By Elizabeth Wyss

There are still deer in the freezer. The smokehouse is running 24/7. There are hams everywhere, and late work nights are expected. These are all sure signs of Christmas time at any meat processor.

So, while my dad smokes a delicious ham for what seems like every Christmas dinner in the county and mom does the books on them all, we don't have a whole lot of time left for shopping. Sure, we get the shopping done for our immediate family, but when it comes other gifts, we can't spend as much time at the mall. Luckily, we have one of the best gifts readily at our disposal: food.

A stick of summer sausage here and a pound of bacon there, and the Wyss family is spreading Christmas cheer far and wide. But even if you don't have an entire meat locker to choose from, giving food can still be an easy way to spread the holiday joy, ensure that your friends and family get a gift they will appreciate, and support local ag businesses.

When the idea of food as a gift was first introduced to me as an elementary schooler in search of a gift for my teacher, I was skeptical. It felt impersonal, even to a second grader. The gift wouldn't even last; my teacher would eat it and then it would be gone. However, my mom assured me that she would appreciate it. At our class Christmas party, I watched my teacher open numerous candles, knick-knacks, and even the same charm bracelet from two different kids.

"Thank you, Elizabeth!” my teacher said as she opened my gift: jalapeno summer sausage and a pound of bacon. "I can't wait to take this home and share it with my husband. I won't have to worry about breakfast tomorrow morning with this bacon!”

While she might have had guaranteed breakfast the next morning, she would still have to figure out desk real-estate for every knick-knack and candle she received and determine an outfit to wear with both bracelets. Each gift was thoughtful and personal, but the bacon and summer sausage wouldn't take up space for very long.

 My mom was right, it wasn't impersonal. The Christmas season is busy for everyone, but a quick and easy snack for in between shopping trips, gift wrapping, and decorating can give a needed break to your friends and family. It also helps lift some of the burden of finding that perfect, more commercial gift off your shoulders.

Not only does giving the gift of food making shopping easier and provide a tasty holiday treat to your loved ones, but it's also a great way to support and promote small agricultural businesses. In addition to your local meat processors, you can support the Supervised Agricultural Experiences of your local FFA members. Many students with non-traditional agriculture background sell baked goods, homemade candy, canned goods, or even home-harvested honey as their FFA project. Supporting these local businesses or students can give them new customers year-round, which is a gift to them too.

So next time your mailman, administrative assistant, Sunday school teacher, or anyone else you love needs a gift but you're not sure what to get them, shop local and give food.

Wyss is a senior in science and agricultural journalism at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Contact her at [email protected].