10 Must-Have Gifts for the Camper in Your Life

Although the leaves are changing and the temps are dropping, the camper in your life is already preparing for their next trip. Help them out by gifting them one of these essential items from this ultimate gift guide. These items are proven to be crowd pleasers and even better, they all ring in under $50!

1. Headlamp

What can we say, this is one of those items you can never have too many of and are critical for every camper after dark. Even if you think they may already have one, a backup kept in the car or a loaner for the friend who comes along and forgets theirs, would not go unused. There are many different types of headlamps on the market. We recommend a headlamp in the 200-400 lumen range and even better if it has a red light feature. Specifically, we really enjoy our Petzl Tikka headlamps which we have used for years. 

2. Camp Chair

There are seemingly endless options when it comes to camp chairs. Really the key here is not to over think it. We have used many types over the years and generally the higher the cost the better the durability, but their function remains relatively the same. Key features to consider are their packability, ease of setup, and truly functional cup holders if that’s a desired feature.

3. Camp Lights 

Once the sun goes down the only way to keep the party going without a campfire is with the help of camp lights. There are many fun option for camp lights, but we in particular like battery powered string lights. They are easy to setup and take down and come in either white or colored lights. They add a fun vibe to the campsite and help with visibility for after dark activities. Another option are collapsable camp lanterns, many of which have the added benefit of being solar chargeable and can act as a battery bank for small electronics such as your phone. Though not as festive as the string lights, the inflatable camp lanterns have more functionality. 

4. Microfiber Towel

For those camping in the heat of summer, access to bodies of water can be a welcome oasis. A useful gift for your summertime camper could be a microfiber towel. The towels come in a variety of sizes, are compact, and are designed to be highly absorbent and dry quickly. After taking a dip to cool off in the nearby lake or river, your camper can dry off with their handy microfiber towel, hang it up to dry, and be able to pack it away for next time. Our personal favorite is the PackTowl Personal Towel.

5. Hammock

I don’t know many campers who don’t enjoy lounging in a perfectly hung hammock at their camp. Relaxing is just down right fun, swinging around in a hammock is a coveted aspect of camping among the trees. Small and compact, hammocks are a great addition to your campers gadgets. I personally enjoy laying in my hammock to read in the morning, or sitting in it in the evening, letting the rhythmic swing relax my mind and body. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and also come in either a single or double size. The popular Eno hammock sells for $55 at REI, but there are a plethora of other hammocks on the market that you can purchase for under $50 online. 

6. Camp Stove

Another bread and butter item, the trusty camp stove. There are a wide variety of styles, but they break down easily into to two camps (pun intended!), isobutane and propane stoves. Isobutane stoves are lightweight, small, and generally screw directly onto an isobutane canister. These small, yet powerful stoves are made more for backpacking use, however, we like them for camping because they allow the camper in your life to quickly fire up a cup of coffee or the likes without breaking out the pots and pans they just finished cleaning. This is especially useful if they like to cook over an open campfire, which is obviously very time consuming if all you want is have a morning cup of tea. The MSR PocketRocket is a fan favorite. Propane stoves on the other hand are generally larger and come with more features. These are the camp stoves you picture in your head when you think of camping. You can find one burner propane stoves for under $50, but we felt an honorable mention was in order because our most cherished workhorse of a camp stove, the Coleman Classic two burner propane stove, which we have used and abused for years can be found for $52. 

7. Mug

A designated camping mug can help ensure your camper never arrives at camp without their favorite drinking vessel. Our favorite camping mug is the Yeti Rambler 14oz. It is insulated with an ergonomic handle and a secure lid. It’s ideal for morning coffee or tea, or sharing beverages with fellow campers in the evening. The mugs come in a variety of colors so you can easily customize it to your camper’s style.

8. Water Jug

Although not as glamorous as some of the other objects on this list, the Reliance Aqua-Tainer water container will ensure your camper shows up with the water they’ll need for their trip without worrying about finding any water sources. We recommend the 7-gallon size, which should be suitable for a single person for about a week, or less time for multiple users. Having enough water while camping will ensure your camper is hydrated, able to cook their favorite meals, and have enough water to wash up afterwards. 

9. Cast Iron Skillet

A cast iron skillet might not seem like a functional camping tool, but it is a highly versatile cooking vessel when it comes to cooking in the outdoors. It can be used on a stove with burners or in an actual campfire, allowing your camp chef the flexibility and creativity to cook a variety of dishes. Cast iron skillets are incredibly durable, last a lifetime, and are easy to clean, making them ideal for camping. Our favorite cast iron skillet is the Lodge 10.25” cast iron skillet.

10. Camp Table 

If you want to help your camper stay organized at camp, consider hooking them up with a camp table. Useful for cooking, preparing food, or sitting down to a meal with friends, a camp table is a versatile object that will keep your camper up and out of the dirt. Many camp tables can be folded or packed down for ease of use and storage. They don’t have to be fancy, we have used a small, simple folding table from Walmart for years.

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Hopefully you found this guide inspirational to find a gift that will excite the camper in your life without hurting the pocketbook. Many of these objects may seem lame to the average city dweller, but we know they will bring a smile to the face of the nature lovers in your life. From two happy campers to you, happy holidays and happy camping!