By Julie Tomascik

Nine days, 206 hours or 12,360 minutes.

However you choose to look at it, Christmas is just around the corner. If you’re anything like me, you haven’t started—much less finished—your shopping.

And if there’s a farmer or rancher on your list, you may have absolutely no idea what to buy.

Trust me. I’m speaking from experience. I still haven’t bought my husband’s Christmas gift. It’s a struggle every year.

But don’t let panic creep in just yet.

Here are some foolproof stocking stuffers for the farmers and ranchers in your life. You can thank me later.

1. Pliers. You can never have enough. If I had a dime for every time we searched for a pair of pliers, I’d be on a Caribbean vacation this Christmas.

2. WD-40. Because no bolt is ever loose when it needs to be unscrewed.

3. Gloves. It never fails. One glove goes missing and no one has two left hands. So, it never hurts to have a spare pair, or two or three.

4. Pocket knife. It’s a farmer’s worst sidekick. Always there when they aren’t needed, but never around when they are. So, the more the merrier.

5. Ratchet straps. They’re the gift that keeps on giving. Want to buy a piece from the antique shop in town? The farmer or rancher in your life can use the straps to bring it home.

These may seem like little gifts to you and me. But the little things sometimes make the big jobs easier.

After all, farmers and ranchers work hard for all of us. A thoughtful gift, no matter the size, goes a long way.