Some last-minute Christmas gift ideas for sportsmen
They say time flies the older you get, and I'm starting to believe it. Another Christmas is just around the corner, and like always, I haven't even thought about buying the first gift for a single person on my shopping list.
Luckily, I don't have to. Each year I complete all of my Christmas shopping in 30 minutes or less. And the beauty of it is I rarely venture any farther than the checkout line of the local department or sporting goods store to get it all done.
I'm a gift card kind of guy.
The way I see it, you can't go wrong giving good ol' plastic. Make it $20, $50, $100 or even $1,000 if your pockets are that deep.
The gift of a gift card is sure to sit well with anyone on the receiving end. If it doesn't, something is bad wrong.
With prepaid plastic in hand, a person can buy exactly what they want, when they want it, so long as the item is within the price range and dateline validity specified by the card. No more worrying about a shoe or shirt that might not fit. No more standing in crowded customer service lines or bickering with tellers about receipts that don't exist for junk you don't want anyway.
Call me thoughtless if you want, but gift cards please more often than not.
Going plastic is the holiday shopping version of Easy St. If you really want to be lazy about it, you can complete the entire process over the Internet. Most major retailers offer e-gift cards. The gift cards can be purchased for various dollar amounts online using a credit card.
This is a great option if you are buying at the last minute for someone out of town, because the retailer takes care of the delivery at no added expense. Just provide a valid email address for the recipient, and the retailer takes it from there. In many cases, e-gift cards can be customized with a personal message or special jingle.
If you enjoy shopping the traditional way, it's time to get to it. Christmas is less than two weeks away. Here are five good gift ideas for the outdoorsman on your shopping list:
ThermaCELL Heated Insoles
Keeping your feet warm just went wireless, courtesy of the folks at ThermaCELL. Widely known for its innovative mosquito repellant devices, ThermaCELL recently released a set of remote-controlled heated insoles for shoes, boots and waders that use advanced heat technology to help keep your tootsies toasty in cold weather. The water resistant insoles operate using super light lithium-ion polymer batteries that are embedded in the material rather than strapped to a boot or sock. A push-button wireless remote controls displacement from medium to high heat for up five hours of continuous use. The insoles retail for about $120.
For more information, visit thermacell.com.
Abu Garcia Revo MGX Baitcaster
The newest model in Garcia's stable of baitcasters also is the lightest. Weighing in at only 5.4 ounces, the MGX is rock-solid proof that big things come in small packages. Features a magnesium alloy frame, carbon side plates, 9+1 stainless bearings and a high-tech braking system that offers 28 different settings for fine-tuning using 28 different for throwing lightweight lures. Available in two gear ratios, 7.1:1 and 7.9:1. Sells for around $350.
For more information, visit abugarcia.com.
The Snip
The newest offering from Boomerang Tools would make the perfect stocking stuffer for the angler on your gift list. The Snip is a high quality line cutter that slices through braid and monofilament fishing lines like butter. Measuring only two inches long, it has stainless steel blades and is attached to retractable cord system that clips to your belt loop to help prevent losing it. It comes in two models -- one has a built in LED flashlight to help you get around the boat in the dark, $15. The non-LED model retails for around $12.
For more information, visit boomerangtools.com.
Leatherman Wave Multi-Tool
There are number of quality multi-tools out there, but few compare to Leatherman's Wave in terms of functionality and durability. It is equally handy for hunters and fishermen.
The stainless steel multi-tool is built with 17 different implements including knives, needlenose/standard pliers, scissors, files, a wood saw, can and bottle opener, screw drivers, wire strippers and rulers. The implements lock-in and lock-out, which helps prevent slippage.
The tool measures only four inches long when all the implements are stowed, and it weighs 8.5 ounces. Comes with a nylon or leather sheath and a 25-year warranty. Sells for about $90.
For more information, visit leatherman.com.
B&C Vintage Hunting Album
Big game hunters like to look at pictures, and the Boone and Crockett Club's newest book release is full of vintage images that are guaranteed to take hunters on a nostalgic journey of our hunting heritage dating as far back as the late 1800s. In addition to big game animals, the photos depict classic firearms, custom knives, antiquated hunting gear and much more perk the interest of modern and old school hunters, alike. The 200-page hardcover book sells for $29.95.
For more information, visit booneandcrockettclub.com.
Matt Williams' e-mail address is mattwilliams@netdot.com.
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