The big outdoorsy Christmas gift guide 2015

Mistletoe, wine, last-minute gift panic… It’s that time of year again. And I’m writing this on a train trundling through the snow-clad Swiss mountains, so I am most definitely feeling the festive love. Be everyone’s favourite person by giving them one of these treats – from cosy woolly socks to wandlerlust-inspiring books and tough waterproofs, this lovely lot would be a joy to find under the Christmas tree.

1. Timberland biker boots, £79.99 from M and M Direct
Tough meets pretty in these buttery-soft leather biker boots from Timberland at M and M Direct. Fully waterproof and reliably warm, they look even better after a few all-weather adventures and will last for ever. Now go forth on your Boxing Day walk in style.
PERFECT FOR: Stylish explorers

2. Map: Exploring the World, £39.95 from Phaidon
A beautifully curated collection of 300 intricate maps which span history and cross the globe. Map tells the story of humanity and the world we live in through unique cartography. From ancient inked drawings of monsters in billowing seas to astronomical and satellite views of the planet, this is a book to really get lost in (ironically).
PERFECT FOR: Travel lovers

3. Barts Olivia Bobble hat, £32.99 from Roo’s Beach
Ooh, classy. If you like bobble hats (if you don’t then we probably won’t get along) but don’t want to sport candy-cane stripes and enormous pompoms on your head, this very nice knitted hat in more subtle autumn tones from Roo’s Beach (which is a brilliant place to find charming Christmas gifts, FYI) is a winner.
PERFECT FOR: Ski bunnies

4. Ghomala Buff, £15 from Kitshack
Buffs are a firm favourite amongst adventurous folk, probably because these tube-like scarves are supremely useful. Wear in summer as a bandana on hikes and tropical travels and then keep your face cosy on sub-zero skiing expeditions come winter (maybe give it a wash in between). This stripy Buff from Kitshack is cheap as chips, too, and would make the perfect Secret Santa gift.
PERFECT FOR: Hardcore hikers

5. Linea Antler hair clips, £8 from House of Fraser
Come over all Bambi with these kooky and cool hair clips from the jewellery collection at House of Fraser. A perfect little gift for lovers of fairytales and sparkly things.
PERFECT FOR: Little sisters

6. Hooded yellow raincoat, £40 from The Idle Man
Proof that staying dry and looking pleasingly like a fisherman whilst doing it is easy. Yellow macs are definitely having a moment, but there’s no need to shell out a fortune to get the old sea dog look – Idle Man’s hooded mac is fully waterproof, a delight to wear and a steal at under £50. Pop it over a jumper for dog walks in downpours. Job done.
PERFECT FOR: Weather-proofing your boyfriend

7. Berta Fair Isle jumper, £50 from Weird Fish
A suitably Christmassy jumper you can still wear after New Year’s Day. It’s a miracle! I have a big crush on Fair Isle prints, and this soft woolly wonder from Weird Fish is a cuddle in jumper form. I’m going to wear mine with jeans and boots to Christmas markets, tree shopping and on all the other clichéd yuletide days out I unashamedly adore.
PERFECT FOR: Wearing to Xmas parties

8. Seed advent calendar, £29.99 from Not On the High Street
Got a green-fingered recipient on your gift list? Let them count down to Christmas with a pretty paper envelope each day full of seeds – you can peg each packet to the cheery baker’s twine that comes with it and string them round the tree, too. By Christmas Eve they’ll have a collection that’ll have them itching to fill their garden with blooms in the new year.
PERFECT FOR: Your garden-obsessed mum

9. Dermalogica Special Care cleansing gel, £43.60 from Pure Beauty
Sun, rain, hail – the great outdoors may good for the soul but the elements can wreak havoc on your skin. I swear by this gentle, soap-free gel wash from Dermalogica, which uses balm mint to clean away impurities without harshness. Ideal after city cycling or for getting rid of layers of suncream and grime (glamorous, eh?).
PERFECT FOR: Bicycle-commuting besties

10. Classic woollen socks, from £15 from Wigwam
It’s just not Christmas if you don’t get socks. These sumptuously cosy ones from Wigwam will warm the cockles of your feet a treat. A celebration of the brand’s 110 year heritage, the new Classics designs are based on bestselling socks from Wigwam’s archive.
PERFECT FOR: Chilly dads

11. Wooden sunglasses, £55 from Dewerstone
In this world of throwaway fashion it’s a real pleasure to come across something carefully crafted and designed to last. Handmade from maple, these gorgeous unisex sunnies are polarised to protect your peepers. And if you’re as accident-prone as me, fear not – they float in water and come with a tough bamboo box to protect them.
PERFECT FOR: Eco warriors

12. Twister Plus PZ portable stove, £29.99 from Campingaz
Small yet perfectly formed, this is the ideal portable stove for wild camping, canoeing and other adventures where you want to travel light. Two aluminium pots fit into each other as neatly as russian dolls, and there’s a grab handle for swapping between them. Now there’s no excuse for whipping up a sausage stew on nights under the stars.
PERFECT FOR: Happy campers

13. Heyford oversized scarf, £29.95 from Joules
Blankets as clothing are A Thing now, aren’t they? But once you get over the slight weirdness of swaddling yourself in acres of wool they really are amazing – warm, cosy and with an air of ‘oh I could throw a picnic at any minute using just my scarf and a handy baguette’. I love this plaid check one from Joules for wrapping up by winter fires.
PERFECT FOR: Keeping cosy

Need more inspiration? Check out 2013’s guide (that shirt is still awesome), my favourite presents in 2014 and my ideas for homemade gifts. Thanks to my Mary Spender for her awesome photography skills.