Everyday Alaska

Everyday Life in The Last Frontier

Gift Lists

30+ Gift Ideas for Seniors

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It’s hard to shop for the person who has everything, and by the time people are a bit older they usually have just that. You probably have heard your grandparents or other elderly family and friends say that they don’t need any gifts, and truthfully, they probably don’t. But, everyone loves to give gifts and no matter how old you are it’s nice to get gifts, too. Below, I’ve created a list of great gifts for senior adults so you can hopefully find the perfect gifts for the seniors in your life.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Gifts of Time

Gifts of time and activities are one of the best types of gifts for seniors, or anyone, really. If you are lucky enough to live close to your grandparents or other elderly persons in your life, these may be just the ideas for you. If you’re farther away and aren’t able to see them in person, check out the categories below.

  • Go for a Drive-Many seniors spend much of their time at home, especially if they’re in a nursing home or assisted living, so getting out to see the sights is a treat. Due to mobility issues and more, it’s not always easy to go on outings when people get more elderly, but it’s always worth it.
  • Lunch-While you’re out and about, why not take them to get a fancy coffee or a nice lunch?
Grandma and I at her birthday party.
  • Plant Flowers-If they’re able, take seniors to a greenhouse to pick out some flowers, or choose some on your own. Head back to their home and help them plant the flowers in an area where they can view them from a window.
  • Home Repairs and Improvements-Does your friend or relative need safety railings added to their shower? Do they have a leaky faucet that needs repair? Does the shed need a new coat of paint? Often, these jobs that senior citizens could once easily do are not so simple anymore. Ask if they need any home repairs or improvements done, or see if you notice anything that needs sprucing up or that could be safer. Many of these could be DIY, but if not, hire a reputable company to lend some help.
  • Cooking and Baking-Maybe grandma is still having a great time cooking up a storm as always, but if that’s not the case it may be nice to go help her cook, bake, or even bring food over to her. Elderly adults may not have the energy or desire to cook anymore, and not cooking leads to not eating (or eating unhealthy meals), which leads to deteriorating health. Keep the seniors in your life happy and healthy with some hearty meals. (If grandma and/or grandpa live far away, consider sending them a Spoonful of Comfort meal!)
  • Home Chores-Shoveling, lawn care, and housekeeping are laborious chores for people of any age, but for senior adults some of these may not even be possible to attempt. To assist them, take on one or more of these chores yourself, but don’t get burned out! If it becomes too much or you don’t live nearby, hire companies to do these services. Always be sure to check reviews, the BBB, and more to ensure that these are legitimate and trustworthy companies. You don’t want anyone taking advantage of the elderly.
  • Outings-Take a trip to the zoo, a local park, or botanical garden. As I said before, I know outings with older adults may not be simple, but just know they do appreciate you taking time to spend with them, and you’ll enjoy it, too.
Trinity Greenhouse, a greenhouse in Soldotna, Alaska.
Head to a greenhouse to pick out some colorful flowers.

Gifts for Seniors to Enjoy Indoors

If your elderly loved one is unable to get outdoors much or just doesn’t enjoy doing so any more, these ideas are great options for them.

  • Window Clings-You can often pick up seasonal window clings at Walmart or other stores to help cheer up a room.
  • Storyworth-This is my favorite gift idea. Storyworth is a subscription that sends questions the recipient via email for them to answer. Once they have completed a year’s worth of questions, they get compiled into a book, creating their autobiography. Learn more about it (and save $10!) here! You can also check out my list of other great subscriptions here.
  • Cards and Other Games-Is grandma the card shark of the nursing home? Pick her up some new cards or get her hooked on a new game of Uno or Bananagrams.
  • Coloring Books-Pick up a new pack of markers or crayons to gift with it.
  • Photo Book-Creating a photo book with Shutterfly is the perfect gift for any grandparent or elderly friend or relative. They are much easier to see and hold than on a phone, and it’s a great way for them to share the pictures with other friends and relatives.
Friends and relatives may enjoy books of photos from years past.
  • Magazine Subscription-There’s a magazine out there for every interest. Some subscriptions even come in large print options, too, and they are a budget-friendly gift option.
  • Puzzle-The perfect gift to do on their own or with a group. Puzzles are especially popular at senior centers and assisted living homes, so it’s a gift they can share if they would like to as well.
  • Plants-Any low maintenance plant helps cheer up a space and makes a dandy gift.
  • Personalized Calendar-Creating a custom calendar for older friends and relatives is a great way to help them keep track of holidays, events, birthdays and more, while also having beautiful family photos to see.
  • Lotion-Just because their getting older doesn’t mean self care goes out the window! Grab their favorite kind of lotion or give a new one a try. According to this RealSimple article “the main concern with patients in their 60s and beyond is lack of hydration and moisture retention”, so it makes for a very useful gift.
  • Books-If your parents, grandparents, or any other senior adult on your gift list loves to read as much as my grandma did, then books are a great option!
River City books in Soldotna, AK. A great place to find books for anyone of any age, including gifts for senior adults.
Head to the bookstore to find a new read for the senior citizen on your gift list.
  • New Placemats/Tablecloth-The placemats and tablecloths that adorn your elder’s table may be older than you. Spiff things up a bit by getting them some new table linens. You can even DIY these if you enjoy sewing.
  • Perfume-Change up the scent or get one of your loved ones favorites.
  • Puzzle Books-You can often find may puzzle books in large print for older adults who may have trouble with their eyesight. This is also an inexpensive gift for senior adults if you’re on a budget.
  • Towels-Out with the old, in with the new! That is, if they approve! Just like the placemats and table cloths, your grandparents, great aunts and uncles, parents, and more, may have towels that are up there in age. I remember my grandma and I went through a catalog to pick out new towels and bathroom accessories she wanted to order, and she was pretty excited about getting things spruced up. Not sure if they’d like it? Just ask.
  • Digital Photo Frame-Keep the senior adults in your life up to date with the latest pictures from all their friends and relatives by purchasing a frame that can receive pictures via email. I have not purchased this frame yet, but it has amazing reviews.
  • Kid’s Artwork Book-If Grandpa Pete or Great Aunt Mary are running out of room on their refrigerator for more kid’s art, you can take those masterpieces and create a book for them to view all the creativity of their grandkids and great nieces and nephews in one place!
  • Candies-Who doesn’t like a box of chocolates or their favorite sweet treat as a gift?

Outdoor Gifts for Seniors

The best part of these gifts is they can be enjoyed inside or outside, so no matter what your recipient’s preference is, they’ll get a useful gift they can appreciate.

  • Humming Bird Feeder-My grandma enjoyed watching humming birds. The great thing about watching humming birds, or birds at any feeder for that matter, is that you can watch them from inside if the the feeder is in front of a window, or you can sit on your porch and view them as well.
  • Cane-An odd gift? Maybe. Useful? Definitely. If the senior adult on your shopping list uses a cane to assist them, why not make sure they’re using a pretty one? My grandma had one with butterflies on it and got many compliments about it. I’d imagine that if someone reluctant to use a cane got compliments about theirs, it may just encourage them to use it more often and be safer by doing so.
  • Professional Photography Session-A perfect gift for the senior who has everything. Maybe they’d like to get spiffed up and have a session by themselves, with their spouse, or with the kids, grandkids, dogs, cats, parrots, or whatever else they may have. It’s a fantastic reason to get dolled up and a great memory to have as well.
  • Flowers-Have your recipient pick out flowers they’d like or choose some on your own to plant for them in a pot or outdoor planter box.
Flower baskets make for pretty summertime gifts.
  • Flags-If your grandparents and elderly relatives need a new flag for outside, this would make a useful gift for them.
  • Metal Birds-I really love these. They are just metal bird shapes that can be pounded into trees or posts for decoration. They don’t take up much room, look really unique, and come in a variety of species. I got this one on Etsy for my dad.
  • Garden Flags-Many box stores and shops sell small garden or decorative flags throughout the seasons. They add a cute addition to any outdoor area.

This gift list has a variety of ideas for senior adults, grandparents, elderly neighbors, parents, aunts, uncles and more, but more than likely the gift they’ll most appreciate is your time. If you’re nearby, go visit them. If you’re far away, take time to call, FaceTime (some seniors are more tech savvy than you think, and many nursing homes can help set up calls for you), and send a card.

The Best Christmas Movies to Watch During a Cozy Movie Night

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I love Christmas and everything that comes with it. The music, decorating, time with family, gift shopping, Nativity plays, Christmas movies, and more. Here in Alaska, hibernation mode is in full swing during Christmas, and that means movie nights happen quite often. Below, you can find a list of the best Christmas movies to cozy up to during this wonderful season.

The Reason for the Season and Heartwarming Favorites

The Star

If you only get the chance to watch one Christmas movie this season, watch The Star. It’s an entertaining, fun, and captivating movie about the birth of Jesus and the events leading up to it as told by animals. I know the animal part may sound a little silly, but trust me, it’s a must-watch movie that’ll remind you of the reason for Christmas. You can even purchase it on Prime Video.

The Little Drummer Boy

If you’ve heard the Christmas song of The Little Drummer Boy, movie is about just that. This Christmas classic can often be found in box sets with some of the other more “retro” movies like Jack Frost listed below.

Annabelle’s Wish

Another animated Christmas movie with talking animals. Apparently that’s my favorite category, but this movie is really too cute. This story of a Christmas wish that brings a ton of joy to a little boy may just make you cry. Might as well order the Puffs up now!

Christmas Comedy

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

I had to start out the comedy section with my family’s favorite, Christmas Vacation. We have watched this every year since I can remember. It’s a relatable movie for many families, with lots of family chaos, decoration disasters, a house in shambles, and crazy family times that make for good memories. If you’re looking for a good laugh this season, Christmas Vacation is sure to give you more than one.

Four Christmases

While trying to avoid family dysfunction over the holidays, a couple steps right in to four very chaotic Christmases that put their relationship with each other and their families to the test. Much like Christmas Vacation, the relatable and over-the-top parts of this movie are what make it funny, and it will leave you with many good laughs.

Elf

Honestly, I really didn’t think I’d like this movie. I thought it would be more silly than actually funny, so I didn’t start watching it until a few years ago. It really is a silly movie, but it won me over because it is funny and feel-good, too. It has sort of a Rudolph vibe, with a “misfit” trying to find his place, and is a cute story about helping others and sharing in the joy of giving.

Christmas with the Kranks

A couple of modern day Scrooges try to skip Christmas, only to have it backfire in the most hilarious way and find themselves back in the midst of their full-blown holiday traditions.

Christmas Classics

Jack Frost

Jack Frost is a short and adorable movie about the love story of Jack Frost. This classic is a cute, wintery tale that I watch every year.

Rudolph the Red Nosed-Reindeer

You can’t help but sing the little Christmas jingle when you read the title to this adorable movie. With Yukon Cornelius and Misfit Toys on his side, there’s no telling what adventures Rudolph will have. It’s a cute, must-watch movie.

White Christmas

I’m not a fan of musicals, so I never really thought I’d be a fan of White Christmas. Boy, was I wrong. White Christmas is much more than a musical. It’s a story of friends helping friends, spreading the Christmas spirit, and singing some tunes while doing it. Plus, it’s set in my favorite decade to watch, and the costumes are fantastic.

The Year Without a Santa Claus

Why would Santa quit his jolly job? Find out in this popular Christmas classic where you’ll also meet the Heat and Snow Misers!

Tip: If you’d like to get many of these Rankin/Bass classics together, check out this set of eighteen Christmas movies. Also, Prime Video has many Christmas movies as well. Check them out here!

Now that you’ve got your movie list down, it’s time to grab some hot coco, popcorn, and a cozy blanket to settle in for the night! Looking for more great Christmas traditions? Check out my list here! Merry Christmas, folks!

The Best Dog Gift Basket Ideas

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Shopping for you best friend can be difficult, especially if that friend has four legs and is a little furry. But not to worry, I’ve got your shopping list covered! Making a gift basket for a dog is basically the same as making one for a hooman, I mean human. Take time to think about their interests, age, what they would use or need, or a theme, and then check the ideas below to see what matches your little (or big!) buddy the best. The sky’s the limit, and you can spend as little or as much as you like on your pup’s gift basket. 

You can start your dog gift basket a couple different ways. Maybe you have a puppy that needs a bigger bowl? Start with the bowl as the “basket” and fill it from there. Maybe you have a sporty pup that you’re getting a new frisbee for? Start there and see what type of basket or container would be useful. Check out the ideas below to get started, or mix and match ideas to suit your furry friend!

A quick PSA before you start shopping, as well. Make sure that the toys, treats, and items you purchase are suited to your dog’s age, size, and chewing strength, follow the included instructions for the items, and supervise your fur baby while they’re playing.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Puppy Love

Oh, the puppy stage. So much biting, training, treats, and squeaky toys. And don’t forget their adorable little faces. For puppies, I’d suggest getting them a new bowl, since they do grow so fast, or a toy basket to use to hold their gifts. After that, I’d fill it with the following things.

Out little buddy when is was actually little.

Travel and Adventure Buddies

If you have an outdoorsy pup that goes everywhere with you, have I got the ”basket” for you! This dog travel bag is the bees knees. It comes with plenty of pouches, dog food storage bags, two collapsible bowls, and a poop bag pouch. Just fill it with these fun treats and necessities, and you’re ready to go! It has really been a game changer since our lab Trapper goes everywhere with us.

Beach day with our buddy. Check out ways to keep your pup cool here.

The Practical Pup

What do you get the dog that has everything? Great question! I’ve been asking myself that this year as I’ve been trying to figure out what to get our good boy for Christmas, and this is what I’ve come up with. Since he’s four now, he really has all that he needs. An overflowing toy basket, a large variety of treats, a comfy bed. So, for his ”basket”, I’m being selfish this year and getting him something that will benefit both of us. I’m purchasing this dog bowl set up, and a food storage bin. I know, not very exciting for him, but I’m thrilled! Plus, I plan on filling it with these item’s that I know he’ll enjoy. Shhhh, don’t tell him!

Doing a photo shoot with your pup (lots of treats included) is always fun!

Sporty Dogs

Does your dog love playing outside and going for walks? Check out these ideas here, and use a metal tub as a gift basket and storage bin for outdoor toys.

A chocolate lab playing with his frisbee in a kiddie pool. Frisbees are great for dog gift baskets.
Slobber flying, a wagging tail, water everywhere. What more could a lab ask for?

Senior Buddies

As your best friend gets older it may be harder to find gifts for them. They’ve probably collected a lot of toys through the years, and maybe they don’t play as much, but they deserve just as much love. Instead of an actual dog gift basket, why not get them the bed of their dreams to relax on and leave them some special gifts on it.

My dog has had this orthopedic bed for almost three years now. It still has the same amount of volume to it, hasn’t got lumpy, and is so easy to wash. You could probably even have a mattress protector covering the inside foam incase your senior pup has accidents, and the foam will help their joints as well. Don’t forget to include a few fun things for your BFF as well, such as the items below.

  • Yummy Chummies (these soft salmon treats will be easy for your dog to chew)
  • Pill Pockets (if your buddy is taking any medicine these may help make it easier)
  • Large Stuffed Animal (good for your pup to nap with)
  • Food Mixers/Toppers (as your pup gets older their sense of taste may decline, using a topper may help their food be more appealing and tasty to them)
  • Puppy Scoops

Homebody Hounds

Is your little buddy not a fan of the great outdoors? No problem, there’s still plenty of gifts they’ll enjoy! Use a treat jar as a gift container and fill it with these fun goodies.

If you’re looking for the perfect dog gift basket ideas for your pup’s birthday, Christmas, adoption day, and more, I hope you’ve found them here! What breed of pup are you shopping for and what do you plan on getting them? Leave a comment below and happy shopping!

Load up a dog gift basket and get ready to party!

Is the Instant Pot Really Worth It?

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Small kitchen appliances. Is it possible to have too many? My head says no, but my shelf space says yes. Read ahead to find out if the Instant Pot is one of those appliances you should make room for on your shelf, or if you should save the money and the shelf space. If you want the final verdict, you can skip to the bottom, otherwise read on to get the whole scoop.

Cons

I figured we might as well start with the downsides and work our way to the pros in this Instant Pot review, so here we go!

The Learning Curve

My husband and I were lucky enough to receive an Instant Pot Duo Nova for Christmas a few years back. I was so excited, but also terrified. Pressure cooking dinner in our kitchen?! Umm, no thank you. I wasn’t too sure about using it for quite awhile, so there it sat. Then, after seeing many good recipes and the benefits of using this cooker, I decided to give it a try.

I throughly read the instructions (a first for me since I usually just wing it), watched how-to videos on YouTube, and built up the confidence to do my test run with it. I would love to say it went swimmingly, but it totally freaked me out. The sound of the pressure being released was much louder than I anticipated, and I thought it was going to blow up. Not fun. But, everything went as it should and I was ready to get cookin’!

After figuring out how to operate it, it was time to learn about cooking times. This was a learning curve, but now I feel like I’ve finally got it figured out. Cook time magnets and stickers really helped me figure out times, but there were a few instances in between where I expected to pull out fully cooked chicken and ended up having it raw in the middle. Time and repetition has helped me get a handle on cooking with the Instant Pot. Now I feel much more comfortable using it, and get more consistent results.

This cook time sticker is a helpful guide to on the Instant Pot.

Space

The downside of the Instant Pot is that it is large. If you have a smaller house like me, then you know space in the kitchen is valuable. This appliance has to be fairly big for what it does and the volume they can hold, but they really take up a hefty amount of counter and shelf space.

Pros

Now that we’ve covered the cons, lets move on to all the positives of the Instant Pot.

Variety

This is really a multifunctional kitchen tool. You can use it for slow cooking, steaming, rice cooking, and more. Plus, there are tons of recipes out there to use (just check Pinterest!), which really gives you a good variety of things to cook.

Stove Top Space

The Instant Pot really shines during holidays. When you’ve got all your burners filled up, you can set up the Instant Pot on your counter and cook a side or main dish there. I think it’s especially useful for cooking mashed potatoes when making a spread for Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Multitasking

In a rush to make dinner for guests but you also have to clean up the kitchen before they get there? No problem! Get your Instant Pot meal started and let it do all the work cooking while you clean.

My most made Instant Pot meal. Steel cut oats and raisins, topped with nuts and banana after cooking.

Quick Meals

Instant Pot’s really do make quick work out of cooking. I primarily use mine for four different things: rice, chicken, potatoes, and steel cut oats. Using this handy appliance for steel cut oats every morning makes breakfast a breeze. No waiting for water to boil or making sure it doesn’t boil over, and it’s consistent. It’s just so simple.

The Final Review

So, now that you’ve read about the pros and cons, what do you think? After using my Instant Pot for a few years now, I’d say it’s worth getting. If you can swing the space to squeeze an Instant Pot between your waffle iron and toaster, it’s time to try the Instant Pot for yourself!

Tip: If you’re looking for a great deal on the Instant Pot, check out sales during and around major holidays, including Black Friday!

My Most-Loved Christmas Traditions

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I love traditions. Seasonal traditions, holiday traditions, cultural traditions. All of them. So, that being said, you can correctly assume that there are many Christmas traditions I love, and I’ll be sharing those with you here!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Lefse

Does your family have a Christmas tradition that is traditional to your heritage? We do! Making lefse is one of them. Lefse is like a very thin Norwegian tortilla made with potatoes, and my family really enjoys it. Making something from your heritage with your family is a great way to start the Christmas season. Not sure what traditions are associated with your heritage? Check it out on Google, or adopt a fun tradition from a different culture as well!

DIY Your Own Wreath

Start a new Christmas tradition, save money, and have fun doing it! A few years ago I started making my own Christmas wreaths, and it’s so much fun! All I do is use a metal wreath frame, cut some branches from trees on our property, and weave branches through the wire frame. Then, I add a bow, lights, and any additional touches I’d like from the craft store. When Christmas is over, we have a campfire using the branches, and I save the frame, faux berries, lights, and bow for the next year. It’s super simple, takes up virtually no space between seasons, and is very cute and customizable.

Tip: If you don’t have branches near your home to cut, you can use Christmas garland to weave through the frame. You can check out some other great DIY crafts here!

Fontanini

Fontanini is a company that makes beautiful, heirloom quality Nativity sets. My grandma and mom got me started with a set when I was five, and I’ve been collecting pieces to the Nativity ever since. It’s 100% my favorite thing to set up during Christmas, and is a great reminder of the reason for the season.

Part of the Fontanini collection. Mary and Joseph passing the innkeepers home, where they found there was ”no room in the inn”.

Operation Christmas Child

Tis the season to bless and be blessed! Operation Christmas Child sends shoeboxes full of necessities, toys, and more to children around the world. We have been packing shoeboxes for a few years now, and it’s so fun to shop for these items, write letters to recipients, and see what countries they end up going to. Operation Christmas Child is really spreading joy to the world! Follow them on Instagram to see the impact your shoeboxes will make!

If you’re looking to donate locally, there are often many organizations looking for volunteers and donations at homeless shelters, food banks, churches, and more. Also, another great way to donate is to give gifts in someones name. For example, if you have a friend or relative that ”already has enough stuff” and you’ve been told they don’t want a gift, why not give a donation in their name? You can do this in your local area, or around the globe, and it makes for a great gift all around.

Tip: Want to verify that you’re money is going to a reputable charity? Check out Charity Navigator or Charity Watch to verify where your gifts are going before you donate.

Packing some Operation Christmas Child boxes.

Sledding

If you’re spending Christmas in a snowy state, now is the time for all those fun winter activities. One of my favorites is sledding, followed by cozying up inside with a toasty cup of hot chocolate.

Christmas Lights Tour

Another one of my favorites, the Christmas lights tour! Crank up the Christmas tunes and cruise your neighborhood for lights. You never know what you might see!

A camper display at the drive thru light show in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Christmas Movies

Grab the popcorn, blankets, and Christmas classics, it’s movie night! Watch some retro Rudolph and enjoy the fun of your childhood favorites.

Hallmark Ornaments

A fun Christmas collection to start is with Hallmark ornaments. You can collect series of them every year, or choose a little something different each season. They make great Christmas gifts as well.

Cookies

You can’t go through the Christmas season without whipping up a batch of yummy cookies. Ever since I can remember, my mom has been making sugar cookies for Christmas. We’d have my cousins and friends over to decorate, and it was so fun. Baking and decorating cookies with friends and family is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

Cutting out some sugar cookies to decorate.

Delivering Treats

Once you have those cookies done, it’s time to spread that joy around! Take time to visit your family, friends, neighbors, and others during this season, and bring them some tasty treats, too.

Tip: You can often find cookie tins at 70% off or more after Christmastime each year. That’s the prefect time to stock up for next year’s deliveries!

Fruitcake

Don’t knock it till you try it! And if you’ve tried it and didn’t like it, give another recipe a shot. I really don’t love some fruitcakes, but my grandma’s fruitcake recipe is a Christmas staple. Whether you’re making it, eating it, or both, you’ve at least got to try it once!

Christmas Plays

Visit Christmas plays, concerts, and more in your area. A church in our town does “Bethlehem Revisited” ever year, which accounts the events of the birth of Jesus. It’s pretty magical to see, and is great for little kiddos, those who may not know the story of Jesus’s birth, and a good reminder of the meaning of Christmas for all of us.

Bethlehem Revisited in Soldotna, Alaska. The Christmas tradition with real meaning.
A little bit of Bethlehem in Soldotna, Alaska.

Matching Pajamas

You can roll your eyes at this one, it’s fine. I just can’t get over how cute matching family pajamas are, especially when we get them for our dog as well. It’s just too adorable, and makes for a good gift to open on Christmas Eve.

Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree

For about seven years now, we’ve been cutting down our own Christmas trees. Are they full, perfect, and beautiful? No. Do we have a fun and memorable time doing it? Yes! If you have property or an area near you where you can harvest your own tree, take advantage of it and start a new Christmas tradition.

Cutting down Christmas trees. One of my favorite new Christmas traditions.
It may not be the perfect tree, but it’s the perfect one for me!

Christmas Breakfast

A tradition I’m hoping to start doing is Christmas/Christmas Eve breakfast. Maybe lingonberry crepes? Maybe fruit soup? I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll let you all know what we end up doing this year!

Hopefully this post has helped you get in the Christmas spirit and added some meaningful and fun traditions to this beautiful season. Share your favorite Christmas traditions in the comments below, and let me know if you plan on starting any of the traditions you read about in this post! Merry Christmas, friends!

Gifts for Outdoorsy Folks Under $25

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Honestly, there are some people that are just plain hard to shop for. They may have everything they need. Maybe they’re very particular. It may just be that you don’t quite know what they’d actually enjoy and use. Luckily for you, most outdoorsy folks are always looking for new gear, are willing to try new things, and enjoy a variety of outdoor hobbies. This makes shopping for them much easier than you might think. And, lucky for you, I’m one of those outdoorsy folks, so I’ve got plenty of gift ideas to share with you!

LifeStraw

LifeStraws are water filtration straws that take contaminants, bacteria, and other unwanted particles out of water so it is safe to drink. Why is this a good gift for those who love the outdoors? Great question. When hiking, camping, or just traveling to the next adventure destination there may not always be easy access to fresh, clean water. If someone ends up in an emergency situation in the outdoors, they may run out of fresh water that they hike in with. Thus, LifeStraws are there to save the day. Plus, when you purchase a LifeStraw product, a “child in need receives safe drinking water for an entire school year”. If that’s not a win-win I don’t know what is.

Typhoon Matches

These aren’t just any old matches. Zippo Typhoon Matches come in a protective, floating container, and are windproof, water-resistant, and have an up to thirty second burn time. These are an essential addition to any outdoor or emergency gear kit.

Paracord

This versatile cord has many uses in the outdoors. Need rope to secure a tarp between trees? Grab the paracord! Did your boot laces break on your hike? Use paracord to replace them! Make it into a fish stringer, gun sling, or water bottle carrier; paracord has a ton of uses!

Travel Pillow

Having a compact, compressible pillow for camping is a great outdoor luxury. I have a Therm-a-Rest pillow similar to this one, which is over $25. You can find many compressible, and even inflatable, pillows online that are less than $25 though.

Nalgene Water Bottle

Lightweight and American made, these water bottles make the perfect gifts for outdoorsy folks.

Stopped to admire the view and hydrate.

Dry Bags

Wet gear can really put a damper on outdoor adventures. Giving the gift of dry bags will help keep gear dry and out of the elements.

Headbands

No one likes to have sweat dripping in their eyes or hair blowing in their face while you’re trying to enjoy a nice hike. Check out Bay Bands and get 15% off here!

First Aid Kit

Everyone needs a first aid kit, especially when you’re out and about in wilderness. Give the gift of a first aid kit to protect your loved ones, and add any extras you think they may need such as a SAM Splint, tourniquet, or quick clot to keep them prepared on their adventures. Also, to ensure the recipient knows how to use these items, look into first aid classes in their area to purchase for them, or notify them about the classes as well.

Socks

High quality, durable, and comfortable socks can really make a difference in a person’s time outdoors. They make perfect gifts, and you can easily find them online or in your local sporting good store.

Jetboil Fuel

Jetboils are definitely out of our $25 range, but their fuel isn’t! If your outdoorsy loved one has a Jetboil, why not grab some fuel to help them prepare for their next outdoor excursion.

Getting ready to enjoy a little camp snack.

onXmaps

onXmaps has a variety of maps you can purchase for offroading, hunting, and backcountry adventures. They are more than $25, but you can Google onXmaps promo codes and get a discount to bring it down to $25. They make great gifts, and we use our onX Hunt maps all the time.

Memberships

Chances are the outdoor lover in your life has a passion for conservation, wildlife, outdoor education, or some related cause. If that’s the case, why not sign them up for a membership to one of these organizations? Often times, if you gift a donation to the organization in someone’s name, they will send that person a letter, magazine, and sometimes another gift as well such as a backpack, jacket, shirt, travel mug, or other fun goodie. This way you’re supporting your friend’s passion as well as giving a gift.

HotHands

HotHands hand, foot, body, and toe warmers are a must for outdoor activities on those chillier days. They’re very affordable, useful, and made in America. Whomever you give them to will definitely get their use out of these handy warmers.

Dehydrated Meals

There’s nothing like a tasty Peak or Mountain House meal while you’re out hiking, hunting, biking, or camping. If you grab your friend a couple of these it makes the perfect gift!

Nothing like a tasty meal outdoors on a chilly afternoon.

Long Handled Spoon

If you think this is an odd gift for outdoorsy folks, that’s definitely understandable. I know it really does sound strange, but it’s a very handy outdoor tool. Dehydrated meal bags are fairly large and deep, so to easily eat out of them one would need a handy, dandy, long handle spoon. That’s where this comes in to play. And, if you bundle this with some meals, you’ve got the perfect gift!

If these gift ideas have helped you with your gift list shopping, leave a comment below and let me know what you purchased! Thanks for reading, and happy shopping, friends!