The Ultimate Off-Grid Gift Guide For 2023

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The festive season is upon us, and the quest for the perfect gift is in full swing. But what do you get for someone who cherishes the great outdoors, values sustainability, or simply dreams of a life more connected to nature?

Whether it’s for the budding gardener in your life, the camping aficionado, or the modern homesteader building a life off the beaten path, our carefully curated gift guide is here to help you! We’ve found ideas to suit every taste and budget.

(This post contains affiliate links, which means we make a small commission if you purchase through the links, at no extra cost to you.)

Solar Gift Ideas

Harness the power of the sun with gifts perfect for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying modern conveniences.

1. Portable solar panel: A solar panel is a great gift that allows the recipient to utilize the sun’s energy at home, while camping, or on the road. This portable solar panel works great for charging batteries and power stations on the go.
2. Solar lantern: Light up the night with solar lanterns instead of bulbs. These are convenient gifts that combine functionality with an eco-friendly power source. Our favorite is the LuminAID lantern, which we’ve written about before. It’s super bright, inflatable, collapsible, and waterproof!
3. Solar security lights: Illuminate the outdoors with bright outdoor solar lights. After trying several types, these are the lights we use. We keep them in motion-sensing mode, which is great for security purposes and when we (or our dogs) need to venture outside the house at night.
4. Phone charger: A solar-powered charger ensures phones stay charged when no other power source is available. This little solar charger is the perfect size to leave on the windowsill or dashboard of your car to soak up the sun’s rays when you’re not using it.
5. Multi-device charger: A little bigger than the phone charger, these chargers are ideal for keeping devices charged on trips and in remote locations. This handy solar charger folds out to 4 panels and can charge three devices at once.
6. Solar-powered Bluetooth speaker: These speakers are handy for entertainment without needing electricity. This solar-powered speaker is robust and waterproof, perfect for indoor and outdoor use.

Gifts For Outdoor Enthusiasts

These gifts are for those on your list who feel at home outdoors – campers, hikers, hunters, and all-around nature lovers.

1. Kelly Kettle: These kettles are high-quality and great for boiling water quickly. The ultimate kit includes the large kettle and all accessories, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
2. Trail camera: Trail cameras are a fun gift for nature lovers to capture video and images of wildlife. This trail camera takes 4k video with audio and 48 MP images!
3. First aid kit: A good first aid kit is essential for emergency preparedness and ensures the outdoor enthusiast is always ready for any situation.
4. Crank emergency radio: Crank radios are the best option for staying informed about natural disasters and other events in situations where power and cell service are unavailable. In addition to crank charging, some emergency radios have solar charging capabilities, lights, and phone chargers. This one doubles as a handy flashlight with 5 light modes, a phone charger, and can be crank-charged or solar-charged.
5. Hydration backpack: A must-have for regular outdoor adventurers, hydration backpacks hold plenty of water for a day out hiking or biking, and most have room to carry other necessities like keys, a phone, or a wallet.
6. Hammock or outdoor chair: For those well-deserved breaks, a comfortable place to relax can be a wonderful gift. Hammocks are lightweight and easy to carry on hiking and camping trips or just for a day at the lake.
7. High-powered binoculars or monoculars: Good binoculars are useful for all kinds of outdoor activities, like bird watching, hunting, or just surveying the land around a homestead.
8. Portable solar shower: There’s nothing quite like a warm shower when you’ve been roughing it in the woods for a few days. Solar showers offer the luxury of a shower in off grid situations, utilizing sunlight to heat water.
9. GPS navigator: These devices help navigate remote areas, especially where cell service is unreliable. This rugged GPS navigator is loaded with topographical maps and dual-satellite support for added dependability.
10. Range finder: For the hunters on your list, range finders are an excellent gift idea. This range finder can give accurate readings up to 1000 yards almost instantaneously.

Gifts for Gardeners  

For many, gardening is a passion and a big part of the off grid life. These gift ideas will appeal to the green thumbs on your list.

1. Heirloom seed collections: A variety of heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds can be a treasure trove for a gardener. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, harvest after harvest. This seed collection includes over 15,000 seeds, with 32 vegetable and fruit varieties.
2. Quality gardening tools set: Invest in a set of good quality, durable gardening tools. Ergonomically designed options can provide comfort and efficiency for all the digging, planting, and weeding ahead.
3. Composting bin: For the environmentally conscious gardener, a composting bin can be a great addition to their gardening arsenal, turning kitchen waste into rich soil. We have used this compost bin for several years with great results.
4. Planters and raised beds: Various sizes of planters or a raised garden bed kit can offer gardeners a neat solution for organizing their plantings and can be especially useful for those with limited space.
5. Bee house: Support a gardener’s pollinator friends with a bee hotel, which provides a safe place for solitary bees and other pollinators to nest.
6. Garden kneeler and seat: To ease the strain on knees and back, a portable and foldable garden kneeler that doubles as a seat can be a godsend.
7. Kneeling pad: A simple but durable kneeling pad is an excellent alternative to the kneeler/seat combo. We use these daily in our garden; I can’t imagine gardening without one now!
8. Personalized garden sign: A lovely, rustic sign with the gardener’s name or a favorite quote can add a personal touch to their garden space.
9. Decorative solar lights: Pretty solar lights are an eco-friendly way to light up pathways and highlight areas of the garden at night.
10. Rainwater collection barrel: A practical gift for the environmentally conscious gardener, a rain barrel helps conserve water and take full advantage of natural resources.
11. A membership to a local botanic garden: If you have a botanic garden in your area, a membership can provide a wonderful experience and a wealth of ideas and inspiration for every gardener.
12. Plant identification tags: Unique plant tags can help gardeners keep track of established plants and new seedlings while adding a personal touch to a garden space.
13. Garden-themed jewelry or apparel: For a bit of whimsy, consider getting the gardener on your list a necklace with a pendant shaped like their favorite plant or a t-shirt with a gardening pun.
14. Countertop hydroponic system: An indoor hydroponic system is a fun and productive way to continue gardening throughout the winter. This is the growing system we use with amazing results. We have been growing baby greens with this system, which gives us a hefty harvest at least once a week. An added bonus is we can grow varieties indoors with this system that don’t do well outdoors in our climate, like interesting lettuce and bok choy varieties.
15. Microgreens and sprouts kit: Sprouts and microgreens are incredibly nutritious and easy to grow. We grow them to supplement what we grow outside, especially over our long winters. These are the microgreen seeds and kits and sprouting seeds and supplies we have used for years.

Gifts For Outdoor Work & Homesteading

Working around the homestead requires durable, practical, and often multipurpose tools and gear. Here are some gift ideas tailored for those who spend their days working outdoors or managing a homestead.

1. High-quality work gloves: Durable gloves are essential for working around the homestead to protect hands from cold temperatures and injuries. Look for work gloves that are comfortable and made of high-quality materials.
2. Multi-tool: A sturdy multi-tool can be invaluable for various tasks around the homestead, from fixing fences to adjusting equipment.
3. Durable water bottle: A high-quality, insulated water bottle ensures hydration throughout the day and keeps drinks cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. The Corkcicle is our tried and true favorite for all seasons.
4. Weather-resistant clothing: Items like waterproof jackets, insulated vests, or moisture-wicking shirts can provide comfort and protection in various weather conditions.
5. Heavy-duty boots: A pair of waterproof, supportive work boots can keep feet protected and comfortable, regardless of the terrain or weather.
6. Headlamp or rechargeable work light: Essential for early mornings or late evenings, a good headlamp or work light offers hands-free illumination.
7. Sturdy tool belt or utility vest: A tool belt keeps necessary tools accessible and organized while working.
8. Insulated thermos: A thermos is ideal for keeping coffee or tea hot for hours while working around the homestead or anywhere else. My grandpa carried this thermos for his hot tea every day well into his 90s while hunting, cutting firewood, or just exploring the woods.
9. Chicken coop accessories: Items like automatic coop doors, feeders, or waterers can streamline poultry care.

Gadgets & Tech Gifts 

This section boasts gadgets perfect for the off-grid techie. Discover devices that are both practical and fun.

1. Satellite phone: For those who regularly venture off the beaten path or live in an area with limited connectivity, a satellite phone can be a lifesaver. Most include global coverage and GPS tracking capabilities.
2. Walkie-talkies: Long-range walkie-talkies are great for staying in touch with family members working around the homestead or out on hikes together, especially in areas where cell service is unreliable.
3. Digital weather station: A personal weather station can provide real-time data, helping to plan and adjust outdoor work based on weather conditions.
4. Drone with camera: Drones are helpful for aerial surveys of a property, checking fences and crops, or simply enjoying aerial photography. This entry-level drone is a great way to get adults and kids started with aerial videos and photos.
5. E-book reader: For the minimalist or tiny home dweller on your list, an e-book reader provides endless reading material without needing to store tons of physical books and magazines. The Kindle Paperwhite is my favorite because it can hold a charge for so long – and I haven’t even come close to using up its storage space. 
6. Home energy monitor: An energy monitor shows users where their energy usage is going and how to manage it better. This is useful for anyone, but especially those living off the grid.

Gifts for Cooks 

These culinary treasures make every meal an adventure for the chef whose kitchen might be indoors or beside a campfire.

1. Thermal cooker: Retain heat and keep food cooking even after it’s removed from the heat source with a stainless steel thermal cooker.
2. Sun oven/solar cooker: A solar cooker can be used for roasting, baking, and dehydrating food using only the sun’s energy, perfect for cooks living off the grid.
3. Seasonings and spices: A diverse seasoning set is an excellent gift for any cook.
4. Pressure cooker/Instant Pot: The Instant Pot is one of our essential kitchen gadgets, great for quick and efficient cooking.
5. Dutch oven: Every cook needs a Dutch oven – or two, or three! They are one of the most versatile kitchen essentials.
6. Food dehydrator: A food dehydrator is a great item to have on any homestead for preserving fruits, vegetables, herbs, and meats for long-term storage.
7. Fermentation kit: Fermentation is another healthy and versatile way to preserve fruits and vegetables from the garden. This is the fermentation kit we use for fermenting peppers and making sauerkraut.

Cozy Comforts: Around the Home

Home is where the heart is, and these gifts add that touch of warmth and coziness to the holiday season. Find something to make their space even more special for relaxation or utility.

1. Essential oils and diffusers: Essential oils have a wide range of uses around the home, from cleaning to homemade skincare. A pretty oil diffuser is an excellent complement to oils for those who use them.
2. Decorative wood stove steamer: These pretty cast-iron steamers sit on top of a wood stove and provide humidity to the room while the fire is burning.  
3. Wool or fleece throws: Cozy throws are perfect for snuggling up during chilly evenings. Look for natural fibers for added warmth and breathability.
4. Scented candles: Candles made with natural waxes and essential oils can provide a soothing aroma and a cozy ambiance around the home.
5. Organic cotton or bamboo bed sheets: Offer a luxurious and comfortable night’s sleep with quality organic cotton sheets, perfect for recharging after a day of hard work.
6. Herbal tea assortment: A selection of teas can be a delightful treat, offering relaxation and warmth on cold winter nights.
7. Cast iron teapot: Cast iron tea kettles retain heat well and add a decorative element to the kitchen. We like this one for its convenient size and charming design.
8. High-quality reading light: A rechargeable reading light is perfect for evening reading sessions.
9. Oil lamps: For many off-gridders, conserving energy at night is a part of life. A lovely oil lamp can offer a touch of vintage charm and tranquil lighting.

Enlightening Reads: Book Selections

Expand horizons with books that inspire, educate, and entertain. Perfect for the reader eager to delve deeper into off grid living and sustainability.

1. The Doable Off-Grid Homestead: Learn to build off the grid, grow and preserve food, raise livestock, and more.
2. The Ultimate Self-Sufficiency Manual: 200+ tips for living a more sustainable and independent life.
3. 40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A step-by-step guide to sustainable living.
4. Be Prepared, Not Scared: 12 Steps to Emergency Preparedness: A guide to becoming prepared for short and long-term emergencies.
5. Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual: 272 wilderness skills, including preparing for any catastrophe and traditional ways of survival.
6. The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook: Advice and inspiration for novice and expert gardeners alike.
7. Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre: A guide to small-area farming and producing that will show you how to produce 85% of an average family’s food on 1/4 acre.
8. Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills: Practical advice and step-by-step skills for anyone wanting to live more simply.
9. Solar Power for Beginners: How to design and install the best solar power system for your home.

Handmade Gift Ideas 

There’s nothing better than thoughtful, handmade gifts for the holidays. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Handmade quilts: A beautiful quilt adds warmth and a touch of artisanal charm to any space.
2. Handcrafted pottery: Handmade mugs, bowls, or vases make perfect gifts. If you don’t make them yourself, you can support local artisans and add a unique touch to the home.
3. Wool socks and knitwear: Knitted or crocheted socks, hats, gloves, and scarves are timeless gift ideas for those on your list.
4. Artisanal soap bars: Handcrafted soaps with natural ingredients and essential oils provide a luxurious bathing experience.
5. Homemade food baskets: If you garden and preserve food, a wonderful gift is a basket filled with canned goods, dried herbs, homemade jerky, home-baked bread, or whatever your specialty is.
6. Customized signage for the homestead: If you work with wood or metal, a custom sign can add a personal touch to a workspace or living area.

Final Thoughts

With gifts ranging from practical to luxurious, there’s something for every outdoor lover, modern homesteader, and those passionate about an off grid lifestyle.

The gift card remains an ever-popular choice, especially if you’re unsure about the specific needs of the off-grid adventurer in your life.

Cheers to making this year’s memories shine brighter and ensuring the coming year is filled with joy, sustainability, and connection to the great outdoors!