Holiday Gift Guide 2023!

Sometimes finding the perfect gift can be challenging. I find it helpful to see a list, ideas that others have to offer, so I thought I would share some of my favorite finds for the upcoming holiday season in this gift guide.

Add a little sparkle to the holidays!

Who doesn’t like a little bling at the holidays and year-round? I’m known to be a bit of a jewelry hound. So, I was so excited to receive my Starlust Zodiac jewelry. They sent me my uniquely created Scorpio/Cancer sterling silver necklace to review. I love that they allow you to combine together, both me and my husbands, astrological sign to create a unique symbol of our love. 

Their story resonated with me because I love nature, and the way they connect the sky’s stars story to something we can wear everyday! Here is their story. “Starlust jewelry was created in the Green Mountain State of Vermont, where stargazing is an old tradition among its residents. Alongside it’s many lakes, rivers and valleys, folks spend countless hours staring into the great vastness of the night sky. The emotional state of Starlust is being awestruck by the universe’s vastness and our humble little place in it. It’s these connections to the universe and the loved ones that we share it with that are at the core of what Starlust represents.”

What combination do you want for the holidays?

Organizational tools

Whether hitting the road for the holidays, or a winter trip, it is important to feel safe while traveling. What better way to ensure your loved ones are protected from harm than with the gift of Keep Going First Aid Kit? Especially designed for families, I received this wonderful very complete kit to review, and I was impressed with all the items included! Created by the Peppers family, they share, “Our mission is to bring you beautifully designed, high-quality First Aid products that help you be prepared, take care of your family and KEEP>GOING -keep having fun!- on your everyday adventures.”

Besides supporting a family-owned business, the kit is refillable, and you can order refillable bundles right on their website! A very thoughtful and helpful gift to keep you organized in the event of anything that may happen while on the go!

Sometimes it is all about finding tools to help you be organized and making life easier.

What stocking stuffer could be better than a Cord Brick to keep cords in place. How many times have you rolled over searching for the phone cord by the bed. For me the answer is “Too many”. I was sent this wonderful device. Besides being a useful product, I also learned that a portion of their profits go to USA non-profits to construct housing for substance abuse recovery and treatment programs. Buying this helps you and others, a wonderful holiday concept!

Books!

I read every night before bed and for leisure as well as taking a book with me when I am on the road. Rick Shaw’s latest book, Can’t Go Home is a page turner. A sequel to his popular first novel New Perspectives follows the journey of his hero Rick and heroine Amanda. In the first book, Rick, a scuba diver discovers an interdimensional Portal leading to a world similar to his own, but less advanced.

Things move a little slower there, and Rick meets the stunning Amanda, and they fall in love. Making a new life on the “other side” things begin to unravel back home and Rick and Amanda return to violence, confusion, and intrigue which will keep you turning the pages to see the outcome. Rick Shaw leaves things with a need for book 3 to finish this continuing saga. The only question is, how soon will it be available. Anyone that likes romance, suspense, and sci-fi will enjoy this book. I recommend starting with New Perspectives although this book will stand on its own. Check out Honor House Books on Rick’s Page information about the author. Can’t Go Home is available on Amazon! Rick also has copies available. You can read Rick’s stories about antique tractors and other fun tales on his blog at Antique Iron Media.

Dishes for the Holiday!

Looking for some colorful dishes to highlight your holiday? Look no further than the Boho Chic Jasmin plates by Vancasso. They sent me four of these beautiful plates for review. I am thrilled, they match up with my bright colored dishes and I will use them primarily as serving dishes to coordinate my table!

They are well made, colorful, and fun.

Libations!

While the Vancasso dishes are great for every day, or special occasions they add an oompah to the place setting. They worked well with the cheese, cracker and summer sausage combo used with a taste test for three distinctive Savage & Cooke whiskeys that were sent for review. A group of ten of us sampled them and decided that if you are looking for a smooth drink to add to your holiday celebrations, you might want to consider the Rye Whiskey which begins with grains all grown within 50 miles of the Mare Island, California distillery, and aged in a White American Oak barrel. Or perhaps you would like the Bourbon Whiskey.

Our bottle was one of five batches blended prior to barreling. Aged first in White American Oak barrels, then moved to Dave Phinney’s Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, it matured nicely. The last choice we reviewed was the American Whiskey where each barrel was hand selected. Like the Bourbon Whiskey, after being in the White Oak barrels, the whiskey was aged in Dave Phinney’s Zinfandel barrels.

Our assessment was the Bourbon Whiskey was the hands down favorite. “It is smooth and has a good aroma,” said one of my friends. The American Whiskey was the 2nd favorite. “It warms you and there is no burn,” said another. The Rye Whiskey was thought to have a cinnamon and caramel taste that added to its pleasant aroma. I tried the bourbon whiskey as a hot toddy and loved it. All three drinks were deemed smooth and a great holiday choice!

Protecting your skin

During the frigid winter weather, it is important to protect the skin, and the hands really take a beating. This is especially true for my farmer husband. Working out in the shop and on equipment, his skin gets torn up year-round, but especially in the winter. He and I both have liked the healing powers of Gloves in a Bottle, a shielding lotion sent to me to review. They sent three great products, the Gloves in a Bottle travel lotion, Gloves in a Bottle with SPF, and Skin MD. This lotion used a lot by healthcare professionals makes a great stocking stuffer for loved ones, and I like how soft my hands feel after use!

Another great product I received to review is TreeFrog pain relief. This product originated in Cosat Rica using plant-based products. I found this natural product a great balm to my knee pain which aches from exercise etc. A great addition to the stocking or a gift for a loved one seeking ease from aches and pains!

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It’s all about the bag!

Sometimes, it is all about the perfect bag for the activity! Xplorer offers an amazing tote bag that is durable as well as a piece of art! They sent me their Canvas Tote Bag with Handles, Cloth Grocery Shopping Bag. Mine is The World with a picture by artist Chris Robitaille. The bag is Reusable & Eco-friendly Bag, 100% Cotton, Washable, 18″ wide x 15″ tall. It sells for around $20.00. I love the bright color making a needed bag pretty as well as useable!

For heading out into the field, or a concert or event where you only need keys, phone and cash, the convenient Access Sling from  Nomatic is wonderful. They sent me this, and I used this when I went to a corn picking day. Working on an article out in the field, I had hands free, and everything I needed with me. The material is easy to wipe off, looks good, and gives a new look to yesterday’s fanny pack! This sells for around $69.00.

When looking for a bigger bag, I loved reviewing the amazing COR Surf Travel backpack. Approved as a laptop carryon for flights I recently used this when I went to a Pickleball lesson. My change of clothes and racket and ball fit into different sections and worked perfectly. Now, I am looking forward to taking this to tractor shows and writing events with my backpack my iPad Notes and more! I love all the pockets that can hold overnight needs, or all my writing paraphernalia! This sells for about $42.00.

Everyday purse.

For everyday purse needs, I have nothing but good things to say about my new Arden Cove’s Essential cross body bag! Water and weather resistant I tried it out to go to my granddaughter’s basket ballgame, and I have been using it ever since. It is the perfect size for wallet, phone, and a few essentials. The nylon material makes this easy to keep clean and looking good! This sells for $99.00. I’ve really liked the combination of the Nomatic sling to switch into when heading to outdoor events, then changing back to this durable cross body bag for everyday use.

Travel Essentials

Perfume that travels is a nice amenity. Have you ever had your perfume spay all over your bag? I have, so this roll on Broken Top Brands Seas Salt perfume I received to review is perfect. Shake and apply to wrists and throat. Its jasmine scent is light. It has a subtle scent in a compact and portable, small bottle that will fit perfectly in a purse etc. Perfume sells for $26.00. I think I would like to try he soap as well!

Jewelry and Books!

I’m a jewelry hound and buy jewelry on my travels. Antique and unusual jewelry makes for a wonderful, distinctive and one-of-a-kind gift. Antique shops and flea markets like the 3rd Sunday event in Bloomington offered up this lovely necklace that my husband got for me for my birthday. Check your local shops and see what they have to offer.

Along with jewelry, I also need a book when on the road. Recently, I was sent The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre, a fun read. The heroine’s life is broken up into three different sections before, during and after WWII. Set in Paris, the story unfolds and keeps your interest. Written by Natasha Lester, I enjoyed this book that would make a nice gift for anyone that likes history, fashion and romance.

I’m also excited to announce, that the first of December, my new eBook, Agricultural Treasures Guidebook will be available on my website to download, or print!

This guidebook offers locations of some of the country’s agricultural treasures, focusing primarily on the Midwest.  If you love to learn about farming and the farming past, you will enjoy the chance to stop at these amazing locations that I have had the privilege of visiting over the years. As farming changes from small farms to large commercial operations, smaller equipment and the companies that once flourished in many cases have ceased to exist, and some of these locations offer insight into the different ages, and types of agricultural development.

The architecture of some of the agricultural stops is often amazing as well. In this book you will find museums, mansions, windmills, barns, and other sites related to agriculture.  Along with the featured agricultural treasure, I am including nearby things to see and do!

Travel and Experiences

For my husband, I am getting him a trip to Perryville, MO for the Christmas Country church tour. We are staying in a bed and breakfast. These days, experiences often mean as much, or more than a tangible gift. Where would you like to go? What would you like to do? Keep ideas like this in mind as the holiday approaches.

We just returned from a press trip with Midwest Network Travel bloggers to Shipshewana for the opening of the Christmas season. What will you do in downtown Shipshewana? Let me give you a few ideas you can shop. You can enjoy Christmas festival activities like we did. We loved the play, Christmas Candy Caper an Amish musical inside the Blue Gate Musical.

You can check out the lights of Shipshewana especially since there are new activities each Saturday up until Christmas. We saw the Lighting of Shipshewana what downtown fun we had. If your hams like this group of Midwest, travel, network, bloggers are, find murals and take a holiday photo or two! You can eat at the Blue Gate, the wonderful Shawna Raes, or head over to Middlebury and check out the amazing Essenhaus! For details, contact or check out Visit Shipshewana to learn more about this Indiana Amish community.

As more ideas unfold, I will add them to the 2023 gift guide. Share any ideas you have; I’d love to hear your holiday gift guide ideas! If you enjoy this, you might also like my Travel Essentials for Fall!