We know it\u2019s time to put our summer camping gear into hibernation and dust off our snowshoes when frost starts sticking on the ground, ugly sweaters make their annual debut, and wafts of pumpkin-spiced lattes fill the air. It\u2019s also time to start thinking about the holidays. And with them, the opportunity to gather with friends and family and think up thoughtful gifts to give them.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to finding the right presents for the outdoor adventurers in your life, there are some things to consider: what do they love about the outdoors? And, what\u2019s their style of outdoor recreation? Whether they love nature journaling, engaging in wildlife tracking, or doing extreme mountain ascents, there\u2019s a stocking stuffer gift for everyone. Below are gift recommendations based on five types of outdoor adventurers.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll find this person waking up early to go birdwatching. They go on hikes primarily for chance encounters with flora and fauna, and will always be the first to spot a rare species. The first gift ideas that come to mind for these nature enthusiasts are hand lenses and binoculars.<\/span><\/p>\n Wildlife lovers might also appreciate a local field guide or a subscription to a field guide-type app (like <\/span>iTracker Pro<\/span><\/a>, for animal tracking). Lastly, as a plant lover myself, I\u2019ll make a plug for Robin Wall Kimmerer\u2019s book\u00a0<\/span>Gathering Moss<\/span><\/em>\u2014which I found to be a gorgeous account of the ecosystems within moss through the lens of modern science and indigenous knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n The creative wanderer likes to be outdoors to reflect, recharge, and get inspired. They\u2019re the ones who draw inspiration from what the outdoors has to offer, the ones who escape to a park to journal under a tree, and the ones who would climb to the top of a mountain to take sunset pictures. So what gifts enable creativity while also being compact and light for travel? A camping\u00a0<\/span>water coloring kit<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>a travel flower press<\/span><\/a>, a\u00a0<\/span>journal<\/span><\/a>, and a\u00a0<\/span>weatherproof pen<\/span><\/a>\u00a0would be a good place to start. <\/span><\/p>\n Another fun idea is to gift them a water-resistant disposable camera and tell them to take one photo per adventure. Developing the photos later always makes good memories and comes with fun surprises.<\/span><\/p>\n This type of outdoor lover is all about the thrills of getting out and playing hard in the wilderness. These folks are the multi-day backpackers, the trail runners, the bike packers, and the mountain climbers. When I think of adventure seekers, I think,\u00a0<\/span>what\u2019s going to keep these people safe<\/span><\/em>? A compact\u00a0<\/span>first aid kit<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is always appreciated, as well as a reliable\u00a0<\/span>headlamp<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for nighttime safety. Travel sunscreen, SPF chapstick, and a face\u00a0<\/span>buff<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are great to protect against the elements. Additionally, a\u00a0<\/span>mini camp stove<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and a titanium\u00a0<\/span>travel utensil<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are handy for light and fast travelers, and a small\u00a0<\/span>pack towel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0would be well used by those who like to take alpine dips.<\/span><\/p>\n This outdoorsy archetype spends their time navigating the remote wilderness, building their own shelters, hunting and gathering food, and preparing for any possible emergency that might come their way.<\/span><\/p>\n This type of outdoor lover is especially fun to shop for. The leisure camper wants to enjoy the outdoors with style and comfort, and there are so many fun ways to support them in their pursuit. Sometimes I go on camping trips just to sit at camp all day, play games, cook extravagant backcountry meals, and get silly with my friends.<\/span><\/p>\n The leisure camper starter kit looks something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to leisurely mornings, a warm cup of coffee is key \u2013 that\u2019s why this lightweight <\/span>pour-over<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and backpacking\u00a0<\/span>mug<\/span><\/a>\u00a0should be on your radar. And lastly, as a leisure camper myself, I think it\u2019s important to have fashion flair on my trips. Getting your leisure camper a pair of goofy sunglasses, a bright and colorful hat, or stick-on mustaches is probably the right call. But maybe that\u2019s just me.<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you have a plethora of ideas, go forth and gift! Just remember that the best place to start is to focus on what your outdoor adventurer loves about the outdoors and their favorite recreation style. Whether they\u2019re a leisure camper seeking relaxing days at basecamp or an adventure go-getter summiting peaks every day, there\u2019s always something thoughtful you can give to enhance their time out there. While all the links I provided are for new products, I strongly urge you to consider tracking down these gifts as secondhand. Happy holidays, and have fun!<\/span><\/p>\n Eva (they\/them) currently lives in the foggy landscape of the Bay Area. Originally from Colorado, Eva practically grew up with hiking boots on their feet and climbing chalk on their hands. After working at Outward Bound in both Colorado and California, they thru-hiked the Pacific Crest and Colorado Trails to raise scholarship money for Outward Bound California\u2019s LGBTQ+ courses. When Eva\u2019s not studying for their graduate degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, they\u2019re most likely fixing bikes and exploring the Sierra Nevada.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outwardbound.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/52635199581_81df86c7dc_o-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Plants and Wildlife Lover<\/h2>\n
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The Creative Wanderer<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outwardbound.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/52635459114_72c2c50923_o-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Adventure Seeker<\/h2>\n
The Wilderness Survivor<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/outwardbound.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/52677550843_13d40dee98_o-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Leisure Camper<\/h2>\n
About the Author<\/h2>\n