By Amy C. Witt
Instagram: @caliiforniadreamin
www.caliidreamin.com
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
‘Tis the season of giving, as well as the season to enter more ropings, rodeos, and barrel races, not to mention, party hardy and shop ‘til you puke or pass out…in Vegas. Rope those what-to-give worries goodbye because gift giving just got a whole lot easier! I have fresh, fun, and unique ideas for your entire crew.
Let’s start with the book lovers. Do you have someone to gift who is always in search of the next great new reads? Even Cowgirls Get The Blues by Tom Robbins or Carly Kade’s In the Reins, the first book in her series of equestrian romance novels are wonderful reads for women. For lovers of art and poetry, my book, Cowgirl Confessions will not disappoint. Tickets to 2020 events like the Art of the Cowgirl, National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, or the Masters of the American West would surely knock the spurs off anyone who loves western art, music, literature, and entertainment. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown or Louis L’Amour’s Collected Short Stories are great books for anyone, at any age. Or how about a subscription to publications like the Dally Times, Rock ‘n W Report, COWGIRL, and the Ropers Sports News?
Let them drink and be merry with their favorite wine, liquor, or whiskey paired with some classy or personalized glasses or mugs, a membership to their favorite winery or wine/whiskey clubs, or even whiskey, wine, or liquor subscription boxes. Maybe you have a cook you want to treat? Bring’Em on Home cookbook offers recipes from PRCA families. A handmade apron or one you handpicked delicately from your favorite store is something the gift receiver will enjoy. For your coffee lovers, consider a Bison Union Coffee subscription or coffee beans from Sonoma brand. Yeehaw! Coffee.
Consider supporting small, local, family, women, or veteran-owned businesses. Dirty Hands Candle Co. offers luxury western lifestyle products – with the custom leather air fresheners and all natural saddle soap and butter being my favorite products. Wild Rags from Buck Wild Rags are the perfect accessory for any season or occasion for both cowboys and cowgirls. If you’re in need of a customized silver buckle, bit, or jewelry, consider women silversmiths like Sarah Smith or Anna Meyers or renowned family-owned company, Vogt Silversmiths.
Shopping for tack and horse accessories? Circle N Saddle Shop has an awesome selection of saddles, ropes, hats, clothing, and horse accessories. Brands like Kimes Ranch Jeans, Rural Haze, Rodeo Q, Mane ’n Tail, and Paige 1912, are all family, women, or American-made brands that offer gifts for anyone and everyone! Hats, tees, sweatshirts and gloves from Girl Kurl are also the perfect gifts for any cowgirl.
One of the best gifts you could give to a roper or barrel racer is a membership to a team roping or barrel racing association. Not to mention, ACTRA will be including breakaway ropings in the 2020 year. New ropes like Classic’s NXT4 and NXT5 or Fast Back’s Core are also exciting gifts to receive. Breakaway roping practice or lessons from the Hunsdorfer girls or lessons from my favorites Denny Watkins, Kyle Lockett, or Daniel Green are also out-of-this-world gift ideas that are meaningful and memorable. Lessons from Abigail Hampton or a spot in one of her California breakaway clinics would be an extraordinary gift! If you want to do something really special, gift an Acuscope or Myoscope treatment by Cynthia Konda from Absolute Equine Therapy.
The greatest gifts however, we cannot buy. Love, friendship, family, laughter, peace, and being in the company of the ones we love are the most desired and cherished! If you are on a strict budget, make something, gift a framed photo or canvas from Off the Beaten Path, write a love letter, poem, draw or paint something, but most of all, spread love! Have a joyous, fun, safe, happy, and peaceful Christmas and New Year! See you next year!
Don’t forget to be on the lookout for Ropers Sports News at the NFR and pick up your free sample copy of the December issue during the NFR. Cowgirl Confessions will be sold at the Buck Wild Rags booth located at the South Point, aisle 1100 J. Most of the companies listed above can be found on Instagram and Facebook.
Visit me at: caliidreamin.com or feel free to email me with your comments at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The author of the blog, California Dreamin’ (www.caliidreamin.com), Amy Witt’s articles have appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world. A fashionista, cowgirl and journalist, Amy strives to motivate and inspire people around the world.