My husband & I were doing the what do you want for Christmas thing, and among other things, I asked for 2 truckloads of horse manure delivered onto the garden. My husband laughed and said, "My ex said all I gave her was horse---t, 'Give me money!' -- but I give you all my money and you say, 'Give me horse---t!"

I like practical things for Christmas -- probably the thing which tops my wishlist every year is socks! (What kind?, my sister asked once. The kind where you look at the pricetag and exclaim, "That's too expensive!") My husband wants the big luxuries that he will put off getting himself. But I think, "Honey, you need shirts and longjohns and we still don't have a kitchen sink yet..." Says if he finds longjohns under the Christmas tree he'll divorce me. What about you all?

-- snoozy (allen@oz.net), November 13, 2000

Answers

I like practical gifts too. One year my mother in law asked what I wanted, I said a hatchett, got the cutest hatchett you ever saw, just right for my hand. This year I bought a new computer when we were ahead a few bucks, that is our present to each other this year. Now things are tight but we can entertain ourselves with this "toy" for many hours, not to mention all the good stuff to be found on this forum. Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!!

-- Tina (clia88@newmexico.com), November 13, 2000.

Nothing wrong with warm, soft, snuggly socks, especially on a cold night.:}

A while back someone posted a thread about losing an emerald out of a ring, The chicken took it. On that thread someone else's husband said he knew she'd rather have a shovel. Well, ever since then, my husband teases me about rather having a shovel, too. I told him I'd take the emerald so I could sell it and buy lots of shovels:~}. I prefer practical gift. I asked for a washboard one year, got it, too.

Bought my husband an union suit. He looks real nice in it:~]. All snuggly warm. And he gets bibs with a zipper from my brother. (Looks good in those too.) Last year we got a wood burning stove, this year we're buying a set of stainless steel pans. But mostly he buys his own presents and that's usually music equipment.

One of my daughter's has been giving homemade birdhouses she buys from her landlord. They'e really nice, cute and useful.

I think special gifts should be just that, SPECIAL, like white sugar used to be, save it for special times.

Practicality and simplicity, yes.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), November 13, 2000.

Well, since all the disasters hit at once we have bought ourselves a new furnace, a 'new' car (after mine was totalled by an 18-wheeler), and a new hot tub coverall in the past 6 weeks. That savings for a rainy day is handy. The plans for some travel together have dwindled to me taking a solo trip to see my brother and the kids in January.

I would like a leatherman multi-tool. My partner is in need of some dress/work clothes, and we just purchased $400 worth (wool suits, etc.)for under $175 at a local discount place.

The true gift though will be the deed to the house/property, that will arrive within ten days, since I made the final pay-off quietly this past week. I am sooo excited about that.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), November 13, 2000.

I want another goat pen, barn, with several corrals, for us to finish the chicken coop and pen, some more fruit trees, a grain mill, a cream separater, lots of different homesteading books, socks, rubber boots for all of us, an enlarged laundry/mudroom, more patience with my sewing, for no one to go hungry or cold, peace and goodwill to everyone. Carol

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), November 13, 2000.

I like socks too, also books. Lots of books. And, well, maybe a woman who likes to fish. Or clean fish anyway. I could really use a good woman.

-- Shooter (jcole@apha.com), November 13, 2000.

One year I asked for (and GOT!) a Victorio strainer. Last year it was my Rueger .22....it sure is a sweet shooter! I got a small diamond ring, in the jewery box. It gets in the way when I work, so what's the point???? I don't NEED stuff like that...Books and warm gloves and hand knit hats and things that speak to the heart---those are the kind of things that need to be under OUR tree!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), November 13, 2000.

I really really really want a yard cart, the big capacity kind that can haul a couple bales of hay or a mountain of manure. Or, a pig pen, but that would cause me to fall over dead from shock, so I better leave it for next year. I want to buy my husband a leather jacket (I like practical, he likes fun). From my kids, I'd like them to haul some wood without acting like they will die from the exertion. Other than that, just good health and someone to do the dishes.

PS. Shooter, I hope you get your woman :-)

-- Julie (julieamc@excite.com), November 13, 2000.

Here's my wish list....A Bag o' Socks (10 pairs of tube socks, that way I always have a matched pair!). I'd love a stainless steel coffee percolator from Lehmans. Maybe a couple fitted flannel sheets. One more thing...a heavy, lined hooded sweatshirt. I don't want anything that isn't useful, I just end up giving it to someone else.

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), November 13, 2000.

Great gift ideas. I think for my gift wish list, I would like to complete a few things that we got started and haven't had time to finish: setting up the horseshoe pits; adding a tractor shed so we can get our tractors undercover; high shelves on all the walls in the bunkhouse; and big, big eaves on the ewe barn, so the girls can hang with each other outside, while still out of the rain.

But...based on 20 years of Christmases with him, I know my husband will buy me lingerie and books! (Body and soul stuff, I guess!) With that in mind, I guess I can wait on the other stuff 'til spring!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), November 13, 2000.

My biggest wish for christmas would be a single wide mobile home on 5 acres of land for under 500 a month. Im sure it wont happen for christmas but hopefully by next year. Roxanne

-- Roxanne (hmsdtlady@webtv.net), November 13, 2000.

My husbands uncles would love these lists! They think I'm crazy as a loon. Some of things I have ask for and rec'd are a scroll saw, a irrigation pump, fruit trees, battery operated drill and my lastest is chickens and goats! When they ask me what I got for my b'day, anniversary, Valentines or Christmas, they just grin! They told my husband how lucky he was! I think I'll copy this and show it to them! Merry Christmas!!!Deb

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 13, 2000.

I wanted a double-wide mobile home on 5 acres for under $500 a month for my anniversary, and it actually worked!!!!! I have had the land for some time, but with health problems and all, we didn't get moved out. We had try to move on land, but closer to town, nothing worked. So, on a whim, we went for the double wide mobile home..and was out of town onto our land in two months! YEA!! Ok, what I want for Christmas...I want a barn for the ponies we are getting soon, I want a milk cow, ready to milk, I want warm fuzzy socks that the kids won't steal for their own. Even my boys swipe my socks..sigh...I want some nice waterers for my chickens, some cat proof trash cans, (ok, that has to come before then), I would like a grill built outside and concrete so this spring I can build my patio. I would also like an addition added on for my girls to have their own room. That's my list for now. ;-)

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), November 13, 2000.

Steve and I always get each other wood working tools each Christmas. Last year we got a scroll saw. Year before he got a Ryobi electric carver thing and I got a hand held electric drimmell thing. Year before that he got a band saw and I got a belt sander. This year all we want is one milk cow. And some socks.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 13, 2000.

My husband had the flu one year and was out of it until right before Christmas. He stopped in a sports store and bought me all kinds of stuff. I got heavy socks, hooded jacket, gloves, workboots and longjohns. The extra large back pocket on my hunting jacket is a great place to put the eggs and tools (not at the same time although it did happen once) I was so happy with all my stuff that every year I get more of the same.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), November 13, 2000.

Santa, Can I pleassse....get a cordless drill this year?! My father spoiled me rotten by teaching me how to use all of his toys, and then giving them to my brother (his only son, without a clue) My girlfriends stared at me in disbelief when I told them that honey gave me a toolbox (full) for Xmas. Socks! I am a maven for socks, but only the best! 99% of my wardrobe is from the thrift shops. Socks and unders are another story! L.L.Bean sells the best socks. I have socks from LLB that are at least 11 yrs old. EBauer runs a close second, but the quality is inconsistant. As for the rest, well LLBean pima cotton pj's are the best-surprisingly, for the money Dress Barn unders are very good. Some of the things I've mentioned are pricey to buy-at first-but they last for years!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), November 13, 2000.

My all time favorite present......a chainsaw for my birthday. I'd been wanting one for years. I usually don't get a christmas present as such. I always tell hubby there are more useful ways to spend our money. However we did run across an end of season sale on a porch swing with an awning. I've always wanted one and the price was good. Hubby bought it and brought it home and told me Merry Christmas. Not really useful but maybe again it is....after working hard all day we can swing and relax...just as important as work sometimes. Oh yeah....I do buy myself 3 new bras this time of the year...yippee! I am dropping some mighty strong hints about a spinning wheel. Happy homesteading everyone.

-- Amanda S (aseley@townsqr.com), November 13, 2000.

Shooter my friend i think you are out of luck all the good ones are gone. but id take one a little on the trashey side if she was a homesteader. but any way if you find a extra one. Bob in s.e.ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@hit.net), November 13, 2000.

Every year for Christmas I tell all of my relatives that I want a box filled with aluminum foil, zip-lock bags, wax paper, plastic wrap, trash bags, soap, shampoo, etc... I've never gotten it yet, I don't think they take me seriously, BUT I AM SERIOUS! This would be extremely useful to me, but instead I get over-priced and underfilled, cutesy gift baskets with tea bags and stale crackers, and a hunk of greasy salami and dried out cheese! Too bad none of them will read this!

-- Melissa Norris (cmnorris@1st.net), November 13, 2000.

Shooter- Good luck on finding that fishing buddy under your Xmas tree.My hubbie takes the dog.Best fishing buddy he ever had,says he! She doesn't talk alot, watches her line good, and let's him know when she has a bite.Barks at the fish when he reels them in, but noone's perfect.

Me- I don't fish much, unless I'm held captive in a boat!When I went out stream fishing with the obsessed fisherman,who can work a hole to death,I would enjoy a hike around in the woods looking for plants,bugs, animal sign,mushrooms,wildflowers,bushes,and other interesting things,while he fished.I'd catch up with him a few hours later, in about the same spot.

Now he just takes the dog.

Of course, I found out why she likes to go fishing with him so much-she gets to share his peanut butter crackers.I don't recall him offering ME any peanut butter crackers. So maybe you can try that approach!!!

Now I do like to hunt- the day afield,not particularly the killing part, but if I'm going to eat meat then I best be prepared to provide it for myself.I do it enjoy a good excuse to take the gun for a walk.

Just had the start of our deer season this weekend and have two bucks butchered and put up for the winter.Our friend got one and we were so pleased-he had a bad stroke a few years ago and a long road back,and Parkinsons disease now,and really has had some ups & downs.He loves the outdoors, so we were so happy to give him a stand to hunt in and have him suceed.He spent the next day in bed recuperating-know that all to well,myself-but he had a great time while he could. Well enough of my ramblings.Have a good one.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 14, 2000.

Melissa copy this thread and mail it to them anonymously. LOL

This Christmas my 6 year old wants a "real" bicycle. (not the 60 year old 2 wheel rust thingie) My wife wants a TV she says that were in the year 2000 so nows a good time to "see" what we been missing. Me I'd like a "good" gunsmithing course complete with tools. :-) Yeah that'd be nice.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), November 14, 2000.

Shooter, keep looking! I had a sister, who would than fish than sleep, eat or have --- well, you get the idea! She looked for a man who loved to fish as much as she did, but never found him! They are out there but you may not find one under the tree unless you go out looking first! LOL Good luck!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 14, 2000.

EVERYONE in the family gets socks and underwear for Christmas around here. For fun last year we got tomahawks for throwing but my favorite gift was when my hubby bought me a shotgun for Mother's day! - Kathy

-- Kathy (jubilant@ncweb.com), November 14, 2000.

I really want a stainless steel pressure cooker. I've managed to replace most of our cookware with stainless but I've still got the old aluminum pressure sauce pan. I've haunted garage sales and thrift shops but can't find one. The only source I've found prices theirs at $100 not including shipping. Anyone know of a good model for less money?

We got the computer last year and I've really enjoyed it. The year I asked for a laundry tub installed by my washer my husband nearly flipped. I wanted to be able to wash wool before spinning it and have the washer to use as a centrifuge to extract the water. The ladies he works with nearly killed him when he bought a 50# box of fence staples a few days before my birthday and he told them it was my present. We had just moved to this farm and the fences had been neglected for a long time. That year I considered the farm and getting to live with my husband again my present because we had been forced to live 400 miles apart for 10 months after he changed jobs. The housing market in both areas went flat as a pancake for that time and it just wasn't fun.

Happy holidays to all and thanks for the laughs, tears and information this year.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), November 15, 2000.

I asked my husband for a good pair of kitchen shears (Cutco -- I used to have a pair, but they went missing years ago). I had a heavy pair of sewing shears that were too dull to cut fabric, but worked great in the kitchen, and can't find them, either. Sigh. Also a pressure canner would be good. I'm getting myself violin lessons, starting the week after Christmas -- already bought myself the violin! He's getting reprints of some old farming books! (And I'd better get busy and place the order if I want them to get here on time!!)

Shooter and Bob, I know where there is at least one woman like you are looking for -- but you'll have to travel to Alaska to find her! And in order to catch her, you'd better be able to out-hunt, out- fish, and out-shoot her!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 15, 2000.

Uh...don't it get cold up in Alaska???

-- Shooter (jcole@apha.com), November 15, 2000.

Now isn't that interesting? I'm been hoping to find a homestead around my Christmas tree (preferably with a like-minded man).

S.E. KS wouldn't be too bad.

Shooter - where does your tree reside?

-- Deborah (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), November 15, 2000.

My husband gave me a roll of much-needed chicken wire for last Valentine's Day and that was super special to me!!!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), November 15, 2000.

A salad spinner! Tired of wet or bruised (from rolling in a dishtowel) greens. Last year I got a nice wooden kitchen table, nothing fancy, one of those finish-it-yourself jobbies. Julia Child's Baking cookbook (used, please, I've seen the price new - ouch), best X-mas gift I ever got from a non-family member was the time a favorite client of mine remembered me whining about the price of pressure canners and gave me $100.00 to by the one I wanted - with the money I had saved already, I managed to get the big 14 quart, honking big size instead of the more modest one I had realistically set my sights on! YIPPEEE. Forget all of that "supposed to buy" crap like gift baskets and cologne sets. If I wanted it, I'd buy it myself. Fuzzy socks rule.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), November 15, 2000.

Hmmmm-Read posting abt the outdoors lady in Alaska.Here is my thought.

Nick didn't have to outcompete me to get me to spend the rest of his life with him,just had to appreciate me for who I am.Some things he's good at ,some I am. He can find a great "honey hole" and I pick out the deer stands.I know trees,he's great with a saw,chain or hand.

Some people are intimidated by a competent outdoors woman.He was not, just thrilled to death to find someone who shared alot of his interests.And..... that made all the difference in the world.

So guys, go ahead and jump right in there to find your other half.But maybe ,you wouldn't want to view it as a competition!?!

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 15, 2000.

Shooter and Bob, Steve and I met at the "Barn Dance" in Vine Grove, put on twice a month, just coffee and pop, and anybody can get up and play guitar (I do). Anyway, we met and danced some, but when he walked me out to go is when he fell for me. He saw my Truck. 83 Chevy, nice, with lights on running boards, lights on visor, door handles that light up and in primer bright yellow! (I did all the body work) THEN he found out I actually had cows of my own, and he started hanging around my farm all the time. Remember, Steve was a bachelor around these parts since dirt. I still tell people he married me so he could drive my Truck!

My advise: Get a job at the feed mill and carry out all those sacks for the girls!!

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 16, 2000.

Cindy! Great idea. My husband and I met while we were both working in a lumber yard!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), November 16, 2000.

Deborah, my tree stands on the beautiful rolling prairie of North Texas. Where we use jackrabbits in the place of reindeer to pull our sleds.

-- Shooter (jcole@apha.com), November 17, 2000.

Santa, can I please, please, please get combined compound mitre/radial arm saw with a 12in blade and 24 inch draw.
A nice joiner and a planer would be great too, and while we're at it a huskivara chain saw would go well.

Thinking about it, those are just things though, what would really make me happy would for us to get full custody of my wifes kids so my wife wouldnt cry when they go back to their fathers. Thats what i really want, is for my loved ones to be happy.
Things are just that, things, and they dont really matter a whole lot in comparison.....

-- Dave (AK) (daveh@ecosse.net), November 17, 2000.

Shooter and Bobco, check out those personal Homesteader classifieds, haven't I seen them advertised in CS before? My dh and I met through a PALS newsletters out of Brownsboro, Tx. Not sure if it still runs. I was sitting at work one day reading the Thrifty Nickel and the newletter had advertised about their publication, it sd "Meet E. Tx Friends" I thought o.k. so I wouldn't have to move to timbucktoo if I fell in love with someone way off, just stay close to home. That was 15 years ago and were still hanging in there, we both had two boys and having a blended family has been the hardest part, but we had one of our own then have custody of a Grandaughter so now the older ones are pretty much grown/ Just be careful, I picked 10 guys to write, and met 4 of them, and I can say probably only one of them was a nut! Didn't ever meet the nut! Oh yes, I did I'm married to him. LOL Just kidding! Good Luck guys.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), November 18, 2000.

Shooter & Bobco, you just might find 'her' through Countyrside... That's how Carl and I met. I wrote something in there, he noticed it and figured I enjoyed the same kind of lifestyle he did, and he wrote to me, I wrote back, for a while, then the phone entered the picture, and after a while we met... The rest is history. As for Christmas, I have so much, all the important things, it is hard to know what to ask for. I am already getting my much wished for Islandic lamb!! Maybe a loom for all of our handspun. And a longer winter, to have the time to do more spinning and learn to weave! Carl wants a reloading kit. And more hand made sox, from our Shetland wether. Sox sure seem to be a popular item on this list! The gifts we usually give are from what the farm produces, or some of our home made wines and liqueurs. Most of our friends and relatives live out of stores, and enjoy the 'gormet' farm fresh things we share.

-- Fran Ogren (trumpkinland@plix.com), November 19, 2000.

Shooter, good luck!! I was blessed with the perfect woman 17 years ago, come the 22nd of this month. Not only does she like to fish,(she LOVES to) but she also loves boxing, football, THE BRAVES, gardening, critters, and living a simple life. She doesn't care to hunt, but enjoys shooting, and loves wild game better than anything you can buy. The woman can make the best biscuits you ever put in yore mouth,(as goes for all her cookin). Christmas list? Come to think of it, I've got the best Christmas present a man could ever be blessed with!! Thank you Lord!!

-- Uncle Jake (lulafred@cs.com), November 19, 2000.

I just wish, as I do daily, for a simple country place on a few acres. Nothing fancy, just practical.

Snoozy, and others, this year alone I have retrieved over 20 pairs of sox from garage sale "free boxes" so my Christmas came during the summer. Also several big, warm sweaters, one long black heavy coat that only needs some buttons and two coveralls. I feel SO RICH! Those finds are just like Christmas to me.

-- Sandy (smd2@netzero.net), November 20, 2000.

I was joking about having to out-hunt, out-shoot, etc. -- when my uncle finally got married (at forty-five, for the first time!) it was to a woman who out-hunted *him*! He thought that was great, and that he'd better catch her while he could!! They had quite a few happy years together, and two children, before he was paralyzed in an accident and then passed away a few years ago. And yes, Alaska is cold, at least the area where the lady I was referring to lives!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 20, 2000.