I have 25 Christmas gift ideas you may want to consider. My family tends to give things that are actually needed by each family member. We’ve had college students in school, newly married couples, and little grandkids. We have 17 grandchildren, so imagine how fun Christmas is; yes, it may be a little loud when we all get together.
This year, we have two great-granddaughters to add to the list, but they live in different states, so we will not see everyone we would like to.
This year, Christmas seems to be approaching fast, and I have to admit I love Christmas music. I don’t go shopping much these days; buying online seems more manageable for me. We buy very few gifts as it is, but I used to love hearing Christmas songs in the stores. It’s a joyful time of year; I don’t need gifts to be happy. I love hearing about your traditions and the memories you have made, so please share them.
Not every family member lives in the same state, so we don’t often get to have the holidays with everyone. Plus, some kids have their in-laws to trade off each year. We get it, and we are thankful when we have even a few we can get together with; it’s truly a blessing.
This year will be different because of the state of affairs in our country, including the high price of gas if traveling by car, the cost of an airline ticket, the price of food, and so much more. This year, I highly recommend getting emergency preparedness and cooking items.
I know many of you already do that, and I commend you for doing so. I’m sure some of you think this is a unique gift idea, but I’m always thinking of ways to get my readers to consider practical and helpful things, whether they are practical or unique Christmas gifts.
Please do not go into debt for gifts or anything else right now. I hope I’m wrong, but I believe things will get much worse.
Kitchen Prep
Have you ever been in someone’s kitchen as you help prepare a meal, and you need a measuring cup? You open the drawer, and you can’t read the measurement size numbers on them? This happened when I visited my daughter, actually a few of my daughter’s homes.
It’s nice to replace old, unreadable items with others that make their lives easier. Doing so brings much joy to you and them when they open the Christmas present.
Most have been married for over 20 years, and they haven’t replaced the cracked Tupperware containers recently. They used to replace them if cracked or broken as their kids were growing up since they needed the reliability of the best products they could afford.
Maybe they need a little encouragement to keep their kitchens well-stocked and ready to go. I just heard they are going to start selling that brand at Target! Even though it’s fairly expensive compared to other brands, it lasts for years.
Let’s discuss some things that I think qualify as perfect gifts when shopping for loved ones or that special best friend on your gift list.
25 Christmas Gift Ideas
The name for my website, www.foodstoragemoms.com, was chosen so I could attract and help people who were interested in learning about being prepared for emergencies of all kinds. Of course, food storage is a vital part of being adequately prepared, but you also need water, unique cooking devices, items for your kitchen, products to keep you warm if the power is out, and so much more.
If you are a loyal reader, you have heard about and possibly purchased some of the items listed below. Still, this list of recommendations might prompt you to reconsider what constitutes the best Christmas gift ideas as you plan your holiday shopping.
Treat this post as a “Holiday Gift Guide” and go forward with the best gifts a mom, dad, friend, or coworker can buy for those they care about this holiday season.
1. Water Containers
I’ve stressed for years that water is essential. A rule of thumb is that you can survive for only about three days without it. The most important consideration is having water to drink and staying hydrated.
You also need water to cook, do laundry, and maintain proper personal hygiene. Water storage presents some issues regarding space available and the cost of buying containers.
I have some large storage tanks, but smaller containers probably make more sense for holiday gift-giving. Below are some links to some products I have and highly recommend. They are not very expensive, can be stacked, are easy to use, and can be moved from place to place.
They won’t do much for the gift recipient regarding taking a shower in an emergency but can provide water to stay alive until help comes or the emergency is over.
WaterBricks and WaterBricks Spigot
Saratoga Farms 5-gallon Stackable
Blue Cans Brownells is the cheapest place). You buy a case of 24 cans for every family member. I would suggest you tell them it’s for emergencies only, but you can sleep at night knowing they have some cases of water in their homes. Update: they are out of stock now; get on their waiting list.
2. Water Preserver
Storing water for extended periods requires you to consider the quality of that water when it comes time to use it. A standard for some families is to use unscented bleach to treat their stored water and make it fit for consumption.
The challenge with bleach is that it is only good for about six months, so the stored water has to be dumped and replaced. The product in the link below is good for water treatment lasting five years—boy, what a difference!
Yes, it’s good for 5 years, so you don’t have to rotate it as often as other products. You can treat small or huge containers; follow the directions on the bottle. If you decide to use unscented bleach, as mentioned, you’ll want to rotate the water every 6 months, which is much too often for me.
3. Water Filters
You may find yourself in a situation where, for some reason, your stored water has gone bad, or, more likely, the water source has become contaminated. It’s sad, but we hear all the time about municipal water systems that have experienced a breach or whose pumps don’t work when the power is out. You’re then forced to find a backup water source like a pond, stream, lake, etc.
Being put in that situation means you’ll need to filter your water, if even for just a few days. There are some larger-volume solutions for water filtration, but the links below are for products that have a fairly low price point. They have been used and tested for years, and I highly recommend them as a good Christmas gift.
It will comfort you that this substitutes for tech gifts for teens who may hike, family members off to college, or family members stuck bugging in during an emergency.
4. Food
As of today, I struggle to recommend #10 cans of freeze-dried food. Food, in general, is expensive right now, and long-term storage food is expensive as well. I’m glad I started purchasing Thrive Life #10 cans many years ago, but I couldn’t afford the prices being charged today.
Luckily, they sell pantry-size cans, which are a little cheaper and a good size for Mark and me. Just so you know, if you sign up for a monthly delivery service, you get the food cheaper.
If you’re starting, I recommend canned goods. Yes, they have a shorter shelf life, but they’re food that your family may need after a disaster or unforeseen emergency. Check out some of my posts below for a nice list of canned food ideas that not only make sense as a gift set if you buy multiple items but are truly a nice list of things you should consider for your own food storage needs.
- 11 Canned Meat Ideas I Recommend
- Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store
- 11 Cans Of Fruit I Recommend
- 15 Canned Vegetables I Highly Recommend
5. Food Storage Containers
Food storage containers come in all shapes and sizes and aren’t “one size fits all.” I wrote a post a while ago discussing the various ramifications of proper food storage and the types to be considered. One thing is certain: they must be BPA-free in a plastic container so the plastic chemicals don’t seep into your food. Click the link below to read all about it.
In case you missed this post, Food Storage Containers I Recommend
6. Canning Supplies
The best places to get canning supplies are Walmart or Amish stores. If you have access to Farmer’s Markets or can grow your own food, be ready to preserve it by freezing, dehydrating, or canning it.
I can only recommend the Ball Canning Book or the USDA Canning Guides. Please follow their instructions to have a safe canning experience. Having a family garden can be fun, educational, and rewarding. Watch your food “backup plan” take shape as you look forward to a good harvest and the following canning steps. To learn about gardening, check out my archive for some accurate, in-depth information.
7. 5-gallon Storage Buckets with Gamma Lids
I realize a lot of people use Mylar bags; I highly recommend putting those bags inside 5-gallon buckets or any heavy-duty BPA buckets. I found these on Amazon. They are sturdy, and the lids go on quickly. Hudson 5-gallon Buckets with Gamma Lids
Like so many things these days, the cost of buckets has gone up, yet they are great for storage and last a long time.
8. Bread Pans
These are my favorite bread pans; they make a one-pound loaf. We must teach our family to make bread, biscuits, and tortillas. Fat Daddio Bread Pans. Making bread is a skill we all should know. I have taught classes and try to prompt families everywhere through my posts to learn how. Again, check out my archive and learn how you can learn how to make no-fail bread every time.
9. Measuring Cups and Spoons
These are my favorite Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons. I mentioned in my intro above that it’s frustrating to have measuring cups where you can’t read the size. If you don’t know what someone wants, consider getting them a gift card with a note suggesting they upgrade their measuring tools during December, for a birthday, or any time they want their kitchen to move up a notch.
The two links above will take you to sources with a nice list of options.
10. Mixing Bowls
If you have several stainless steel mixing bowls, you can make bread in the large one or squeeze lemons in the small ones. Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
11. Saucepans
My most used saucepans would have to be: a 4-quart Saucepan, a 6-quart Saucepan, and an 8-quart Saucepan.
12. Dutch Oven
I prefer the 6-quart Dutch oven because the weight is about all I can handle. 6-Quart Lodge Dutch Oven. In case you missed my Dutch Oven Template for Temperatures, here it is again. Dutch Oven Temperature Guide
13. Cast Iron Pans
The food tastes better in cast iron pans, am I right? You can find gently used cast iron pans at garage sales and thrift stores. You can start collecting a few here and there. Before you know it, you will have all the desired sizes. Cast Iron Pans and Pizza Cast Iron Pan
14. Can Openers
My motto is “one is one, and two is one”. Please have more than one can opener; it’s a backup for when the first one breaks. Small can opener and larger can opener for #10 cans. Small Can Opener and Larger Can Opener.
I love my electric can opener. I will use it when we have power, which right now is every day. Electric Can Opener
15. Rolling Pin/Biscuit Cutter
Rolling pins are needed in every kitchen for making bread, biscuits, tortillas, and cookies, to name a few. Biscuit cutters can also be used for biscuits or cookies. Rolling Pin and Biscuit Cutters. You can fill the belly if you know how to make biscuits.
16. Flashlights/Batteries
Please be prepared for blackouts. There will be some, for sure. I hope they are short-lived, but no one knows how long they will last.
Smaller Olight Flashlights and Larger Olight Flashlights
17. Solar Flashlights/Lanterns
Please stock some of these and place them in your sun-facing windows; you will always have a light source.
Small Goal Zero Solar Lanterns
18. Wool Socks/Gloves
Please be prepared with good socks if you are a hunter or go hiking. We need to protect our feet and hands. Look for some suitable solid gloves. You can never have too many
19. Sewing Supplies
I love to sew and wish the schools still taught Home Economics. It’s a skill everyone needs. Please take sewing lessons if you can, you will never regret it.
20. OTC Medications
I’m very worried about our supply chain right now. I recently heard that Amoxicillin is hard to get. What’s next? We need some items in our home to help our families get through any illnesses this year. Please stock up now. If you see what you need, buy it. Always check the dates on all over-the-counter medications.
I’ve started buying smaller containers even though they may be a bit more expensive per pill (for instance). If I never use the bottle and it’s expired, I will save money in the long run. Please remember to rotate, toss, and replenish those items your family uses regularly.
In case you missed this post, 35 OTC Medications You Should Store. This post has a FREE printable list for you to check off what you need.
21. Propane Tanks Filled
When in doubt get your tanks filled. Please check them and don’t get caught without any propane. Yes, the tanks have been in short supply, and propane was scarce a year ago.
22. Charcoal
Please stock some charcoal, it may be on clearance still. Place the charcoal without chemicals to light in airtight containers. They will last indefinitely.
23. Butane Stove/Kelly Kettle
In case you missed this post, you really need to see how it works. How To Use A Kelly Kettle
Butane Stove with Extra Canisters of Fuel
24. Pocket Knives/Ammo/Tools for Protection
You know what you need and I feel confident you can protect yourself.
25. Family Recipes
In case you missed my post on family recipes, How to Organize Your Favorite Recipes. If your parents and grandparents are still alive, please ask for their recipes now. We all realize that most recipes are memories by them, but could they please write them down? We all want their recipes or at least the ones we enjoyed eating! LOL!
Final Word
I hope you enjoyed my post on 25 Christmas gift ideas. It worries me how high prices are going up on everything. I doubt they will be going down, so please stock up on what you can. Please teach your kids and grandkids to cook from scratch, one lesson a week or a month will work. May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Christmas and New Year AdobeStock_297120401 by Di Studio
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