12 Days of Christmas…Gifts 2018

This blog post is the condensed version of our 12 Days of Christmas Gifts email series and Facebook posts.

We’ve got you covered!

The holidays are filled with blinking lights, familiar songs, cakes, cookies, good cheer…and stress! We love Christmas and are here to help you love it more by making it easier to find that perfect gift.

You’ll find Christmas gifts for everyone on your list in our store.

Over the next 12 days we’ll be highlighting some of our most loved gift items. Sit back, peruse our selection and let us help you make this the best Christmas ever!

And remember, we offer free gift wrapping. Let us do the work while you enjoy a complimentary cup of tea!

Oh, and if something strikes your fancy but you can’t get to the store, just call (423) 869-8927 or email store@mtnhollow.com to let us know how we can help you. We are happy to mail your gifts to you or directly to your recipient.  

Read on for inspiration and ideas to make your Christmas gift giving easier.

Christmas is a baby shower that went totally overboard! – Andy Borowitz

Holiday Hospitality and Gifts (Day 1)

A Cup of Cheer for Every Need

Do you host parties and get-togethers with friends this time of year? Wondering what drinks to serve?

Or maybe you can’t decide what to get someone for the office gift exchange?

And don’t forget the person who gets up early every day to deliver your mail.

We offer a selection of coffees and loose leaf teas that are sure to please everyone. Our coffee comes pre-ground or whole bean in a variety of roasts. And there are plenty of teas to choose from: caffeine free, fruity varieties, hint of chocolate, traditional styles, the list goes on and on!

We are more than happy to create a gift basket just for you. Some items to include in your hot beverage basket are mugs, teacups, infusers, teapots, and of course, coffee and tea. You can customize it just the way you want it.

Come on in, sit a spell and enjoy a cup of complimentary tea while we help you put together the perfect gift for those on your list – naughty or nice.

Friends don’t give friends fruitcake!

The Gift of Healthy Skin (Day 2)

All natural, handmade goat’s milk soaps and lotions

Is there someone on your list that has dry or sensitive skin?

Looking for luxurious Christmas gifts for those on your list who have everything?

Want to get a little something for yourself this holiday season – something to combat the dry skin that sometimes accompanies winter?

We carry a variety of wonderful body care products from a local dairy goat farm, as well as a fantastic artisan soap maker from Florida.

Did you know…

that glycerine occurs naturally in the soap making process? Glycerine is a natural skin softener.

Commercial soap makers strip the glycerine from their soaps and add it to their lotions? Yep, their soap dries out your skin, then you have to buy their lotion.

Handmade soaps contain all of the naturally occuring glycerine, so they nourish your skin and you use less lotion.

Soaps and lotions make great stocking stuffers that are sure to be a hit. For a larger gift, we are happy to create an indulgent gift basket with your giftee and budget in mind.

I look forward to seeing you and helping to make your holidays a little brighter! And if you can’t get to the store, just call (423) 869-8927 or email store@mtnhollow.com to let us know how we can help you. We are happy to mail your gifts to you or directly to your recipient.  

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. –Andy Rooney

Enrich Their Minds Gift (Day 3)

Fun, learning, & creativity all at once!

Everyone wants to give children gifts they will continually enjoy, not just on Christmas morning.

Some of the most precious gifts are those of new experiences or skills. We have several items that will encourage children to use their creative and analytical skills; techniques they will use for years to come.

We have gifts such as make-your-own bracelet kits, needle felting kits, learn-to-knit kits, hat kits, weaving kits, and cross-stitch kits.  We also have old-fashioned toys and games.

Crafting has been shown to improve planning abilities and concentration in children, as well as fine motor skills. And children LOVE to create things.

You can find fantastic Christmas gifts for the children in your life at Mountain Hollow Farm!

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. –Larry Wilde

Ewe-letide Gifts for Yarn Lovers (Day 4)

Everything You Need for the Yarn Lover on your List!

We’ve got the one thing every yarn-lover could use some more of – YARN! Chunky yarn, sock yarn, rainbow yarn, black yarn, white yarn, red yarn, blue yarn, new yarn, ewe yarn!

If you have absolutely no idea what to get the knitter or crocheter on your list, we promise some nice yarn will do just fine. We’ll even help you pick out Christmas gifts suited to their tastes.

We also have needles, hooks, yarn bowls, project bags, stitch markers, point protectors, row counters, highlighter tape, books, patterns, and more – oh my!

If you feel uncertain about what to get the yarn lover in your life, we’ve included a special wish list that you can forward to them. Or, if you are the yarn lover, fill out the wish list and give it to your family for hints. Easy peasy!

Best of all, if you need help picking gifts, we are more than happy to help put together a great gift for the yarn lover in your life!

Three Wise Women would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, brought practical gifts, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and there would be peace on earth.

Stocking Stuffers Galore (Day 5)

Quick, cute, & special gifts

If you’re like me, the last of your Christmas shopping is generally stocking stuffers. These are often fun, handy little gifts.

We have a wide variety of these special little treasures.

Choose from tiny puppy-shaped scissors, shawl pins, bracelet kits, bath bombs, lotion bars, lip balm, handmade soap, tea, tea infusers, old fashioned toys, felting kits, coin purses, coffee – and more!

Let us help you stuff your stockings and surprise your loved ones with unique gifts this year!

Christmas: the only time of year you can sit in front of a dead tree eating candy out of socks.

Treasures For Teachers! (Day 6)

According to our survey, 9 out of 10 teachers would rather have a gift from MHF than an apple 😉

It’s a wonderful thing to express appreciation for the teachers in our lives. Traditionally that means the teachers of your children at school, Sunday school, or soccer practice. But it doesn’t have to be so limited.

We can thank the teachers that have guided us through difficult situations at work, teachers that inspired us to continue our education, and even our spiritual teachers.  

The point is, there is always someone in our lives that we can express our gratitude for. And that’s what gifting is all about.

We have items to give in a wide variety of price ranges; for men, women and children.

Stop in and let us help you find special Christmas gifts for the teachers that have touched your life. If  you can’t get to the store, just call (423) 869-8927 or email store@mtnhollow.com to let us know how we can help you. We are happy to mail your gifts to you or directly to your recipient.  

I’m only a morning person on December 25th. (That’s sooo true for me!)

Find an Awesome Hostess Gift at MHF!  (Day 7)

No need to stress over picking out a hostess gift

Bringing a token of appreciation to the hostess of your favorite Christmas party is traditional but can be stressful to pick out!

We have a wide variety of gifts, and can customize the perfect gift(s) for you!

In our store, you’ll find beautiful handmade gifts such as wooden pens, aprons, and goat’s milk soaps and lotions. You can also find gourmet foods, loose leaf teas, coffees, candles, and more.

Whether your budget is $10 or $100, we’ll put together beautiful gifts that you will be proud to give and your friends will love!

Dear Santa, this year please give me a big fat bank account and a slim body. You mixed those two up last year.

Christmas Gifts for Guys! (Day 8)

Light Your Yuletide Fire!

What do you get the man (husband, son, father, grandfather, brother) who has everything? How about a firestarter made from antlers?

You can use a firestarter to start a campfire, bonfire or just light the logs in the fireplace.

The firestarters have a magnesium side, which you shave off with the attached striker, then you strike the flint side to get it all going.  Maybe the greatest thing is that it works even if it is soaked from weather or unfortunate drops in the lake or river. Click here to see a live demo of how to use one!

We also have matching hotdog/marshmallow roasters to use over those fires! Pair the roaster with a pack of hotdogs, sausages, or marshmallows for a fun and practical Christmas gift.

And, to stay warm by the fire, we have coffees and teas to warm the soul and the body!

The Whirley Pop stovetop popcorn maker makes popcorn in the same amount of time as a microwave, but it is healthier and better tasting. I like to make my popcorn with coconut oil instead of butter. It makes the popcorn slightly sweeter. I do, however, still drench it in butter! Oh, and you can make caramel corn in it too. YUM! I think I’ll go make some right now…

Come on in and find the perfect Christmas gifts for the men in your life!

There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus. ― Bob Phillips

Christmas Gifts for Those Who Have It All (Day 9)

These gifts are sure to be appreciated and used!

Do you have someone on your list that does not need or want more things? The best Christmas gifts for these hard-to-buy-for folks are experiences or consumables. Consider these ideas:

• An experience gift could be one of our enriching classes, tickets to a farm event, or a DIY craft kit.  
• For the salad lover, we have tasty Gazebo Room salad dressings. I discovered this amazing salad dressing while living in PA. Their Greek dressing is my all time favorite salad dressing – and we are the only store in TN that carries it! Choose from Greek, Lite Greek, or Balsamic Vinaigrette.
• Raven’s Brew coffees are expertly roasted in Ketchikan, Alaska and Tumwater, Washington. Our son, Ryan, discovered Raven’s Brew coffee while on a mission trip in Alaska. He brought home a bag of Raven’s Brew coffee, and Brett said it was the best coffee he ever drank. The rest is history… We had to carry it in our store!
• We carry loose leaf tea in our store because I am a tea drinker. Hot, warm, cold – it doesn’t matter, I LOVE tea! With 20+ flavors to choose from, we’ll help you find the perfect flavors for your gift.
• Our antler handle magnesium fire starters are super-popular gifts for men and boys. Click here for a video demonstration of these incredible firestarters.
• And don’t forget handmade soaps and lotions. Everyone needs soap, so why not spoil them with luxurious, skin softening goat’s milk soap and lotions?

Whether you need a single item or you’d like us to assemble a gift basket, come on in and we’ll help you find the perfect gift!

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph. ― Shirley Temple Black

Client & Employee Christmas Gifts (Day 10)

Show your appreciation

Show your appreciation to your clients and/or employees with a gift this Christmas.

Your employees work day-in-and-day-out for you in return for a paycheck. You expect good work and they expect to get paid. That’s the system. A great way to show them your appreciation is to give them a Christmas gift. Even a small gift will show them that you are grateful for the work they’ve done. And happy employees are productive employees.

Staying top-of-mind with your clients is not only important, it’s imperative in today’s competitive environment. Giving Christmas gifts to your clients will remind them that you care about their business, which will strengthen your relationship. And maintaining strong client relationships is the key to retaining clients.

Consumable gifts like food or body care products are always a hit. Everyone needs to eat and stay clean, right? Tell us your budget and we’ll help you find the perfect gift for your clients and/or employees.

Oh, and if you’re a gift card kind of person and you want to do something a little special this year, we have cute coin purses that you can put the gift card in for the women in your business, and for the men you could attach their gift card to a delicious 3 ounce Raven’s Brew Coffee.

Consider giving a Mountain Hollow Farm gift certificate. MHF gift certificates are versatile – they can be redeemed for products in our store, classes, and farm events.

What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day. ― Phyllis Diller

Gift ideas for those who serve you (Day 11)

Show them how grateful you are!

Christmas is a great time to show your hairstylist, mailman, UPS driver, house cleaner, manicurist, lawn mower, dog groomer, personal trainer, personal chef (I wish!) and others in the service industry workforce how much you appreciate them.

What do primarily all of these people have in common? They work with their hands! Whether they wash their hands a lot or they handle boxes, envelopes, or tools; they’re hands get dried out.

Treat them to some nourishing goat’s milk hand lotion, or really spoil them with goat’s milk soap and lotion, and they’ll remember your kindness all year long.

Our goat’s milk soaps and lotions are made locally by Rolling Meadows Orchard and Farm, a goat dairy right here in Claiborne County.

We’ll even wrap your Christmas gifts so they are ready to give. Drop in or call us at (423) 869-8927, and we’ll mail them to you or your recipient.

Scientists have now discovered the reason for post-holiday depression: No more presents until your birthday. ―Melanie White

Gift certificates are perfect for shoppers (Day 12)

Let them shop!

Sometimes the gift someone appreciates the most is a little retail therapy. If you have someone like this in your life, consider giving them a Mountain Hollow Farm gift certificate.

I like to give gift certificates more than money, since there’s a better chance that the recipient will spend it on something fun for themselves rather than on groceries or bills.

And I like the thought that both receiving AND using the gift certificate will make the recipient happy.

Can’t get to the store? No problem: just call us anytime at (423) 869-8927, and we’ll mail your gift certificate to you.

After-Christmas sales fulfill a vital need. They give women something to do while men are watching bowl games. ―Melanie White

That’s a wrap!

On our 12 Days of Christmas Gifts

I hope you found our 12 Days of Christmas Gifts email series helpful. We will be closed on Thanksgiving day, and open on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Then we’ll resume our regular hours:

Thursday 10 am – 8 pm
Friday 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
Other times by chance or appointment – just call (423) 869-8927. We’re happy to open anytime.

And if you can’t make it in to the store in person, call (423) 869-8927 or email store@mtnhollow.com to let us know how we can help you. We are happy to mail your gifts to you or directly to your recipient.  

What makes our store special? I’m glad you asked…

• We focus on American made and Fair Trade products. Fair Trade companies provide good working conditions and pay a fair wage, so you can be assured that the products you purchase in our store were not made by child- or slave-labor.
• You won’t waste  time in our store trying to figure out what the best purchase is, it’s already in front of you! At Mountain Hollow Farm, you’ll find a curated product selection. We don’t offer 16 brands of the same item. Instead, we research, solicit customer feedback, and test a variety of products – and only stock the best.
• We strive to make your shopping experience enjoyable. In a hurry? Call ahead and we’ll get your order ready. Want a relaxing shopping experience? Have a cup of tea on us while you browse. Feeling social? We’ll answer any questions you have or just “shoot the breeze” with you. Want to browse in peace? That’s OK, too.
• Where else can you shop AND pet goats, dogs, sheep & cats?
• Patrons like you make a wonderful community that we do our best to welcome and appreciate. We love our Mountain Hollow Farm “family”! What better time to extend your social network than the Christmas season?

In this season of hustle and bustle, visit Mountain Hollow Farm to find great gifts AND renew your spirit.

On behalf of Brett, Angela, Sarah, and all the critters here at Mountain Hollow Farm, I wish you joy this Christmas season and throughout the year!
Beth 

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. ―Calvin Coolidge