Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas shopping?
Absolutely. Leapfrogging Thanksgiving is sacrilege.
But considering that every major retailer seems to have moved on from Halloween by mid-October (at the latest) and filled its stores with Christmas decorations, fake trees, and pre-Black Friday promotions, it just might be time to start planning.
Finding the right gift for the sportsman or woman on your list is not always easy. This is especially true when they don’t tell you exactly what they want.
And if you don’t share their passion for hunting, shooting, camping, or fishing, you may be at a loss as to what to buy for them.
To help you find that perfect gift—hopefully—here’s the first in a series of Christmas shopping suggestions.
Let’s start with something that doesn’t require knowing anything about what caliber they shoot, the species they hunt, or which fishing lure they swear by.
The Opsec Field Fleece from VIKTOS is a practical option for somebody whose idea of a good day involves spending most of it outdoors. Built from midweight fleece, it features reinforced NyCo overlays at the shoulders and elbows, the usual wear points where clothing tends to take a beating. A quarter-zip neck provides ventilation, while the relaxed fit and raglan sleeves allow room to move.
There are also zippered belly and sleeve pockets for keeping small essentials secure. Because having a pocket is useful. Having your stuff still in that pocket when you get home is even more useful.
Available in SAR Orange, Black, and Green, in sizes small through 3XL, the Opsec Field Fleece carries an MSRP of $120. You’ll still need to figure out their size and preferred color, but that’s considerably easier than deciphering their ammunition preferences.
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of throwing knives—thanks to one too many movies, I suppose. For somebody who might appreciate a gift that’s a little less conventional, there’s the BLACKHAWK Direct Hit 3 Piece Throwing Knife Set Wrapped, available through Bear & Son Cutlery.
And yes, the name pretty much covers what’s in the box.
The set includes three throwing knives, each measuring 8 inches overall with a 3½-inch blade. Construction is 7CrMoV steel with a black oxide coating on the blade and a paracord-wrapped handle. MSRP is $56.99, making this the least expensive option on this particular list.
This is a gift for the person who already enjoys throwing knives or has expressed an interest in trying it. It’s a more specialized choice than a fleece, but that may be exactly the appeal.
At the other end of the excitement spectrum is a dehumidifier.
Stay with me, though.
The Remington Mini Dehumidifier is the sort of practical gift that makes sense when the person receiving it has considerably more money invested in the contents of their gun safe than you plan to spend on Christmas.
The compact unit uses moisture-absorbing crystals and requires no cord while working inside a safe or cabinet. Remington rates it for enclosures up to 333 cubic feet and says it can go up to 60 days before recharging. An indicator window tells the owner when it’s time to recharge, a process the company says takes only a few hours. MSRP is $99.99.
Will it be the most talked-about present under the tree? Probably not. But helping protect somebody’s firearms from moisture has value long after the wrapping paper is gone. They might appreciate it more than you think.
For the hunter, shooter, or wildlife watcher on your list, consider the Sightmark Solitude HD 9-27x56 Micro Spotting Scope.
The important word here is “Micro.” At 7.7 inches long and 21.6 ounces, this is a spotting scope intended to travel without taking over the pack. It pairs a 56mm objective lens with 9–27x magnification and fully multicoated, extra-low-dispersion glass.
A 45-degree angled eyepiece and twist-up eyecup help make extended viewing comfortable, while a helical focus system adjusts image sharpness. The scope is nitrogen-purged, fogproof, and water-resistant, and comes with a carrying case and an Arca-Swiss adapter plate for tripod mounting.
For somebody interested in photographing what they’re watching, the eyepiece also accommodates compatible phone and DSLR digiscoping adapters. MSRP is $299.97.
Finally, for the rifle owner who has been dropping hints about accessories—and expecting you to understand them—there’s the Viridian 4LUX 2K DUO.
I first saw this back in February 2024, when Viridian hosted a range day product preview after the Sports Inc. Show, and loved its ergonomics. I’ve since gotten one, thanks to Viridian CEO Brian Hedeen.
This unit combines an angled foregrip, an 1,850-lumen light, and a green laser, with direct attachment to an M-LOK handguard. Viridian’s Grip ’N Rip activation uses natural grip pressure to activate the system, with ambidextrous constant-on control also available.
An internal rechargeable battery provides a stated runtime of up to 110 minutes, and the housing carries an IPX6 water-resistance rating. MSRP is $259 in Black or $269 in Flat Dark Earth.
This is one purchase where a little advance intelligence helps. Confirm that their rifle has the appropriate handguard and that this is an accessory they actually want. A screenshot of the right product can save everybody some trouble.
That last bit of advice applies to Christmas shopping in general. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a few specific suggestions. You still get to choose the gift, and they get something they’ll use.
Then again, there was the time I very specifically told my mom I wanted a Leatherman Wave, and she managed to get me some other no-name multi-tool. I may or may not still be scarred from that Christmas gift betrayal, but I’ll never tell.
And one more thing. Getting your list together now doesn’t mean you have to surrender Thanksgiving.
The turkey deserves its day…along with the accompanying football.
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network