Outdoor-Inspired Gift Ideas

Homemade Soap
The rich, earthy scents of homemade soaps are sure to please your special someone. Tied into a stack with raffia or twine, two or three bars are beautiful and special because you handcraft them with love. Create your own with instructions from this Simple Soap Making article.

Earth-Inspired Jewelry
The imperfections of hand-shaped metals and irregular stones will remind your loved one of the organic beauty of nature. Look for jewelry that features pendants in the form of flowers or birds. For a bright and colorful look, seek out pieces made with recycled glass beads.

A Textile for Toting
Give your special someone a homemade gift of style that makes more than a fashion statement. Canvas or natural fiber bags make shopping easier and save countless disposable bags from heading to a garbage heap. You can even personalize the tote with fabric paint, markers or iron-on designs.

Gardening Gift Basket
Create a starter kit for a beginner or seek out hard-to-find seeds and decorative garden markers for a more advanced gardener. For more ideas about items to include, check out this article about creating unique gift baskets.

Refreshing Ideas
Help your nature-lovers get their essential water while being kind to the environment at the same time. Give the gift of a water purifier and some attractive re-usable water bottles so it’s easy to stay healthy and hydrated on the go.

Recycled Stationery
Give your unused stationery a new life as beautiful, handmade paper. Your loved one is sure to notice how each piece has a unique shape and texture of its own. You may even get one back as a thank you note! To get started, read this simple, how-to guide on handmade paper.

Nature Guides
Bird, flower and tree guides are a great reference to keep on a windowsill or pack for a hike. Or frame a map of your loved one’s favorite nature preserve. You can also supply colorful pins so they can mark their favorite trails.

Beautiful Specimens
Consider artwork made from or inspired by actual elements of nature. Pressed flowers or butterflies can be framed for display or made into functional home décor. For example, you can create pressed flower coasters to give as a gift.

Wholesome Goodie Basket
Natural fare may be just the snack food your loved one is hoping for. Arrange homemade bread and a sampling of cheeses into a gift set. For an avid hiker or park visitor, pack a picnic basket of fruits and nuts. Here are more travel-friendly food ideas, including a delicious peanut and fruit granola recipe.

Photographic Inspiration
A photographic calendar makes outdoor inspiration part of your loved one’s everyday routine. Another idea is a coffee table book, which offers them a special way to show their interest in the outdoors to friends, family and visitors to their home.