Christmas Eve is one week away so as I do every year I am providing a list of ideas to hopefully make it easier for you to buy a gift for the person on your list that enjoys the   Montana outdoors. Every year the list changes with new gadgets but also stays the same with some popular gift ideas that never go out of style. Whether the person on your list skis, snowmobiles, hunts, hikes, fishes, or does it all I am sure the list will at least get you going in the right direction. We all have heard “I need to buy a Christmas gift for so and so and he or she already has everything”. For that person a gift card always works well. Her is another tip to help you this holiday season. Attach a dollar amount to the people on your gift list. It might help you get your shopping done quicker. For example you might have a person on your list you want to spend up to $10 on or another person you feel comfortable spending up to $50 on or maybe you have no limit. In any case here is a list of some gift ideas that might just give you a head start.

• A fitness watch to help them keep track of their health
• A gas card with the price of gas now $50-$75 will go a long way
• A app from On X Maps.com for a smart phone    
• A Thule cargo box or ski rack
• An electric fillet knife
• A pair of two way radios
• A Camp Chef stove
• A Smoker for fish and wild game or maybe brine and seasoning if they already have a smoker
• A Leatherman tool
• Four or five crank baits good for bass, trout, walleye, or northern pike
• A welcome mat with an outdoor theme for home or cabin
• A sportsman sled to haul gear  
• A bucket with a nice swivel seat, good for a waterfowl blind or for ice fishing.
• A pair of rag wool gloves and a pair of winter smart wool socks
• A 12-volt operated electric air pump for low tires or rafts
• A pair of nice cozy slippers
• Tip-ups if the angler on your list likes to ice fish for walleye or pike
• An emergency kit for their car
• A mummy sleeping bag
• A fanny pack to keep gloves and stocking hats all in one place
• An ice strainer (it helps them clear ice out of their ice fishing hole)
• A camo hat, shirt, gloves, jacket, or pants
• A tripod for spotting scope or camera
• A state of the art hunting back pack that is hydration compatible
• A gift box of sausage and jerky from Hi Country Snack Foods
• Thermos
• A Traction cleats for their boots when they walk on the ice
• A days lift ticket to a local ski resort
• A hunting dog collar, toy, dog dish, or dog parka
• A box of hand, toe, and foot warmers 
• A rangefinder up to 1000 yards
• A Go Pro
• A gift card for a restaurant
• If they own a RV then a gift card at an RV store will always come in handy
• If they like to work on things a gift card to a parts or hardware store

Have fun shopping, I hope the list helps and have a Merry Christmas!       

(Written by the Captain – aka Mark Ward)