Buying presents for people is one of my favorite things in the world, because
a) shopping for horse stuff (sorry non-horse people, you usually get gift cards or something easy, because I don’t understand your life) is fun
b) trying to find good deals is one of my favorite things
c) putting thought into finding the right thing makes me happy
d) my Mom always went crazy with the Christmas presents, so now I think the craziness is deeply rooted in me too
I also really love seeing what other people gave as gifts… it gives me ideas for next year (or birthdays), and sometimes I discover new businesses I haven’t seen yet. So on that note, what did you give as gifts this holiday season?
Significant Other – we’ll start with him since his are non horsey and therefore less fun. He got a new stereo, a fancy alarm clock, lots of weird Japanese graphic novels (thank you Amazon wishlists), a DVD collection of 50 classic horror movies, and random geeky and nerdy stocking stuffers (including my personal favorite – Star Wars light saber chopsticks).
My dad got a Yeti cup and some hard cider, and my brother and his family all got gift cards.
Bobby and I went halfsies on all the trainer gifts… we got Eventing Trainer a custom stall guard with her logo from Deco Pony and a Kastel shirt.
Dressage Trainer got a bottle of wine and some peppermint bark (because dressage people are sophisticated or something like that, I think?).
And we gave both trainers this card:
Because let’s be honest.
Barnmates got custom ornaments from Hamer & Clay, which y’all already saw.
And the very lovely sweet woman who helps take care of the horses got a Noble Outfitters wine down hoofpick from Riding Warehouse and a bottle of wine.
The barn owner’s husband (aka our Handyman Deluxe) got Noble Outfitters socks and Noble Outfitters Hay Bucker work gloves from Riding Warehouse.
My friend/Sadie’s lessee Michelle got a custom browband from Dark Jewel Designs (because she rides a pony and it’s so hard to find pretty browbands in pony size!)…
plus a Kastel shirt, and a WEBSITE (FINALLY!) for her farm (mostly thanks to blog reader Marissa at Premier Equine Business Solutions)! Well… I paid for the hosting for 2 years anyway, after that Michelle is on her own.
As for the smaller 4-leggeds… Delia got a no-stuffing toy (which Stewie stole and ripped to shreds), Stewie got a rope ball, Quinn got a slow feed bowl, and all 3 of them got treats.
The big 4-legged got a bran mash, because food is all he cares about anyway.
And it was all SO FUN.
breedrideevent.com 
I gotta join in on this fun! I love to give gifts as well!
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Please do, I wanna seeee!
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Where did you find the lightsaber chopsticks?!? My husband needs them in his life.
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ThinkGeek!
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I was going to ask the same question, I have so many friends that would Squee for these 😆
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I too inherited the gift of amazing gift giving. My husband says I always win gift giving and he gives up, said it’s like competing with Leslie Knope (BAHAHHAA- I WIN!) But in all seriousness, you did great!
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Most of my friends and myself agreed no presents for Christmas, we are all literally broke graduate students so therefore I didnt buy much for others. Im like you, i ADORE giving. it makes my heart happy!
For the SO I got him two sets of Capt america Cufflinks. Handmade, gorgeous. Love Etsy! I also got him Capt America compression shorts, because he lifts.
For my mom I got her temperature controlled slippers for her office. She requests weird things. And a snowman coffee mug because shes obsessed.
My dad got Thug Kitchen cookbook. Hilarious and delicious. The SO and myself have one as well, highly recommend!
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I’ve heard of the Thug Kitchen thing!
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Love this post! I too love giving gifts and my mom instilled overdoing it in me.
My non-horsey, trying to be horsey, boyfriend got a trip to the Azores, thanks to Groupon (I of course go too!) it’s a huge gift because hey, he not only has been excited about me breeding my mare, but also was at the birth and has been super helpful and really trying to do baby horse things with me. Also, he got me a GoPro because well, horses.
For my horse girls we all went in to get each other better things. Back on Track saddle pads, horsey books we wanted, new riding belts, and of course, super pretty custom browbands. Oh, and of course, the SmartPak half zip shirts that are super awesome.
I also got a gorgeous painting from Art By Candice from my friends. I will have to share a picture of it! Love it!!
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Oh! And of course, the kids got their Christmas night Mash & Mix. I’ll have to share the photos on my blog!
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Those chop sticks are awesome, where did you find them? BF has a bday coming up and would love something like that. Totally jealous of those browbands too!
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ThinkGeek
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awesome, thanks
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Great post! I’d love to join but it was a very boring year. All my friends decided that dinner out together was a better gift.
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Great gifts – especially love the customized browbands. I don’t have many horsey friends to buy for, so most of my gifts were “boring” 😉
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