Gift Ideas

Blogmas, Gift Ideas, Lists, New

Last Minute Budget Friendly Outdoorsy Gifts​ | Blogmas 2022

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Blogmas 2022

It’s still blogmas! This time I’d love to share some last minute budget friendly outdoorsy gifts! Since these can all be found on Amazon, there’s still time to receive them before Christmas!

I know I posted a gift guide already for this year, but IMO, you can never have enough gift ideas. So for this blogmas post, I’d love to share even more gift ideas, this time to encompass all of the outdoorsy folks! And they’re budget friendly!

Budget Friendly Outdoorsy Gifts

Here are some of our favorite budget-friendly gifts for those who love travel, recreation, adventures, and folks who love all things outdoors!

Yard Games

Okay we LOVE yard games – they are a true staple of a Minnesota summer, and something we look forward to as the warm weather season approaches. Here are some of our favorites! 

Here are also some yard games for kids!

Osprey Ultralite Stuff Pack

I have many, many bags and backpacks, and the Osprey Ultralite Stuff Pack is definitely one of my absolute all-time favorites!

It only weighs four ounces but has a whopping 18L of space for your stuff! And it packs down in its out pouch to about a 2″ x 2″ square.

We usually use it for activities where we’re shedding layers throughout the day, such as during day hikes, skiing/snowboarding, and snowshoeing, to name a few. 

Waterproof Playing Cards

Who doesn’t love a good card game around a campfire or around a picnic table? No matter where you are, it’s always best to keep a deck of playing cards on hand. And waterproof playing cards are some of the best and most durable you can buy. We have some that are permanent residents of our RV, and have come in handy countless times. 

Plus, they make great stocking stuffers! 

HotHands Body Warmers

If there was a single item this year that I learned to lean in on the most, it would be HotHands body warmers. They are lightweight, small, and packed with tons of heat to keep you warm for hours. 

I was really appreciative of this during Minnesota Gopher football games as well as fall and winter hiking outings. One of my favorite parts about having these is that they are disposable, so you can easily share with others or toss them after a day’s use and not have that extra weight (that is, only if you’re a place where you can throw them away – don’t forget to always Leave No Trace). 

Pop-Up Trash Can and Recycling Bin

Having a garbage and recycling can onsite while camping or being outside is so convenient, and easy when you have a pop-up bin! 

We have the mini size we use for tent and car camping and sitting around the fire, as well as the regular size for RVing and group campground gatherings. We even have it out when people are over and we’re outside!

Foam Body Roller

Foam rollers are so beneficial to have at home and on the road. They can be used after a long day’s drive on a road trip, after pushing yourself on a hike, or after a long day at the office. 

CamelBak Reservoir

Regardless of the outdoor activity taking place, having a water bladder is a game changer. We have the 2 liter size reservoirs and bring them everywhere: hiking, skiing/snowboarding, on road trips, bike rides, rock climbing, wherever! They come in different sizes, weights, and styles so you can get one for your needs. 

Marshmallow Roasting Sticks

S’mores! An outdoor staple. S’mores can be made at home around a bonfire or on the road around a campfire, and are one of the best outdoorsy foods in the world – prove me wrong! Marshmallow roasting sticks are sure to be a hit when received as a gift, whether it’s for a white elephant, dirty bingo, work secret Santa, as a regular gift, or as a stocking stuffer! 

Picnic Blanket

Enjoy eating outside? And last, but certainly not least, one of our favorite gifts that we received was a picnic blanket. This stays in my car, as well as in the RV for camping, any time either are on the move. 

Picnic blankets also don’t have to be used for eating on! We use ours to sit on the ground watching fireworks, in the boat to cover the seats, to eat on park picnic tables, and for lounging at the beach!

Need more gift ideas? Check out these below!

Blogmas, Gift Ideas, Lists, New

5 Simple Items to Keep You Warm While Outside this Winter​ | Blogmas 2022

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Blogmas 2022 - Post No. 1

Welcome to December 1st!

And that means it’s Day 1 of Blogmas, which I’m participating in for the first time ever! Blogmas is an annual challenge that creators do from December 1st until Christmas. It’s mostly just for funsies, and to push ourselves. You’ll see bloggers do blogmas and vloggers participate in Vlogmas, or sometimes each will do both! I wanted to do this in years past but I couldn’t fully commit due to roadblocks, but this year – nothing is standing in my way! Except for myself, so hopefully I overcome this anxiety of not knowing what to talk about each day. 

I mean, I know what to write about, I have what feels like an endless supply of ideas, but more so ensuring I carve out the time to get them written, formatted, optimized, and set up correctly each day. 

I’m a little rusty, so bear with me! With that, I wanted to have goals around why I’m doing this – why I’m going to spend a couple hours writing, optimizing, formatting, and creating a blog post each day for blogmas. And those goals are: 

  1. To get into a writing habit, 
  2. To find my voice, 
  3. To challenge my way of thinking, 
  4. To become a more efficient and overall better writer, and 
  5. To find new ways to serve you, my readers!
Now that my goals for blogmas 2022 have been established, let’s get started. And maybe bear with me on this first one as it’s definitely on the extra rusty side!

5 Simple Items to Keep You Warm While Outside this Winter

1. Down Filled, Fleece-Lined Hat

You know how nice a puffy coat is in the winter, but have you tried a puffy hat? I just learned about them recently while on a trip and my mind was blown. 

This down hat is sure to keep you warm while outside this winter, even on the coldest of days! Not only that, but a down hat equals lightweight and packable, so you’ll be able to easily stuff it into your pocket or a bag should you happen to get (dare I say it) too hot. 

2. Fleece-Lined Leggings

I recently went backpacking for the first time, and the temperatures were in the lower 20’s after the sun went down (that’s the desert for you!). 

Not to be dramatic, but, without these fleece-lined leggings, I likely would have frozen to death. Just kidding, that was really dramatic, but I run cold so I would have had a significantly worse time without these leggings!

3. Wool Insoles for your Boots

Wool is one of the best natural materials to stay warm on the cold winter days. Wool inserts are a total game changer when it comes to combating cold feet! Plus, they’re comfy!

4. Puffer Blanket

Puffer blankets can be used pretty much anywhere, and they’re super lightweight and packable!

You can pick one up in fun bright colors and patterns, or as a solid color to be more discreet. 

I also have the Rumpl blankets on my 15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers gift guide, but I just had to bring it back for this post too, because they are just so great!

5. Rechargeable Heated Socks

And finally, I can’t think of a better way to keep you warm in the chilly weather this winter than to have rechargeable heated socks. Honestly, my least favorite part about the winter is when my feet are cold. I love being outside, but if my feet are cold, I give up. I can name dozens of events where I’ve been having a great time other than my feet making me feel miserable!

These puppies are on the Christmas lists of both my husband and my brother in law this year, and have already sold out once since being added to those lists, so it’s safe to assume they are in high demand!

Eric and I could have used these when we were dealing with the -2*F wind chill during the Minnesota Gopher football game a couple of weeks ago haha!

5 Simple Items to Keep You Warm Outside this Winter
Gift Ideas, Lists, New, Tips and Tricks

15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers

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Got an adventurer in your life who you’re looking to buy a gift for? Or maybe you’re an adventurer and someone has asked what they can buy you this upcoming holiday season?

Check out these 15 gifts ideas I personally love and would even consider to be “life-changing!”

Most of the gift items below are super versatile, meaning they are multi-use, making them so perfect for those wishing to get the best bang for their buck. And best of all, nearly all of the below items are under $50 (and can be found on Amazon)!

And if I’m missing an item that you think should be added, let me know in the comments at the end of this post! I absolutely love learning about new adventure related products, especially if they can be used as gift ideas! 

Click on each title below for more information and photos of each item.

One quick thing to note before reading: This post contains no affiliate links, contains our own thoughts and opinions, and contains links and photos that are not our own (but are used from the items’ websites to ensure the most accurate depiction).
Similarly, I do not own the rights to the below photos: they are property of the retailors. 

The 15 Life-Changing Gifts for Adventurers:

Puffy camp quilts and blankets are only for those wishing to be the absolute coziest in the outdoor elements. Is that you or the person you’re shopping for? Then you’re in the right spot! 

Puffy camp quilts and blankets are a favorite to those in the outdoor communities due to their warmth and versatility. You can cuddle up around a campfire, use them as a sleeping bag replacement, wrap them around you on a hike or chilly snack break, use them as a windbreaker, and so many other things. 

Rumpl is one of the current most popular brands due to their partnerships with big brands like Carhartt, NASA, and the National Parks, and can cost above $75, but there are other reputable brands out there as well for a cheaper purchase. 

I just tried these for the first time in fall 2022 while backpacking in Utah. It snowed during this trip! But these booties were a true game changer in keeping my toesies warm on the nights it it dropped to below freezing. I’ve since added them to my personal wish list to now add them into our gear library as the ones I used previously were borrowed. 

Grab some on Amazon here!

Down sleeping booties

Another life-changing yet incredibly simple must-have product is the foam sitting pad. That’s right, who knew a simple piece of foldable foam would be this necessary? The uses for this thing are endless: 

  • Sitting on cold (or damp) ground
  • Extra cushion on your camp chair
  • Extra padding for sleeping 
  • Small but mighty rain barrier 
  • Clean surface for eating 

And best of all, they’re inexpensive and, for those tracking the weight of their gear, are incredibly lightweight at only 54g. 

Purchase one here! 

foam sitting pad

National Parks and State Parks passports add a fun challenge and exciting element to visiting the Parks! There’s just something really exciting about going to the visitor center and getting your passport stamped. 

Since we live in Minnesota, we have a Minnesota State Parks passport that gets stamped each time we visit a new park. If you visit a certain amount of Minnesota State Parks, you receive a reward too, which adds another layer of fun. If you don’t live in Minnesota, check your state to see if they offer something similar, too!

And since we have a goal to visit all of the National Parks in our lifetime, getting stamps in our National Parks Passport is also really exciting. Each park has a different stamp design, and often they have multiple stamp options. 

national parks passport

I can’t even begin to count the amount of times it’s been helpful to have my reusable silverware on hand. 

And reusable silverware isn’t just for the outdoorsy types. If you’re interested in additional ways to better the planet, using reusable silverware in unconventional places is one of the best! I’ve been bringing my reusable silverware to work since 2017, and can’t count how many times it’s been nice to use that over disposable silverware. 

There are a few different types of reusable silverware you can carry along with you both out on adventures and in “other” settings: 

While immersed in nature (lightweight, packable, easy to clean):

At work or on the go in the city (lots of options, easy to clean):

In my opinion, Buffs have been a game-changer in both the hot and the cold weather. In the sun, desert, or beach? Use it to protect your neck and face from the sun, wind, and sand. In the snow? Use it to protect from the cold and brutally chilly wind. In the summer and fall elements? Use it to protect against mosquitoes or as a way to wipe your face throughout the day. I have three, and Eric has two. We rotate them each day we’re out and about doing things as a way to keep our faces clean and necks not sunburnt! 

Here are a few activities we’ve used ours for: 

  • Hiking
  • Snowshoeing
  • 4-Wheeling
  • Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
  • Backpacking
  • Sleeping (to cover cold noses and block out light over the eyes)
  • As a headband
  • Desert sledding and dune-buggying (keeps sand out of mouth and off face)

Find the perfect pattern here! 

It may seem weird to have clothing in a gift guide, but just hear me out. Have I recently found my absolute favorite hiking, rock climbing, base layer-acting, all-around amazing leggings? Yes I have. My only regret is that I didn’t buy them sooner. This isn’t even a sponsored post and I’m ecstatic to tell you about these. 

I even recently wore them on a multi-day backpacking trip through brush and the backcountry and they didn’t tear, rip, become uncomfortable, smell, or chafe! They’re so breathable, comfortable, and stretchy that I’m going to go buy another pair because they’re currently on sale. Best of all, they have two great pockets and look great on all body types, too!

Grab a pair (or two) here! 

Okay so this is the only gender-specific gift suggestion I have. But there is sort of a men’s version available too, you can view here.

Okay just one more article of clothing, I promise! Both Eric and I have sun shirts/sun hoodies and absolutely love them, making them a great gift for any type of adventurer. Due to their moisture-wicking abilities, sun shirts and hoodies are perfect for year round recreation. They keep you cool yet protected by the sun and elements in the summer, act as a comfortable mid-layer for the spring/fall season’s activities, and are a great base layer for cold weather uses. 

Here are our favorites: 

Here are a few activities we’ve used ours for:
  • Paddleboarding
  • Cycling
  • Mountain Biking
  • Boating
  • Jet Skiing 
  • Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
  • Hiking in the desert 
  • Hiking in the snow 
  • Fishing / Ice Fishing
  • Sitting at the beach / pool

If your adventurer loves parks, then a US or Canada National Parks or local State (or Provincial) Parks annual pass will be an amazing gift for them! 

One thing to note is that not all state parks in the US require an entry fee, so you may not have the option to purchase a pass in your state (i.e. Missouri doesn’t have a park pass option because they don’t charge an entry fee, but Minnesota does have this option).

Similarly, also consider whether or not that person is a traveler as not every state or province has a National Park nearby. If you’re not sure, a gift card may be a better option, this way they can either buy a pass or purchase park-related items online instead. 

Click here to check out the US National Parks Pass options! Or click here to check out the Canada National Parks Pass options! 

This inflatable solar lamp is so lightweight and compact, it’s a wonderful gift that can be used in so many places! We have multiple, so we keep a few on hand in our camp and backpacking gear library, in our RV, and in our garage for random nighttime hikes/boat rides, or in case of severe weather. 

Click here to purchase! 

Anyone else get a little iffy when it comes to walking on ice, or is that just me? If you’re in a cold weather climate that’s susceptible to ice, this one may be especially helpful! 

If you’re gifting to someone in a warm climate area that doesn’t get ice (or they don’t travel to icy places frequently), then you may want to skip this suggestion.

But micro spikes have been such an asset to surviving the slippery winters here in Minnesota, especially when we get so many freeze-thaw into puddle-refreeze weather cycles throughout the winter months. These are especially handy when ice fishing and winter hiking. 

 

When you’re out in nature away from electricity or a charging area, it’s nice to have a lightweight wireless charger on hand. We are able to get multiple charges with each of the below power banks, and would recommend them to anyone in the market. Whether you’re charging your phone, camera, flashlight, headlamp, or GoPro, our two favorites have you covered: 

1. The Charmast Portable Charger (weighs 0.5 lbs) 

2. The Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank (solar charges!!) (weighs 1.34 lbs, however)

wireless charger

Quick drying items are the best when it comes to outdoor activities. Not only does it save time, but being quick drying means the item has multiple uses: wipe down your face, your body, your dishes, your vehicle, your bike, your boat seats, nearly anything and it’s dry to use again – fast! Also, quick drying towels keep away germs that would otherwise grow on slower drying towels. Plus they’re always so soft.

One quick drying towel that’s stood out the most is the REI Co-Op Multi Towel Mini. It seems like it dries nearly instantly and only weighs 0.6 ounces. This little guy also packs down into its own bag so it can be stored separately and is easily portable while camping, backpacking, canoeing, boating, or in any other activity.

Similar to the above suggested quick dry gift, a large beach towel that’s quick drying and light is perfect for a day at the beach, or a picnic, or the pool, or on the boat. This one is also wonderful because 1) sand can easily be swept off without sticking and making a mess, and 2) it has its own stuff sack, making it small and compact for transport. 

Check out the Nomadix Ultralight Towel here!

Reusable snack baggies are just as important as reusable silverware, and equally as useful! You really can’t go wrong with reusable snack baggies, but there are multiple options to choose from. 

Some, like the Stasher bags, are silicone, making them slightly heavier than other types (if weight matters to your adventurer), but are uber durable and waterproof. I love their varying colors and sizes, and some even come with a carabiner so they can be clipped to a backpack!

Others, like the Jagrom bags, are incredibly lightweight, durable, and leak proof as well. 

It’s also nice to have another type of reusable baggie that could be used for snacks, meals, or even to pack out garbage, would be the Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack. 

Did I forget a life-changing gift?
Want to add a life-changing gift?

Let me know in the comments below!

Or, looking for more gift ideas? Check out my previous gift guide, here!

2022 life-changing gift guide text
Gift Ideas, Lists, Tips and Tricks

2019 Adventurer’s Holiday Gift Guide

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Does anyone else struggle with finding the right thing to buy friends and family members for a present? Or is it just me? 

I feel like whenever the November month rolls around, my brain begins to fill with anxiety as to what to get people, whether it will be good enough, or will they even use it?! What about what to get those people who just don’t want anything? As a couple who just wants to live in the moment and enjoy “experiences” rather than “things,” the “I don’t want anything” couple is us. And we do apologize to those who feel like they need to buy us things! 

But, if you’re someone who loves giving gifts: With the season of giving coming soon, Eric and I wanted to share some gift ideas for those adventurous folks who just don’t want anything! 

1) Tied for FIRST: A parks gift card! The (US) National Park Service has gift cards that can be used on annual passes, gear, or park entrance fees. You could also purchase your state’s parks gift card (i.e. a Minnesota State Parks gift card) that would similarly cover camping, gear, and entrance fees where applicable. We LOVE the parks, and appreciate being able to view magnificent nature while learning some history. Don’t hesitate to check out your local, regional, or national park’s websites for more info and to compare which gift card is best for your adventurer. 

1) Tied for FIRST: A Hot Spot! Everyone loves a good WiFi connection. Did you know that with a Skyroam Solis hot spot you can have WiFi almost anywhere? To receive this device as a gift would be amazing. Then your traveler, for just $9 per day or $6 per month, could have WiFi in 130 countries! (As of November 2019, at least.) I have used a WiFi device like this in the past, and absolutely LOVED it. This particular device is on my wish list too. You can even have up to 10 devices being used at once! After doing the math, it saved my sister and I at least $50 in just a week and a half–money that we were able to use on food and experiences instead of paying an international phone bill. 

3)  Packing cubes! The single best way to pack your backpack, suitcase, or duffel. We have two types of packing cubes: regular, and compression. We have been using the regular (typical, zip-closure cube shape) packing cubes for years, and love those. The compression packing cubes, on the other hand? GAME. CHANGER. First, you zip your items in to close the packing cube, then you zip a second zipper that compresses the items into an even smaller space! These are 100% ideal for packing, whether you’re a backpacker or checked-bag traveler. If you haven’t tried packing cubes before, they will change your life. They are the best gift for those who love to travel!

4) Outlet adapter. Specifically, an international outlet adapter with lots of plug in options. We have the Saunorch Universal International Travel Power Adapter (can be found on Amazon), and it is amazing. Not only is it great for the obvious international travel where the outlets are different than here in the United States (i.e. we used it in Europe and South America), but it was also super helpful to have on our cruise! At least on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, they have one US outlet and one European outlet, so it was awesome to be able to use this adapter with its USB ports and charge our phones at the same time. 

5) A microfiber or Turkish towel. These types of towels are quick to dry, oh so soft, and super absorbent. They also are really thin, making them the perfect packable travel towel. We bring ours on every trip we go on, and I find them to be the perfect towel for drying my hair too. I wouldn’t go on another trip without one!

6) Wool socks. No explanation needed. Every adventurer loves a good pair of wool socks. Winter wool socks. Summer wool socks. Any kind of wool socks. Our favorite brands are SmartWool and Duluth Trading Company!

7) Inflatable outdoor couch. We received the Pouch Couch as a Christmas gift and love it. It’s a permanent resident of our RV, and is awesome to have at our campsite for lounging around after a great hike. Note you’ll have to keep it away from your campfire embers, so it’s best to be used during the daylight hours. 

8) A solar powered charging bank. We have the Hiluckey brand, and it’s been awesome! We wall charge it when we can because, like all solar items, that method is faster than charging with the sun. But it’s been so amazing to be able to strap it to our backpack or have it lying on the picnic table to charge when an outlet isn’t available. This charging bank also has a few USB ports so you can charge a couple devices at the same time. It’s great to have this charging our cell phones while we’re sleeping or just relaxing.

9) SteriPEN! Eric and I have one of these, and it was a godsend on our Peru trip! You get somewhere around 3,000 uses just from one bulb! There are many different types of SteriPENs, so be sure to check out all of your options. We have the SteriPEN Ultra. The only downfall (if there is one) of the SteriPEN is that the water tastes a little different after using, but that can easily be fixed by flavor packets (or Emergen-C for that extra immunity boost). 

10) Last, but not least, food! Food is always a great idea as a gift for someone who just doesn’t want anything. Or for those who are always on the go! This could include anything from a gift basket filled with food, or some snacks to munch on while out on adventures, or freeze-dried foods for backpacking! If you really aren’t sure which type of food to give, you could always use the backup plan of a gift card to the local grocery store.