Ranch House Christmas: Western Gifts for the Home

Some of the best Christmas gifts are for the whole house: things that make a home warmer and get used every day. These are the pieces that give a house the lived-in feel of a ranch house.

Underfoot

Wool, hide and braid are what ranch houses have always lived with. A braided wool rug from Rhody Rugs is handmade in the USA in a warm walnut brown. A genuine brindle cowhide, roughly six to seven feet, can anchor a living room or bedroom. A honey-toned sheepskin softens a leather chair or the floor beside the bed.

In the kitchen

The kitchen is where a ranch house lives. A pre-seasoned 12-inch Lodge cast iron pan works on the stove, in the oven or over a campfire. An acacia wood board with a handle goes from the kitchen to the table for bread and cheese. A ceramic French butter crock keeps butter soft on the counter.

Something warm

A good throw is the gift a whole house uses. LOOMY's Tres throw is baby alpaca, hand-loomed in Peru, in three warm ochre blocks with an eyelash fringe. The Tillie is chunkier: 100% alpaca with a woven texture and thick fringe, in ivory.

Morning coffee

Speckled stoneware mugs with a reactive glaze read like handmade pottery. Four of them, for coffee on the porch.

By the door

Every ranch house needs a place for hats and coats. A wood-and-metal hat rack keeps hats in shape and makes them part of the décor, and cast iron horseshoe hooks hold hats, coats, halters or lead ropes.

For decorating ideas, see A Warm Western Christmas, or Hostess Gifts for a Ranch House Christmas.