Campers - am wanting to buy a present for camping friend. What would you want?

[arfishy]

I was planning on buying a huuuugeee bunch of flowers for a UK friend who helped me out recently, around GBP50-60. Then I thought that this was a bit of a waste and perhaps I should buy her something nice for her new camping fetish.

She's got a huge great 2 bedroom tent thing with a living room. I think she's got some collapsible chairs and a new table. Not sure about what she has for cooking. She's off to Sandy Balls (snurk) in a few weeks.

Now, if you had somebody who was going to spend about GBP60 on you, what would you want? I was thinking some Cath Kidston stuff (she loves the fabric but isn't a media luvvie) - chairs or a picnic basket or something. I'm not sure if I'm being a non-camper type with this idea and that real campers would go for an outdoor-widget-gizmo.

Ideas gratefully received. I excuse my non-camping on the basis that I live in Australia and sleeping outdoors exposes you to things that kill you.

I personally would want a really good cold box, but that's just me!

Picnic baskets are lovely but don't get used much IME.

Trangia stove set please!{http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Manufacturer.aspx?Manufacturer=trangia&cat=hike\here}

I mean here

Oooh, stove stuff. Yes, that's completely out of my league. Tell me why they're so good.

Cold box also good idea, especially as Cath K does them so it could double up as a cool box for picnics in the country (they live in Dorset).

a kelly kettle, so with the change from that, you could get a small bunch of flowers or better still, choc and wine

A Trangia is neat and compact, uses Meths very efficiently which takes up less room than a gas can, is quite stable if you have small kids.
You could have it delivered to her house too, like flowers.

Dh was given a wind up radio / torch by my Mum and he loves it! An excelelnt camping gift imo. millets have them, as do most camping stores- prices vary but satrt from about £18

I love my Cath kidston chair though and it has outlasted the Sunncamp one Dh bought (and he ahtes my girly one LOL)

There's a cool bag out now, a Coleman one, that can keep food cool for absolutely ages- worth a look (I prefer bags due to apcking space).

What else?

We get lots of use out of our pinic set in a rusksack, it has useful bits like a small chopping board- also Millets

But if she's a real camping fetishist she'll have her own ideas, how about Millets vouchers? Everything mentioned on here can be purchased there or in their online store

if she sleeps on the floor not a camp bed thermorests r excellent thin lightweight blow up mattresses, light enough to go walking with, dont need a pump everyone i know who has one would never go back. v anorak i know but really r great get from any camping shop. thats what i would get.

Millets have just gotten in these wind-up lanterns for £30 that have a phone charger bit on it....I want one badly!! (they come in pink!!! PINK!!!) Sigh...Maybe a camp kitchen if they don't already have one? Those self inflatable double air beds?? Those power cord thingy's that cost so much? Our best item is a small table top fridge, but they would have to always get an electric pitch. Seriously though, look at those lantern things. they are all pretty, yet functional.

I second the kelly kettle/ storm kettle. We got one for a friend years ago and DH has wanted one ever since. They do a little cook set to go with it now so you can cook your whole meal on it. Very eco-friendly and a beautiful item to boot

Sorry for the hijack, but has anyone used the kelly kettle? I think they are so beautiful and I wnat one badly, but I have been restraining myself!

I just went to look at Kelly Kettles - and completely independently of my brain, my fingers ordered one! Arriving in two days. Talk about protecting children from the dangers of the internet!!!!!!

katelyte

my bil has one and says it is fab, the thing is it is not just for camping, anywhere you go you can have a cup of tea/coffee very quickly

I am going to buy one... soon as we can afford it, so maybe next month

It's taken two months"frivol money" -
hope it's worth it!

Means no Costa coffee cappucino til July!

Have just ordered Kelly Kettle for DH for fathers day. He's wanted one for ages. Did you know you can get a little cooking set to go with it now? Frying pan and saucepan with two grill bits that sit on the base. But if you order the kelly kettle rather than the storm kettle (look the same but different websites) then you can order a pot stand as well for £5 which sits on top of the kettle so you can cook your food while the kettle boils. DH is going to be so chuffed.

He's also after a Cobb BBQ as in Hairy Bikers. They do look fab as well although they start at £100 but of course you can't make a cup of tea with them (well you can but it seems a bit excessive with 3 hours cooking time available - a lot of tea!)

Wow. Thanks all. I'm now torn between the kelly kettle, Cath K chairs and a cool box. Not sure about what she already has for cooking so I won't risk the Trangia. Likewise I'm not sure if she's got the mattress already.

I will report back after further investigation.

Yes Cath Kitson. I always look at that stuff and decide it's overpriced and I can't afford it but some of it is lovely.

cath kidston camping stuff sounds fantastic, sandy balls is a fab place and with some cool chairs she will look the part ! i love camping but this is the sort of thing I wouldn't buy myslef but would love to have

arfishy you are a lovely friend

I would admit to liking all the Kath kidston stuff but I am leaning towards what is practical...

so it is the kelly kettle for my next camping purchase.