Farm Fresh Holiday Gifts

As this holiday season most rapidly approaches, we might be looking for little gifts to warm the hearts and homes of our friends and neighbors. Exchanging small gifts with neighbors is a tradition in my neighborhood, and with few exceptions is usually food. Mostly sweets. With a little ingenuity, however we can step out of that box and give something different this year...Something from the farm!

Greenery Wreaths: I love bringing the outdoors in all year long, but the changing of the seasons offer us a wonderful time to do this. Evergreens can be trimmed and turned into wreaths or swags easily with a little ribbon and wire.  Do not think that this has to be overdone with all kinds of decoration. Or even that it has to be traditional greenery. Many varieties of bushes are evergreen but not pine! Simple is elegant, and a hand written note adds a special touch. (photo from wernertreefarm.com)

Seed pod Ornaments: Seed pods or heads that have been left on the plants can make lovely natural ornaments or wreaths. Pods can be glued together to create a ball or small wreath to hang on the tree with a ribbon. A scrap piece of cardboard can be cut into a wreath shape and wrapped with twine or raffia and seed pods attached.

Pinecones: This is hardly a new idea, but I love pinecones in the house. SO many things can be done from simple ornaments hung with ribbons to more complicated painted or glittered wreaths. Pinecones dipped in scented wax can be used to fill a basket, and lasts a long time. A group of three large pinecones can be hung from a ribbon to create a lovely door hanging alternative to a wreath. If sticky sap is an issue, simply bake the pinecones in the oven on a foil lines baking sheet at 200 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Scrap wood candle holders: A small branch from the scrap pile can be laid on its side and drilled with holes just big enough for tea lights to be dropped in. That same size branch can be cut into pieces of varied height turned on end and drilled for those same tea lights. Group these together and tie with raffia for a nice centerpiece or hostess gift. (photos courtesy of Shelterness.com and sasinteriors.net)



Farm Fresh Goodies: Let's not forget that not everyone bottles garden goods. Would a nice jar of canned fruit be appreciated by a neighbor or a loved one? Maybe Honey or Applesauce? I have a neighbor who always brings us a little homemade jerky around the holidays. It is naturally made, tastes amazing and is much appreciated, especially because that is something that I could not make for myself. This goes for sure for all of the homemade greatness that comes in the form of soaps and yarn and or even a nice basket of eggs along with a favorite recipe. Eggs? For Christmas? Why not!

So, this holiday let's get creative. Look around the farm or yard and find things that perhaps could get a little makeover and a second life, even if just for the holiday season.  And certainly Don't forget our Renegade Farmer Holiday Vendor List  for a little shopping too! Happy Holidays and please share those ideas...

Leslie is a self-proclaimed simple minded girl; raising 4 kids along side veggies and chickens all with the help of one entirely Hunky Hubby and blogging about it over at NatureGirl for no good reason.