Inside: The Christmas Gift Guide is back again, my short list of favorite things, some practical, some unique, always affordable, and, of course, recommended and loved by this rural girl.
*By the way, this post contains affiliate links. What that means is when you click on these particular links and purchase something, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me to pay for the cost of this blog. Thanks for your interest!
We’re back again and ready for the festivities–fun shopping days and leisurely lunches discussing family celebrations, crafts, food, and decorations. (Coming to you soon in the 12 Posts of Christmas, starting December 14.) Not to mention our plans for the Hillbilly Christmas Wreath 2018 version. The Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide is the kickoff to the season, and this year’s list reflects my typical practical side as well as that part of me that loves the small simple treats in life. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Gifts Under $20
The LANG Companies Cows Cows Cows 2019 Wall Calendar, $15.24.
In my house it wouldn’t feel like a new year without my favorite calendar hanging on the wall! Growing up on a dairy farm, I became quite attached to cows, and you might even say I love them, though we don’t have any around the farm anymore. So I have to get my cows any way I can.
Not a fan of cows? LANG offers a wide variety of calendar favorites. Take a peek here to see what else they offer.
Daily Guideposts 2019 Large Print: A Spirit-Lifting Devotional, $13.38.
Want to know how I start every morning? Coffee and my favorite devotional. Here’s the description from Amazon’s website:
“Daily Guideposts 2019 centers on the theme ‘In the Shadow of Your Wings,’ based on Psalm 91:4, and is filled with brand-new devotions from fifty writers. Each day readers will enjoy a Scripture verse, a true first-person story told in an informal, conversational style, which shares the ways God speaks to us in the ordinary events of life, and a brief prayer to help focus the reader to apply the day’s message.”
Zolia Vera’s Pumpkin Molasses Bar | Pumpkin Spice Soap, $6.95.
Emily bought me a bar of this soap, and I loved it so much! I savored it, using the bar sparingly toward the end until it was just a sliver. Thing is, upon finding the website, I realize now that I could have actually just ordered more–which I plan to do in the very near future! If you’re a fan of the Victorian and Edwardian eras as I am, you’ll enjoy the lovely packaging as well. These soaps and beauty products hearken back to this simple time, using the wisdom of those creating soaps and beauty products back then. Allison Humeniuk handcrafts these soaps and products herself, with natural ingredients. Win, win, win!
Yankee Candle Large Jar Candle, Christmas Cookie, $17.99.
Nothing gets me in the Christmas mood more than putting on a Christmas classic music CD and lighting a scented candle. This one’s a particular favorite for me because it makes the whole house smell like I’ve been baking. I’ve also given these as gifts–not to mention gifts to myself! If Christmas Cookie isn’t your thing, here are a few more seasonal favorites from Yankee Candle.
Gifts Under $30
While I like the hand soap just fine, the star of this bundle is the Kitchen Lemon Hand Lotion which I adore! I first discovered it when someone put it in the women’s rest room at my husband’s work. I found myself using the lotion every time I visited and enjoying the lingering lemon scent. The fact that it’s made from actual olive oil, so good for my skin, is a plus, and, surprisingly, this lotion doesn’t have that greasy feeling I hate in some hand lotions. If you love lemon-scented things, you will love this lotion for the extra pampering it gives chapped hands in the winter season.
Okay, I’m cheating a little with this listing. This recommendation doesn’t come from me but rather from Emily who is thoroughly pleased with this recent purchase of hers. She’s raved about the rice cooker to me and uses it all the time. Not only can this little gem make 2 – 8 cups of cooked rice, but it can also steam meat and veggies while rice cooks below, has programmable digital controls, keeps food warm, and is excellent for soups or chili. Plus the flash rice function cuts cooking time up to 50 percent. A 15-hour delay timer is great for flexible meal planning, too.
Gifts Under $50
Mona B Upcycled Identified Canvas & Leather Crossbody Bag with Coin Purse, $43.99.
I fell in love with Mona B. handbags several years ago, and this crossbody is one of my favorites. The neat thing is she (or the company?) keeps creating new and different upcycled bags, and I’m such a fan of all her (their?) creations. If you’re not partial to my pick, here is a sampling of some her cool designs. . .
AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing Ethnicity, $49.00. (JUMP ON THIS IMMEDIATELY TO GET THIS PRICE!)
I actually purchased this a couple of years ago for my fiftieth birthday and was both surprised and fascinated by the results. For me it met a need deep in my core of finding out who I am, something hard to put into words, really, but something so worthwhile to discover.
I’ve been pleased with the continual strides Ancestry is making in this area. Recently my results were updated because the more sampling they do, the better they are at matching specific DNA origins. Plus with the recent updates, they showed me the migration patterns of my ancestors and the stories behind their journeys. One of the things this latest update brought out was that I was part Norwegian. But the odd, but not really odd, part of it is that I’ve been to Europe before, but I had often thought if I went back I’d like to see Norway–this before finding out I’m part Norwegian. Like I said, a need that goes deep into the core of who we are. . .
All that said, if you are late to read this post, you’ve likely missed out on this fantastic price. However, I have a feeling they will bring back a fairly decent price in December or extend this offer, though I have no guarantees of either. Even at full price, which is just about what I paid for it, it is so worth the investment in yourself!
Gifts Under $100
Fitbit Alta HR, Black, Small (US Version), $79.95. (Also available in large for the same price.)
This device has literally changed my life. No exaggeration. I came into 2018 knowing I needed to get more exercise and take better care of myself, and my Fitbit has helped me attain those goals and actually lose 20 pounds. Not only does it track my steps, but it tells me my heart rate, calories burned, miles, and active minutes. The app for phone–or in my case my Kindle–syncs with my wrist device to help me keep track of other things as well, such as water intake, sleep, and daily exercise. I also have reminders set for things like time to wind down for bed and time to get up hourly and move (between the hours of 9 – 6, in my case). You can also track food intake and weight, though I only do the latter. . . Honestly, I can’t say enough about how much this fitness tracker has helped me!
Keurig K-Compact Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Black, $60.26.
Our previous Keurig lasted many, many moons, and because we do so much pour-over coffee, we looked at other methods for hot water on demand. After much deliberation, I saw this model on sale at Walmart, purchased a red one, and we’ve been happy ever since. I like that I have the flexibility of using k-cups, should I see a flavor I like, but for the most part we use it for our hot water needs, mostly pour-over coffee, sometimes tea. The slim model is a plus for me, as the old model was rather large. Perfect for Hubs and me. (Oh, and this model turns itself off after a while, though not too soon if you’re in coffee consumption mode, which I much appreciate.)
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So there you have it, the Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2018. . . Now go forth and shop!
Have you started shopping for Christmas yet? Tell us about it in the comments.
Related posts:
A Rural Girl’s Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide 2017
The Story of the Hillbilly Christmas Wreath
Winter Skies, Making and Baking, and Other News Fresh From the Farm
Posts a year ago on the blog:
How to Prepare Strawberry Plants for Winter