Gift Ideas - I need to get the ideas flowing...

mandysmear

For Christmas I am getting H a backpack for the ski hill as his old one's zipper broke.  I want to fill it with stuff that is related to skiing/spending a day on the hill.  Here are my ideas so far:

-toblerone (his favorite)
-granola bars
-a water jug/canteen
-chapstick
-a coffee mug?  (he already has one though)
-some kind of candy like fuzzy peaches

He has an ipod, a travel shovel, mitts, etc. 

alixzafiris

Erm... a new toque? I don't know what people wear skiing - avoiding snow and all that - so do they wear toques even? Am I even spelling that right?

janedoe1113a

A new hat?

JK10910

When you say a coffee mug, are you talking like a ceramic one, or a travel one?  Maybe if he doesn't have one, a really nice travel mug.

mandysmear

I meant a travel mug

He has a million toques Alix.  But, I could always give him another one.  He loves the ski brand "Armada"  so if I give him anything Armada he'll be a happy camper.

I just got an idea to put a ski DVD in the bag.

SarahnVinny

hand and feet warmers?

missy68

New ski pants, or a GC to a store where he can get some new apparel?
EDIT: this may be more than you want to spend, but have you seen the GPS SPOT messengers? They allow you to send pre-recorded messages from places that may not have cell coverage plus emergency access.  J had one his list for his ATV/dirt bike trips.

ac_in_dc

Sunglasses or goggles?
Sunscreen or lotion?
Hand warmer thingies??

MissLeahM

Flares
Hot Chocolate mix
A little electronic travel game

TiDa2009

What about old movies like "Ski School".  Not really something he can use on the hill, but fun none the less.

mandysmear

Good ideas, thanks!

He has all new apparel and will buying more in the spring when everything goes on sale.  He's a bargain shopper with that stuff.  Haha. 

scoetto

I love this website! They have a lot of recycled reusable stuff like travel mugs and stuff.

http://www.reusablebags.com/

Night_Sprite

Out Cold would be a good silly edition. 

squirrly

Hand and toe warmers
new ski socks
new base layer gloves
earwarmer for days when a hat is too much
goggles / goggle cleaner
itunes gc to get new stuff for the ipod

mini tarp of some sort so that he could sit down and not get wet

neck gaiter

tools to wax/tune his own gear

squirrly

Does he ski groomed or backcountry? 

And, I have to go, but I'll log on from home in a couple of hours and see if I come up with anything else.  I love skiing!  I don't think we will get to go this year, though, due to the wedding. 

mandysmear

Thanks!  He does mostly groomed.  He's a freeskier, but he likes to get some runs in when he goes to the mountains.

He doesn't wear a ton of gear.  Just gloves (non-bulky ones), toque, helmet, goggles.  But, socks are a great idea.  Waxing stuff is a great idea.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

A new ski bag? A first aid kit?

mandysmear

He has a ski bag already.  He won't take a first aid kit with him.  He would take up too much valuble space in the bag.  He needs room for his shovel, camera, etc.

I forgot to mention that we set a low budget and I'm already over it just buying the bag, so I have to get some cheaper things... like granola bars, socks, etc. 

squirrly

I assume he has a camel back already.  I don't, so I'm not sure of the specifics, but maybe replacement bladder/tubes for that? 

One of my fav gear websites has a ton of stuff on awesome sales right now:  Sierra Snowboard

I'm also a big fan of REI, and they've got a sale going on too:  Stocking Stuffers

I personally would love a digital watch with a super long band so that I could wear it over my jacket.  Also, extra long zipper pulls would be handy, so I don't have to come out of my mittens to zip/unzip.  Those could all be super cheap too.  I don't care about the altimeter and other crap that comes on skiing watches.

Maybe a pocketknife/multi-tool? 

If he's a helmet guy, sometimes those need new padding, straps, whatnot.

Bootbag.  I got a cool one on sale for about $5 a couple of years ago. 

I get cold super easy, so everything I have is aimed at keeping warm.   

mandysmear

Thanks squirrly!  I appreciate the feedback.  I don't ski so I have no idea the types of things he may need and he doesn't even think to ask for them or buy them because he knows how expensive of a hobby it is. 

squirrly

NP.  I'll keep you in mind if I see any cool gear sales during the year & let you know.  Maybe you can stock up on stuff when he's not expecting it.    I think FI's going to plan a trip for us for my birthday.  Yay!

mandysmear

Yeah for sure let me know!  It's too late for me to order anything online, especially if it's coming from the states, god knows it'd be hung up at customs for weeks! 

But, I wouldn't mind getting him stuff throughout the year and then giving it to him for christmas next year or even his birthday in June.