Believe me when I say that there are a lot of things a girl (I) would rather receive from a man (my love) than a dozen roses on Valentine’s Day.
Don’t get me wrong…
…I love a bouquet of fresh picked wildflowers in season just as much as anyone! The colorful, fragrant, and cheerful addition they give to my home makes me so happy!!
But when it comes to the day our culture has set aside to demonstrate love for our partner in this life…it truly is the thought that counts, it isn’t the flowers.
Not to mention, with the price of a Valentine’s Day arrangement, this frugal homesteader would much prefer her husband spend the money on something a bit more useful to show his affection.
So, here’s my Homesteader’s Valentine wish list ::
*Honey, I hope you’re reading this (wink)*
1. Homestead Blessings DVD Set.
Show her you support her dreams of homesteading/homemaking!
These instructional DVDs are a breath of fresh air! Learn homemaking skills from these down-home sisters (who have families of their own) and their mother as they work together in their homestead. Watch them demonstrate how to do just about everything needed to keep your family fed, clothed and cared for!
These DVDs are entertaining and friendly and easy to learn from! Not to mention, they would make a fabulous homemaking course for children too! It is so very helpful to see something done, rather than just read instructions on how to do it. These ladies live close to the land and have a lot to share that would make your life better.
This series is highly recommended!
This 11 disks-set included…
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Canning
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Bread Making
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Cooking
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Herbs
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Gardening
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Soap Making
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Candle Making
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Dairy Delights
- Homestead Blessings: Art of Sewing
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Crafting
- Homestead Blessings: The Art of Quilting
…but any ONE of these DVDs would make a great gift!
2. EcoZoom Zoom Versa Rocket Stove.
The EcoZoom Zoom Versa is the most popular emergency preparedness rocket stove model in the United States and is also great for camping.
The Versa ::
- is designed to burn biomass (twigs, leaves, branches and organic materials) as well as charcoal…all that is needed to get things going is a lighter, a pocket fire-starter, or waterproof/windproof matches (these are the ones we keep in our emergency supplies kit)
- reduces fuel needed by 60%
- emits 70% less smoke and emissions than a three stone fire
- stays cool to the touch while in use, reducing burns and preventing injury
- brings 5L of water to boil in approx. 20 minutes
- comes with an adjustable pot skirt which wraps around your pot to hold in the heat for FAST, hot cooking
A PERFECT gift for the prepper, survivalist, or outdoor enthusiast!
3. The Online Intermediate Herbal Course offered by Herbal Academy of New England (HANE).
Give the gift of knowledge! Through my studies at the Herbal Academy of New England, I am learning that health doesn’t come from plastic bottles. Vitality grows naturally from the way you live your life.
If you think your Valentine wants to learn more about herbs as medicine and as food, and if he/she is just too busy to enroll in an in-person program, join myself and others from around the world at the Herbal Academy of New England (HANE) for a comprehensive and convenient online herbal course you can complete anywhere and anytime!
4. Essential Oils.
Essential oils and plant-based medicine (as I am learning more formally in my studies through HANE) has transformed the way I stock my first-aid kit and medicine cabinet, clean my home, and care for the animals here at the ranch!
In my arsenal of essential oils, I keep an array of “brands” that I would recommend for anyone!
They include ::
- Beeyoutiful Essential Oils (a great cost-effective brand of pure oils — the Beginner Basics Essential Oil Pack is perfect for anyone just starting on the essential oils journey!)
- Mountain Rose Herbs…they have a the best, most complete selection of pure, organic oils
5. High Mowing Organic Garden Seeds.
High Mowing Organic Seeds is committed to providing the highest quality non-GMO, 100% organic seed to backyard growers.
When you buy organic seed from High Mowing Seeds, you have the assurance that the seed was grown without synthetic chemicals and you are supporting farms and companies that are committed to organic agriculture with your purchase.
I had the BEST garden EVER using these seeds and highly recommend them for any homesteader — rural or urban with large or small garden space!!!
6. Duo 10 Piece Pressure Cooking / Canning Set.
Home Canning is a healthy way to fill your pantry with home cooked, preservative-free recipes such as soups, vegetables, baby food and so much more!
This all-in-one kit includes the tools, instructions and recipes necessary for any aspiring homesteader to begin pressure cooking & canning at home (I’d be lost without mine!).
The Duo Pressure Cooker/Canner can be used for both pressure cooking and pressure canning. It works on all domestic cooking surfaces such as gas, electric, ceramic, and induction.
10-piece set includes:
- 10-quart 18/10 Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker & Canner
- Canning rack
- Jar lifter
- Jar wrench
- BPA-free wide mouth funnel
- Magnetic lid lifter
- BPA-free ladle
- BPA-free bubble freer
- Home canning cookbook with recipes
- Pressure cooking recipe booklet
- Instructional manual
7. Raised Garden Beds Kits.
Raised garden beds are great for those who want to provide high-quality, better-than-organic food for their families — but have limited garden space.
Any number of these garden bed kits would make an outstanding gift!
- Greenland Gardener 8-Inch Raised Bed Double Garden Kit
- Suncast 6 Panel Tiered Resin Raised Garden Kit
- Gronomics Rustic Elevated Garden Bed, Unfinished
- EarthBox Garden Kit, Terra Cotta
- Gronomics Rustic Elevated Garden Bed, Unfinished
8. Coconut Oil.
I know…coconut oil for Valentine’s!?! Yep! I LOVE this stuff and don’t know what I would do without it in my home!
I only purchase what I consider to be the BEST coconut oil on the planet through Tropical Traditions.
This is a must-have — and highly desirable — ingredient for any homestead!
Almost all that I know about homesteading I learned from books.
Without my home library, I would be lost!
If you’re looking to buy the love of your life a few books he/she would love…take advantage of the books that The Bulk Herb Store offers!
They’ve done all the hard work and eliminated the guessing game! These books are awesome!
In conclusion, I give you this list to say…forget the flowers – they’ll die in a few days anyway – and invest your time and money into something that has staying power! And make a Homesteader’s Valentine!
Vickie
Yes, yes!!! I love flowers and chocolates, but what I would really love is another book on making soap, or candles, or canning. Or one of those videos you mentioned. The rocket stove would really be great! Or a beehive! I really want a beehive! It sounds like you and I are on the same page!
Andrea
We’re soul mates Vickie 🙂 A beehive…that’s seriously AWESOME…I see that in my near future:)
CTY
My heart just skipped a beat- a Beehive. The card could say, ” Honey, If You Bee My Valentine; We Can Bee the Town Buzz”
Vickie
Vickie I have beehives, what area of the country do you live. There should be beekeepers groups around. I love the fresh honey it taste better than any store brought honey I have ever tried.
Sandy Anker
Such wonderful ideas! I’ve added many to my amazon wish list with their universal button. I’d love to know more about those raised garden beds, but I can’t seem to get the link to work. Maybe it’s just me?
Andrea
It should be fixe now. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Kristine
My sweetheart brings me cases of canning jars in sizes I don’t have, instead of flowers. Though one time he brought me a treadle sewing machine. What a love!
Andrea
Your comment made me laugh Kristine. This last Christmas my sister asked what I would like for a Christmas Gift and I begged for canning jar, vintage ones at that, she laughed until she realized I was serious…then she laughed some more 🙂 She scored some pretty cool ones for me 🙂
Donna
Over the last several years, I have been making suggestions a few weeks in advance. Last year, I would tell my dear husband that nothing says I LOVE YOU like a backyard compost bin (we live in town). My family is beginning to think I am a little goofy but that is okay. Although I do love flowers, purchasing them in February does not make sense. This year, nothing says I LOVE you like a new blender!!!!
Andrea
I don’t know you Donna…but I can TOTALLY relate 🙂
Tami
Great ideas. The link to the raised garden bed though doesn’t work, it says its not available.
🙂
Andrea
Thank you for the heads up Tami! I think it’s fixed now 🙂
CTY
I think I’ll be buying the EcoZoom for my Valentine. Card will say. ” Hey, Good Lookin’,- What You Got Cookin’ How’s About Cookin’ Up A Valentine & Be Mine?
Nancy@livininthegreen
Ok, a raised garden bed kit would definitely be a winner for me!! This was a fun list!