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The Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoors Lovers
The Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoors Lovers
10th November 2023
Buying gifts for your loved ones can be tricky, particularly if you are looking to gift something which will last for years to come and enrich their lives in some way.
Below we have put together a list of some of the items which WE would really love to be gifted this Christmas. From stocking fillers to gifts for that person who has everything, there’s an idea in there for everyone.
1. Personalised Map
There are now several sources for personalised maps, particularly here in the UK where you can have an Ordnance Survey map printed with your chosen central point, map title and cover image.
We use Aqua3 for printing personalised maps for work, they’re durable, waterproof and good quality printing.
2. Books
In our opinion you can never have too many books, our heaving bookshelves are testament to that fact and our collection of guidebooks, biographies and identification guides grows on a regular basis.
Some of our best finds have been from second hand book shops where out-of-print titles can still be found.
3. Dry bags
These are always a useful item to receive and every size has a purpose. If you are buying a selection then try to get a variety of colours as this can make it easier to find the one you are looking for when they are all full and in a rucksack.
4. Compass
The perfect accompaniment to a map and particularly useful for that one person who doesn’t have a good sense of direction. Silva make great compasses to suit all budgets and have a fantastic warranty service also.5. Training
For the person who has all of the shiny gear, why not help them to upskill or have a day to remember by booking them onto a training course or experience for a day or two.
Original Outdoors offer a variety of courses and training in outdoor skills.
6. Sit mat
An ideal stocking filler and something which can come in useful for almost every outdoor based hobby. Closed cell foam mats like this one from Lomo are ideal. It’s lightweight, comfortable and not too expensive to replace if it does blow away on a hillside.
7. Small knife
This may sound odd for certain outdoor activities but a small, folding knife can be a useful tool, whether for opening packets, cutting lengths of paracord, or improvising fixtures for broken or missing kit (lost a tent peg anybody?)
The offerings can be overwhelming but it is difficult to go wrong with brands like Victorinox, Wenger or Böker.
8. Paracord
This one may sound a little odd but paracord is a gift that can keep on giving. When made into zip pulls, toggles or bracelets you can carry a long length which is useful for temporary fixing of kit or replacing shoe laces. Or it can be tagged onto gear as a subtle way of marking out your jacket or bag amongst the rest (we even do this in our house!)
9. Identification guides
Nature identification guides come in all shapes and sizes, whether you know a budding botanist or have a foraging friend, there is a book for every occasion which can help them on their way.
They may also be interested in attending some in-person or online training to expand their knowledge.
10. Thermal flask / mug
A good quality insulating flask is probably one of the most sought after pieces of outdoor kit, directly correlated to the impact that a hot (or cold) drink can have on a day spent outdoors.
Look for something that is leakproof, easy to operate with cold hands and durable, if it is anything like mine then it is likely to come into contact with the floor more times than you’d like.
With over a decade of experience working outside in the UK doing everything from dry stone walling to tree planting and carrying out wildlife surveys. Amy is our resident ecologist and wild food enthusiast, and also works as a consultant for various brands and wildlife organisations. Amy lives in North Wales.
A Life more Wild.
A Life more Wild.
A Life More Wild is the philosophy which underpins everything we do.
It encompasses practical skills, personal development, community learning and a journey to live more intentionally.
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