Our Rural Roots

Jennifer Campbell, Contributor

I have never been a diamonds and gold kind of girl; I have nowhere to wear them anyway. If I'm going to lose an earring in the hog pit, it better be a Walmart special. That's not to say I don't have expensive tastes. I just want the gifts that make my life easier.

Want to get a farmer -- at least my farmer -- excited about Christmas shopping? Ask for a tax-deductible gift. Need to get a gift for the farmer who has everything? Get something tax-deductible, and don't forget to wrap the receipt -- it's a gift all its own.

A shiny gray and orange Stihl blower to clean off the combine or a Bush Hog would make anyone smile. Been eyeing one of those electric tarp covers for a special loved one? Order it and make sure to save the receipt.

The Christmas I found a brand new DMI bumper under the tree (yes, literally under the Christmas tree in the living room) ranks as a highlight for the giver and the receiver in our family. It took two grown men to get it in the house to surprise me Christmas morning, and it was so worth it.

Don't underestimate stocking-stuffer deductions. Throw a couple of 13mm wrenches into that stocking -- farmers never have enough of them. Add a fresh set of wipe and write markers, which are great to write notes on the tractor/combine cab windows. I highly recommend a California duster as a tool to keep tractor cabs and windows tidy.

Tax-deductible gifts are summed up perfectly by Cousin Eddie of "Christmas Vacation" movie fame: "It's the gift that keeps on giving the whooooole year." Come tax season, it is like Christmas all over again when that receipt is pulled out and becomes a legitimate write-off.

**

-- Jennifer (Jent) Campbell counts her deductions from an Indiana family farm where she writes a blog called Farm Wife Feeds (farmwifefeeds.com). Follow her on Twitter @plowwife and on the podcast @girlstalkag.

[PF_1221]

(c) Copyright 2021 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.