Dear Santa,
We recognize that you, like all of us, may be having a difficult time this year getting your hands on the materials your elves need to build and craft and assemble all the things we’re asking for. We know that we’ve been good this year, but that silly supply chain? Not so much.
With that in mind, we would like to humbly the submit the following holiday wish list to you. We know some things may be impossible to get this year, but that’s okay. We’ll keep working hard toward what we really want.
- A good piece of land – We left this ambiguous on purpose, because not all of us are looking for the same thing. In general, though, we’d like a parcel that isn’t too rocky, isn’t too hilly, gets the right amounts of snow, rain and sun and is abundant in organic matter. The less inputs we have to add, the better!
- Snow tools and toys – Again, the “right” amount of snow differs from person to person, but we all need the tools and toys for the white stuff. On the tool side of things, we’re thinking a well-running snow blower or snow pusher, plus snow fencing to help protect our good land from item #1. For toys, obviously a new snowmobile would be great, but cross country skis and
snowshoes are also fun (and can help us get a head start on a certain New Year’s resolution).
- Travel to trade shows – “The winter shows need to part of your planning process, as that’s where you can gather new information, compare notes on the past season with fellow growers and (perhaps) enjoy a vacation also,” wrote Country Folks Grower columnist Bill Lamont. “I like to get the latest information on new varieties, updates on pest (weeds, insects and disease) management and a copy of the new vegetable guide.” Regional trade shows are good, but we’d like to travel someplace warm for a few days too.
- Anything leather – because it’s long lasting.
- An aerial photo or custom painting of your homestead – Popular back in the 1990s, aerial photos of homes are seeing a resurgence, and with higher-quality cameras, these can be great ways to capture our little slices of heaven. Have the elves send up a drone for us – or hire a local artist to put brush to canvas for something even more special.
- Anything for the kitchen – Seriously, anything. We always need new mason jars and storage containers. We always need cutting boards and quality knives and canning supplies. New ceramic containers for dry goods would be nice, and so would old cast iron implements. Aiming higher, a meat slicer would also be a very cool gift.
- A DIY kit for ABV projects – For those of us of the proper age who feel a little like mad scientists from time to time, home brewing kits for beer, mead and wine would be fantastic. Playing around with these during winter is also a great distraction until it’s time to plant again.
- Things that make life easier – These are a little more big ticket, but Santa, we promise we’ve earned them: a portable dishwasher, a portable washing machine, a strong pressure washer, a strong shop-vac, a lawnmower and a weed whacker, and, for when the days are done, a good, comfy chair to relax in.
- Custom furniture – We’re sure the elves are all master craftsmen and carpenters, but if they’re too busy, consider talking to our local makers about getting us benches and cabinets and tables that are both beautiful and functional. We know they’d look great in our homes.
- Fire fixins – Whether we’re using the tools to heat our own homes or to sell firewood, we always need blades sharpened – or new saws or axes altogether. A new chainsaw would be awesome! (And while we’re thinking about it, maybe throw in a freshly stocked first aid kit too.) For inside the home, custom pokers and andirons for our hearths would be most welcome.
As for our dream items, please consider the following:
- Seeds and bulbs that magically plant themselves, at the right time, and which always bloom
- A dog that won’t chase rabbits into the burdocks or bound through every low-lying spot during mud season
- Automatic chicken doors, because sometimes, rarely, we like to sleep in, and we also enjoy knowing our little avian friends are safe
And that’s it, Santa. That’s all we want. We don’t think it’s too much to ask for.
