The Ultimate List of Practical Homestead Gift Ideas

We have the ultimate list of practical homestead gift ideas for the homesteader on your shopping list. The very best gift ideas that they want and need are all here. From low cost to big-ticket items, these perfect holiday gift ideas are sure to be a hit for modern homesteaders.

​Homestead Gift Ideas

​We’ve categorized the best gifts for you to find what you’re looking for in each part of the homesteading lifestyle.

For the Beginner Homesteader

The beginner homestead is probably the easiest to shop for. They want all the things and have none of them. Here are a few new homestead gift ideas to help get them started.

• Go for the homesteading books first that are filled with the ideas that make them dream more of what’s to come. Spark the fire that’ll burn for the homestead.

• Second, I always recommend starting in the kitchen. Everything that we do on the homestead is food centric. We grow it, we raise it, we process it, we preserve it, and we prepare it. Homesteading equals food. Cookbooks and the kitchen tools to teach them how to cook from scratch are essential to the new homesteader.

Beyond the books and the kitchen, are everything else. Our lists here are categorized to help you find the perfect gift for the homesteader or homestead-dreamer in your life.

Homesteading Books

Hard-copy books to keep on the shelf and actually reference are oh-so important. Given the digital age that we’re living in, with artificial intelligence on the rise, a good book with pages to turn by hand can be trusted unlike computer-generated pseudo-information. These are our favorite books to help inspire and educate the homesteader on any number of topics.

Books on gardening

• Grocery Row Gardening, by David the Good
• All New Square Foot Gardening, by Mel Bartholomew
• Plant Partners, Jessica Walliser and Jeff Gillman PhD
• Seed to Seed, Suzanne Ashworth
• The Tiny But Mighty Farm, Jill Ragan
• Medicinal Herbs, Rosemary Gladstar
• Grow a Little Fruit Tree, by Ann Ralph
• Compost Everything, David the Good
• The Essential Kitchen Gardener, Frieda Arkin and Constance Arkin Del Nero

Books for the Homesteader’s Kitchen

• Everything Worth Preserving, by Melissa K. Norris
• The Home Creamery, by Kathy Farrell-Kingsley
• The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving, by Judi Kingry , Lauren Devine , et al.
• The Prairie Homestead Cookbook, by Jill Winger

Books for General Homesteading

• The First Time Homesteader, by Jessica Sowards
• The Encyclopedia of Country Living, by Carla Emory
• Back to Basics: The Complete Guide to Traditional Skills, by Abigail Gehring
• Mushrooming Without Fear, by Alexander Schwab
• The Natural Soapmaking  Book for Beginners, by Kelly Cable
• You Can Farm, by Joel Salatin

Books About Livestock

• Keeping Healthy Livestock, by N. Bruce Haynes D.V.M.
• Beekeeping for Dummies, by Howland Blackiston
• Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep, by Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius
• Keeping a Family Cow, by Joann S. Grohman
• Let’s All Keep Chickens,  by Dalia Monterroso
• Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats, by Jerry Belanger and Sara Thomson

Homestead Kitchen Gifts

The homesteading family will likely spend as much time in the kitchen as anywhere else. Food comes in to be preserved and prepared by the hands that grew it. Here are some great homestead gift ideas to help make kitchen life easier for the modern homesteader.

Instant pot: It makes perfectly cooked sweet potatoes, eggs, rice, chicken breast, and more. It’s my favorite for small batches of bone broth, and the yogurt setting consistently incubates perfect yogurt. It works as a slow cooker, and an electric pot too.

Sourdough bread starter (and proofing baskets, dough cutter, etc): The simplicity of home baked goodness is an easy way to ignite the homestead spirit.

Wooden spoons: There are never enough.

Heavy bottomed stainless steel pots: Use them for stocks and soups and making all the cheeses.

Cheese making kit: A cheese press, some rennet, and live cultures will get your aspiring cheesemaker started.

Cast iron pans in: Every homestead cook needs these in a few different sizes.

Dutch oven: Perfect for that sourdough bread, but also the perfect roast or a pot of chili. The dutch oven is a versatile tool to keep in the kitchen.

Kitchenaid mixer: Don’t forget the attachments. They have everything from ice cream churns to pasta makers. This can seriously function like a multitool in the kitchen.

Grain mill: The Nutrimill or Wondermill would be my top recommendations for freshly grinding grains for baking.

Salad spinner: You’re growing all of that lettuce in your backyard garden, but there’s nothing worse than serving wet lettuce. After washing, give it a quick spin for the perfect salad.

Bread pans: I have cast iron bread pans on my wish list this year.

Immersion blender: From scratch cooking often calls for blending. Mayonnaise and soups get the most use around here with our immersion blender. Get a second one to dedicate to making your own soaps at home too.

Butchering knives: My favorite are professional grade Victorinox knives. They last forever and sharpen easily.

Crockpot: It’s so nice at the end of a long day working on the homestead to have dinner ready.

Cheese cloth: Strain cheeses, yogurt, tinctures, teas, and so much more.

Meat thermometer / candy thermometer: The right temp matters for dairy and meats.

Apron: Make apparel last by protecting it with an apron. Shop local for this one if you can.

Butter paddles: Drying homemade butter is so much easier when you have butter paddles.

Cheese baskets: Great for making soft cheeses like feta or cottage cheese.

Deli meat slicer: This practical tool is a gamechanger for your homestead. You’re growing all the meat, now you can slice it thin for sandwiches.

Pasta maker: Who wouldn’t want fresh homemade pasta?

Food mill: This is used for easily removing seeds, skins, and stems from tomatoes, berries, and fruits for preserving.

Digital scale: Making bread, soap, ferments, cheeses, and more, the scale will see lots of use in the homestead kitchen.

Ninja blender and food processor combo: The Auto IQ edition is my favorite way to process cream into butter.

Mortar and pestle set: There’s no better way to grind up your home grown herbs.

Kombucha brewing kit: All you really need is a SCOBY and some regular sweetened black tea. Add a vessel to make it a gift set. I like to use a 2 gallon cookie jar.

Craft beer brewing kits: This is a favorite with some of the guys we know.

Home wine making kit: This is an easy hobby to get involved with too.

Countertop roaster: This is an essential tool for cooking down large amounts of the harvest before preserving or cooking large batches.

I promise these homestead gift ideas for the kitchen are worth having. I’m not one to keep unnecessary kitchen appliances and gadgets, but most of these are some personal favorites.

Homestead Gift Ideas for Food Preservation

More than kitchen tools, food preservation is a huge part of what homesteading is. Help your favorite homesteader find the right tool for each facet of preserving the harvest.

Food Dehydrator: You can get an inexpensive dehydrator for the first time food dryer or level up and gift a nicer version.

Water Bath Canner: This is an entry-level way into learning how to preserve food for shelf stability. Don’t forget the Ball canning book mentioned earlier.

Pressure Canner: Add this to your favorite homesteader’s arsenal.

Canning Kit: This box kit from Ball helps the new canning homesteader start off on the right road.

Mason Jars and Lids: This is another thing that we homesteaders can never have enough of.

Reusable Canning Lids: Tattler Lids are made to use over and over again.

Vacuum Sealer: Make sure you get the extra rolls of plastic too.

Chest freezer: This is a bigger ticket item, but it’ll be much appreciated by any homesteader.

Freeze Dryer: This is the most expensive of the homestead gift ideas on the list. Perhaps this is a couple’s gift that you purchase for yourselves.

Steam Juicer: This stove stop appliance helps you make your own fruit juices at home.

Meat grinder: This one is essential for processing meats into grind on the homestead.

Jerky gun: Making your own jerky allows you to season as you like.

Fermentation kit: Fermented foods are not only good for you, but they’re a great way to preserve food on the homestead too.

For the Homesteader’s Home

Lamplight oil lamps: Nothing says “old fashioned” like oil lamps.

Solar panels: for the future off-grid homesteader

Quart jars: (there are never enough) Used in far more areas than the kitchen. We use them for pantry storage, bathroom toiletry storage, crafts and sewing, and even in the homestead shop.

Smoker: Smoking meats is a helpful homestead skill.

Grill: Outdoor cooking is a big part of our summers. The grill helps.

Bug zapper: From good ol’ fashioned family fun on the porch to pest control in the garden, a bug zapper is wonderful.

Boot scraper: Nobody needs muddy or manure boots in the house.

Personalized homestead sign: What a cherished gift to receive for the home.

Wrought iron dinner bell triangle: This is a charming porch addition that everyone will love.

Homestead Gift Ideas For the Gardener

Gardening seems to be a consumable facet of the homestead. It’s where so much gets worn out and used up, frequently needing to be replaced.

Each season, I seem to go through these items that I eternally keep on my wish list. They are the things that I know I’m going to have to buy each growing season anyway.

Seeds: Order their favorite seeds from their favorite seed company, or purchase a gift certificate if you’re unsure on what to get.

Water hoses: We seem to replace at least one every year.

O-rings for the water hose: Maybe this one is just to add to the stocking.

Spray nozzles: I like the kind with multifunctions so I can mist seedlings and shower big plants.

Organic pest control: We have a pretty fantastic short list of our favorites.

Compost: Another big-ticket item, we need compost every year. I actually asked my husband for compost one year.

Gloves: New gloves seem to inspire me to get out and work with a joyful heart.

Plant markers: Where do they even go?

Now, these are the fun homestead gift ideas that would make any gardener giddy with appreciation.

Roo apron: This is such a fun way to gather the harvest without toting around buckets and baskets.

Spade: The right shovel sure makes a difference in the garden.

Pruners: A quality pair of snippers is essential in the garden. Precision snips are good too.

Cart: Make lugging loads around easier for your favorite gardener.

Raised bed garden: A prefabricated raised garden bed is the perfect gift for the new gardener.

Broadfork: Lightly loosen the top soil without fully tilling.

Cold frame: Help your homesteader get a jump start on Spring sowing.

Greenhouse kit: Even a small shelving unit style greenhouse works well in warmer climates.

Compost tumbler: The very best way to feed your soil is with compost. Make your own with a tumbler.

Weed fabric: Artificial ground cover to suppress weeds is super helpful in large gardens.

Clyde’s Garden Planner: This sliding scale makes garden planning super simple.

1020 trays: Don’t buy cheap. Spend a little extra money and buy a durable tray for your gardener.

Soil pots: A variety of sizes for different plants are nice.

Soil block maker: Skip the plastic pots altogether with a soil block maker. Make sure you get those 1020 trays to go with it though.

Seeding Square: This is a guide to help your gardener friend perfectly space directly sown seeds every time.

Potter’s bench: A lovely place to pot up future transplants or start seeds.

Soil test kit: Knowing how to amend one’s soil is so important.

Hori hori knife: This garden tool is so helpful. It has a blade side, a serrated side for cutting roots, it’s shaped like a shovel, and it has ruler markings to measure depth or distance. This is one of my favorite homestead gift ideas.

Scuffle hoe: Also known as a stirrup hoe or a hula hoe, this tool makes weeding light work.

Mason bee house: Throw in some pollinator seed packs and put a bow on it.

Tomato cages: We use these for everything except tomatoes. Support pepper and zucchini plants with vertical trellising.

Greenstalk growing tower: This space saver makes growing vertically easy.

Grow bags: Is your favorite gardening homesteader out of garden space? These grow bags easily tuck into nooks and crannies for adding growing space.

Microgreens kit: We have all the information needed to get started with microgreens.

Gathering baskets: There are never enough of these.

Wheel hoe: For the in-ground gardener.

Kitchen compost bin: Everybody can compost out of their kitchen scraps.

Worm bin start up kit: Vermicompost is a great way to turn trash into treasure for the gardener.

Additionally:

Fruit trees: Be sure to check which zone the trees are appropriate for.

Plants: Receiving plants is always a hit.

Homestead Gift Ideas For Those With Livestock

You should be able to find plenty of fun homestead gift ideas from this list, no matter what kind of livestock your homesteading family member is currently into.

Chicken coop : I cannot say enough good things about this easy-to-assemble coop. Jenny and I both have one and we each built them ourselves in a couple of hours.

Incubator: Your chicken enthusiast will absolutely love hatching his own eggs.

Rabbit nesting boxes: Getting rabbits? Make sure that you get all the accessories too.

Hoof trimmers for goats and sheep: Hoof maintenance is a must.

Shearing tools: I’m sure the homesteader who is new to fiber animals will love receiving this.

A new halter for her favorite milk cow or goat: It sounds too simple, but sometimes the best gifts are basic but loved.

Milking pail and other milking equipment: jars, funnels, strainers, buckets, clothes…

Beekeeping equipment: hives, feeders, frames, protective clothing, smoker…

Chicken plucker: This one remains one of my all time favorite Christmas gifts.

Turkey fryer: Wwe never fry turkeys in it, but we use it for all sorts of things on the homestead, particularly scalding meat chickens before plucking.

Egg basket: A cute, proper basket for gathering eggs will be loved.

Chick brooder: A nice little set up with a heat light, waterer, feeder is necessary for raising chicks.

Heat lamps: Keep the barn warm for your babies.

Milking machine: Set up your milk maid for success with her dairy animal with a good machine. Delaval, Melasty, or Surge would be the top recommended brands.

Nesting boxes: for the chicken lover

Auto water trough float: Save time with float valves.

Auto open coop door: This allows the chickens out at first light, and forgives the homesteader for forgetting to lock their door at night.

Feeders: troughs, pans, bowls, hanging buckets…

Custom egg stamp: What a cute idea to have your own logo stamped on your eggs.

Egg gathering apron: I had a sweet egg buyer bring me this thoughtful gift, and I absolutely love it.

Stock tank deicer: Cold climates need this in winters.

First aid vet supplies: Build a small farm kit that includes: Vetricyn, vet wrap, syringes and needles, colloidal silver, suture kit, blood stop, iodine, exam gloves, bovine sleeves, lubricant, blue kote, saline wash, and liniment.

Homestead Gift Ideas to Pamper 

Who doesn’t love to be pampered? Even the men in our home can use a good salve for their dry hands.  Check out these great homestead gift ideas to help soothe the long days on the homestead away.

Herbal teas and a tea ball: Growing your own herbs? Wrap them up and gift them with a tea ball.

Hand thrown pottery: A cup of hot tea just feels better in your hands when it’s in a beautiful piece of pottery.

Goat milk soaps and lotions: Bridge Acres Farm has some of the best soaps and lotions we’ve ever used.

Gift certificate to a professional massage: Reward the hard working homesteader with a professional massage.

Balms and salves: Cracked skin, achy muscles, and sunburn can all be soothed through different salves.

Beeswax candles: Create a warm ambience with rolled candles.

Homemade bath scrubs and bubble bath: Add some magnesium and essential oils for achy muscles.

Homesteader’s Apparel

Wearing the appropriate attire on the small farm helps make daily homestead life easier. Check out these homestead gift ideas that he/she can wear.

Overalls: All the pockets…

Boots: An absolute must to keep homestead feet dry and protected.

Gloves: Protect hands from splinters and cuts.

Sun hat: A light weight, wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off of his neck and face.

Frog skinz: They keep the homesteader cool in hot weather.

Long johns: Thermal underwear keeps the homesteader warm in cold weather.

Gifts for Those With Wood Stoves

Wood stoves are wildly popular amongst fellow homesteaders. These are our favorite homestead gift ideas to help that wood heat run more efficiently in the home.

Heat powered stove fan: The heat off the stove generates the motion needed to blow the warmth out into the home.

Axe: If not an axe, then a new axe head, or handle.

Axe sharpening file: Help him keep his current tools sharp to last a long time.

Leather gloves: Chopping wood and carrying logs is hard on the hands.

Cast iron kettle: Help humidify their space by keeping a pot of water on top of the wood stove.

Splitting wedge: A wedge makes chopping wood and kindling an easier job.

Fireplace shovel and poker set: This helps manage and clean up the fire contents.

Log carrier: This is particularly nice for awkwardly shaped logs.

Gifts for the Homestead Workshop

The homestead always needs something to be built, repaired, or improved upon. Help out the homestead this holiday season with these practical homestead gift ideas.

Work gloves: Protect those hands.

Hand tools: Everyone has something they need in the workshop when it comes to hand tools.

Complete tool box with wrenches, screw drivers, hammers, etc.

Odds and ends that get daily use on the homestead like: buckets, duct tape, zip ties / cable ties, ratchet straps, rope, extension cords, carabiners and clips.

The Homestead Hunter or Huntress

Ammunition: A consumable to be replaced, make sure you get the caliber they need.

Compound bow: A high dollar item, but needed during the bow season.

Arrows: Several are needed for practice.

Field tips: Use these for practicing.

Broadheads: Send them out to the hunting field with the right tool to get the job done swiftly.

Targets: Practice, practice, practice…

Rifle: You can’t go wrong with a .22 mag.

Traps: Perhaps your hunting homesteader is after hides and furs.

Camouflage: Keep them unseen for the advantage over wildlife in the woods.

Tree stand: This is for hunting off the ground where the deer won’t see them.

Climber stand: A movable stand to be carried in, which takes a little practice to work, but nice to have.

Trail cameras: Help them find out where the trophies are with cameras.

SD Card Reader: This allows him to see what’s out there while out in the field.

General Homestead Gift Ideas

These are some of the extra fun homestead gift ideas that we couldn’t quite fit into a proper category. Nonetheless, they’ll most certainly be appreciated by your homesteading friend or family member.

Essential oils kit: Perfect gift idea for your crunchiest homestead mama.

Pocket knife: His or Hers, we all use our pocket knives daily.

Rain catchment system: Step up your homestead game with a way to secure water on the homestead.

Mushroom growing kit / log: This is the perfect time of year to get started on mushroom growing.

Headlamp: Hands free lighting is sometimes a must-have tool.

Wheelbarrow: How can a homestead function without one of these?

Gorilla cart: Even better than a wheelbarrow, the Gorilla brand cart saves the back. It’s durable and makes carrying the load so easy.

Thermacell: Mosquitos will avoid you while hanging out on the porch or working in the garden.

Re-chargeable spotlight: Be sure that your favorite homesteader is ready to head out at night with a good light.

Multitool: More than a pocket knife, more than a pair of pliers, the multi-tool functions as an all-in-one pocket tool.

Countertop water filtration system: Ensure your homesteading family members have clean water with a countertop filter.

Homestead Gift Ideas for Kids

Hand-crafts always make excellent Christmas gifts for children. Make sure that you gift something that is age appropriate, and don’t forget to cover safety if needed.

Whittling tools: Hand-carving is a skill that most kids love to learn. Check with mom and dad first though.

Wood burning kit: How fun is this? Let them create personalized items with wood burning.

Their own smaller gardening tools: Give them a small raised bed garden too. They’ll love having their own items during garden time.

Archery set: From inflatables and Nerf, to actual bows and arrows, archery is fun for all ages.

Sling shot: Teach them to aim for cans as they develop this skill.

Flower press kit: Not just flowers, pressing leaves on paper or fabric makes a beautiful art project.

Butterfly observation kit: Gift the kids the opportunity to watch the lifecycle of a monarch.

Walkie talkies: Opt for a rechargeable set to avoid constantly replacing batteries.

The Gift of Preparedness

The terms “homesteader” and “prepper” can sometimes become blurred, and the assumption is often that we are the same. The fact is that homesteaders are by default a prepared group people if they intend to be or not. These aren’t the beautiful gifts that you’d normally consider, but I promise, the prepping homesteader will absolutely love these ideas.

Long term food storage: There are several companies that sell kits of freeze dried and canned food. They even tell how many people can be served for how many days in each of their kits. Preppers will love this as a gift.

Mylar bags: for creating one’s own dry food storage

Oxygen absorbers: to help kill bugs

Gasoline cans: to help run generators

Generator: to create electricity

Solar oven: to cook without power

Water blob: This is a large bladder that fits in a standard sized bathtub and stores water.

Inverter: to create a little power for the short term

Flashlights: solar charged flashlights for the win

Batteries: in case you can’t find solar charged flashlights

Candles: Candles will store indefinitely.

Water proof matches: for those candles and to start fires

Life straws: These can be easily carried to purify water in life-threatening situations.

Bug out bags: Fill a backpack with the necessary items that one might need if she needs to leave quickly in an emergency. Life Straws, a snack, water bottle, pocket knife, tarp, rope, solar blanket, etc, are all good ideas to add.

Survival style heirloom seed bank: In the event that food can’t be purchased, a seed bank would be welcomed to start one’s survival garden.

Crafty Diy Gifts

Needle point: a handy project just for creating beautiful works of art

Sewing Machine: Perhaps sewing is becoming a lost skill. Encourage your homestead friends and family to relearn the lost art.

Crocheting or knitting materials: This is a great way to keep the hands busy during the slow winter time and a practical way to remain being a producer.

Candle making kit: This idea is especially good for your beekeeper friend.

Soap making supplies: When you make you own soaps, you can control what goes in them. Send them to our instructions on milk-based soaps when you gift this one.

Pottery making: Perhaps they’ll return the favor by gifting you a homemade piece of art.

Macrame kit: Give the something to create a space for their indoor plants too.

Edible Gifts

My favorite gifts to receive are those that are homemade from another homestead kitchen. These are some lovely homestead gift ideas that anyone can enjoy.

Jams and jellies: When these are made from your own fruits or berries, they’re sure to feel special receiving them. We make this Cowboy Candy from our homegrown peppers.

Pressed cheeses: Add homemade crackers to really impress them.

Homemade butter: Gift it with a loaf of sourdough bread.

Homemade candies and cookies: Receiving a plat with an assortment of goodies is the best.

Hot sauce or bbq sauce: Homemade sauces are easy to prepare in large batches, can them, and then gift them to several people.

A roll of chilled cookie dough: Take the work out of making Christmas cookies by giving them the premade dough. Add some new cookie cutters and a rolling pin.

Note: Be sure to check on the gift recipient’s possible food allergies first.

Handmade Gifts and Crafts 

If edible gifts aren’t your thing, consider these handmade gifts.

Crochet or knit a hat, shawl, or gloves: They will appreciate the love that goes into these, no doubt.

Homemade soaps: A gift basket with a different bars is a lovely gift for anyone.

Tallow balms: Create a moisturizing balm out of rendered tallow to soothe the skin.

Gift Cards

You can always send a gift card for their local farm store or favorite nursery. While gift cards seem impersonal, a shopping trip for something he/she wouldn’t normally spend money on is a great option. Homesteaders tend to be rather frugal that way.

We hope that we’ve given you plenty of homestead gift ideas for your loved ones to enjoy this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Donna and her family have been homesteading for most of their 20+  years together in some shape or fashion. She currently lives on their 20 acre farm where they grow as much food as possible. What started as a just a few laying hens, has grown into large gardens, pastured poultry, pork, and lamb. They are continuously evolving their small farm to not only suit their family’s needs, but also providing to their local community. Donna’s favorite part of the family farm is her self-built micro-dairy, where she gets to love on dairy cows while serving her local community. Milking, cheesemaking, and processing dairy have become the soul of their homestead and the center of their farm.