The Ultimate Eco-Conscious & Outdoorsy Gift Guide (From Someone Who Just Cleaned Out Her Closet)
Yesterday I cleaned my closet, and if I’m being honest, it turned into a full-on reckoning. The so-called “heirlooms,” the sentimental trinkets, and the well-intentioned gifts people have bought me over the years? Most of them became donations.
Not because I’m ungrateful.
Not because I’m cold or minimalist or allergic to joy.
But because…I just don’t like stuff.
We live in a culture of excess, where gifts often become obligations, clutter, or things we keep out of guilt rather than true enjoyment. Meanwhile, the things that actually matter—adventure, connection, moments that feel like breath—don’t fit under a tree anyway.
This year for Christmas, we’re going to Florida.
We’ll fish. We’ll eat. We’ll explore.
And what won’t happen? One more plastic action figure entering my house only to be immediately stolen by one of the dogs, sacrificed to the backyard, and rediscovered in April like some sort of archaeological artifact.
Cleaning that closet made me realize (again) that gifts are really just ways of seeing a person.
Seeing what they love, how they move through the world, and what brings them joy.
And for the outdoorsy, eco-conscious, experience-over-things person in your life, here’s a list I’ve kept for a while—things that go a long way without becoming clutter. Skip the urge to stock up at Homegoods or TJ Maxx and think of one small thing they may like.
Experience Gifts: Guaranteed Wins for Adventurers
If your person values the outdoors, chances are they value experiences over objects. These never gather dust:
National or State Park pass
Fishing or hunting license fee
A ski lesson to brush up their downhill or backcountry skills
An avalanche awareness class
A trial pass to a rock-climbing gym
A workshop through a local college or online platform
A prepaid campsite (i.e., an actual dream)
Wilderness or backcountry first-aid certification
Tickets to local arts—The Flynn Theater is always a classic
“hey I’ll watch your kids” is also a really great gift, but book the date, otherwise it’s just an empty promise.
Experiences don’t require storage. They build stories instead.
Gear… But Only If You Know Them That Well
Listen, buying gear for an outdoorsy person is like buying perfume for someone you don’t live with. Risky.
I know from personal experience: I am very particular about what I pack, what I wear, and what actually makes the cut for the trail. If you’re unsure? A gift card for gear is a completely acceptable—and appreciated—choice.
But if you want something tangible:
1. Material Matters
If you want dry + warm + odor-resistant?
Merino wool. Every time. I’d take some Smartwool running socks any day!
Synthetic “dry wicking” fabrics sometimes feel stiff and they can hold onto the stink longer than anyone wants to admit.
2. Start with the Basics
High-quality socks or underlayers (Smartwool forever) are always useful and don’t require guessing on preference or pack style.
3. Feed the Adventure
Outdoor people are basically just hungry athletes in nature.
Backpacking meals (MREs), collapsible containers, sporks, flexible dining ware—all great choices.
Or gift them a new food experience:
We love Zero Gravity on Pine Street and Citizen Cider for fun local nights out.
4. Don’t Forget the Dogs
If your adventurer has pets, consider:
Dog life jackets, LED collars, booties, travel bowls.
Outdoor Gear Exchange is a great starting point for dog-appropriate adventure gear.
Support Local: High-Impact, Low-Clutter Gifts
Some of the best gifts I’ve ever received came from local artisans or local farms.
A CSA share? Life-changing.
Local art? Meaningful and memorable.
Common Deer in Burlington has some of the best Vermont-made finds, Golden Hour has cute cute items. Among so many other really cool locally owned places.
Shopping local is gifting with intention.
Build the Perfect Campfire Moment
Some of us—me, absolutely me—think the perfect date night is a campfire under the stars.
If this resonates with your recipient, try curating a “Campfire Kit” with:
Camp chairs
Solar outdoor lighting
A wireless speaker
A good bottle of wine or a craft cocktail kit
Copper mugs or outdoor glasses
A solid axe for kindling
A charcuterie board, olives, Vermont-made cheeses, cured meats
You can’t go wrong with giving someone the blueprint for a perfect night.
For the Person Who Truly Has Everything: Give Forward
When someone doesn’t need anything, give in their honor:
Sponsor a student who needs warm winter gear
Donate to a local land trust
Support your food shelf (Burlington sites always welcome help)
Contribute to winter coat programs or Fuel Assistance funds
Sometimes the most powerful gifts don’t come wrapped at all.
The Heart of It All
Cleaning out my closet reminded me that the best gifts aren’t things—they’re reflections.
They say:
I see you. I know you. I want to support the parts of you that make you feel most alive.
If you shop with that lens—intention over excess—you’ll never go wrong.
