Let’s start with an assumption: Holiday shoppers aren’t only looking for good gifts — they’re looking for good gifts in a certain price range.
Maybe the budget calls for spending $200 on the wife, while that snot-nosed nephew, who really and truly is happy with a cardboard box, gets $15.
But what should you buy for the camper, hiker or climber on the shopping list? Prices for gear can flout your pre-determined prices, and most outdoorsy folks already have obvious items, like a compass or a Swiss army knife.
So here is a list of suggestions to ease the hunt, from low-budget items, such as the Swedish FireSteel, to pricey prizes, such as a willow picnic basket.
Down, for when you’re out
From REI, which is pushing green products this holiday season, comes the antifreeze down jacket ($159). The coat’s polyester shell is made from 88 percent recycled content, while its down insulation comes from a common enough natural resource: geese.
That’s 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit
With a spark that reaches around 3,000 degrees Celsius, the Swedish FireSteel ($7.95—$18.99) is perfect for the camper or climber who’s tired of lighters and matches. Developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, the FireSteel is meant to start a fire at any altitude in any weather.
Please, no screaming
Ice cream in winter may seem a bit contrary, but the Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker ($20.98 — $54.99) can be a Christmastime hit. Also known as the ice cream ball, this lightweight plastic container makes ice cream without using electricity. Put rock salt and ice in one end and ice cream mix in the other. Shake it, roll it, or pass it back and forth with friends for a treat that might be more popular come summertime.
You can also step out
When it’s below freezing, few enjoy taking off their gloves to fumble with snowshoe straps. That’s where the Trailblazer Step-In Snowshoes from L.L. Bean ($199) enter the picture. Billed as the easiest-to-use snowshoes, this package includes a pair of well-insulated, waterproof boots that snap onto either 25-inch or 30-inch snowshoes, which also are included.
These aren’t cheesy
The Swiss-engineered Sigg Kids Water Bottles ($15.99-18.99) are popular on Amazon.com. Depending on the model, the bottles hold 10 to 20 ounces and come in a variety of fun styles. Whether they’re decorated with Hello Kitty or a cartoon dinosaur, these could score big with your favorite junior camper or a trendy snowboarder.
This one: A little cheesy
For the day-tripper gourmand, the Williams-Sonoma catalog offers a picnic basket ($200) that could score extra points if paired with the store’s Internet-only French cheese collection ($72). The two-person willow picnic basket comes with 9-inch earthenware plates, three-piece stainless steel flatware sets, drinking glasses, cotton napkins and an insulated wine tote.
As for the French cheese collection, it includes three selections, weighing 1 pound, 5 ounces. Who’s ready for a slice of Chabichou du Poitou?
Because we all love wild dogs
A giraffe from Zambia or a wild dog from Kenya ($25), among other animals, can be adopted through the African Wildlife Foundation (www.awf.org). After all, not every camper is crazy about commercialism, making this charitable gift handy. Prides of lions, groups of mountain gorillas and herds of elephants ($75) are also available. The adoption comes with a plush toy, a fact sheet about the animal, an adoption certificate and a subscription to African Wildlife News.
Reporter Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455 or e-mail arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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