10 Wild Gift Ideas

The internet is full of lists recommending the perfect present. Is your family dropping hints and suddenly doing chores more willingly? No matter where you land on the existence of the naughty list, it does seem to provide tangible motivation. The truth is that these lists still don’t provide what everyone really needs—quality time together enjoying the outdoors.

Make a List

To support that goal, here are a few ideas to help spark a sense of adventure that are worth unwrapping:

1. Pocketbook Guides—Getting familiar with common species is a great way to feel more comfortable in nature. These light-weight and virtually indestructible resources are available in a variety of subjects, although sometimes difficult to find. Our son once used rubber bands to attach a guide to his arm for easy access.

2. Lone Deodorant—Trust me, this is the ultimate stocking stuffer. We spent five glorious days on the Snake River and proved that this locally made deodorant is strong enough for all of life’s hormonal phases. I’d rather forget my toothbrush than this deodorant!

3. Passes & Permits—The gift that keeps on giving, consider a Northwest Forest Pass that provides entry to day-use fee areas in national forests in Washington and Oregon, Sno-Park Permits (remember they are state specific), a Discover Pass that offers access to state recreation lands in Washington, a Fort Walla Walla membership, Ski Bluewood day passes, or a semester of open kayak at Whitman College to name a few ideas.

Hells Canyon Guided by the Minam Store (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)Our trip down the Snake River guided by the Minam Store created core memories that I reflect on daily. Personal hygiene is a challenge as the trip wanes, but our Lone Deodorant passed the test. If you haven’t already tried this local recipe, spread the word!

Check It Twice

4. Guides & Outfitters—How many times a year do we all say, “we should go…” Gift giving is a wonderful opportunity to make wishes come true. Local outfitters, such as Adventure Fit, lead year-round, customizable trips. Don’t order a bike online; visit a local shop for expert guidance on the appropriate equipment. The Minam Store offers guided river trips on the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Snake Rivers. Guides are always so generous with their knowledge, and their passion is palpable, so sometimes these trips provide a little inspiration to make outdoor recreation a more prevalent aspect of life.

5. Books—Head down to Book & Game and discover all the local authors who have shared their research and knowledge about this region. From Dennis Dauble’s Bury Me with My Fly Rod to Bob Carson’s Many Waters – Natural History of the Walla Walla Valley and Vicinity, help your special someone gain a little insight and perhaps launch into the new year with a renewed sense of adventure. Don’t forget about the wide selection of regional history books available at Whitman Mission National Historic Site & Fort Walla Walla Museum Store.

6. Outside Walla Walla Gear—For whatever reason, I’m nervous to launch a store and I think I’ve promised one for quite a while now. Let’s just say it is on my New Year’s resolutions list, but I do have some inventory of tank tops, t-shirts and sweatshirts all printed locally. I want to offer a quality line that stands up to wherever the day takes you, and I think we have dialed in just that. Email me if interested in this pop-up run of merch.

Echo Red to Red Mountain Bike Race (Photo Credit: Fellow Racer)Our Outside Walla Walla merchandise is all printed locally at T Walla Walla. I still wear my first sweatshirt made six years ago. The lettering looks like the day I picked them up. We hope to launch a store this coming year.

Always on the Nice List!

7. Donation—I love making a donation to a cause that is personal to the recipient. As an example, members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology receive a quarterly magazine, Living Bird. My grandma enjoyed the vibrant pictures and captivating articles about her outdoor passion, birding. Obviously, it is an even more impactful contribution to the community if the organization is local. These gifts are extremely personal, so focus on supporting a cause that is special to the person who is special to you.

8. Walla Walla Roastery Single Serve Steeped Coffee Bags—Essential to any camp kitchen is coffee in the morning. These are easy to pack and quick to make. Keep one in your jacket pocket and pack a thermos. The Old School blend brings new flavor to cold, mountain adventures.

9. Saager’s Shoe Shop—Wearing the appropriate shoes that fit well can make or break a stroll in the wild. It is the difference between dry, warm feet and Band-Aids and blisters. The inventory and brand selection available is exceptional.

10. Explore Local Shops—Studio Opal, the New York Store, 35th+Butter, and L&G Ranch Supply carry brands familiar to recreation, including Patagonia, KAVU, Carhartt, and others. Gift a fuzzy vest or cozy coat and shove a few coffee bags in a pocket! In addition to clothes, accessory items such as bags and keychains are great smalls.

Rooks Park (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)The Blue Mountain Land Trust is an example of a local nonprofit supporting outdoor recreation. The Blues Crew is their volunteer trail maintenance group. A few years ago, they adopted the Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area grooming cross country and snowshoe trails and installed much needed signs and markers. Your donation supports this work!

Celebrate Moments & Make Memories

Information and gear are essential to safely recreating. Taking care of these items makes such trips more economical. I still wear my ski coat that I bought in high school with money I earned working in the bag room of the Walla Walla Country Club. These pieces can last a long time. Invest as you can, rent when possible, and share with friends and family to encourage everyone to enjoy a more active and healthier lifestyle. Forget resolutions and create a habit.

Connect with Outside Walla Walla

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Our Outside Walla Walla team would be honored if you or your business would consider joining us in partnership. We are grateful for partners, such as Allegro Cyclery, who not only help grow this resource but have encouraged this effort since we started over six years ago. Speaking of folks who have been with us since the beginning, Wonderboy Creative designed this beautiful site, and if not for them, all this information would live in a pile of Post-It notes. As we continue to develop this site, your support is much appreciated. As always, thank you for visiting the site and exploring our content. This on-going project is for you; join us in building a recreation database for all of us.