Christmas Gifts For The Adventurous Gent - 2010

Ok, Christmas is coming and the inevitable what should I get my Dad, Uncle, Brother, Nephew, Son, Grandfather, Husband, Boyfriend, etc.  Well don't worry, I have done the work for you. 



I am willing to bet that there is at least one thing here that any guy on your list would love to have for Christmas.  Many of the following items I personally own or have used, but many also are from my own wish list.

Watching Christmas Vacation has become one of my personal traditions.  Classic.

 
Good luck and happy hunting. 
Merry Christmas!

Estwing Sportsman's Hatchet - Every guy needs an axe. ($34)  If that's not big enough, this should be. ($43)

World Map (Vintage Style) Art Poster Print - 36x24 (under $2)

Colombia River Multi-Tool - Nobody has too many multi-tools or knives and this looks like a small, light-weight, and very useful one.  Columbia River Knife And Tool Zilla Jr. Multitool ($24)

Fire Hose Log Carrier - After chopping all that wood; you have to have a tough, good-looking log carrier. ($45)



Camouflage Bandanna - Can be used as a pocket square in your suit if your adventurous, or in your survival pack.



"Rite in the Rain" Tactical Notebook -  For all the times your standing in the rain and thinking "man I wish I had a notebook to write on that wouldn't get washed off by this rain".  ($4)
These Field Notes Brand notebooks are also very good and Made in the USA. ($10)



Padlock with Motion Alarm - Before you go anywhere, you need to protect your stuff.  This new padlock with a 100db motion activated siren should do the trick. Remember, criminals hate loud noises.  U.S. Patrol JB5593 Siren Padlock Alarm ($13)

Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife - You know Bear Grylls, the crazy guy who jumps out of helicopters to put himself in survival situations and demonstrate techniques.  He has teamed up with Gerber to develop a survival knife that the guys at Field&Stream think is a good quality useful tool.  The $60 price on this knife gets a lot of "bells and whistles" See Field&Stream's review here.  Buy here.  ($60)

Bargain Knife -  Those of you not really in the $60 knife market, I found this great deal that comes with a fire starter too.  It has gotten mostly good reviews on Amazon and for $2.25 you can afford to lose one or two so stock up.
Update:  Just checked on this again and it is showing $14.95 now.  Don't know if it was a typo before or if it was a temporary special but at the new price it is still a good deal.

Timex Expedition E-Instruments - I have one of the older models of Times Expedition Watches, but with these new Timex Expedition e-Instruments coming out; it just might be time for a trade-in.  My old one has done everything I have asked it to do while climbing mountains in Tennessee, Colorado and Washington; and the new ones have more affordable price levels and look better.  They include thermometers, altimeters, tide trackers and digital compasses.  ($100-$170)

If your looking to spend a lot less than $100, they also make this very nice Timex Expedition Camper. ($20)
As well as many others.



National Geographic Magazine - Always a good source of new travel ideas.  For more travel specific information there is also National Geographic Traveler. ($15)



Men's Health Magazine - To ensure that you, or someone else, is healthy enough to go on those upcoming travels around town and around the world.  ($15)

Audubon Society Field Guides - For anyone, young and old, there is always something new to learn about the outdoors.  I personally have many well-worn editions.  These books are timeless references on many topics including; Trees, Birds, Wildflowers, Plants, Butterflies and Insects, Reptiles, Mushrooms, Fish and even Rocks with most having regionally specific editions.  ($14-$20)

Boots - Land's End and L.L. Bean, both American staples have very good offerings in this department.  Land's End Canvas, their vintage styled line, has some good quality options including this one ($150).  My favorites over at L.L. Bean include the completely Made in America Katahdin Iron Works Engineer Boot ($160) and the classic Maine Lodge Moc ($100).



Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot - Wolverine's entry line into the heritage/vintage style market from their archives.  Here is my post last year when they were about to come out.



Army Surplus- Something for everyone here.

Stuff you Don't Learn in School - American Boys Handy Book. ($12)



Survival Tools and Gear - Outdoorsman, survivalist or weekend adventurer.  Everyone should be prepared for not only the catastrophic events, but also the daily disasters.



Para Chord Bracelet - Always good to have a length of rope with you.  You just never know.  ($3)

Flashlights - Someone always gets a flashlight around my house at Christmas.  There are many styles and price ranges and I usually lose or break at least one during the year.  My favorites have always been Mag-Lite.  Lifetime Warranty and Made in the USA.



Books - Every man should keep learning and books are the best way to do that.  I previously posted a list of fairly recent books on various topics here.  Or, to bolster your library check out a few classics for the shelf.



Duffle Bag - Every traveler needs a good bag.  L.L. Bean has some of the best here and here.  ($35 -$50)  And for the serious black ops fantasy ($36)



Beer Making Supplies - Self explanatory. 



Vintage Styled Dopp Kit - Following the recent military style of everything.  This is a good looking and very packable version.  ($35)



Tervis Tumblers - I have a few of these cups that I use every day.  I used to think they were just gimmicky, but they keep drinks really cold and prevent any condensation from forming.  You can get them in lots of styles with almost any logo on the inside.  They are Made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty.  That's not something you find much anymore. 

Elvis Christmas- Everybody needs a little Elvis at Christmas.

Basic Economics 3rd Ed: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy - It seems lately all we can do is try to understand what is going on with the Economy.  If anyone can make economics intresting, Thomas Sowell can and is one of the best places to start.  He has been doing the talk show circuit for decades.  ($27)



Movies for Guys  - Every guy like movies.




Update:
New Items:  I'm going to keep adding things as I remember/find them and anything "classic" or "vintage" Americana with a good design gets me.  

Keeping Things Hot and Cold - Stanley and Coleman are two of the most well known names when it comes to thermoses and coolers.  Both of which are necessities for tailgating.  The Stanley Vacuum Bottle and the Coleman Steel Belted Cooler, in vintage green or modern stainless, are a couple of those items that you only have to buy once in your life.


Gamers - And for those who don't like to get out of the house too much, there is always Call of Duty Black Ops for any gaming system you can imagine. I guess they are right, there really is a soldier in all of us. 

Italian Army Blanket - These will look great on the bed or the couch to provide that vintage feel.  ($20)
US version also available. ($20)

All pictures via Amazon.com.


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