I am a big fan of Christmas! BIG FAN! I love everything about it- the tree and ALL decorations, the gift wrapping, the baking, the music, the snow, the hot chocolate… ALL of it! Except all the crazy shopping. I do admit that my anxiety reaches an all time high when I am shopping and there are 12 other people looking over my shoulder trying to find tooth brushes too. Ok, it was only 5, but still… CRAZY!
Shopping is especially stressful if I don’t know even what to get someone, especially The Rancher. I can pick out Barbie’s and tractors with the best of the best. I know my toys. But I have those moments of total blank-ness (yep, made that word up… Merry Christmas!) when my blonde hair sinks deep in the midst of a brain fart and nothing comes to mind to put under the tree for my cowboy. That’s when I wander the isles aimlessly hoping something will jump out at me to give him.
Obviously the smart thing to do is to ask him what he wants for Christmas. I do. And he doesn’t answer me. Or he says, “I don’t need anything. Spend it all on the kids.” So sweet and noble, right? But I know deep down inside that there is still a little boy inside that wants something exciting for Christmas too! Should I resort to filling his stocking with tractors too? I mean, there should be something besides socks in there, right? Anyone else in this boat with me?
Actually, this year… I got a list. Well, sort of a list. It was a list of all things that he likes. Not quite what I was hoping for but its definitely a start. Ya know, for those moments that nothing comes to mind as I’m staring at the shelves with an empty cart. (More likely when I am searching amazon with an empty cart and nothing coming to mind…) I thought I would share The List for any others that sometimes need a jump start for a cowboy. This list is certainly not totally encompassing and lets be honest, shopping from this list could really empty out the penny jar. But, in the case where a girl just doesn’t know what to get her cowboy, this might just get you through.
A cowboy hat– They can never have enough. Ever. Just when I think he is good, its time for a new one. And there are so many kinds you can have and they need to have them ALL.
Horse tack- Sometimes I feel bad getting him tack because that seems like work stuff. I try to be a little more original than that. So that’s when I get maybe a little fancier bit. Make it seem like more than just ‘work stuff.’
Clothes- The Rancher can go through work shirts and jeans like candy. Barbed wire, pocket knives, oil stains, poop… It is all hard on his clothes and a wardrobe upgrade is always welcome.
Boots- He teases me about how many shoes I have, but does he really need so many boots? Yes, he really does and there is always room for more!
Tools- Whether it is a new Leatherman or knife or wrenches or whatever, more is certainly merrier. Because tools get lost all. the. time!
Cowboy gear- What cowboy doesn’t want a new pair of chaps or a new work coat or wild rag or gloves? It may seem like a boring gift but they will put a smile on their face for sure!
Gun- Guns and ammo are always good. Yep.
Then there is always the list like- a new custom saddle, a new truck, a new trailer, a new horse…. the dreamer list. If you can shop the dreamer list you have made their Christmas for sure! I haven’t made that yep but someday… maybe…
Now that I have shared a few ideas to get you through some cowboy Christmas shopping, what are you getting your cowboys? What do you want for Christmas? Merry Christmas, Friends!
