They say good things come in small packages, and that can definitely be true for the goodies we stuff in Christmas stockings. And if you take our helpful shopping guide to heart, you can fill any gun-loving girl’s stocking with gifts she’s sure to love. From $20 to $400, there’s something on this list for any budget.
$20: Warm Socks
It’s almost a cliché, but we love warm socks—and that goes double for those of us who hunt. The Arctic Heavy Over-the-Calf socks from Point6 might be the ultimate in warmth, with 70% wool content and nylon reinforcement in high-wear areas. They’re designed for comfort, with heavy cushioning, and guaranteed for life, and they’re made in the USA! Pick up a pair for $20.
$40: A Handwarmer Upgrade
We all love the disposable hand warmers, but you can upgrade your girl to better heat in an environmentally-friendly package with the HeatBank 6 from Zippo. It’s rechargeable and has three heat settings, with dual-sided heat up to 120 degrees F. It’ll run up to six hours and fits easily in a pocket, and it weighs just a few ounces. Grab one for $40.
$60: Instant Light
I can’t explain it, but I lose headlamps like it’s my job. I absolutely love a headlamp for before-dawn and after-dusk hunting, but I end up buying a new one every season because the old one has disappeared into who knows where. If your gun gal has the same problem, pick up the Princton Tec Vizz 550, which is waterproof and heavy-duty. It allows for multiple colors, including red, green, white and blue, with 550 lumens and a 75-hour run time that should last all hunting season. It’s made in the USA and will cost you about $60.
$75: A Sturdy Gun Belt
Every concealed carrier needs a good gun belt, but women sometimes struggle to find a sturdy one that’s not too wide to fit in our belt loops or doesn’t have an awkwardly large buckle. The NexBelt Grace is made for women specifically as an EDC gun belt, with an attractive, unobtrusive buckle and a cut-to-fit ratchet design. That makes it a one-size-fits-all (up to a 50-inch waist) deal, so no need to worry about sizing. It’s heavy-duty nylon with an easy push-button release and sells for about $75.
$85: A Sharp Knife
If the gun girl in your life doesn’t yet know the joy of a replaceable-blade hunting knife, it’s time to introduce her to never-sharpen-again Nirvana. Try the Outdoor Edge Razor APX, which comes in 2.5- and 3-inch lengths and stores four extra replaceable blades (drop point or caping) in the handle. It’s a fixed-blade that’s ultra light and rugged, and it’s compatible with the company’s bone-saw blades. Push-button blade changes are simple, and trust me, she’ll love never having to sharpen a knife in the middle of field-dressing ever again. Grab one for $85, sheath included.
$100: A Super-Fun Training Aid
Dry-fire practice can get boring, but the Mantis X2 training system solves that problem. This simple kit includes a gun-mounted device that links to an app on your phone. You can use it for dry fire or live fire, and it gives you incredibly helpful feedback on your draw and your shooting. The app also includes a number of drills you can run through to gauge your improvement over time. It works with literally any firearm, and it’s by far the most fun way I’ve found to improve my trigger pull, grip, accuracy and more. For $100, this will make training fun at home and at the range.
$115: A Sleek Concealed Carry Bag
OK, this one might not quite fit in her stocking, but if your gun girl is a fan of purse carry, the Crossbody Organizer from Gun Tote’n Mamas is just the ticket. This American cowhide purse is designed to be compact and extremely lightweight and can be worn crossbody, around the waist or as a sling, and it can even be worn under a jacket or sweater. It’s well-organized, with RFID protection on the interior pocket. The concealed carry slot includes a mini holster, special padding to prevent printing and an ambidextrous design, and it’s Crossbreed-holster compatible for plenty of carry options. It’s designed for microcompact handguns, so make sure your lady’s gun will fit before you drop $115.
The Big Splurge: $380 Top-of-the-Line Hearing Pro
Spoil your gun girl with Safariland’s Liberator HP 2.0 muffs this year, feature multi-mode adjustabililty with active noise reduction and cancelation, three distinct hearing modes, industry-leading sound, high-def speakers and a quick-change battery). A slim earcup design makes these easier to wear when shooting long guns, and any shooter will appreciate being able to hear ambient noise and maintain situational awareness while the muffs reduce the sound of gunshots (NRR of 26 decibels).
