Gift Guide for the Farmer's Wife

A list of my favorite farm wife things…now this is a gift guide I can get behind! As hard as a guy/farmer is to buy for, I’m sure they would say we are even harder. I know I think of things all year I should ask for, then I blank when someone asks me what I want. This is why Tyler and Steve (my father in law) end up going into our local boutiques and asking them what I want (thank you Eliza & Katie at Bo & Co and Traci at Iron Place for always picking out things I love).

I put together a list of some of my favorite gifts I’ve gotten over the years as well as some of the things on my list this year.

My hands down favorite slippers are these from L.L.Bean. My aunt and uncle both started working at an L.L. Bean after they retired and they have spoiled me with some of the best gifts! My slippers are at least 5 years old and they look great, everything I’ve ever received from L.L. Bean is such great quality.

While on the topic of being cozy, I love my Ugg robe that my mom got me for my birthday a couple years ago. I know Barefoot Dreams robes are all the rage but I’ve had both and I prefer this one! My second favorite are these Pottery Barn robes my mom got my sisters and I - the faux fur is so beautiful, I’ve given these as gifts many times!

One of my most unexpected favorites has been my Pura diffuser. I bought this shortly after the girls were born and I can honestly say I have not lit a candle since! At the time, I was scared that in our newborn twin exhaustion haze I’d leave a candle burning, but I still use it everyday. I actually have schedules set on it so that one of the fragrances turns on during peak “chore time” aka during weekend nap time or in the morning/evening when I’d be cooking, doing dishes, or cleaning up. Unloading the dishwasher is slightly more pleasant when you get a whiff of your favorite scent turning on! The NEST and LAFCO scents are my favorites and I switch them out for the seasons.

I also added my most used kitchen item and one from my wish list :) Hands down the kitchen item I use the most is my Le Crueset dutch oven. It is not cheap, and is definitely more of an investment piece but if you are looking for THE gift, this is it. I have the 7 1/4 quart size. I won a contest at work a few years ago and got to pick from a very nice pool of prizes, which is how I got mine but it is worth every penny. I also have a less expensive version from Lodge that I use if I need a second pot, I can’t say it heats as quickly or as even but is still a great option (and made in East Tennessee!).

This All Clad slow cooker has been on my list for a couple years now. I have heard the best things about it and I love that you can brown/sear in it before you slow cook so you aren’t transferring pans. You can also use the crock on the stove. It’s also a 7 quart which is perfect for a larger boston butt type cut. I went to visit it at the Willams Sonoma outlet when we were in Florida, I may just have to bite the bullet and use any Christmas money this year to get it!

Next up is my two most used Scout bags. I love Scout bags because they are so easy to wipe down and come in the cutest patterns. I have a few different sizes but my favorites are the casserole carrier and their Deano tote. I have a couple casserole carriers and the Scout is much thicker and holds the heat (or cold) in much longer! The Deano we use as a snack bag for trips (twin toddlers require that many snacks) and I also use it when I’m taking food anywhere! I like that you can fit a full 13 x 9 (or casserole carrier) in the bottom then stack other items on top.

Another item on my wish list is the newest version of the Yeti roadie cooler. Tyler bought me the old version as part of my wedding present (I think he went into Iron Place and told Traci to order everything Yeti made in pink and put my new monogram on it, seriously the best gift!). However, mine had an unfortunate accident when it was used as a welding bench (bless him) and isn’t looking so great anymore. They also advertise that the newer version is tall enough for a bottle of wine to stand up in, which is excellent marketing and genius.

Last but not least is a new find, Carhartt leggings. I think I’m late to the Carhartt leggings party but I give them an A+ for sure! I was at Tractor Supply getting dog food and walked by them, I was tired of ruining my daily or workout leggings (yes we all have nice leggings and workout leggings and then work leggings…leggings are pants and if you are denying it you are lying!). These are thick, and high waisted, and have pockets for your phone so they were perfect to get covered in clay dust down at the sheds!

Hopefully this gives you some ideas for the ladies in your life, or for yourself!