Peace Outfitters Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is supposed to feel warm, joyful, and full of celebration. For many people, however, it has become a point of stress and anxiety. Between crowded stores, relentless online ads, and the pressure to find the perfect gift, it’s unsurprising that many people feel overwhelmed. In fact, studies show that 60–70% of shoppers aren’t sure what they’re going to buy and end up waiting until the last minute. Moreover, 45% reported feeling stressed by holiday gift shopping (YouGov 2023).
Ideally, it doesn’t have to be that way. If done right, gift-giving can be a simple, meaningful, and enjoyable way to connect with the people in your life. It’s even more enjoyable when you bypass the messiness of holiday shopping. That’s where your local outfitter comes in.
At Peace Outfitters, we know the gear, we use the gear, and we love helping people choose the right gear for themselves or their loved ones. From Christmas to Hannukah, and whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or an investment piece for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, we’re here to take the stress out of the season.
Ideas for Every Type of Outdoor Enthusiast
It’s no secret that gear heads are always searching for a new piece or scheming up an upgrade for something they already own. This means that no matter the type of outdoor enthusiast in your life, there’s something that will make their endeavors safer and/or more enjoyable. Whether you’re shopping for an experienced backpacker, a casual camper, a river runner, or a climber, here are some reliable ideas to spark inspiration.
- Large Pieces and Upgrades:
- Insulating layers: down or synthetic puffy jackets, midlayer fleeces
- Camp kitchen: two-burner camp stoves, utensil sets
- Packs: day packs, multiday packs, lumbar or fanny packs
- Camp furniture: camping or backpacking chairs, even two or three-person couches
- Footwear: lightweight trail runners or hiking shoes, backpacking boots
- Practical Accessories
- Water bottles and soft flasks
- Gear bins and organization pods
- Dry bags and stuff sacks
- Multitools and knives
- Nalgene storage containers of all shapes and sizes
- Stocking Stuffers
- Active socks (Darn Tough, Smartwool, ski socks)
- Reusable hand warmers (Zippo Heatbank)
- Sunglasses (Goodr, Suncloud)
- Writing supplies (Rite in the Rain journals and pens)
- Gear repair (NoSo Patches, tenacious tape, repair kits)
- Cold-weather accessories (beanies, gloves, neck gaiters)
Staff Picks: Gear Our Employees Recommend
The Peace Outfitters crew includes climbers and canyoneers, runners and backpackers, skiers and river runners—people who use the gear that keeps us safe and happy wherever we recreate. This year, we’ve compiled our staff’s favorite giftable items that are bound to be loved (and heavily used) by any outdoor enthusiast in your life. Or maybe these are just the things that our employees want for the holidays. Hint hint, wink wink.
- Nadia’s Pick: Jetboil Flash
Capable of boiling water in just 100 seconds, the Jetboil Flash is the ideal canister stove for coffee enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys dehydrated backpacking meals. Plus, you can fit both the stove itself and a 100g fuel canister inside the included pot for easy storage.
- Coop’s Pick: NRS Straps
For river rats, there is no such thing as too many tie downs. NRS webbing straps, available in a wide variety of lengths, are an all-purpose, endlessly useful item that any outdoor enthusiast can put to good use.
- Sharon’s Pick: GSI Backpack Watercolor Kit
GSI’s Backpack Watercolor Kit is a complete set for the artist in your life, from the casual to the virtuoso. It includes twelve watercolor paints, a refillable watercolor brush, a drawing marker, a pencil, a color sampler, a sponge, mixing pallets, and paper pads.
- Ailin’s Pick: CNOC Thru Bottle
The Thru Bottle is an ultralight, durable, filter-friendly alternative to single-use plastic water bottles, loved by backpackers but equally ideal for anyone on the go. Its sleek shape fits perfectly in a stocking.
- Niels’ Pick: BioLite AlpenGlow 250
Delivering both ambient and task-based lighting, the BioLite AlpenGlow 250 is a rechargeable lantern that is as good at home as it is at camp. Its compact size makes it a great gift and backcountry companion.
- Tristian’s Pick: KUHL Interceptr ¼ Zip Fleece Jacket
With the Intercepter ¼ Zip Fleece, versatile, modern styling meets premium, technical performance. It gives you warmth where you need it and breathability where you want it—a perfect piece for anyone staying active during the colder months.
- Akira’s Pick: Goodr OGs
Goodr OGs are simple, lightweight, polarized sunglasses that don’t break the bank or skimp on fun, making them a great go-to stocking stuffer. Akira’s personal favorite? The bright purple frame and reflective lenses of Gardening With A Kraken.
- Jess’s Pick: Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Dress
When the weather gets chilly, the grid fleeces awake from their slumber. The Summit Grid Dress is light yet insulating, fashionable yet technical, and supremely comfortable. It’s ideal for layering over ski base layers or taking the dog out on snowy mornings.
- Alex’s Pick: GSI Backcountry Cocktail Kit
GSI’s Insulated Cocktail Set is a clever, compact ensemble that lets you bring happy hour wherever you go. With a 500ml vacuum insulated shaker, two drinking tumblers, and a cocktail strainer, it’s a perfect gift for any camp mixologist.
- Kim’s Pick: Canyon Cooler Outfitter 22
Located right here in Flagstaff, Canyon Cooler makes some of the most insulated and durable outdoor coolers on the market. At 22 liters, the Outfitter 22 is great size to keep items cold on the river, at the campsite, or in their backyard.
- Aaron’s Pick: Peace Outfitters Gift Card
When in doubt, give your friends and family the freedom to choose their next favorite piece of gear—and the experience of doing it with us! Simple, quick, and small, a gift card is best for that person who is always impossible to shop for.
Holiday Shopping at Peace Outfitters
If you’re still unsure where to start gifting this holiday season, stop by the store and ask. We love to outfit customers for their trips and lifestyles, and we equally love helping them do so for the people in their lives. At Peace Outfitters, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated assortment of apparel, hardgoods, footwear, and accessories as well as a knowledgeable staff who uses it all themselves.
We also greatly value being a part of Flagstaff’s vibrant downtown and outdoor communities. This season, we’re participating in Downtown Flagstaff’s Holiday Shopping Passport, through which you can be entered to win awesome prizes from your favorite downtown stores, including a $350 grand prize gift card. Visit Downtown Flagstaff for more details.
We hope you have a safe and fun holiday season. See you out there!
Sources
“The Stress of Gift Shopping: What’s Not so Joyful about Christmas Shopping in 2023.” YouGov, December 12, 2023. Linked here.