Walking into an outdoors store for holiday shopping can be stressful. Follow this Christmas gift guide to simplify your gift list for the camper in your life.
Men’s/Women’s Samurai Sun Protection Hoodie
AFTCO has successfully paired style with comfort in its line of fishing hoodies. This long-sleeve hoodie is lightweight and offers sun protection as well as stain resistance. It will keep you cool and dry on any fishing excursion. AFTCO; $39
Men’s/Women’s Black Diamond Access Down Hoody
This 700-fill goose-down jacket is perfect for the cold-weather camper. It’s lightweight but warm, with elastic sleeve cuffs and a hood to keep out the cold. It can be worn as a mid layer under a shell or an outer layer on clear, cold days. REI; $259
Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp
A headlamp is essential for any camping trip. This kids’ light is water resistant and will shut off after two hours of use, so the batteries won’t accidentally drain. It tilts like the adult models and will work right side up or upside down. REI; $29.95
Blackstone 17-inch Tabletop Griddle With Hood
Blackstone has outdone itself with this griddle cooking setup. The hood keeps the wind and elements away from the food and the grill as it heats. The “H” style burner provides even heat distribution, and the large, flat griddle lets you cook multiple food items at the same time for quick meals. DICK’S Sporting Goods; $179.99
GSI Bugaboo Camper Dish Set
This campsite dishware set has taken the brunt of two dogs and two kids and has held up under the elements. The family set comes with pots, strainer, sink, cups, plates and much more. This is our go-to campsite dish and cookware set for every camping adventure. REI; $130
ENO Hammocks
My kids cannot get enough of their Eno hammocks, whether they are relaxing to read a book or using them like a swing set. Eno hammocks are sturdy and comfortable and come with their own sack to compress to the size of a large grapefruit. Their suspension system ($29.95) is sold separately. If this is your first hammock, you will need the suspension system to hang the hammock. These hammocks are amazing for the adults, too. ENO; $69.95
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
This stainless-steel water bottle can keep your drink cool or hot for hours. It has double-wall vacuum insulation, so the temperature of the liquid inside the container won’t burn or chill your fingers. With the screw-on cap, rest assured no liquid will be spilling into your pack. Hydro Flask; $34.95
Jetboil Zip Cooking System
Cold mornings at camp can be rough while waiting for water to heat up for coffee, tea or breakfast. However, with this Zip Cooking System, water will boil in just over two minutes. The system is lightweight (12 ounces) and packable, and the bottom cover doubles as a measuring cup and bowl. REI; $84.95
L.L. Bean Camp Futon
This is an excellent sleeping pad for any car camping adventure. It is self-inflating and durable (stands up to dog paws and claws) and provides supreme cushioning, so no rocks are felt during your sleep. L.L. Bean; $119
The Night Sky Star Finder Map
With the Night Sky Star Finder map, just align the date with the time on the dial and easily identify constellations. We have taken this on many camping trips, and it has been fun for the kids to see different constellations depending on the time of year. Use a red light to read the map at night so you can still see the stars in the sky. Amazon; $11.95
A2S Protection Paracord Bracelet K2-Peak
This survival bracelet packs a lot of tools in a small space. The 7.5-inch style is designed for kid-size wrists and combines a fire starter, compass, emergency knife and whistle into a survival bracelet. This is the perfect gift to begin to expand their wilderness survival skills. Amazon; $9.99
Qalo Ring
Outdoor pursuits can be hard on your fingers, and the last thing you want is to lose your valuable wedding band. These silicone rings are stylish and can be customized to fit your individual needs. Check out the newest Eva Shockey collection. Qalo; $11.95-$39.95
REI Kindercone 25 Sleeping Bag
This is the first bag we bought my son for camping when he was 18 months old, and he is still using it nine years later! It includes an attached sack that can be cinched under the child’s feet to keep them warmer on cold nights outdoors. It also includes a hood and two-way anti-snag zipper. He has never complained about getting cold in this bag. REI; $ 69.95
Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket
For cold nights or chilly mornings, this a great, versatile blanket to have around camp. It weighs less than a pound and comes with a water-resistant sack that is ideal for any campsite. More information Rumpl; $179-$279
Texas Bushcraft Fire Starter
I highly recommend these fire starters for any camper on your list. They are easy to ignite (my 9-year-old is proficient) and come with 10 feet of braided paracord that will ignite in emergency situations. Providing more than 15,000 strikes, it is an essential part of any camping or outdoor kit. Texas Bushcraft; $17.95
Grizzly Drifter Cooler
Pack up lunch and a few drinks in this grab-and-go soft sided cooler. The Grizzly Drifter Cooler is “designed for lightweight convenience.” It’s waterproof with two Grip Cup pockets on the outside, as well as other outside storage compartments. And, it’s insulated to keep your things cold all day. Since it’s lightweight, the Drifter is great for a bike ride to the water for a day of fishing. Grizzly; $99.99
