25 Last Minute Gift Ideas for your Camping Friends

by Jim Bessey editor

What do you get for the camper who has everything?  

Here's the truth: We NEVER have everything! Campers lose things, and wear them out, and love having extras. We're not terribly picky. We're practical, too. Here are some last-minute gifts you can grab for the camping enthusiasts in your life.

Stocking Stuffers: $1 to $15

• Non-perishable snacks, like M&Ms or goodies in tins (my favorite)
• A nice, basic "Swiss Army"-style multi-purpose knife. Everybody loves those!
• Fancy tins of matches or a cool butane lighter (why not both?)
• Mini-flashlites, or inexpensive regular flashlights (you never have enough)
• Batteries! (see above)

Small stuff, but nice: $10 to $25

• Nifty, fancy flashlight, batteries included
• Grill Charms™ for the gourmet chef (the coolest!)
• Bin Buddies®, or any kind of cool organizer-type bins for storage
• Games of all kinds -- it rains sometimes, you know! (Consider dominoes)
• Camp chairs. Yes, really. These wear out and we always need more.
• Books or bookstore gift cards, if your camping friend is anything like me.

Cool gifts for close friends: $20 to $50

• Any decent-quality AM-FM radio and/or CD player, dual-power source
• Lighting: string lights, a rugged Coleman™ lantern, or a good outdoor table lamp
• Teenagers? Try to find the new KanJam! flying disc game (regional suppliers)
• Family gift? Consider a good-quality croquet set (sporting goods stores)
• Better-quality camp chairs -- see note, earlier

Splurge a little, big-budget: $50 to $150

•  Stand-up sport-style gas grill.  (Only if they don't have one) Check available accessories, too.
• Cool, hi-tech portable radios. ("Walkie-Talkies" -- great for keeping track of teenagers)
• A ridiculously-rugged and cool waterproof outdoor radio (you might want to keep it for yourself!)
• Outdoor shade and shelter: new designs from EZ-Up and others are much improved. These bag-up small enough to fit under the Christmas tree!
• Or maybe a modern straight-sided screen house (not the old slanty-sided kind!)
• A gift card for Dick's or Gander Mountain or some other awesome outdoor store (can't go wrong!)

See? We camping nuts aren't hard to please. Big budget or small, there are lots of good gift choices for campers. Sometimes low-tech is best. If you're unsure of the appropriateness of any of these suggestions, just ask subtly before you buy. Or save the receipt.

Please note: Amazon links are provided so you can see pictures and prices -- it's WAY too late to order anything for delivery in time for Christmas!
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OK, what have I forgotten? If you have more (or better!) ideas, leave them in the Comments please. Keep in mind that ANY of these gifts would be fine with me. Just sayin'...