A Rambler's Christmas Gift Guide 2017
December is here and Christmas is fast upon us. We will wholeheartedly admit that we adore the festive season and everything that comes with it; mince pies, hot chocolate and baileys, the smell of pine Christmas Trees, log-burners and blankets, frosty morning walks and woolly socks. Though with December comes the pressure of getting your Christmas presents organised, bought and wrapped in time; the first hurdle being deciding what to even buy for your loved ones...
Being lovers of the great outdoors and our stunning natural landscapes, we're eager to promote sustainable thinking when it comes to buying products. Think: does this person need that item? Would it be of value to them? So we've carefully considered the Christmas presents going at the top of our list, and indeed many aren't even physical items - from woolly socks to cabins in the forest; recycled throws to digital maps. Buying gifts shouldn't be a chore, but something you look forward to doing every year. Hopefully this guide will give you some ideas for your loved ones, or simply send the link over to your boyfriend or best friend or mum as a gentle nudge in the right direction...
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Photo by Grant Lemons on Unsplash
Stanley FlasK
This is the original flask. Since 1913, Stanley have been creating vacuum insulation in steel bottles; perfect to sling in your rucksack for a hot brew to warm up your hands and stomach on a freezing cold day in the hills. Stanley has a whole range of flasks, coffee mugs and food jars, though our personal favourite is the classic vacuum insulated bottle. Fill with hot water to make a cup-a-soup en-route, Yorkshire Tea or a lovely Buxton Roastery coffee. This will reduce the amount of take-away coffee cups you buy when out and about - why not ask them to fill up your flask instead?
£34.99 for the 750ml classic insulated bottle from Outsider's Store.
Another Escape Subscription
Indie magazine, Another Escape, has just undergone a complete re-branding for their ninth issue; The Wilderness Volume. Dedicated to outdoor lifestyle, sustainable living and creative culture, this is a stunning publication with high-quality writing and imagery. With interesting topics, strong narratives and stunning photography, a subscription to Another Escape is the perfect gift for lovers of the outdoors and creativity.
Check out the subscriptions bundles here.
£22 for two magazines.
Rab Kinder Smock
Photo by Alex Gorham
There's nothing we love more than vintage outdoor wares. In fact, many hours have been spent rummaging through charity shops for fleeces and coats that nod to the past. That's why it was so easy for us to fall in love with the new Rab Kinder Smock, an homage to their classic smock - it even features the old Rab logo! But not only does it look good both in the outdoors and as general lifestyle-wear, it is also made from 650 fill-power certified European duck down insulation that makes it cosy as can be; perfect for winter walks and camping trips.
OS Maps Digital Subscription
Technology is making outdoor exploration a whole lot easier, and though we still love a good paper map (especially if it happens to be from 1970), we can't deny that the new OS Digital Maps are a lifesaver. The way it works is you can plot a route on your computer, before transferring the route to your phone and then using the OS Maps app to navigate in the hills. There are also some ready-made routes available for you, all available offline. We still always recommend taking a paper map just in case (your battery dies etc.), but these digital maps certainly always come with us on a walk.
£19.99 auto-renew year subsciption (give the free-trial a go first)
RMBLR Socks
We've been a big fan of Manchester-based sock and hat company, RMBLR, for a while, and the brand have recently launched a new range that we love! All of RMBLR's products are named after and inspired by places in the North West, like the Peveril Baked Apple or the Kinder Sock made from Derby Tweed (a personal favourite!). The perfect pair of socks for wearing both in the hills and when being cosy on the sofa at home.
£13.99-17.99 per pair, available online, from Outsider's Store and Ellis Brigham stores.
The Future Kept Recycled Wool Throw
We adore these 100% recycled wool throws by lifestyle store, The Future Kept. Made from the excess wool from the store's other Welsh blankets, each of these throws is unique and available in a range of colours. Perfect as a throw on a bed or sofa, picnic blanket, or to wrap-up in beside a fire. We'll admit that we adore just about everything in the Future Kept's online store, but this throw is cheap, sustainable and ideal for any outdoor lover.
Trakke Assynt 28 Backpack
Scottish-based bag manufacturers, Trakke, make beautiful backpacks inspired by vintage mountaineering equipment with friendly and British-made materials. Their Assynt range is built for "adventure everywhere", with a main compartment for your daily essentials and an inner zip pocket for valuables. This is the kind of backpack that looks great both in the city and the hills, with a waxed cotton outer that makes it both waterproof and durable. Though the price-tag is a little high, it's worth investing money in products that will last and that have taken time and care to produce. We highly approve.
Alfie's Studio Notepad & Quotation Pencil
We've been lusting after Alfie's Studio since we discovered the brand at Good Life Experience recently. With a shop in Marsden, Yorkshire and a lovely online store, this husband and wife duo and sourcing and making beautiful products inspired by adventures and the outdoors. Got a keen writer or artist to buy a present for? These little notebooks and quotation pencils make a perfect gift, and cost less than £5 for the pair! The notebooks are made in the UK from recycled paper and designed by the store's own, Nicole Clark. The pencils feature perfect quotes like 'Happiest Outdoors' and 'Enjoy The Little Things' and are available in a range of colours.
Patagonia Retro Pile Jacket
Though at Ramble we're always eager to promote small and new businesses (being one ourselves!), there are a few larger brands that we love and support. Patagonia is one of them, due to their commitment to environmental awareness, protecting the planet and promoting more sustainable thinking when buying. Their Pile Fleece jacket - available in both men's and women's versions - is the perfect jacket to keep you warm through the winter months, both on and off the hills. Fair Trade Certified and Blue Sign Approved, this jacket is doing it's part for the environment while being cosy and comfortable for you.
Canopy & Stars Giftcard
We've been lusting after the unique and quirky holiday homes by Canopy & Stars for some time now, just follow them on Instagram and you'll see why. From cabins in the woods to converted tree-houses, bee-hives, boats and yurts. A night with Canopy & Stars is one you certainly won't forgot - and what better Christmas gift could you imagine giving? What's more, by giving a £150 gift card to your loved one, you'll recieve £50 for yourself. An added incentive indeed. This is one you ought to be hinting to your other half...
Choose to gift your loved one with whatever amount you like.
Hopefully our guide has inspired you to think a little more about what kind of gifts you are buying for your loved ones; not wasting money on things they don't need, but instead finding gifts that are sustainable, ethical, worth the extra money for the years of wear that might come out of it or, even better, an experience they won't forget.
Let us know in the comments what else is going on your Christmas list, and happy Christmas rambling from us!
Team Ramble x