Ok, trying to think of something to get for my dad for Christmas, and we haven’t gone camping in a few years, so I’m thinking I’ll get him some camping-related things and plan a camping trip for the summer.
The problem is, well, he already has all the obvious things I can think of. He’s got a sleeping bag, mat, and tent. He’s got a pocket knife, a headlamp (I got it for him last year), a stove, a lantern, and a canteen.
So I turn to you, Teeming Millions.
Total budget is, say, $75. Amazon or REI availability a plus.
Cook book? Book of local hiking trails? A cot so he doesn’t have to sleep on the ground? (it’s easier to get up from than an air mattress, and you have space to store stuff underneath. And it can’t get punctured.)
Camping geeks (and I consider myself one) always love new toys, even if they already have something like it. I think a new type of LED light, a different kind of multi-tool, something for camping comfort (thermarest pillow) or even a different way to make coffee would be be a good gift.
Target has end-of-aisle displays of interesting gadgets, all in red Target boxes, some priced at $4.99 and some priced at $9.99. Stocking stuffers, I guess, and I always hit those displays for the guys. This year they have an LED chandelier thingy that could be hung at the top of a tent and illuminate the whole thing. Also LED lights that clip onto brims of hats, and multitools with LED flashlights.
I got the chandelier thingy for my husband. It’s about 5" diameter and extremely lightweight.
I camp a lot. I wouldn’t want a cot. The legs could too easily damage the (nylon) tent floor. The siderails can feel restrictive. An arm stretched out could end up hanging uncomfortably. To each his own, of course, but that’s my opinion.
Here are some things I have and really like in camp:
We REALLY need to know if this is car camping or backpacking!
Both of my ideas are much less expensive than your budget; maybe they’d make good stocking stuffers.
If car camping, then an unobvious camper’s delight is a multi-spice spice jar. I repurposed an ice cream sprinkle container for mine, butthey sell them prefilled, too.
A backpacker might get a kick out of this: Trangia Multidisc. It’s a colander, potlid, cutting board, serving dish and snowproof base for a single burner stove, all in less than 3 ounces.
And, while it’s out of your price range, I’m gonna link to this here so the other camp cooks in the thread can share my lust: MSR Flex 4 System
My folks love their Tripod Grill. They always use it to do bratwursts at their friends’ yearly camping trip. Place it over a campfire and raise and lower the grill surface to be as near the coals as you like. It’s much more a car- or canoe-camping item than a backpacking item, though, since it weighs a couple of pounds.
A braided surgical tubing no-clip clothesline (don’t get the twisty one- get braided!)
A silk sleep sack
A solar flashlight
A nice mess kit, like the Light my Fire one
A solar shower
A Kindel e-reader- bring all your books, holds battery life for weeks
A good field guide to local wildlife
Clothing. Get quality camping/outdoors clothing, like silk liners, convertible pants/shorts, trekking pole(s) (okay, that’s not clothing), high quality socks, an excellent wind shell or rain jacket, etc. Novelty gear just isn’t as versitile if you do ever upgrade and go backpacking.
Campers can always use more socks, gloves, and hats. It would be better if you knew what kind they currently have and either duplicate them (in the case of socks) or complement them (hat/gloves).
A nice camp chair would be a good option, as you can always use extras. Guidebooks to places they want to visit are always welcome.
Hammock hammock hammock. It’s far from “non-obvious” but I love mine. I haven’t slept overnight, but I’ve napped in it and found it lightweight and great. It also keeps the skeeters out which is a plus in Northern Minnesota.
