Just like today, Christmas on the frontier of the 1860s was celebrated with homemade gifts for friends and family using the materials at hand to make those special gifts.
In Lone Tree Claim, sheepherder Katie Rose Kelly learned how to weave using the wool from her sheep.
Katie wrote about the Christmas gifts in her journal:
I finished a nice scarf for Nan. It’s a lovely shade of green and will be my Christmas gift to her. Now I just need to weave two more – one for Da and one for Ryan. Won’t they be surprised when handmade scarves arrive from Dakota Territory!
And for Katie’s special friends on the frontier, well, they received scarves, too.
Here’s a passage from Lone Tree Claim:
After dinner, she brought out packages for the men. “These are both thank-you gifts and Christmas gifts.”
Sam opened his package first – a reel of fishing line. But along with the fishing line was a beautifully woven, soft gold scarf. He wrapped the scarf around his neck and said, “It fits! Thank you, Miss Katie.”
Jake opened his package. Along with a reel of fishing line, Jake found a deep blue colored scarf. He followed Sam’s lead and wrapped on his scarf. Katie was pleased that the blue scarf was the same shade as Jake’s eyes….
While Jake retrieved a bottle of whiskey from his pack to toast the holiday, Sam pulled a large, flat package out from under his bedroll. “This is for you, Miss Katie. I do some carving now and then.”
Katie unwrapped the heavy package. “It’s a…board?”
“Flip it over, Katie Rose,” Jake said with a laugh.
On the reverse side, Katie found a beautiful wooden sign with “Shamrock Sheep Ranch” meticulously carved into the pine board. Shamrocks anchored each corner of the sign.
Katie gasped. “Oh, Sam! It’s beautiful. Jake just said I needed a sign. I love it!”
“This spring we’ll post it on the road to your house,” Sam suggested.
“Here’s to Shamrock Sheep Ranch,” Jake said as he lifted his glass.
“Here’s to good friends,” Katie said.
“And Merry Christmas to all,” Sam joined in.