2025 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s that time again! The holidays are rolling around. I am starting to think about gift ideas! This past weekend, I went shopping with my daughter-in-law at a fun shop in Taylorville, Illinois. She loved a sweater there. I scooped it up to buy it for a Christmas present. When you find something, you know they will like, buy it! That is something I love, to plan a shopping trip, let them pick out what they want. The big bonus is spending time with family!
Personalize
There are a variety of gift ideas. What you get depends on the loved one in your life. What do they like to do? When I travel, my take home souvenirs are almost always jewelry. Sometimes it is just as good to learn a story about jewelry. There is a new exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum based on the book, Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation in One Hundred Objects .
The exhibit shares items that personalize the relationships of Lincoln as a father, husband and man. I loved the necklace he bought Mary. Stories, exhibits that touch a personal note make a great gift idea.
As a traveler, I am always on the lookout for great ideas, whether it be a small item, or a big one. At the Sly Fox bookstore in Virden, Illinois, I bought several Route 66 calendars. These were perfect to give to tourism bureaus. They recently hosted me on a trip to Indiana. This was a fun gift that made sense from a local perspective.
For the cook in your life, think about adding German Heritage Baking Volume I by Heidrun Metzler, who learned to cook from her mother aunt and grandmother.
She uses time honored recipes and best of all gives traditional techniques and culinary secrets on how to create the recipes. This book with multiple honors, including the National Indie Excellence Award and the American Legacy Book Award, could be a coffee table book that you just sit and drool over! With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I am excited to try the Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe.
The Music
If you are like me music when traveling and at home is a big bonus. Recently I learned of a new album country legend Moe Bandy. He has numerous ACM, and CMA Awards, and when the opportunity to interview him came to talk about his Christmas traditions, and the original holiday song Cowboy Christmas I was excited. Moe Bandy has a new album, Songs That I Missed filled with an amazing vintage collection of songs.
I loved listening to the songs that filled the room with his rich voice. If looking for music to add for yourself or a loved one, this may be a perfect gift. He also has an autobiography of his lifeitled Lucky Me if you want to learn more about his life. The foreword is by former First Lady, Barbara Bush.
Travel Gifts
Besides the calendar, there is also the fun Route 66 Cookbook, Recipes from the Mother Road. While I was sent this to review, this gem is also available at the Sly Fox. With 2026 being the anniversary for Route 66, this is the perfect book because it profiles the best recipes from every stop along the way!
One of my favorite things about this book is that it has recipes from places I have been, like Jubelts, Doc’s off 66, the Ariston, and Maldaners, the oldest restaurant in Springfield, Illinois. Besides trying out the recipes, you can also hop in the car and drive to the restaurant.
Another way to travel is through time Check out the 1960’s Map for Curious Minds, 100 Ways to See a Turbulent Decade by Gordon Kerr. Illustrated by Claire Rollet, check out highways like The Blues highway where they share the influence of singers like Bob Dylan. Nobel laureates, where were the from and much more. Interesting for those that lived it.
When on the road, I always have something to read. It helps me sleep at night; plus how can you be a writer if you are not a reader? I am enjoying the crime drama Illusions of Trust by Jeffery S. Stephens. A page turner, I like the fast-moving way he writes and the twist and turn plotline! This is a new release that just came out this October, so this thriller is hot off the press! The cover alone is an attention grabber.
Plan a trip!
My favorite presents of all times, have involved a trip! Sometimes finding a cool place to travel and stay at can truly heighten the travel experience. On a recent hosted trip to Wayne County, Richmond, Indiana, I stayed at the beautiful Gennett Mansion. Call to stay in the mansion, this is a relatively new Airbnb. This mansion with its musical past was a great place to enjoy the historical beauty as well as centrally located offering relaxing comfort!
We have been immersed in helping with the new mural that celebrates Virden’s rich history and its connection to legendary Route 66 highway. The mural is located on the side of the Sav-Mor building, which sits prominently along the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway in downtown Virden.
This new piece of public art was created mostly by renowned mural artist Bernie Gietl of Carlinville, whose work is well-known across the region. The mural design highlights Virden’s distinctive drag racing history, paying tribute to local legends Stan Lomelino, a flathead drag racer, and Joe Hendricks, a fellow drag-strip racer who helped put Macoupin County and the Virden community on the map. The North Mac FFA was the fundraising arm, and they are also profiled on the mural. Plan a trip to see the new murals along Route 66, what a fun trip, and great gift idea whether you are planning a day, or a month!
Travel Gear
Having the right clothing and packing items when on the road is important. When traveling, having pants you can move in, and be comfortable in great. But I still want to look good, I’m loving my new Be Free zipOns “dress with less stress” pants perfect for exercising, hiking or lounging. While at the moment, my mobility is fine, earlier in the year after surgery, I had trouble with fitted tighter pants. Befree is “dedicated to improving lives by addressing the real, everyday challenges of people living with limited mobility and are committed to making adaptive and inclusive fashion that really works. befree offers adaptive pants, adaptive clothing, zippered pants, post-surgery pants, & pants for casts.” How wonderful!
On my latest trip, I just needed something that would house a few items, and my iPad. The WANDRD backpack, I received was perfect. And I have used this numerous times. With four points of access it has a lays flat design, has a side pocket with the key place for a laptop and more. This is perfect for travel both indoors and outdoors!
So, check out this cool WANDRED backpack perfect for cameras, laptops overnights. I received this smaller one, love the fact that this company was born in a mom and dad kitchen and now they are hitting the 10-year mark and our global company with amazing quality products.
Stocking Stuffers for the Road
Safety on the road is paramount so a first aid kit, especially a small one that will fit in a carry on, or keep in your car is a great stocking stuffer. I am excited to add the Keep Going First Aid MiniKit for families on the go! We are going to be keeping this in my mom ‘s car.
I travel with my mom a lot and it is just nice to have a great variety of premium contents that are nurse approved, and stored in an adorable, water resistant package. How many times are you out on the road, and need a Band-Aid or antibiotic ointment? This is the perfect gift for any family member that drives or travels.
Who doesn’t want snacks along the way? I received Woodridge Snacks today. On the about section they share, “Inspired by the globalization of regional cuisines and the fusion cuisines that have united different cultures with flavor, Woodridge Snacks searches the world for the very best ingredients and techniques. Our discoveries become guiltless delicacies for you to enjoy every day.”
I was especially excited to try the wonderful Mediterranean veggie snack plant. It has eggplant, sweet peppers, zucchini, onions, and it was light and tasty. There are a lot of variations to try, and you can enjoy them guilt free.
Before heading out on a trip, it is always good to have a hearty breakfast. Amasar Protein Bread Fruit Pancake and Waffle Mix did not disappoint.
I made pancakes, and we noted they were light and fluffy. They are gut-friendly pancakes or waffles made from naturally gluten-free breadfruit flour. For those watching what they eat, the mix is packed with 11g of fiber, 2g protein, and zero added sugar.
Books
Books about, and from trips are also a big favorite of mine. Visit Shipshewana gifted me with A Taste of Shipshewana, A collection of Local Recipes. I treasure this.
When I got home, I had to try out the banana bread recipe. It was marvelous.
For anyone interested in my latest book, Farm Girl Adventures, let me know and I will get you an autographed copy.
Sometimes, if on a plane, or even a full car, reading space can be tight. Try the Armbie dual arm sling, which supports the arms, warms the body, and according to the product information, “comforts the soul”. It also works to help hold a book in a small spot.
When I travel I have to have a book to read. Being from central Illinois, we have a lot of mining history, so I was interested when I was approached about reviewing The Last Hurrah a mining mystery.
A Phoebe Korneal Mystery, Book 1, set in Colorado, a miner dies under suspicious circumstances. The story unfolds with a fun variety of characters. My only complaint is the ending really is a prelude to the next book, so I have to wait to see what happens next!
Items to enhance travel
Rather than just trust the hotel soaps, etc. I like to bring my own along. I have mentioned before I have long been a fan of JR Liggett’s travel bars, shampoo and shaving bar and Body Oil Bar. I recently discovered bath and body works Aromatherapy given to by my daughter in law. Very relaxing!
Another perfect product to keep your skin in tip top shape is Simple Goodness Tallow products. I LOVE them. I bought these on a press trip to Indiana when we toured Simple Goodness. Truly moisturizing using beef tallow. I am almost out and it has been less than a month. A reorder is in my future.
Did I say tickets?
Buy tickets for your loved one, it is the best. For Christmas last year our kids got us tickets to see the amazing Allison Krause at the equally amazing Devon in Decatur, Illinois. What a wonderful experience.
We enjoyed another recent Kentucky Headhunter concert at Dannenbergers in New Berlin, Illinois a winery/event center. Depending on the musical taste of the receiver, this is a great gift. We especially liked that both of these ticketed events were not in big urban areas.
As the holidays draw near, I will be adding items as I find them. Keep checking back to see what’s new and what might work for your gifting journey! As always remember the reason for the season and that the most important gift of all is the birth of Jesus.
Let me know what tips you might have!
