If you haven’t started shopping for your holiday gifts, take a minute to think about what might really help your loved ones this year. Do the kids really need another video game or plastic toy that they’ll forget about in a few months? Do your parents really need any more ornaments or the dread fruit cake?
Why not hook them up with comfort this year? Give the base layers, socks, pants, fleece jackets, down sweaters, and travel gear that will make their lives easier year-round. And don’t forget to think of those who have less, as well. We have friends who help out with the dZi foundation, a nonprofit supporting twenty-two health, education, and community development programs throughout the Himalayan region of India and Nepal.
Here’s a quick “top five” gift list. If you walked into the store today these would be the first things I would reach for. (I actually did buy several of these for family already):
We can’t stop talking about Chacos, and we have good reason for that. We simply love these shoes and sandals, and we tend to wear them nearly every day around here. Perfect for the paddler, camp counselor, hiker, and anyone who wants stylish comfort all day long.
2) Merino socks
You can’t beat the comfortable, odor-fighting merino fiber when it comes to socks. I got my first pair of SmartWool socks back in high school, and they quickly became the only sock I could wear. Try it, and I’m sure you’ll notice the difference. We also now carry Goodhew socks, very well-constructed socks that work for office and formal wear, but have the performance you’ve come to expect from merino wool. SmartWool also has a great mitten & beanie set for kids that makes a cute gift.
3) Icebreaker merino base layer
We’re bagging cotton at Rock/Creek. Throughout this Fall we’ve been turning cotton t-shirts into re-usable shopping bags and encouraging people to “bag” their cotton shirts and give Icebreaker merino base layers a try. You can do it yourself at home with scissors and a sewing machine. Merino doesn’t rag out and get soggy wet like cotton does. Instead, you have a great range of temperatures where the garment will keep you comfortable and dry as it moves water vapor away from the skin. If you’re crafty, you could make a t-shirt tote bag and gift it with some icebreaker layers.
4) UCO Play & Freeze Ice Cream Ball
This ice cream ball is so much fun. The play & freeze ice cream ball is one of our most popular gifts. Load it up with the usual ice cream ingredients, kick this thing around the campsite for about 20 minutes and you have homemade ice cream before you know it. Nothing to plug in, no noisy machines. Simple. Brilliant. Fun.
When you really don’t know what to get or what the person might already have in the gear closet, just go for the gift card. We put it in a nice Rock/Creek envelope so you can write the to/from names and the dollar amount, and you just can’t go wrong. These are redeemable online or in our Chattanooga stores. If you’re really down to the wire, or into saving the paper, we also have an electronic gift certificate that we can email.
For more good starting ideas, check out our Holiday Gift Guide below:
 Gift Ideas for Her > |  Gift Ideas for Him > |  Gift Ideas for Kids > |  |
 For Backpackers > |  For Climbers > |  For Travelers > |  |
 Day & School Packs |  All Jackets |  Fleece Jackets |  |
 For Paddlers |  Casual Shoes |  Kid’s Clothing |  |
 Don’t know what to get? Send an e-gift certificate. |
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