I Know a Chicken".

"Little Helper" tools - MP loves to imitate her big brother, her dad and me, so why not get her some "pint-size" tools to help her do so.  You can find fun kids sized brooms, vacuums, aprons, tool sets, etc. to help your little one help you - whatever the task may be!  Plus, since MP will soon be a big sister, I'm sure she'll want to be a big helper even more than she does now!

What are some ideas on your wish list?  What gifts are you excited to give this year?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!  And be sure to check out even more ideas by looking at my list from last year.

Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family

One of the items on my to-do list this week is to work on Christmas Wish Lists.  This includes not only figuring out my family's wish list, but also deciding what gifts I'm giving others for Christmas.  I know I always appreciate some extra ideas to help with Christmas gifts so I figured I'd share some ideas from my family.

The Rural Outdoors Dad (aka My Farmer)

Muck Boots:  If your husband works outside and has chores to do every day, then he is going to love a pair of Muck Boots!  My Farmer started wearing Muck Boots a couple years ago and will never go back to plain ol' black rubber boots.  Muck Boots are high quality, comfortable and durable.

Leatherman Wave:  This multi-tool knife is a must for My Farmer.  He wears it on his belt every day.  You never know when you might need one of its countless tools from a pair of pliers, to wire cutters, to a ruler, to a bottle opener.  

Two if by Tea:  For the tea lover and or the Rush Limbaugh fan (which describes My Farmer to the tee - hehehe had to do it), this delicious tea, available in a variety of flavors, is perfect as a stocking stuffer or a fun gift.  If you don't have a local business that sells it in your area (which is something the tea promotes - small business owners), you can buy it online.

Bacon is Meat Candy T-Shirt:  My Farmer and I love bacon - eating it, making it and raising it.  He loves the saying that "bacon is meat candy", so when I saw this t-shirt I knew I just had to get it for him.  So if you have a bacon lover or just a fun guy on your list be sure to get him one of these.

Stanley Thermos:  It never seems like we can have enough thermoses at our house.  I don't know what happens to them, but we always can use another.  And nothing beats a Stanley Thermos.  They're nothing fancy but they do a great job keeping My Farmer's coffee warm.  (And I just have to go with Stanley because that is my mother's maiden name.)


The Mom Who Loves To Cook (aka Me)

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays:  If you haven't gotten the Pioneer Woman's recently published cookbook then you better put it on your list.  She includes recipes for New Years to Christmas and everything in between.  I actually got this after it was released on October 29th and am really enjoying it.  I love how it is organized by holidays and has a variety of recipes for each special day.

Magnetic Measuring Spoons:  Are you always looking for your measuring spoons or don't like having to move the spoons around a ring, well then these magnetic measuring spoons are for you!  Another great bonus, they have two ends - one narrow end to fit in spice jars and one rounder end for liquids.  These measuring spoons are very practical and a must for the cook or baker in your life.

Knife Sharpener:  So you got a knife block when you got married and love using a few of its knives, but when was the last time you sharpened your knives?  Dull knives cause injury more than sharp, so get a knife sharpener to not only cut your food easier, but also safer.

Cute Egg Rings:  Whether it is for eggs or pancakes a cute egg ring makes the perfect stocking stuffer.  And think beyond the basic circle - find a heart, pig, cow, or even an egg ring in the shape of your state.  These will make breakfast fun for all ages.

Prime Cut Apron:  I don't know if I have ever shared this on my blog before but I have an apron collection.  Every apron has been worn at least once but I do have some favorites that get worn regularly.  I wear an apron when hosting, washing dishes and while picking up toys...  When I saw this apron I just knew I needed it in my collection!  (And the dish cloth too)

The On-the-Go Toddler Boy (aka LP)

Tractors, Implements and Trucks:  What toddler boy doesn't like everything with wheels?  Our LP loves everything about farming so we are planning on adding to his carpet farming fleet this Christmas.  This website has a huge catalog of all kinds, models and brands.

A Place to Store The Carpet Farming Fleet:  We got this for LP when he was just 10 month old to start storing his tractors, trucks, farm animals, etc.  It double as a storage box and then zips down to a play farm mat.  And if a farm mat/storage box isn't your toddlers thing, they also make dinosaurs, castles, speedways, etc.

Keep Calm and Farm On T-Shirt:  Did I mention we have a little farm boy on our hands?  Every year for Christmas our kids get one piece of clothing.  I love this t-shirt for the farm boy or farm girl in your life.  It comes in a variety of colors.

Zingo:  "Bingo with a Zing!"  It is great to start getting games for toddlers.  Zingo is Bingo with pictures instead of numbers.  It teaches image and word recognition, matching, verbalization, concentration, memory and motor skills.

A New Book:  Make it a point to give the gift of reading to children.  Check out this list of the 100 Greatest Children's Books.  Buy a book from this collection and borrow the rest from your local library!  An added bonus of reading to toddlers - it helps them with their colors, shapes, numbers and letters, like "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" that made the top 100 list.

The Cute Baby Girl (aka MP)

Peek-a-Boo Barn:  Babies love to play peek-a-boo and these wooden toys are perfect for the growing baby.  Melissa & Doug has a variety of peek-a-boo toys including this barn, a house, panda, turtle, etc.

Farm Girl Love Onesie:  Like I mentioned before, as part of the kid's Christmas gifts from My Farmer and I they get one piece of clothing.  This is a cute and fun onesie for that little farm girl in your life.  I love the color and design.  I'm excited for MP to get this for her wardrobe.

Hand and Foot Rattles:  Our kids also receive one toy from us for Christmas.  These hand and foot rattles are perfect for a baby discovering how their body moves.  There are so many kinds, styles and colors to choose from.  You'll be sure to find the perfect pair for the baby in your life.

Photo Album:  The final gift our kids receive from us is a book.  (We give our kids 3 presents - a book, a toy and a piece of clothing - representing Jesus's 3 gifts he received from the Wise Men.)  We love this photo album.  The colors are eye catching for infants if you don't want to fill it, or you can fill it with pictures of family members.  This will help with facial recognition when they are young and identifying and naming family members when they are older.

Sock Ons:  Baby socks always seem to be either falling off or cutting off their circulation.  That is until Sock Ons.  I discovered these at my local baby and tot shop and am in love!  They keep your baby's socks on, which is a relief for all parents.  No more worrying about loosing a sock when out and about or even at home.

I hope these ideas help you!  What are some items on your wish list?  What gifts are you excited to give this year?