5 Outdoorsy Gift Ideas for Dad - Guest Post

5 Outdoorsy Gift Ideas for Dad

Gifts your dad will love to use outside.
by Alex Kelley at Rosetta.com

 
It's giving season, and the toughest gifts are those for the men in my family.  I usually put my husband in charge.  Here are some great ideas from Rosetta.com.  Enjoy!  Do you have any additional gift ideas for the men in your life? - Kari

 

 

Dads can be notoriously difficult to shop for. Many require only a few simple pleasures to be content, which they probably already own. So how do you choose a gift you know he’ll use? If your dad enjoys being outside, whether to garden, camp or do woodwork, here are a few suggestions for outdoorsy gifts to get your shopping started this holiday season.

 

1.       Camping equipment – If the dad in your family likes to escape to the wilderness now and then – whether in a tent, RV or cabin – find outdoorsy gifts he can use while communing with nature. Even if he’s a camping pro, there are probably a few useful items he doesn’t own yet. Hint about things like camping stoves, high-power flashlights, cast iron cooking equipment or even a simple flint and steel kit. Camping is a gear-heavy hobby, which makes it a great place to start brainstorming gift ideas for dad.

 

2.      Lawn and garden equipment – Whether he’s into gardening, landscaping, or just wants to make chores easier, yard tools can be a great gift idea for dad. If he turns over the soil in the vegetable garden by hand every year, maybe he’d like a garden tiller to help the job go faster. Or perhaps a weed eater is just the ticket to trim the edges of the yard and cut in close around trees and walkways for a manicured lawn he’ll be proud of.

 

3.      Tools – While the dad in your family may already own “must-have” tools, like a power drill, circular saw and a trusty hammer, there may be a more specialized tool that he hasn’t yet gotten around to picking up. For woodworking, consider a lathe, planer or nice set of chisels. If he likes working on cars, look into a new set of wrenches or pneumatic tools. Whatever makes his job easier or lets him improve his hobbies will be the perfect gift idea for dad.

 

4.      Fishing and hunting equipment – If your dad comes home from weekend trips with a few trout or a deer, find out what kind of gear he’d like to have for his next excursion. The right outdoorsy gift might be a new fly-fishing reel, proper tools to prepare the meat he brings home or a sturdy pair of boots for tromping through the woods.

 

5.      Travel – What do you get the man who truly has everything? How about a camping trip in the Adirondack Mountains, a fly-fishing trip in Montana or road trip to the nearest National Park? Pick your dad’s favorite outdoor destination, or one he’s always wanted to visit, and plan a trip together. It’ll be much more memorable than another tie or pack of socks.

 

Keep in mind that very few of the items listed above last forever. So even if your dad seems to have everything he needs, maybe an upgrade of his current equipment or replacement parts to make his tools run more smoothly is in order. Carefully poke around the garage to see what may be missing or outdated, or ask what he wishes he could replace. Sure, his old push mower will usually start after about 15 tugs on the pull cord, but maybe it’s time to upgrade to a new zero-turn riding mower. Always remember to give gift receipts in case he has a preferred brand of tool, fishing rod or mower. And if something’s a little out of your price range, talk to your siblings to see if you can pitch in and get it for him together.


Guest Poster: Alex Kelly is a content specialist with a knack for providing practical home and garden advice. Kelly received an M.A. in Communication from The University of Dayton and has five years of experience in writing.