Camping in the UK has become more popular than ever today, with most Britons flocking to stunning campsites and giving in to the call of the wild. But unless you’re a camping freak yourself, rounding up camping gifts for your camping-obsessed friend never comes easy.
Quite obviously, what do you gift someone who seems to have everything they need to enjoy their next adventure? The struggle is real and often a bit more than you anticipated.
If you’re on the lookout for the right camping gifts for your buddy, you’re in for a treat! From portable generators and tents to basic camping gear, this guide has it all for you.
Understanding the Needs of Campers
Stats reveal that, on average, Britons head out camping around 1.58 times a year[1], with a vast majority being men. This means that this outdoor sport is a real favourite, trying to unearth the hidden gems in the UK. No matter where they stand in their camping journey, there could still be things on their wishlist you could delight them with.
Before you narrow down your gift list for the avid camper in your mind, you’ll need to know exactly what this one-of-a-kind experience requires.
1. Beginner or Experienced Campers?
This is the first factor to consider when choosing the best camping gifts out there. Is your friend a pro camper or looking forward to his first camping expedition? The answer to this makes a huge difference in your gift choice. You know, beginners might appreciate essentials or a basic camping kit, while specialised campers often love things that enhance their outdoor experiences.
2. What Kind of Camping Activities Do They Typically Do?
The next important consideration is: What types of camping activities does your friend usually enjoy? If they enjoy camping during winter, something to brave the cold might be an excellent choice. Or, they might as well be summer enthusiasts willing to explore the UK’s remote locations while basking in the summer sun.
Similarly, considering the types of camping your outdoor enthusiast friends are into can help decide your camping gifts. For instance, are they into backcountry camping, car camping, glamping, or RV camping? A bit of thinking here can help you get your hands on something your buddy will truly love.
Finally, find out the specific activities they enjoy, such as fishing, boating, trekking, or cooking outdoors. Gathering all this information helps you choose a more targeted gift they’ll remember for years to come.
3. What are the Basic Principles of Camping Gifts?
While you do your homework to narrow down the top camping gift ideas, you might want to consider the essential features to enjoy the outdoors. Here are a few basic principles to look out for:
- Practicality
You don’t want to give them anything they’ll forget about later. So, make sure to get thoughtful camping gifts they can actually use in the wild.
- Durability
Outdoor equipment must be durable enough to handle the UK’s unpredictable weather conditions. So, no matter what you choose, make sure it’s durable and weather-resistant.
- Portability
Since campers are on their feet and have limited packing space, all gifts for camping lovers must be bought with portability in mind. All avid campers want is lightweight, compact equipment to carry along.
- Personalisation
Like every other gift, camping gifts with a personal touch can really hit the jackpot. A personalised campsite mat, a hiking bag with their names, or perhaps a map of their favourite trails can be fantastic options.
Upgrading Your Friend's Camping Gears
If you’re not a huge camper, tracking down those elusive camping gifts will always be tricky. Especially if you’re aiming to enhance their experience and not just get the gift-giving ritual over with, it’s always worth setting aside some time for the purpose. Here’s a roundup of some of the top gift suggestions that will fit the budget, lift their spirits, and skyrocket their future camping experiences — effortlessly.
(1) Basic Camping Equipment Upgrade
Let’s begin with the basics. Particularly if your friend’s a beginner at camping, these items make up non-negotiable parts of their camping checklist.
1. Solar generator
For most of us, power struggles are the worst inconveniences to face, and it’s no different during camping. This is why a solar power generator is a must-add to any camping checklist. Utilising energy from the sun, a solar generator powers cooking appliances, charges phones, and keeps photography equipment working throughout.
Luckily, top-tier brands like Jackery offer a wide range of solar generators for those who love staying off-grid.
2. High-quality Tents
There’s no alternative to a high-quality tent, being the most basic requirement for fun camping. A durable, weather-resistant tent can be a fantastic choice, letting your friend get through different conditions easily.
3. Sleeping Bags & Pads
While this one might make you feel lost in a sea of choices, you must go for a premium-quality sleeping bag to ensure your friend’s comfort when outdoors. It’s best to opt for insulated sleeping bags that fit different seasons. Even better, pair them up with a sleeping pad for higher comfort levels.
4. Portable Stove
When it comes to elevating a camper’s outdoor experience, nothing beats the charm of a portable stove. Pick out one that is compact yet fits large-sized pots. Plus, make sure it’s stable enough not to spill the food, and ideally, use solar power to function.
5. Multi-functional Backpack
You’ve probably given this a thought already, but a solid camping backpack is a must-have for any camper, whether he’s a beginner or a pro at navigating the wilds. Just make sure they’re made of water-resistant materials and feature adjustable straps for the best experience.
(2) Outdoor Survival Tools
Surviving in the UK outdoors is no child’s play (and for obvious reasons!). Fortunately, these outdoor survival tools make the best camping gifts for your camping enthusiast friend:
1. Multi-functional Knives
This one sounds like a home-run gift, which means you can’t go with a reliable multi-purpose knife such as the Swiss Army Knife. When put to the right use, these knives can serve many functions, from cutting ropes and opening cans to preparing their favourite meals away from home.
2. Flashlight/Headlamp
For late-night hikes or setting up camps after sunsets, a flashlight or headlamp is one of the greatest camping gifts for men (and women, too). A thoughtful idea like a hands-free lamp provides strong yet adjustable lighting for late-night camps.
3. Fire Tools
A waterproof fire starter can be a lifesaver in tough camping conditions. Gift this one with some fast-lighting fire cubes, and your friend will thank you later.
4. First Aid Kit
What’s a better way to show them you care than by getting a first-aid kit to ensure they’re perfectly safe outdoors? A compact, well-stocked kit can help them through minor injuries or medical issues along the way.
(3) Comfort and Convenience Enhancement
Convenient camping gifts for him can work wonders. Here are a few you might consider buying:
1. Camping Furniture
A lightweight, foldable camping chair or a portable table might be worthwhile additions to any camper’s camping checklist.
2. Insulated Containers
Insulated containers like top-tier insulated mugs, thermos, or flasks can be thoughtful camping gifts for your friend. They help keep beverages hot or cold.
3. High-quality Portable Appliances
Besides high-quality cooking gear, you might gift them portable espresso makers, heaters, camping lanterns, or other essential appliances that are easy to carry around.
(4) Clothing & Footwear
Among other gifts, you might even upgrade your beloved friend’s wardrobe and watch how it pleases them. Generally, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying, or insulating clothing works best for outdoors in the UK. And let’s not forget hiking boots that help them explore the country on their feet!
(5) Personalised and Special Interest-related Gifts
Of course, considering specific interests or personalisation goes a long way in gift-giving. Here’s a bunch of personalised gifts to choose from:
1. Stargazing Equipment
Is your friend a stargazing enthusiast? Gift them a telescope or perhaps a detailed stargazing map to help them live their dream.
2. Photography Equipment
For campers who enjoy capturing their trips, a strong tripod or waterproof camera case could make the ideal present they’ll cherish forever.
3. Consider Customisation
Customising their gifts is an excellent chance to prove you care, so why not take the chance? Getting them basic gifts with personal touches might also be worth the idea!
Jackery Steps in With High-quality & Cost-effective Solar Generators
At Jackery, we believe in making life outside the home easier and perfectly sustainable with zero power struggles. Hence, we’ve come up with reliable power stations for camping enthusiasts to help them make the most out of their experiences. Here are our top models you might gift them:
- Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus: Maximum Capacity Option
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is our top-of-the-line model, perfect for campers who need serious energy on the go. It offers incredible yet expandable capacity, from 2 to 12 kWh, making it flexible for various needs. This works especially well if you’re unsure about your friend’s power requirements when outdoors.
The best part? It charges up only within two hours and powers devices up to 3000W, making it fit for heavy-duty use — as much as they want!
- Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2: No-brainer Choice
If you haven’t done your homework and wish to gift your friend a 100% reliable power solution, our Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is a no-brainer. Despite being 18% smaller than its predecessor, this one packs 1070Wh of power with a 1500W output. More so, it features ultra-fast charging in as little as 1 hour, so your friend never runs out of power on the road.
Additionally, this model is designed with outdoor serenity in mind; hence, the whisper-quiet operation takes the lead. Plus, its next-gen solar panels and smart app control will make your friend fall in love with it!
- Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus: More Portable Option
If you’d rather go for something perfectly portable, our Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is the smallest option in our lineup. Yet, it offers 288Wh of power and a 300W output. Also, it features innovative ChargeShield Technology and an upgraded Battery Management System for extra safety, so your friend knows their protection is a priority.
Furthermore, it comes with a long-lasting LFP battery and charges fully in just 4 hours via solar or 2 hours by wall. This ensures they’re never left alone grappling with power issues, no matter how far away they are from power outlets.
Camping Gift Wrapping
Why not go the extra mile for your friend to show that you really care about their passion for the outdoors? It’s simple — put a little extra thought into wrapping the gift, and they’ll admire you for life. Here are some wrapping suggestions that might help:
(1) Wrapping Ideas
- Ideally, use nature-inspired or leafy wrapping papers for an outdoorsy feel so your friend can instantly know you were thinking about their wanderlust.
- Use an old map as a wrapping paper, and highlight the places they’ve been to.
- If you’re crafty, you might also draw outdoor-themed art, such as a mini campfire on the gift paper.
- For something more creative, pack your gift in a Manson jar and decorate it with themed stickers.
(2) Card Writing Ideas
- Besides the thoughtful gift, add a well-thought-out note that fuels their passion and nudges the enthusiasts in them.
- If you opt for jars, add notes inside them that suggest the best camping spots in the UK.
- You can write short, funny campfire stories featuring your friend as the ‘hero.’
Final Thoughts
Getting your hands on the ‘perfect’ camping gifts takes some work. Consider your friend’s hobbies, camping style, and anything they dream of adding to their outdoor bucket list. Believe it or not, practical yet thoughtful camping gifts can take your bond to a whole new level.
Explore our power solutions at Jackery, and watch your friend fall in love with their new outdoor gear!
References:
UK Camping Statistics 2024. Available at: https://www.u-buy.co.uk/research/camping-statistics-united-kingdom (Accessed: 7 November 2024)
