Timeless and Practical Christmas Gift Guide

I love giving gifts when I have a great idea and I love receiving gifts in the case that someone found something that really made them think of me. But gift giving in our current culture seems obligatory and often just about giving “something”…. anything.

We live in such a consumeristic, throw away culture that sells us “stuff” to put under a tree then what? It often becomes clutter in our homes. So my gift philosophy is one that seeks to buy a gift that is either highly curated to the individual I’m giving to, consumable, fills a real need or adds value through imparting wisdom (think books).

In a culture saturated with gift guides… here’s my off the beaten path attempt.

Good for the soul gifts

If we want to restore the fabric of our nation, lead well in our communities and have peace in our homes there’s one place to look: Jesus. Many people are seeking foundational knowledge to grow in faith, improve their discernment and act wisely as they interact with the world. Here are some ideas for those people in your life:

Morning and Evening, a devotional by Charles Spurgeon and revised by Alistair Begg is a beautiful edition with a classic upscale cover and binding. The cream colored pages and font choice give it a timeless look- a devotional with rich content that feels really great to give as a gift. I actually purchased this for my husband this year as an anniversary gift. It’s a great gift for a husband, father, or son!

Old Testament New Testament commentary. I bought this commentary for myself early this fall. It’s a pretty good sized book that helps link and refine your understanding of what you are reading in the New Testament with the Old. I’ve enjoyed it as an additional reference piece to have on hand.

Bible Dictionary. If we are reading the Bible to actually know God it’s imperative to grasp what we are reading and that’s hard to do unless we have an accurate definition of the words we read. We hear words like “mercy” and “grace” … they are common so we have our idea of a definition but is it precise enough for us to know God as we ought to? Having a good Bible dictionary has really helped me step up my daily Bible reading. A Bible dictionary is a great gift for someone who is wanting to go deeper.

The Bible Recap. Regardless of whether you or the person on the receiving end of this as a gift are planning a January start to reading the Bible in a year, this is great to have on hand. Yes, absolutely helpful in “recapping” what you read as you go through the Bible chronologically, but also just as a great all around summary reference piece even if are just reading in a skip around manner. I love that instead of self focus, she always points us back to what a passage tells us about God and his character.

Aesthetic Bible Highlighters. These are my absolute favorite. As someone with perfectionist characteristics, these highlighters have been an asset to reading and marking in my Bible – something I like to do in order to remember and reference well but a thing I always hesitate to do because of – well apparently how God made me. They are muted enough that they don’t bleed through to the next page and the colors are pleasing! Great stocking stuffer or gift exchange item.

Hosanna Revival Bible. When my oldest turned 13 we shopped together to find her a Bible that she could use forever and Hosanna Revival was what we landed on. I personally have a different Bible that I’ll probably stick with because of the many meaningful markings in it (see above) but I prefer my daughter’s for it’s beauty, size, more appealing page thickness, and omission of cringe-y devotionals. These Bibles make a beautiful gift.

Literature as a gift

On the subject of growth, good books help us to think deeply and contemplate ideas as we read. They expand our vocabulary and help us to articulate well. Here are some great books to add to the shelves of those who are looking to read more in 2026.

CS Lewis Box Set.  This fall, as I finished up The Abolition of Man, I text a friend, “where is philosophy in modern literature!?” I’ve long been a fan of The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia might always be my kid’s favorite and On Living in an Atomic Age is one of the most powerful short essays I’ve read, but C.S. Lewis has many books and I’m personally on a current mission to read through this box set!

F.A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom. The description of this book starts out as follows, “An unimpeachable classic work in political philosophy, intellectual and cultural history, and economics, The Road to Serfdom has inspired and infuriated politicians, scholars, and general readers for half a century.” That alone would likely be enough to cause you to want to pick it up. This book is still on my livingroom side table as one I’m working through. It’s incredibly articulate to the problem of socialist ideas, and government as ‘the’ solution, a book that excites me to read. Even all the various preface revisions are incredible. Buy it as a gift to yourself, if not for someone else.

My Dear Hemlock. This is one for your best girlfriend, newly wed or married for ages or, again, yourself. It’s a Screwtape Letters style book for women and it’s written with excellence. It pulls back the curtain on the earliest seeds of sin and serves as a warning and a guard against falling into patterns that harm your marriage and motherhood. This is a good, quick winter read or one that could be easily enjoyed on vacation. As a bonus, here’s my recent interview with the author, Tilly Dillehay.

5000 Year Leap.  A while back I was partaking in some friendly political banter and mentioned that most people don’t read and they don’t understand our founding. The counterpoint was made that you don’t need to read to understand our founding… insert wide eyed blinking giph (you know which one I mean). This book is the easiest, not scholarly but down to earth version of why the founders chose to install the government they did and what it takes to maintain freedom. It’s a wonderful book I refer to often.

A Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay. This book is an honest and detailed yet compact (read not overwhelming) look at America from its conception to recent history. It’s one you could gift to a homeschool mom or just someone who loves history. You don’t have to read it like a novel, it’s an easy one to pick up and put down and pick back up again. Hillsdale College also offers a free course that mirrors this book.

Practical and Consumable gifts

The next group of items are for people like me who consider a consumable gift that won’t clutter up the house and has an actual use to be a “good” gift. Even if as a gift giver, it feels these might be too simple or boring – trust me – those practical people in your life consider gifts like these a huge win. 1. time saved shopping for it online 2. money saved on something we need 3. we get to consider ourselves thought of by you every time we use it.

Rowe Casa. Goods that span everything from wellness, housekeeping to luxury skin care, and their packaging is beautiful making it a pretty gift to unwrap. Favorite gift-able items include their teas, soaps, lotions, skin care and candles. CODE: BOOMCLAP to save 20% on your first order.

Prime Protein. This one might feel like a stretch but hear me out, I currently use protein powder approximately five times a week. Most women and a lot of men I know are busy and have to work to meet their protein needs, plus protein is expensive. This is a gift for someone you know well enough to recognize they might appreciate something practical and useful more than anything.

Meat. Again – practical. Beef consumption is on the rise but at a price point that has consumers chirping. Whenever we don’t know what to get for my MIL or FIL we buy a gift card to a local processor we trust or a local farmer. If you have someone in your life who loves to grill, you can’t go wrong. Here are a few farmers that you might hit up if you are local to me (Central Illinois): Accent Angus, Springville Family Farms, Lazy L Farms: NE Ohio – no website but can email miller7697@zoominternet.net. If you don’t know of a source near you, go to your local locker and ask who the local beef or pork producers are. If you buy straight from a meat locker be sure to ask how they source their animals – local locker doesn’t always ensure a local producer, buyer beware. If you need a place that ships, Wild Pastures is an option as well.

Simply Eden Tallow. Speaking of beef, tallow is the new luxury product and Simply Eden does it well. From a facial oil that my husband loved as a beard oil last year to keep his face from feeling so dry after working outside in the cold to whipped hand cream and lip balm, all their products are top notch. Great for a small teacher’s gift or add on!

For the kids

The following items are for the kids in your life. My older kids are girls so some of these items might fall on the girly-er end of things but they are things my kids have either loved or found enriching in some way.

Elizabeth Yates books. One of my favorite authors to seek out for my kid’s reading or our read alouds is, Elizabeth Yates. I read in her bio on “Good Reads” that her books have been described as “the result of extensive research, a strong underlying belief in God and a vivid imagination.” I find this to be such an accurate and encompassing description as some of the books we’ve read are able to paint a picture of early America in a way history books can not all while sharing a fictional story built on fact of the time period. Some of our favorites are Mountain Born, A Place for Peter, The Journeyman and Hue and Cry. My girls have also read Amos Fortune, free man and Carolina’s Courage.

Heartwood Hotel Series. My middle daughter has read these books multiple times. They’re geared probably for 7-9 year olds who love a good story with whimsical woodland creatures.

Embossed Graphics Stationary. This was seriously a favorite gift that we gave our girls. They have cherished the notecards and used them on special occasions. I couldn’t find the exact ones I purchased so the link provided is a general one for the brand I purchased from. The ones my girls have are a simple cream with pressed / raised script lettering of their names.

Art supplies. If you have kids who enjoy drawing and art foster that skill with good supplies! Electric erasers… these weren’t a thing when I was in art but they truly make putting highlights in pencil drawings so much easier. Fine tipped erasers… these are going in my kid’s stockings this year. How to draw sketch book… my girls own this. Using these to sketch daily was Christian Watson of 1924’s advice to me for fostering my daughter’s talent, when we interviewed him last fall. A good pencil set is key for getting good shading.

Kids Bibles. These are the Bibles we gave our kids when they were old enough to read on their own. The cover on ours was more neutral, not so feminine but internally this is the one we gave our kids. You can find hardbacks of this version as well, but just an idea to start you out.

For the littlest ones

These ideas are more for the littlest ones in your life.

Silver coins. Again hear me out. Unlike cash these usually increase in value and when they’re really young, kids don’t remember the “stuff” you give them anyways. So give them coins and they’ll appreciate the investment you made for them later on. My husband’s grandma used to give silver dollars to our kids and we have given silver coins to nieces and nephews as birthday gifts instead of a toy that will likely get tossed aside… you can do this for all ages actually.

Books. I’ve started reading aloud to all of my kids every day at just a few days old. When people see my two year old boy in action they always say “wow, he’s busy.” Yes, he is, but he will also sit for multiple books in a row because he got interested at the youngest age and we stuck with it even when he wouldn’t sit. So there’s some unsolicited encouragement along with the gift suggestion.  The following are some good, winter themed books: The Big Snow (this one is going under the tree for my son this year), Stranger in the Woods, Owl Moon (this was the first book I gifted my son – he loves it!), The Ology (not a winter book but one that will help lay a solid foundation – personally giving this as a gift this year!)

Can’t go wrong with boots

The following items don’t necessarily fit into the category of a “need” but if you follow me on instagram, you might remember this spring I posted something about wearing my boots and was met with a rather interesting comment about how wearing boots makes you “come across” and apparently it wasn’t a good thing. That said, boots are part of who I am and I think most women would love to own a good pair – key word – good. I’d describe these as a true splurge/luxury gift that is also a practical, quality, long haul type item.

Bed Stu. I own a lovely pair of boots that are a little out of my norm – heeled with a bow – I typically refuse a heel but I own these because they are actually really comfortable (sized up half size). Their bags are also stylish and durable – great gifts. CODE: RR20 to save 20% (I’m not affiliated and make nothing on your purchase – simply a code to save you some coin)

Lucchese. The Luccheses I own are the most comfortable boots ever and durable. I’ve had them 12 years and they’re still beautiful. Scrolling the website recently, I about choked on my coffee because I bought mine pre – yellowstone western wear resurgence, so also for a fraction of the price. They are a big spend… true splurge (we do not spend like this on Christmas) so not sure why I’m including it other than I know some do and if you do… it best be something good! I’ll let you decide if these are worth it! (unfortunately – no coupon and no affiliation)

The BEST gifts don’t cost a dime

Sometimes the *best* gift is the gift of time together. Don’t underestimate the appreciation others may have for nothing more than time with you. Often, especially for those close to us, that alone is the most valuable thing we can give.

My girls always ask, “mom, what do you want for Christmas?” I always tell them, nothing… just a happy family. They say, “you always say that!” I do. I say it because it’s true. Just something to remember as you search for the perfect gift.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Merry Christmas! xo Rita

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