So this past week Oprah Winfrey released her list of “Favorite Things” for 2016 just in time for the holiday shopping season. I have always looked forward to reading her list…some of her choices are cute and practical gift ideas and others I get a really good laugh at. The poinsettia cake was my favorite off her list for this season. It’s a glorified holiday version of the birthday cake my mother always made for me when I was growing up…otherwise known as a dirt cake made with lots of crushed Oreos. The difference however is that Oprah’s chosen version has a price tag of $145! Eeek!
Checking the list out I was inspired to have a little fun and make my own “Favorite Things” of 2016. Maybe I can share a useful suggestion for folks that align more closely with myself. So in no logical order here it is:
Ellsworth Cajun Cheese Curds (found at Food Lion, $3.99): Since my first 
experience eating curds while visiting Wisconsin 15 years ago I’ve never seen them in a grocery store in my part of the US until recently. I like the spicy flavor just as much as I appreciate that they are produced by a cooperative that helps more profit to go right back to the dairy farmers whose cows produced the initial milk. Might make a fun conversation piece on the appetizers buffet for a holiday party?
Baby Foot Peel – I stumbled across this product through a Facebook “mom” group where the women were giving it rave reviews. Out of curiosity I added it to the Amazon cart and it was worth every penny of the $18 price tag if you can tolerate your feet actually looking like the reviews for a few days. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. My advice if you pursue this product: Make SURE you remove all your nail polish or it will burn. Make sure you soak your feet until they are really soft and then put the booties on covered by a pair of everyday socks for best results. Note that not all “similar” products are created equal. I’ve tried two other brands and none work nearly as well.
The Five Love Languages ($10)– My husband and I first bought this book a decade ago and read it together. This year I stumbled across a new version of the original book…The Five Love Languages for Children. Even though I was familiar with the concept, seeing it through the lens of a parent helped me figure out how to ensure my daughter is understanding my love for her through my actions and words. It’s a great read!
Donation to NC Baptists Disaster Relief – After witnessing first-hand the impact they can make with a dollar, I will always advocate for supporting this worthy organization. The efficiency and use of every resource combined with passionate volunteers is note-worthy. Yet they cannot operate and help those who feel completely helpless after a natural disaster without donations from you and I. When you’re not sure what to get the person who already has everything consider giving a donation in their name to honor them!
Usborne Books “Shine a Light” series ($14)– I was recently looking for a unique gift for my nieces and nephews and came across this series. These books are intended to be read in the dark with the use of a flashlight to help reveal the “hidden” answer to the questions on each page. What child doesn’t like using a flashlight? Thumbs up for quality construction too!
New Deli Candied Apples ($6.50)– The base is a tart Granny Smith apple in 
which over a dozen other combinations of sweet ingredients can be packed on the outside as a crust. You can purchase them whole to be shipped or if picking up locally (Fayetteville, NC) New Deli will slice them to be ready to display at your upcoming holiday event for easy serving. Pumpkin Pie and Turtle are my picks!
Facetune Editing App ($3.99) – So the photographer in me loves a photo that has good lighting and composition. Fortunately I stumbled across this awesome app for my phone that allows me to still use my handy cell phone to grab that quick picture before the moment passes and make basic edits to make it look more polished on the fly. This is a great app for the selfie fanatic…just as a PSA please don’t over edit. We all know what you really look like so making your face 20lbs skinnier screams fraud. Embrace who you are!
Arbonne Renewing Body Gelee – A good friend of mine is an Arbonne consultant and this 
summer asked me to host a home party to introduce the products in their catalog to my friends. Of all the products I got to try out, the Renewing Body Gelee was my favorite. It’s described as the “Swiss Army Knife” of the product line due to its versatility. I’m almost finished with my second jar and have seen it help with sunburn, insect bites, sore muscles, and even gave some relief when I got tangled up in insulation and my skin was miserably irritated. The products are made from all natural ingredients with no artificial fragrances or fillers.
Duluth Cortland Quilted Vest ($74) – My husband is a huge fan of this brand for working on the farm. I wasn’t initially because of the price point for most of their products being a bit 
higher than I want to pay for “work” clothes. After he purchased this vest for me as a Christmas gift last year I am now fully on board. It’s perfect for those that need a warm layer but don’t want bulk. It’s ideal for those who still want to be stylish yet value functionality. The three different sets of pockets are perfectly located and just the right size. TIP: Sign up for their email list and they regularly put items on sale along with coupon codes. Just wait for it to cycle through!
Lauren Daigle‘s How Can It Be Album – This entire album is uplifting and encouraging. Lauren was first discovered in the music industry when she was a finalist on American Idol but her biography as a Contemporary Christian artist is inspiring. Her voice is beautifully unique with an Adele-like “blues” vibe and her lyrics can relate to so many circumstances we deal with every day…and I just found out she’s just released a Christmas album. SWEET! Check out my favorite song off the album here: “Trust in You”
Make A Face Sticker Books – These are fantastic to stash in a purse or travel bag to fill the gap when your kiddos need entertained on the go. I’ve purchased smaller $1 versions at Dollar General that were perfect to pull out at a restaurant when waiting on food to arrive 
in lieu of my daughter making the dreaded plead for an electronic device. They are great to gift for the child you’re not sure what to give because they are consumable and appeal to a wide range of ages. They also provide a really creative way to connect with kiddos and discuss that God loves us no matter what we look like!
In our household we don’t purchase much without reading online reviews but we also put a lot of stock in suggestions from family and friends who have found things to be “tried and true”. What would you add to this list?
Be sure to remember that the real reason for Christmas has nothing to do with presents under an evergreen tree covered with ornaments and lights – but rather in His presence…God’s gift to us in that little miracle baby born in a feeding trough in the town of Bethlehem!
Farmer's Wife & A Southern Life 