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Some people are easy to buy for, and others have a unique way of looking at life—and need a unique gift to match their taste.
I’m talking about people who love living off the grid, connecting to nature, and the outdoors.
People who would rather go for a wilderness walk searching for wild edible plants than stream shows on TV.
People who spend more time with their backyard chickens than waiting in line at Starbucks.
People who are willing to brush snow off a solar panel in exchange for not being connected to local public utilities. You get the idea.
These self-reliant individuals appreciate sustainable, environmentally friendly gifts made with renewable resources.
We’ve got a gift idea for every budget and every season—whether you’re shopping for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas gifts, or a birthday or anniversary present.
So if you’re buying for a casual off gridder, a modern homesteader, or an off grid weekend warrior, this off grid gift guide is sure to have something they’ll love.
Can’t wait to see them smile when they open the box? Let’s get started!
Solar gift ideas
Flashlight: Flashlights are something we like to keep handy in our house. There are several solar flashlights on the market, and all of the ones I’ve seen have such a small solar panel that it takes many hours (like … a couple of days’ worth of sunlight) to charge them fully. Instead, try this tactical flashlight that can plug into your solar-powered generator, a USB battery bank, or the 12V in your car. My husband loves his, and the light is super bright.
Portable solar panel: A portable solar panel lets you charge your devices when you’re away from home. We use this folding portable solar panel that can charge our phones or tablets with USB—and it can charge a car battery, too!
Solar generator: Solar generators offer a clean, quiet alternative to (noisy) gas generators. This Jackery solar generator is powerful enough to run appliances, a TV, your laptop, or an electric grill.
Solar phone and tablet charger: With five panels and a detachable wireless charger, this BLAVOR solar charger will help your off grid friend stay connected to you while they disconnect from the grid.
Solar LED desk lamp: How about a solar desk lamp for the off grid book enthusiast or student? Make sure the solar panel on the lamp is exposed to direct sunlight through a sunny window, and you’ll have enough power to read by (or charge your USB device) at night.
Solar lights: Need to find the path to the chicken coop at night? How about lighting the backyard for an evening cookout around the fire pit? These waterproof LED solar lights have a motion sensor, so they’ll only be on when you need them.
Now you’re cooking!
Sun oven: Your favorite off grid chef will love you for picking out a solar oven to save them from hovering over a fire when they want to cook outdoors. GoSun is my favorite portable solar oven, and they have several models and sizes to choose from.
Nonelectric food dehydrator: Hanging, screen-covered food dehydrators are the most economical (and energy-free) way to dehydrate fruits and veggies. But if your off grid gift recipient generates their own electricity, I recommend Nesco food dehydrators to quickly and efficiently dry several stacked trays of goodies at once. I’ve used the same Nesco dehydrator for close to 20 years, and I finally gave it to my daughter this year when I bought myself a new Gardenmaster from Nesco.
Kelly Kettle: Need a holiday gift for a coffee lover? Kelly Kettles are pretty amazing. Think rocket stove plus tea kettle all in one. By using twigs and other natural fuel sources, you can bring water to a boil in just a few minutes. Make coffee or tea, rehydrate freeze-dried foods, or fill a hot water bottle!
Water bottle with filter: How about a water bottle to keep your off grid buddy hydrated when they're out in the wilderness? The Survimate water filtration bottle not only has a replaceable filter that lasts for around 1500 liters of use, but it also has a little compass on the lid to help your loved one find their way back to the path.
Berkey: We’ve been using our Big Berkey for over two years, and we still love it. We bought our Berkey while still connected to city tap water (yuck!). It does an excellent job of filtering out all the undesirable chemicals to make our drinking and cooking water safer for us and our dogs.
Canning supplies: Gardening goes with living off the grid. But you have to do something with your excess harvest, so why not gift some much-needed canning supplies? If they have plenty of jars and lids already (can you ever have too many?), give them some canning accessories to make life easier. I bought these silicone gloves back in 2020, and they have been my best canning buddy ever since.
Hand-powered blender or mixer: Sure, you can chop fruits and vegetables with a knife and knead bread by hand, but what if you want to make a smoothie? The GSI Outdoors Vortex Blender can puree fruit into a delicious breakfast drink completely off the grid. All you need is a little elbow grease.
Sprouting seed sampler: I try to keep sprouts growing indoors all year long, and in the winter—when our garden is buried under snow—we rely on fresh microgreens for sandwich fillers and smoothie additions. Gift a sprouting seed sampler pack to add some variety to your loved one’s indoor culinary garden.
Thermal cooker: Thermal cookers keep food hot for hours without using any electricity, and they're a practical gift for outdoorsy types who like to go camping. Simply fill with food and liquid that has been brought to a boil, and a thermal cooker will continue the cooking process by trapping heat with a vacuum seal. My favorite? The Stanley Adventure Stay Hot Camp Crock!
Fermenting kit or glass weights: I adore these glass fermentation weights! I keep mine in continual use for fermented salsa and, in the fall, fermented sunchokes.
Glass butter churn: Some things are just easier when you have the right tools. Churning butter is one of those tasks. If your off grid chef makes butter at home, gift them a glass butter churn that will look just as pretty on the counter when it’s not in use.
Butter keeper crock: Butter was always kept in a crock on the counter when I was growing up. Always the perfect consistency for spreading, we never had to take butter from the fridge to let it soften so we could spread it on toast. How about gifting some vintage charm reminiscent of a French country kitchen with a Butter Bell butter crock?
Wooden utensils: My mom always used wooden spoons when she cooked. They were equally well-loved for stirring a pot of sauce or mixing pound cake batter. If you want to gift something other than the average wooden spoon, may I suggest a set of wooden spurtles? Spurtles are a Scottish utensil for stirring soups, stews, and porridge. Plus, it’s fun to say!
Sprout bag: One of the issues I’ve had when growing sprouts is not getting enough water back out of the jar … and then the sprouts start to spoil. A hemp sprout bag eliminates that problem by allowing more airflow through the tiny, growing seedlings.
Hand-operated grain mill: This hand-crank grain mill does an amazing job of turning wheat berries into flour. I’ve used mine successfully for wheat, oats, and barley.
Cooking pot tripod: If your gift recipient enjoys cooking over an outdoor fire but doesn’t have a great way to support their soup kettle over the flames, think about getting them a cast iron cooking tripod so they can hang their kettle or dry their socks!
Afghan pressure cooker: You know how fast a pressure cooker can cook a meal. But most pressure cookers have plastic handles or other meltable parts that are not intended to be exposed to fire. An Afghan pressure cooker is different—it’s made to handle the heat! Gift this, and your off grid gift recipient can pressure cook over a campfire or in a fire pit.
Camp stove: I truly don’t know what I’d do without my Camp Chef Explorer camp stove; it’s not just for camping. It’s strong enough to support my All American Pressure Canner, and with two burners, I can use the second one to sterilize more canning jars in a pot of boiling water at the same time.
Reusable grocery bags: Just because someone lives off grid doesn’t mean they never need to go shopping. There are still occasional items they’ll need to run to town to pick up. These heavy-duty reusable shopping bags will support them in reducing their carbon footprint by avoiding single-use plastics when they shop.
Yard and garden
Heirloom seeds: Is your favorite off-gridder worried about the apocalypse … or do they simply enjoy gardening? Either way, a seed vault with non-GMO, heirloom seed varieties is sure to be a serious gardener’s delight!
Compost barrel: Compost should never be stinky, but it can be dirty (and backbreaking) work to turn a large compost pile with a shovel. Save your loved one’s back and the mess by gifting them a tumbling compost barrel.
Trail camera: Solar trail cameras recharge with the sun, so you never have to worry about running out of battery in between camera checks. By adding wireless technology (and a monthly wireless plan), you can see images from your trail camera on your phone day or night. Choose a trail camera with high resolution and long-distance views plus infrared so you won’t scare the critters away at night.
Chicken coop: Although I’ve always let my chickens have the run of the yard, a chicken coop is a great way to start baby chicks or keep banties safe from hawks. This nifty chicken coop with a wire run is great for beginning hobbyists.
Cast iron dinner bell: My dad could never hear my mom yell for dinner when he was out in the workshop at the back of our acreage. She kept a cast iron dinner bell, like this one, hanging from the porch rafters and sent me out to ring it when supper was ready.
Rain barrel: Rain catchment is an excellent way to save water and use it in the garden during a dry spell. How about gifting a rain barrel kit (made from recycled materials) to supplement your loved one’s water supply?
Gorilla cart: This is one of those things that you don’t think you need until you actually need it! I love using a gorilla cart to lighten my load and haul groceries, bags of feed, and gardening soil. Get one with removable sides to make unloading even easier.
Gathering basket: I can’t count how many times I’ve gone out to the garden thinking there would only be a few tomatoes to pick and ended up using my shirt to carry loads of tomatoes, squash, and peppers into the house. A gathering basket makes life much easier and keeps my shirt clean. And for gathering eggs, try this egg gathering apron with individual pockets to prevent the eggs from cracking against each other.
Poultry balm/chicken first aid: While we’re talking about eggs, how about gifting your off grid hobbyist with a chicken first-aid kit or some poultry balm to help those little chickies stay healthy and protected from leg sores?
Steel forged garden tools: Anyone who lives off the grid and raises their own food knows that having the right tools for the job makes all the difference! Gift your gardener some sturdy, steel forged garden tools. If you think they already have all the gardening gear they need, how about something a little different, like a hori hori knife for cutting through roots or stems and poking holes for planting seeds?
Walking stick for your wildcrafting and gathering hikes: I enjoy wildcrafting, and sometimes looking for berries takes me a little further into the wilderness than I had originally planned. I love my Black Diamond walking poles—they’re collapsible, lightweight, and easy to carry in my pack.
Tree diapers: A tree diaper refills during rain and slowly releases the water back into the soil to keep young trees protected from drought. If your off grid loved one is trying to establish an orchard or planting fruit trees for the yard, tree diapers will help establish a moist growing medium for their newly planted saplings.
Arbor Day membership: I’m all for planting trees! Give two gifts in one with an Arbor Day Foundation membership. Your loved one will not only become a member, but they’ll also receive free trees as part of the deal.
Boot scraper: All that mud needs to go somewhere, and tracking it in the house on the bottom of your boots isn’t an option. How about giving an industrial-strength boot scraper so the dirt can stay outside where it belongs?
Wood splitting, fire starting, and heavy-duty jobs
Gloves: Leather work gloves, wool gloves for warmth, and even glove liners make a great gift idea or stocking stuffer. I bought these Merino touchscreen-compatible glove liners a couple of years ago. They’re perfect to wear under mittens, and I can still answer my phone or send a text without having to expose my fingers to the cold.
Farmer sleeves: It’s easy to get scrapes and scratches when you’re out in the garden or working with animals. Gift a set of farmer sleeves to protect your friend’s arms while they’re doing chores.
Trucker’s friend demolition ax: This might say it’s designed for professional truck drivers (who also spend a lot of time off the grid), but this multitasking tool has just as many uses around the homestead. Use it for chopping branches, prying nails, and chipping ice.
Canvas firewood bag: Waxed cotton canvas firewood bags make transporting kindling and small logs a breeze. I like this rectangular one from WhiteDuck because the open ends don’t limit the length of the logs we put inside.
Kindling splitter: Chopping wood is hard work. The Kindling Cracker makes the job easier by holding the log in place over a sharp blade while you whack it with a large hammer (or even another piece of wood).
Chainsaw or folding saw: There’s always stuff that needs to be done on an off grid homestead, so saws are a necessity. Why not give a heavy-duty folding saw like this one or a cordless chainsaw?
Log rack for firewood: Outdoor firewood can be stored under a porch or overhang or covered with a tarp to keep it dry. But indoors, you need a rack to keep it within easy reach of your fireplace or wood stove. Why not gift a pretty log rack to help keep everything in its place?
Fireplace bellows: I remember using wood and leather fireplace bellows at our cabin once I was old enough to help with the fire. Save your off grid friend’s lungs and give them a bellows so they’ll stop blowing on the fire.
Lightable fire-starter pellets: Starting a fire is easier with fire-starting pellets. I like these charcoal and tumbleweed fire starters by Melt Candle Company.
Communication
Hand crank radio: Hand-crank radios alert you to weather bulletins and emergencies when the power is out or when you’re off the grid. This wind-up weather station can charge your phone and play MP3s.
BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Satellite Phone Kit: Satellite phones provide global coverage to remote areas for either emergency or ongoing communication. Make sure your loved ones can reach you when they’re out of reach of cell phone service.
GPS plus GMRS: Garmin offers a high-sensitivity GPS and two-way GMRS radio combo in their Garmin Rino series. You can even send text messages between units—just remember to buy one for each of your off grid buddies.
Walkie-talkies: Do you have an outdoor-loving kid on your list? Walkie-talkies are fun (and useful) for kids and adults of all ages. If you’re tired of trying to keep in contact with your children when they’re hiding out in their tree fort, a pair of walkie-talkies might be just the solution you’re looking for.
So you can always keep them warm
Zippo hand warmer: My hands get really cold in the winter, and having cold hands makes doing outdoor chores challenging. I was given this Zippo refillable hand warmer for Christmas last year, and I’ve been amazed at how well it works! I can fill it with lighter fluid, light it, and keep it in my pocket to warm my hands as needed.
Mr. Heater: Mr. Heater makes indoor-safe propane room heaters to keep you toasty in a cabin or a tent. The one we bought can be used with both small and large propane tanks. Make sure your gift recipient follows the manufacturer’s safety instructions to use this propane heater indoors safely.
Wool socks: Merino wool is soft and does a wonderful job of keeping you warm. How about keeping your loved one’s toes toasty by including some cozy merino wool socks as a stocking stuffer this year?
Natural cotton blankets: For another warm and cozy idea, how about gifting a waffle-weave cotton blanket for snuggling up on the sofa or layering on the bed?
For bookworms and game players
Books for off grid living and homesteading: You can never have too many skills, and one of the best ways to learn new skills is by reading books written by experts. Gift a book to your homesteading friend to help them maximize their abilities.
Homesteading magazine subscription: I always look forward to the next issue of my favorite magazine. Give a subscription to a magazine targeted at self-reliant individuals, like Self-Reliance or Mother Earth News.
Farmopoly: Whether you play the traditional or one-hour version of this game, homesteaders are sure to enjoy a TV-free evening playing Farmopoly.
More games: Need more game ideas for nonelectric entertainment? How about The Farming Game, which touts being “invented on the seat of a tractor,” or Life On the Farm, where you compete to see who can retire first!
Wild edibles books: As an avid wild edible foodie, I can attest to the value of spending time outdoors harvesting berries and dandelion roots. Try gifting a book that describes wild edible plants and how to harvest and use them ethically.
Other items for the home
Natural soaps and lotions: People move off the grid to get away from noise and chemicals and to reconnect with nature. Support your loved one’s sustainable lifestyle by giving them soaps and lotions made without harsh chemicals, parabens, or phthalates. Avalon Organics makes lotions that are free from synthetics and are vegan and cruelty-free.
Beeswax candles: Ethically harvested beeswax, provided by beekeepers who love their bees, makes naturally sweet-smelling and long-burning candles. Try these pure, unscented taper beeswax candles if you don’t have a local beekeeper or candlemaker nearby.
Hand-crank clothes wringer: My great-grandmother used an old wringer washer, and I’ve always wanted one for myself. Not that I want extra work when doing laundry, but I like the idea of doing things manually and reducing the amount of electricity I use. If you or your gift recipient like the idea of wringing clothes the old-fashioned way, give this hand-crank clothes wringer a try.
Low-powered washing machine: Washing machines pull a lot of power. But a low-powered washer—like this one that can wash 8 pounds of laundry—can run off a generator or the inverter for a solar system without wasting energy.
Candle by the Hour 80-Hour Vertical Candle: Candlelight is always charming, and sometimes it’s simply necessary. This 48-hour beeswax courting candle looks amazing whether it’s lit or not.
Now that you’ve picked out the perfect gifts, it’s time to start thinking about wrapping them! For eco-friendly ideas, pile them in a gift basket or wrap them with recycled paper. You can also tie small gifts in a tea towel with a raffia bow, or use newspaper for wrapping boxes.
Bonus gift idea #70: How about making some DIY sugar scrubs and gifting them in Mason jars?
Looking for even more great homesteading gift ideas? Check out my friend Samantha's gift guide at Homesteading Tips 101!