Things You'll Need:
- Gift Ribbons
- Oral Rehydration Salts
- Ribbons
- Waterproof Matches
- Bandannas
- Wool Socks
- Baskets
- Candle Lantern Padded Case
- Candle Lanterns
- Candles
- Cellophane Gift Wrap
- Gift Bags
- Gift Bows
- Pine Cones
- Wrapping Paper
- Coffee Beans
- Hot Chocolates
- First Aid Kits
- Insect Repellents
- Lip Balm
- Sunscreen
- Outdoor Magazines
- Shredded-paper Filling
- Frisbees
- Backpacking Lanterns
- Camping Lanterns
- Compasses
- Hydration Packs
- Playing Cards
- Candles
- Baskets
- Frisbees
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Step 1
Pick a basket large enough to hold a variety of items. Think about getting a basket with two handles and a hinged top that can later be used as a picnic basket.
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Step 2
Choose from among the following practical items to fill the basket: a miniature thermometer with a clip to hook onto a jacket zipper or backpack; a mini flashlight that converts into a free-standing candle; a mini candle lantern; several packages of flavorful oral rehydration solution; a small wilderness first aid kit; waterproof matches; fire sticks to start fires in wet conditions; waterproof sunscreen; lip balm; insect repellent; colorful bandannas; a compass; wool socks; a quick-dry towel; a pocket wilderness first aid book.
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Step 3
Pick from among the following "just for fun" items to spice things up: a battery-operated camping lantern key chain; an outdoor magazine or a subscription to an outdoor magazine; mini bottles of belly-warming spirits; a wilderness adventure novel like "Into Thin Air"; a deck of cards; a Hackey Sack (a fist-sized ball filled with beans kicked around for fun); a flying disc; colorful candles; gourmet dehydrated food packets; chocolate kisses or miniature candy bars; packages of hot cider or hot chocolate; gourmet tea bags; a mug-sized portable French press coffee maker and a small bag of beans ground for a French press.
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Step 4
Consider purchasing a "big ticket" gift to add to the mix. Great items for this would be an altimeter (a wrist watch that measures elevation gain - see "How to Buy an Altimeter" under Related eHows); a CD-ROM with a wilderness, climate or outdoor adventure theme; a good pocket knife; a super-light backpacking lantern; a high quality thermal underwear top; quick-dry underwear or bra.
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Step 5
Select a card with a wilderness theme. Some wilderness nonprofit organizations make wildlife photography greeting cards and a portion of the sales go to the organization.
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Step 1
Assemble the following items to wrap the basket: shredded-paper filling to stuff the basket; colorful gift wrap with an outdoor theme or warm and natural colors; paper cord or ribbons of a natural color; fallen leaves from trees, fallen pine needles, bark or pinecones to use as extra stuffing; scissors; tape.
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Step 2
Fill the bottom of the basket with shredded-paper filling and place the wrapped items sporadically throughout the basket, partially or completely burying the items.
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Step 3
Hide smaller items such as candy bars, hot beverage packets, small candles and boxes of matches within the stuffing.
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Step 4
Place leaves, pine needles, bark or pinecones within the basket as extra stuffing. Add as much shredded-paper filling as needed to pack everything in tightly.
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Step 5
Place the basket in the middle of a piece of clear or tinted cellophane wrap cut to size and gather the edges at the top. Tie the wrapping shut with paper cord, a pretty ribbon, a colorful bandanna, or a colorful length of mountaineering cord or webbing.
