Dear santa. .....

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Paul_B

Bushcrafter through and through
Jul 14, 2008
6,154
1,546
Cumbria
Anyone giving me gift cards will probably get them for mountain warehouse or some other outdoor shop I have never found anything I wanted to buy in except at just gas canisters. At least a gift has a potential to be useful or suitable for passing on to someone else the next Xmas.

My top present idea is in planning, a holiday in a cold place. A ski trip to Norway with the family.

Apart from that I'd quite like a top spec waterproof jacket that is a good as you can get in a membrane jacket (not paramo or ventile but a technical membrane fabric jacket) that's not an ultra short "climbing jacket". All modern mountaineering, membrane jackets seem to be short which annoys me because water will run off into your groin area where it's not nice to get wet. If you get slightly longer length you can get much better protection from the rain IMHO. It's a shame you can't find one like I want that is just a bit longer to force run off towards legs that don't feel as uncomfortable if they get soaked. Fur length I would say Buffalo special 6 shirt length not mountain shirt length.

A camera that is small enough to carry in a pocket, interchangeable lens, large sensor, good in low light, manual, battery that lasts, produces good images and can hide my lack of photography skills. It does not exist. The price isn't high neither. I know this is fantasy list but my fantasy camera includes high value for money. My list, my choice.

New trail shoes. Membrane, insulation and the grade of rubber that works in the cold. I think merrell do one like this. It has the footwear sole equivalent of winter car tyres. Winter grip without tungsten carbide studs so it can still be used inside shopping malls too or places where there's no snow between sole and ground.
 

Hbc

Member
Nov 1, 2018
34
18
34
North Wales
Does anyone else get the "you have enough of "insert item"" when you ask for something so you don't get what you ask for or just me? I have quite a few Swiss army knives (15ish?) I asked for a victorinox ranger for my birthday last year but no. I already had something similar so I couldn't have one. "You have enough knives..." And got something so inappropriate I don't even remember what it was :oops: :thumbsdown: (honestly not being ungrateful but that sak i'd remember every time I used it as being a b'day presant forever... instead of the forgettable thing!) I'd honestly rather have nothing (which I wouldn't mind. Even if it was becauce they forgot what day it was! I'm not a person for fuss :oops:) than that. If I can't have it, why ask?
I known someone who asked for scrap metal for his birthday (for his metalwork and forging hobby) and his wife said NO! Because it wasn't a presant she could wrap. He ended up with an argument and nothing :O_O: how is that better than scrap
metal as a presant? I don't understand people sometimes :wacky:
If I could really have something I REALLY wanted it might be a deer stalking course. Or money to put toward a fac variation for/and a centrefire rifle that would take foxes and deer. Both those are unlikely to be "acceptable gifts" so I'll probably ask for a swandrii :)
Again not ungrateful. But why not just agree to what I ask for? But a swandrii would be great :)
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Tolko, Dakota, Wind River and Baffin make winter boots for different temperature ranges, good down to -60C.
As you can expect, you will pay a bundle. Call it insurance to be able to count 10 toes every night.

The best qualities in outer winter clothing will be found in three places
#1 snowmobile dealerships. Probably too heavy for any much foot travel.
#2 forestry equipment (powers saws, etc) dealerships
#3 "Oil-Patch" and construction clothing stores.
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Hbc: I can ask for stuff that I don't have and Santa still chokes up.
I wanted a couple of diamond sharpening plates to sharpen HER ceramic knives.

So I bought myself another shotgun.
 
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Hbc

Member
Nov 1, 2018
34
18
34
North Wales
Hbc: I can ask for stuff that I don't have and Santa still chokes up.
I wanted a couple of diamond sharpening plates to sharpen HER ceramic knives.

So I bought myself another shotgun.
Good to know I'm not alone :) but I still don't get it. If she asked for more shoes or a handbag I'd buy in for her no questions asked.
Btw I bought my own Vic ranger a while ago and it's my most used sak of all of them :biggrin:
 
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Stew

Bushcrafter through and through
Nov 29, 2003
6,446
1,284
Aylesbury
stewartjlight-knives.com
Does anyone else get the "you have enough of "insert item"" when you ask for something so you don't get what you ask for or just me? I have quite a few Swiss army knives (15ish?) I asked for a victorinox ranger for my birthday last year but no. I already had something similar so I couldn't have one. "You have enough knives..." And got something so inappropriate I don't even remember what it was :oops: :thumbsdown: (honestly not being ungrateful but that sak i'd remember every time I used it as being a b'day presant forever... instead of the forgettable thing!) I'd honestly rather have nothing (which I wouldn't mind. Even if it was becauce they forgot what day it was! I'm not a person for fuss :oops:) than that. If I can't have it, why ask?
I known someone who asked for scrap metal for his birthday (for his metalwork and forging hobby) and his wife said NO! Because it wasn't a presant she could wrap. He ended up with an argument and nothing :O_O: how is that better than scrap
metal as a presant? I don't understand people sometimes :wacky:
If I could really have something I REALLY wanted it might be a deer stalking course. Or money to put toward a fac variation for/and a centrefire rifle that would take foxes and deer. Both those are unlikely to be "acceptable gifts" so I'll probably ask for a swandrii :)
Again not ungrateful. But why not just agree to what I ask for? But a swandrii would be great :)

Oh, absolutely. I've long since stopped asking for certain things I would use. As a 'maker' I would take great joy in receiving wood, metal, sandpaper, glue, cloth, motors, etc but folk don't like to buy that sort of thing in my experience. I suspect some of it is a fear of the unknown but also that it's not as easy to buy.

As a by product, I can't remember the last time I bought myself any clothes as that's quite a good main stay for birthday and Christmas presents.
 
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Mesquite

It is what it is.
Mar 5, 2008
27,803
2,892
62
~Hemel Hempstead~
As a 'maker' I would take great joy in receiving wood, metal, sandpaper, glue, cloth, motors, etc but folk don't like to buy that sort of thing in my experience. I suspect some of it is a fear of the unknown but also that it's not as easy to buy.

I get around that by making a long list complete with links to the exact items I want and give it to the current wife.

I make sure there's plenty on there plus some 'novelty' type gifts as well as a if money wasn't a problem gift so they've got a wide range to choose from and whilst I have an idea what it might be it's still a surprise when it comes to unwrapping.

My money isn't a problem gift this year is a 1965 Ford F250 pickup truck just like the one my father drove when I was a kid :)
 

oldtimer

Full Member
Sep 27, 2005
3,185
1,801
82
Oxfordshire and Pyrenees-Orientales, France
Most of the family make "Dear Santa" lists and hate my reluctance to follow suit. I reached the age long ago when I had accumulated all I needed in the way of material possessions. My kit is complete and I don't share the apparently common desire to have a lot of one thing, such as knives, for example. If anything broke, wore out or got lost I may not replace it with the same if newer, better versions have become available but I do not feel the urge to have something just because it is the latest thing. Even the fantasy "money no object " scenario isn't really for me: I really am content with what I have.

Some new things have come on the scene and I have put them on my list with some success. The merino buff is the most obvious example. At first I couldn't see why John Fenner kept banging on about them but since getting one a couple of years back I have seen the light. It never leaves the pocket of my coat and has done service as scarf, hat, face mask etc., but I have yet to use it as a kilt. I'm not sure how this application works but I clearly haven't lost as much weight as John Fenner.

I make noises about wanting consumable things like food an drink, but the family don't seem to approve. Although it seems a good idea to me I certainly wouldn't bother asking for a yard of Jaffa Cakes.

The cliché "be careful what you wish for" comes to mind but I think there ought to be another phrase to deal with the "what on earth did they buy me this for?" situation when one has to summon up Oscar-winning acting skills to express appreciation on Christmas morning. But nothing beats the time when I, as a very mature teacher with a full beard, a pupil gave me, with no sense of irony, a bottle of aftershave.
 
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Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Baffin is a top brand here for function and durability. I used to hunt some wet pea fields for Canada geese in years gone by.
Baffin rubber boots (aka "Wellies?") were the only choice. The heels rise like walking in ordinary shoes!
I could stick my feet out of the blind into the sunshine and the black rubber really warmed up my toes.

What footwear are the workers wearing in the NorthSea oil field in winter?
What are the favorites on fish boats?
I'd like to get back to the UK and visit a few chandlers.
 

BJJJ

Native
Sep 3, 2010
1,998
162
North Shropshire
Most of the family make "Dear Santa" lists and hate my reluctance to follow suit. I reached the age long ago when I had accumulated all I needed in the way of material possessions. My kit is complete and I don't share the apparently common desire to have a lot of one thing, such as knives, for example. If anything broke, wore out or got lost I may not replace it with the same if newer, better versions have become available but I do not feel the urge to have something just because it is the latest thing. Even the fantasy "money no object " scenario isn't really for me: I really am content with what I have.

Some new things have come on the scene and I have put them on my list with some success. The merino buff is the most obvious example. At first I couldn't see why John Fenner kept banging on about them but since getting one a couple of years back I have seen the light. It never leaves the pocket of my coat and has done service as scarf, hat, face mask etc., but I have yet to use it as a kilt. I'm not sure how this application works but I clearly haven't lost as much weight as John Fenner.

I make noises about wanting consumable things like food an drink, but the family don't seem to approve. Although it seems a good idea to me I certainly wouldn't bother asking for a yard of Jaffa Cakes.

The cliché "be careful what you wish for" comes to mind but I think there ought to be another phrase to deal with the "what on earth did they buy me this for?" situation when one has to summon up Oscar-winning acting skills to express appreciation on Christmas morning. But nothing beats the time when I, as a very mature teacher with a full beard, a pupil gave me, with no sense of irony, a bottle of aftershave.
Contenment is a rare state of mind, why do we only seem to attain it after years of practice. well done for getting there.
 
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Gcckoka

Settler
Nov 13, 2015
818
99
Georgia
Guys is there a crafty secret santa going on this year ? I really want to join and will make an amazing gift for one of the participants :)
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,520
3,460
65
Exmoor
I only wish there was a santa.. let alone a secret one. But if you're volunteering go ahead. You'll be very popular for sure!
 

Gcckoka

Settler
Nov 13, 2015
818
99
Georgia
I only wish there was a santa.. let alone a secret one. But if you're volunteering go ahead. You'll be very popular for sure!
ah I see it s your first year here , every year there was crafty secret santa here , meaning members were signing in their names were taken out of hat and 2 members got each other gifts but the gift had to be handmade by him/her
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,520
3,460
65
Exmoor
Yes it is my first year here, tho I joined in about March. Was too shy to post untill August. Sounds a lovely idea. I'll be up for it next year.
 

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