It’s that time of year again. And I think that by now we could all need a little extra love from a loved one. Need inspiration for the perfect gift for your better half or bff? Not to worry, anyone who likes the outdoors loves anything they can use on their adventures. I find that the best gifts are the things you want but don't want to spend money on yourself.
Here is my personal wish list (and what I would consider for my better half.) All are available last minute.
SOCKS….not just for dads
There is nothing better for camping and hiking than a good pair of woolen socks. I love having a variety: thin for summer hikes, thicker for winter days. They do wear out eventually, but no one really wants to spend money on them. (PJs fall in the same category).
Compact Camping pillows
I got us inexpensive inflatable pillows on Amazon once thinking they were perfect for our compact setup. However, hubby still prefers using an old cut-in-half foam pillow which is small but not exactly compact. I insist on using mine, but battle with the cold surface and finding the right amount of air. One day, I will get the Nemo Fillo backpacking pillow (or the equivalent) because it's oh so soft and seems to be inflated to the perfect amount no matter what you do.
outdoor Bluetooth SPEAKER
A speaker that can stand up to the use and abuse of weather, kids and elements is a must-have for traveling and camping. I have yet to bite the bullet and pay for my own, so I'm clinging on to our friends' waterproof JBL Flip 5 for dear life as long as I can. I especially loved it for trips to Denmark with the kids for driving my parents' cars which didn't have Bluetooth. And it was great for them to be able to listen to their favorite songs inside as well.
Sunglasses / HATS
I love having a small collection of sunglasses and summer hats for different occasions. Even better, I love it when my hubby splurges and invests in an expensive pair for me which I always struggle to justify myself. There are tons of inexpensive options out there that are great for outdoor activities that won't cost a fortune to replace if they are lost in the water or run over by a truck.
Hydration packs /water bottle
My friend recently have my family name stickers for our water bottles which I thought was the cutest idea. This is again a area where it's nice to have a good water bottle, but it's a purchase that's never prioritized (depending on the type and cost of bottle). You can dress up any bottle with cute decals which makes it instantly personal. Hydration packs are also awesome for most activities. Look for activity specific kinds to make it extra thoughtful (e.g. lightweight and front snack pockets for the runner).
energy bars and snacks
Looking for a gift for a food /exercise lover? Why not create a cute basket of energizing snacks and health bars? I often think these things are overpriced and hard to justify buying, so I would love sampling some in the form of a gift. Throw some beer or wine in there as well for the post-activity relaxation and it's a winner.
Bulbs or plants
The garden lover would appreciate anything that can liven up a dull February day and continue to beautify the space outside come summer. I love getting flowers in the form of bulbs or a plant that can be transferred to outside garden beds or pots in the spring. Think tulips, daffodils, succulents, and herbs. Bulbs are especially greatful and will bloom the following spring if you transfer them once they are done blooming. Succulents are also easy to keep inside over winter (if it feezes) and outside during summer.
Massage / soak at the spa
Nothing is more relaxing and romantic than a soak and /or a massage with your favorite person at a local spa. You can go budget on this an make an excursion to a natural hot spring if you're lucky enough to have this nearby. I personally prefer when the appointment has already been booked for me since gift cards tend to collect dust at my house (life just takes over and I forgot to book it).
surprise day picnic
Many locations (except for Denmark) have sunny and mild days in February that will let you get away with a picnic outside. Pack some hammocks and a lunch with your lover's favorite foods and go to a nearby forest or lake for a surprise picnic. Your kids will love this too if you're past the days of alone Valentine's dates. When combined with an off-roading day-trip, your guaranteed to please any 4x4 enthusiast.
The loveseat
My all-time favorite camping purchase (and Christmas gift to my husband) was the loveseat camping chair from Kelty (we have the low one, but a taller version exists as well). We can snuggle in this, our kids can easily snuggle up with us too or climb on it themselves without it tipping over, and it's more compact than two regular camping chairs.
Happy Valentine's day!