What Was Under Your Christmas Tree This Year?
For The Kids
For the kids, I see lots of model horses and toy horses. Lots of them. I'm sure they had specific ones listed that they wanted. Maybe they had a catalog filled with pictures circled of the ones they want. That is how I did it when I was a kid! I bet the kids went for the model horse shaped boxes under the tree very first thing!
For the kids that take lessons, maybe they finally got their own brush box or crop. Maybe a pair of riding pants or paddock boots. Even if they are only riding once a week, getting their own riding equipment feels like a milestone( at least it did to me). I bet there was plenty of that under the tree!
Maybe for kids that have not ridden before but have always wanted to, there is a gift certificate or promise of riding lessons.
For The Teen Equestrians
By the time you are a teenage equestrian your Christmas wishes get a little more specific( a.k.a expensive). They might get a new cross country vest or hunt coat for showing. Maybe they have been eyeing up a certain pair of jumping boots for their horse.
Anything monogrammed with their initials or their horse's names! Teenagers love personalized saddle pads, blankets. They like to see one of the two things on all of their riding stuff. In perfect color coordination of course!
The teenage equestrian may have a gift card or two for a non-horsey place under the tree. Just because by the time you are a teenager you might have realized there is a world outside of the barn. So you might want some non-barn clothes or outfits to wear. Maybe not though, some horse crazies never get to the stage of wanting anything besides horse stuff.
New Horse Owners
New horse owners use Christmas as an excuse to stock up on everything that they need for their new horse. From tack to brushes, to first aid kits. I mean if you have never owned a horse you need to get everything! Christmas is the perfect opportunity to fill your tack trunk, and outfit yourself and your horse with everything you need for the upcoming year. Well, need and want. Sometimes with horse things, it is hard to tell the difference between need and want!
Trainers And Instructors
The trainers and instructors probably have some form of cold weather gear under the tree. Maybe a coat, some warm socks or boots. Hand warmers will definitely be in their stockings!
It isn't uncommon to see some riding clothes or a piece of tack or two under the tree. As a rule, though, they already have most of the tack and horsey stuff they need from years of riding.
Which leaves space under the tree for non-horse related items. Things like gift cards to non-horse related places and stores. Maybe some home decor or jewelry depending on the person?
The trainers and instructors will have there fair share of horse stuff under the tree, but there is plenty of room for practical things and non-horse things as well.
The Parent Of A Child Who Rides
A parent of a child who rides or owns a horse will have one side of the tree for their gifts, which will be pretty empty. Then the other side for their child. Which would consist of a bunch of packages filled with the things listed in earlier paragraphs?
The barn parent is a dedicated breed and just as excited to see their children open up their horsey Christmas Gifts as they would be getting fancy gifts for themselves!
No Matter What Was Under Your Christmas Tree...
No matter what was under your tree this Christmas, whether you were surprised or got exactly what you wanted, I hope you had a wonderful day surrounded by friends and family. Remember the true meaning of Christmas, and let's all make our best effort to keep the spirit of Christmas with us all year long. We all have a lot to be grateful for!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
