Great Gifts for the Camping Dad

When shopping for a present along this line, the first thing you need to ask yourself is how much do I want to spend, because camping can be vicious when it comes to the wallet unless you are patient enough to shop around and willing to keep your eye out for sales. Then turn around and look at your dad, there are numerous gifts that are cheap and necessary, such as lanterns, coolers, chairs, sleeping bags, even bug spray/ candles to keep Texas mosquitoes away. There are also multiple ones such as coffee makers, pots/pans, and tables/chairs, gifts that would be nice to have but he probably wouldn't buy. A collaboration of items would make an man smile (especially if the cooler was filled with beer) but if you were going for some a extreme gift- something to see eyes bulge or a lopsided grin form, here are my recommendations.

1. Tent. That's right. I don't know if he's feeding you crap about living it rough or experiencing the wilderness, but for many a tent kinda falls into the same joke "once you go black you never go back." It gives the camping experience a complete 180. One of the best tents I've seen is from Magellan Outdoors. I like it because it's huge inside, you don't have to crouch down when you go in, and it has a netted front so you can sit there for a bit in the morning if you don't want to get bitten up. We usually bring a fan inside the tent.

2. Coleman 2 Burner Dual Fuel stove. This stove is convenient, heats up quickly, and is easy to store and clean. Do you have a stove? Get a barbeque box to put on top of it (if your man loves to cook) and give him a place to grill his fish, grill hamburgers, and have fun out in the trees

3. An Airbed. If he really is a camping addict, see (or ask yourself) if he would use an airbed. In old man's terms this is a cot, but with added padding and comfort, for many, this has become a foldaway bed that has made nighttime bearable and camping fun. Air mattresses are also a favorite of many, you just need to make sure they can be blown up. Make sure to get an air pump that will run by battery and a plug if possible.

4. Lanterns. Ok, a flashlight is great when you are trekking through the forest in an effort to go to the restroom, but if you're just relaxing outside as the sun goes down, it's not quite as useful. Many lanterns have hangers which allow themselves to be strung across a wire or from branches of a tree (just don't incite a fire) and they light up a wide circle around themselves.

5. Relaxation Station. Here's the time to make your move. Add a hammock to swing between the trees, a couple of chairs to stretch out in, and a table to chat over as the sun rises and fresh food simmers beside you.

There are many online sites to look for camping items and ideas, and the majority of them are cheaper than what I found in the stores.
Good luck and Happy Hunting!!