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Gifts for people who love cabins and cottages

November 7, 2019

Found in Gear

Growing up in Ontario cottage country and now immersed in West Coast cabin life, I’ve spent my fair share of time obsessing over big splash contests, card game wars, campfire sing-a-longs and never-ending nature vibes.

Do you know someone who lives for moments like these too? Whether you call it the cabin or the cottage, there are plenty of gift ideas for people who just can’t be there enough.

To help you on your search, we pulled together a list of cottage gifts for your cabin-loving friends or family, so they can make the most of hanging out lakeside in Muskoka or snuggling up in an A-frame looking out at forest views.

1. Outdoor blanket

Rumpl Sherpa blanket

Star-gazing sessions and morning coffee on the dock aren’t complete without a cozy blanket. Rumpl blankets keep you warm, whether you’re snuggling up with your significant other or taking some time for yourself.

2. Damn good coffee

Stanley French press for coffee

What’s better than a slow morning with a good cup of joe? Not much. The Portable Coffe Press keeps coffee hot for up to four hours while cabin-goers brunch it up.

3. Homemade ice cream

Ice cream ball

Throw in some delicious ingredients, play a quick game of catch (it only takes 20 minutes) and boom: homemade ice cream! This is one game everyone at the cabin is always going to win.

4. Hut slippers

MEC Hut Slippers

Sometimes when you get to the cottage things haven’t warmed up quite yet. While you wait for the fire to get started, these hut slippers keep toes toasty. Bonus: they’re made of bluesign®-approved materials, which means they have a reduced environmental impact.

5. Wireless speakers

Buckshot outdoor speaker in red

For keeping the tunes on loud (or soft) around the bonfire or by the lake. The Megaboom 3 Bluetooth Speaker sets up cottage weekends for some solid jam sessions.

Person holding an outdoor speaker

6. Waterproof everything

MEC Muskoka dry tote and dry bags

If your cabin buddy is anything like me, they’ve probably lost a pair of sunglasses, a bag of chips and maybe even a phone to one of the Great Lakes. The SealLine Waterproof E-Case helps your phone stay dry if it goes for a brief dunk. It’s also a perfect size for snacks like nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and candy. Oh, and don’t forget the MEC Muskoka Dry Tote – it’s saved me more than once. Not only is it a great towel holder, but it also keeps chips crunchy (not soggy) for #snacklife.

7. Essential camp chair

Helinox chair

The Helinox Chair One brings anyone’s cottage game up a notch. It’s comfortable, easy to carry and will save your butt (and back) on long days chilling in the sun.

8. Super cooler

Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler

Know someone with a long drive to the cottage who needs to keep food chilled? Want to keep bevvies cold on day trips from the cabin? The Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler fits 14 cans, and is tough enough to stand on when you’re hauling a canoe off your car roof.

9. Dimmable lantern

Black Diamond Moji lantern

Set the mood with the Black Diamond Moji R+ Lantern. Just right for late-night card games or a sunset picnic dinner by the lake.

10. Ultimate axe

Hultafors Hultan Hatchet

Keep the firewood coming in hot with the Hultafors Hultan Hatchet. Also keep it classy with a [new pair of pants for your compact axe.

Person holding an axe

11. Cute camping glasses

United by blue enamel mugs

Okay, these teeny enamel glasses are seriously awesome. And for every set sold, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from the world’s oceans and waterways. Cool, right?

12. A poncho you’ll never leave behind

Honcho Poncho

One second a warm poncho, the next second a cabin blanket. Once you experience the Honcho Poncho firsthand, you’ll never leave the house without it. Plus it packs up into a pillow for a nap on the car ride home from the cottage.

13. Starry sweaters

tentree constellation hoodies

Ready to glow in the dark? These galaxy inspired hoodies (women’s and men’s) are soft and warm for watching meteor showers, and they’re made from organic cotton. Bonus: tentree plants 10 trees for every article of clothing sold.

14. Trivia game set

Wild + Wolf trivia game

What’s a cottage weekend without games? Drop some knowledge on movies, emojis, places and more with this fun trivia game.

15. Pocket knife

Helle eggan knife

The Helle Eggen Knife is at home in cottage country. Gift it to someone who’s got a kid’s fishing pole to fix or is always ready to cut up snacks for the crew on the dock.

16. Reminders of the cabin at home

United By Blue candle

Love the cabin so much you want your home to smell the same way? Add the United By Blue Out-Of-Doors Candle to your wishlist for everyday cabin vibes.

17. Binoculars

Binoculars

Scope out your next line from the hut or cross the elusive golden eagle off your life-list with the Celestron Nature DX 8x32 Binoculars. Packable too, since the best pair of binoculars is the one you have with you.

Person looking out binoculars

18. Firepit

Outland Living portable fire

Cloudy with a chance of spider dogs – nice! The Outland Living Propane Fire Pit is a sweet addition to any cottage gear room for rain or shine hangouts. This travel-sized, portable fire pit is great for roasting marshmallows under the stars, especially if the wood pile is damp or there’s a fireban on.

19. Knot book

Knot tying book

Know a friend who needs some help tying knots? These waterproof plastic cards stow easily in a backpack or PFD pocket for easy reference when they’re trying to remember which way the rope end is supposed to go.

A big, cabin-sized thank you to MEC staffer Jeffrey for showing off the waterproof binoculars, handy camping axe, and outdoor-friendly speakers in our photos.

Happy holidays, guaranteed

Everything you buy from MEC is covered by our Rocksolid Guarantee (it’s kind of legendary). And if you see a better deal anywhere in Canada – we’ll price match it.


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