Some years I know the perfect gifts for everyone on my list, and some years it just seems soooo difficult to find something that every single person would absolutely love. The last couple of years haven’t been too hard because all my friends and family got chickens and started “homesteading” which led to perfect gift ideas!
I put “homesteading” in quotation marks, because I think it means something different to everyone. I don’t typically consider myself a homesteader, but every time I describe what we’re doing with our property and how we’re trying to be self-sufficient and give back to the planet, I get asked about our “homestead.”
Soooo…I googled it , and turns out, we’re basically homesteaders without chickens, which is really what I thought made you like a legit homesteader.
Modern homesteading refers to a self-sufficient lifestyle—living autonomously, with minimum help from others. In a nutshell, it includes subsistence agriculture, renewable energy sources when possible, home preservation of food, zero-waste living…
Home BioGas

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Naturally, I want to share the perfect gift ideas for those in your life who have the same passion for self-sufficiency and sustainability, or maybe even a couple practical tools you might need on your sustainability journey. I normally start my gift-giving research with an Etsy search to find some unique and personalized ideas, but I’m all about saving you the research time and sharing some amazing gift ideas for every homesteader in your life (yourself included!).
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Christmas Gifts for Homesteaders
I know firsthand the importance of having the right tools and resources to maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle. And when you’re starting from nothing, you might need a couple tools to help you out! Homesteading gifts are unique in that they are not only thoughtful, but are also practical. I’m sure they will quickly become a personal favorite of your gift receipient.
Homesteaders often have a deep connection to their land and animals, and they take pride in the work they do. Working with your hands actually creates that sense of pride; it’s pretty amazing. Anywho, giving a gift that supports and enhances their self-sufficient endeavors can show that you understand and appreciate their way of life. And it’s a small way of supporting their new adventure.

Homesteading gifts can range from practical tools and equipment to aprons and bowl covers to books and educational resources. They can also be tailored or personalized to fit the specific needs and interests of the homesteader. Personalized chicken coop signs, or a special embroidered apron…this is definitely giving me gift ideas for some members of my family this year.
My favorite types of gifts to give are those that have a lasting impact and get used a LOT; gifts for the homestead check all those boxes for me. They can help homesteaders save time, increase efficiency, and even improve the quality of their harvests. Plus, receiving a gift that aligns with their values and passions can be a source of inspiration and motivation.
Overall, homesteading gifts matter because they show your genuine interest in and support for your friends and family who are homesteaders, or those that maybe have just started to dip their toes in the water.
Practical Homesteading Gift Ideas
Having the right tools and equipment to get all the homestead chores done is absolutely essential. And even if it’s not necessarily a need, some modern products do save us some time compared to the “olden” days when everything was done by hand. Here are some practical gift ideas that any homesteader would appreciate:
Garden Gift Guide
Gardening is a big part of building a homestead, and while you don’t need to have a lot of different tools, some of them can be lifesavers.
- Garden Gloves: A good pair of garden gloves will protect your hands while you work in the garden. Somehow I always forget mine (or, more likely, they’ve been misplaced and I can’t find them), and I end up with micro-cuts all over my hands and soil caked under my fingernails. And, try as I might, it’s like nearly impossible to remove all of that soil. Look for ones made from durable materials. Bonus points if they are handmade; I love all the personalized garden gloves on Etsy.
- Hand Trowel and Cultivator Set: A good quality hand trowel and cultivator set is essential for any gardener. Look for ones with ergonomic handles for added comfort.
- Long-handed Dibber: If you’re buying for someone with a slightly larger garden, consider making or buying them a long-handed dibber. A dibber is a wooden tool that makes your planting holes to the correct depth. Ours is honestly the wooden handle of some shovel or something that has been rounded with use. We especially use it to plant our garlic in the fall; the Boyfriend makes the holes with our homemade dibber and I follow behind and plop cloves into his holes.

- Pruning Shears: Pruning shears are essential for maintaining healthy plants, and I maintain you can NEVER have too many. We use ours all the time, and often misplace them too—so it’s always good to have a backup set, or two. Look for ones with sharp blades and comfortable handles. Standard pruners will do a perfectly fine job for harvesting and pruning herbs, but the thicker pruning shears are needed for the thicker stemmed plants like butternut squash stems, or roses.
- Garden Kneeler: A garden kneeler is a great gift for any gardener who spends a lot of time on their knees. Look for ones with thick padding and sturdy frames. I’ve looked at several, like this one, but might try making one this winter to save our knees (and backs) next spring.
Equipment for the Homestead Kitchen
Food preservation is really the most important part of building self-sufficiency and having the right equipment can make the process SO. MUCH. EASIER. Here are some preservation equipment gift ideas:
- Heavy Stainless Steel Stock Pot: This was one of our first purchases when we created our first no-dig garden (our first success). I wanted a pot that would last forever and hold as many tomatoes at possible to make full batches of sauce, paste, and salsa. It’s absolutely perfect and we use it for so many other things like making large batches of stock, soup, or even seitan.
- Canning Kit: A canning kit is essential for anyone who wants to preserve their own food; this is the exact one we bought and have used for the last several years. Look for ones with all the necessary tools. The ones we use most (from our kit) funnel, the jar wrench, and the jar lifter (holy shit has that saved the nerve endings in our fingers!). Our water bath canner and jar rack are hand-me-downs from my mom when she moved, but it would also be a useful gift every homestead needs to have.

- Dehydrator: A dehydrator is a great gift for anyone who wants to preserve food without using a lot of energy. Our current dehydrator runs for days to dehydrate strawberries and peppers for us, and it adds nothing significant to our energy usage, especially during the sun-abundant months when we are producing more than we can use with our solar panels. Look for ones with multiple trays and adjustable temperature settings. We have a basic multi-tray dehydrator that was a hand-me-down from the Boyfriend’s family right now. And it works, just not at the capacity we want/need it to. We’re thinking of our next presents to ourselves will be a freeze dryer.
- Fermentation Kit: A fermentation kit is a great gift for anyone who wants to make their own sauerkraut, kimchi, or other fermented foods. Look for ones with airlocks, fermentation weights, and glass jars. We haven’t started fermenting anything yet; we always run out of time during the harvest season, but it is on the list of things to learn.
Sourdough Starter
So, let me tell you about this little thing called sourdough starter. It’s basically an alive, bubbling little mixture of flour and water that you store in a mason jar and can use to make the most kickass bread. Sourdough bread really is the shit. And the best part is, you can totally make it yourself and give it as a beautiful homemade gift to your friends. You’d be giving them the gift of never having to buy bread again. All you need is some flour, water, and a little bit of patience, and you can have your very own starter brewing away in no time.

Plus, it’s like a little science experiment that you get to keep alive and feed every day. And once you have your starter going, you can use it to make all sorts of amazing breads, pancakes, and waffles. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving, and who doesn’t love that? So gift yourself a sourdough starter and then share it with every homesteader in your life. I promise, you can’t go wrong.
Homesteading Books
I have found that reading books about homesteading, permaculture, nature, and self-sufficiency has been a great way to learn about new skills and techniques. And then putting them into practice is half the fun of running our little “homestead.” Here are some of my favorite homestead-inspired book recommendations that make great holiday gifts.
Guides for Beginners
If you are new to homesteading, there are many great books that can help you get started. One of my favorites is “The Backyard Homestead” by Carleen Madigan. This book provides a comprehensive guide to growing your own food, raising animals, and living a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Another great book for beginners is “The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It” by John Seymour. This book covers everything from growing your own vegetables to making your own soap and cheese. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Advanced Techniques
If you are looking to take your skills to the next level, or to give the gift of “next level,” there are many great books that can help with advanced techniques. One of my favorites is “The New Organic Grower” by Eliot Coleman. This book provides a detailed guide to organic farming techniques, including crop rotation, composting, and pest control.
Another great book for advanced homesteaders is “The Encyclopedia of Country Living” by Carla Emery. This book covers everything from raising livestock to making your own clothes and furniture. It’s a comprehensive guide to living a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Recent “Homestead” Books for Every Homesteader
Again, I’m super new to realizing we homestead on our little plot of land, but some of my favorite books that I’ve read this past year about nature and building a self-sufficient property are:
- The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden by Roy Diblik
- Finding the Mother Tree (LOOVED THIS ONE) by Suzanne Simard
- Nature’s Best Hope by Douglas Tallamy
- Bringing Nature Home by Rick Darke and Douglas Tallamy
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (this is my current read and probably my FAVORITE on this list)

Handmade Homestead Gift Ideas
I’m always looking for amazing gifts that are super unique and personalized. Sometimes that includes homemade items that become the most cherished gifts. I love receiving handmade gifts that show thoughtfulness and creativity. Here are some do-it-yourself homesteading gift ideas that you can make at home:
Handmade Gifts of Soaps (or Sugar Scrubs, or Candles)
One of the simplest and most satisfying DIY gifts to make is homemade soap. Making soap at home is easy and inexpensive, and you can customize the scents and ingredients to suit your recipient’s preferences. All you need is some lye, oils, and natural fragrances, and you can create a variety of beautiful and fragrant soaps.
To get started, you can find plenty of soap-making tutorials online, or you can invest in a soap-making kit that includes all the necessary ingredients and instructions. You can also experiment with different molds, colors, and textures to create unique and beautiful soaps that your loved ones will cherish.

My sister has started making soaps and candles and I’m in-love with all the creative things she does…like Hogwarts castle shaped soap and candles made in recycled/thrift store items. I don’t have time to make my own soap, but it’s definitely an excellent gift to receive.
Knitted Items
Another great DIY gift for the homesteader in your life is to knit or crochet something special. Both knitting and crocheting are relaxing and rewarding hobbies that can produce a variety of cozy and practical items, such as scarves, hats, gloves, and blankets.
If you’re new to either, there are plenty of beginner-friendly patterns and tutorials available online, or you can take a knitting or crochet class at your local craft store. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with different yarns, colors, and stitches to create one-of-a-kind gifts that your loved ones will treasure.
I’m currently in my third year of working on a crocheted “forever” blanket…basically meaning I will just keep crocheting this blanket forever, no matter how big it gets (it’s currently about king-sized). BUUT I did find a crochet pattern for super effing cute chickens and I’m so excited to start a chicken coop full to gift to all my homesteading friends.
Gifts for the Eco-Conscious Homesteader
Knowing the definition of a homesteader, I think a lot of them share the same sustainability and earth-conscious values, maybe without even knowing it. Here are some gift ideas for homesteaders who maybe don’t know they are homesteaders (like me!). 🤣
Compost Bins
Composting is an essential around the homestead. It is fantastic, nutrient-rich soil for every homestead to plant their seedlings or garden transplants into. And it helps reduce waste, while feeding the soil and the plants. A good compost bin is a must-have for any homesteader, and there are many options available to suit different needs and budgets.
For those with limited space, a compact compost tumbler is an excellent choice. It works fast, keeps critters out, and is perfect for an urban homestead, or even those just starting out and willing to dive into anything. If you have more space, a larger compost bin will allow you to compost more material, producing your all-natural garden fertilizer faster.
We have a countertop compost bin that allows us to throw our veggie scraps into a closed container and empty at the end of the day. I honestly can’t live without our countertop bin, but before we bought it, a Tupperware container with a locking lid essentially works the same…it just doesn’t hold as many kitchen scraps.

In addition to our large DIY garden compost piles (that are getting upgraded this SPRING!!!), we also have a compost tumbler off our back porch. Our tumbler saves us from having to walk all the way over to the garden to deposit our garden scraps at the end of the day, but it has its downsides…mainly that we fill it up too quickly before anything can get broken down. So, it becomes really hard to get the compost out, and because we (incorrectly) stuff it so full, the contents do not rotate when we tumble. But those are all user-errors.
Solar Powered Tools
Great tools can make great gifts; however, traditional tools can be energy-intensive, expensive to run (if they utilize diesel or gasoline), and contribute to our carbon footprint. Solar-powered tools are a great alternative, as they use renewable energy and are often more efficient than their traditional counterparts. I would even go as far as to say electric tools are also quite useful as a homesteader gift. I mean, even non-homesteaders would appreciate any of the Dewalt battery operated tools; I personally believe they make one of the best gifts you can give anyone, not just the self-reliant on your list.
Honestly, we use our Dewalt battery operated drills, reciprocating saw, and weed eater ALL the time.
Anywho a solar-powered backpack like is perfect for the on-the-go homesteader. It allows you to charge your devices while you’re out and about and is a great way to reduce reliance on grid power. Solar-powered motion sensor lights and water pumps are also great options for those looking to reduce their energy consumption. We are looking to add an additional water pump for our rainwater collection system next year and I’m excited to find a solar powered one; it’s so incredibly difficult to constantly make sure our current pump is plugged in and I am forever tripping over the extension cord that runs from the garage.
Final Thoughts on the Best Gifts for Homesteaders
In conclusion, the best gifts for homesteaders are those that truly enhance their self-sufficient lifestyle. Practical items such as quality tools, durable work gloves, and reliable kitchen equipment are always appreciated. Ultimately, the best gifts for homesteaders are those that reflect an understanding and appreciation for their way of life, whether it’s through aiding in their everyday tasks, promoting sustainability, or celebrating their dedication to homesteading. Wrapping your gift sustainably with wrappings like furoshiki can also help reduce your waste this holiday season. By giving thoughtful and practical gifts, you can show your support for the homesteader in your life and contribute to the continued success of their homesteading journey.
