Have a camper, hiker, or other adventurous soul on your list? Here's our gift guide of ideas for the outdoors-person in your life.
By Carly Eisley
The holiday season is here, and it’s time to swing into elf mode and get that Christmas (or Hanukkah, or whatever holiday you celebrate) shopping finished…Or started if you are a solid procrastinator like me! Have a camper, hiker, or other adventurous souls on your list? Here’s my gift guide for the outdoors person in your life.
A Gear Subscription Box
These are a great idea for someone who is still collecting camping and hiking gear and enjoys getting some surprises to try out! The gist is that they will receive a curated box of outdoor gear (usually monthly). Check out some websites for subscription box ideas
here and
here.
I received a two-month
outdoor-themed subscription box as a gift and it was awesome! I got a nice mix of some outdoor gear (backpacking dinnerware, gear organization, pack towel, etc) and some new granola/energy-type bars to try out. These subscriptions cost in the ballpark of $30/month and give them something to look forward to each month! Other ideas include
BespokePost,
Isle Box, and
The Feed (food and energy fuels).
A Membership
Have someone who already seems to have
EVERYTHING? Spring for a membership to an outdoor club or a conservation group. Help save the environment, protect public lands, and get them some perks such as discounts on merchandise and camping/hut reservations, etc. Here are some ideas (focusing mainly on the Northeast US, my local turf, but look for similar ideas in your neck of the woods – they exist).
- Appalachian Mountain Club – guided adventures, discounted hut stays, discounts on maps and guidebooks, and support for trail maintenance and conservation efforts in the Northeastern United States. They have local chapters that often have meetups, etc to help you get out there and explore!
- Sierra Club – Nationwide organization fighting to protect our environment and conserve our public lands. Local chapters all over the country. Get involved and get political.
- Nature Conservancy – Worldwide organization (with many local chapters) working to protect lands, protect the environment, take on climate change, save the oceans, and work in urban areas to create and preserve natural areas.
- Your local land trust or land conservancy organization I guarantee there is one nearby! For us, it is the Avalonia Land Conservancy. Join to protect and improve local open space, trails, and public lands.
- Your local forest/park association. I am a member of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. They work to care for and protect many places I frequent on my trail runs, especially some of my beloved blue-blazed trails around the state. Membership also gets you their magazine and discounts on merchandise such as the blue blaze trail guide.
Maps = Art
And finally, A unique map or print makes for some great wall decor. Some of my favorites include a vinyl-raised topographic map of Vermont/New Hampshire. Something like this is a great way to give someone a very meaningful gift, representing a place that is special to your adventurer.
For example, I have a vintage National Geographic print of the New Hampshire White Mountains and a black and white print of Half Dome adorning my walls, gifts that are very dear to me. Another really cool map idea is a
map of the hiking trails in the white mountains that is made to color in as you finish each trail. Check out
Sherpa Ant’s Etsy Store for other cool hiking-oriented paper goods, prints, and t-shirts
I hope this helps get you in the festive, gift-giving mood! Many of these are electronically deliverable, so perfect for a last-minute gift. Happy holidays, and happy adventuring!
