Gifts for Everyone on your Christmas List, plus a Gift Card Giveaway from Outdoor Website, ActiveJunky.com. For details, see the end of the post.
I love Santa Letters. In my memory, the letter was painstakingly printed on spiral paper and gave flight to every childhood dream. It also inevitably included a request for at least one more pet.
The Santa letter helped parents know what would make their children happiest on Christmas morning. That is, unless it went into an envelope before mom or dad could make a copy.
Although spiral paper and envelopes seem hopelessly low-tech, what with email letters that receive an instant reply, the US Postal Service is celebrating the 101st year of its charitable Letter to Santa Program.
Since 1912, all letters addressed to Santa stay in the local area. USPS “elves” open them and identify families in need. These families are assigned a number and are available to “adopt.”
If you’d like to help a family in your town or city, go to a participating post office, select one or more letters (with all identifying information blacked out) and go shopping.
Bring back the gifts, packaged for mailing, and the Postal Service will deliver them to the family. More details are found in this 100th Anniversary Video.
This is the true Spirit of Christmas.
A Skiing Family’s Letter to Santa
Dear Santa,
Guess what? This year we’ve been really good: really good at skiing and snowboarding and really good at scaring our parents when we catch huge air on jumps and rip turns through the trees.
Actually, they only say we scare them. We know they love it.
1) First on our list, is snow. Lots of it, starting now if you can. Snow, snow and more snow!
2) Next, because when it snows a lot our feet get wet, we want Ski Boot Dryers. While we know this is an odd request from children, who usually want toys like Legos (especially this year’s Winter Village Market, which looks like our favorite ski village), but we know we’ll use these after every ski day.
3) We also need boot backpacks. We have a lot of ski stuff and it’s hard to watch mom and dad try to carry all of it to the lodge. But we’re strong. We carry school backpacks every day. We can totally carry our ski boots and helmets in a Transpack Junior bag. Plus, they come in lots of cool colors and designs, so we can tell whose is whose!
From left to right: Kulkea Boot Trekker, Transpack TRV Pro, Transpack Compact Pro
If you think our parents need their own packs, there are good ones for adults from Transpack and Kulkea.
4) Did you know our mom has dropped two cameras off of chairlifts? She also has lost a phone. Could you please bring her a myBunjee cell phone/camera cord? It will slip onto her phone and then clip to her jacket, so she’ll never be able to drop it off the lift again.
5) The Winter Olympics are coming, Santa, and we really want to help Team USA win lots of gold medals.
That’s why we would love some US Olympic pins and gear. It’s totally fun to collect the pins and maybe someday we’ll compete in an Olympics and we can trade them with friends from around the world.
Plus, anything we get from the Team USA shop helps our athletes!
And while mom is not thrilled when we spend lots of time gaming, I know she wants us to get the Wii U Mario and Sonic at the Winter Games Sochi 2014 game. The graphics are based on the actual venues at Sochi and we can compete in sports like downhill racing, ice hockey, luge and more!
6) One thing mom and dad DO like is reading.
We just heard about a fun book for kids: Here Come the Little Rippers! by Rebecca Munsterer. The first book in a series about kids, just like us, who love to ski. Volume 1 takes place on a snowy Vermont weekend when Max and Molly are visiting their grandfather. Usually he skis with them, but his year he’s injured, so they have to ski with a kids’ group. Adventures, misunderstandings, mishaps and a happy ending ensue.
In the back there are also descriptions of chairlift games, ski-inspired crafts and a recipe for ski day Lumberjack pancakes!
A book we think our mom would like (and so would our teenage cousins), is Shut Up and Ski: Wipeouts, Shootouts and Blowouts on the Trail to the Olympic Dream. A blogger our mom knows says it’s one of the most enjoyable ski novels she’s ever read.
The author, Edie Thys Morgan, was an Olympic downhill racer in the 1980s. This book is fiction, the story of a young downhiller trying to make it on the World Cup circuit and to the Calgary games with her dignity, friendships and body intact.
Another book our parents would like is called Beyond Birkie Fever, by Walter Rhein. Our parents like cross-country skiing (Not us! We want to race downhill!).
This book shares how the author got involved in long-distance nordic racing. His mom inspired him, but he didn’t really like cross-country until he entered his first American Birkebeiner race — a long-distance race held in Wisconsin each year.
Our mom says that she’s going to train for the Birkie when we go to college. She says, by then, we might even want to xc ski with her.
7) That reminds us. When we do go cross-country skiing, the hot chocolate breaks are our favorite part! But we don’t like sharing the thermos cup and having to wait for our turn.
So, we think it would be great to get some nifty outdoor cups. They need to be lightweight and cool-looking. We like these cups, bowls and cutlery from Kupilka. They look like wood, but they are a super-strong composite of wood and plastic. We can just tie them onto our packs or put them in a pocket. And in summer, they’ll work great for camping and backpacking!
8) Sorry Santa! This list is getting long, but we’ve only got two more items. First, we want our own ski runs. While it would be best if they were in our backyard, those would only be greens and we want double blacks! Can’t you just see the sign: “Ski Kids Chutes”?
If your elves don’t mind, there is a man in Montana who makes personalized signs, even if we don’t have our own runs. He makes signs for fishing, for hiking trails and for ski runs that we can hang in our bedrooms!
Here’s a video that shows what he does and since you’ll have to buy the signs from him, you’ll get $10 off if you use this code: “braveskimom2013.”
9) We’ve saved something special for last, Santa! The Snowmule* is a clever backpack everyone in our family will love! When we are skiing and we get stuck on a catwalk, mom and dad won’t have to push us or tow us with a pole anymore. Instead, the pack has two retractable handles that we can hold onto — at least until we weigh 50 pounds each. After that, we’ll have to scoot along on our own!
Once we’re too big, the cassette holding the handles pops and out and Snowmule is a gear pack. Mom and dad are excited about strapping their skis onto it and hiking Highland Bowl!
Mom even called it “the best idea, ever!”
Well Santa, that’s all from us! Thanks so much for reading our letter!
And remember, what we want most, is SNOW!
Love, The Ski Kids
*Snowmule is coming to North America this season. Currently, you can find it at Destination Ski and West Coast Sports.
Active Junky Gift Card Giveaway
Since Santa can’t deliver everything, start your search at ActiveJunky and get money back.
ActiveJunky is a portal for popular outdoor gear websites including REI, Backcountry.com, Sierra Trading Post, Sports Authority and many more.
We tried ActiveJunky recently and scored some great prices on the Backcountry.com site. Within an hour, we received an email telling us we’d get an additional $28 back from ActiveJunky.
Now we’re all about shopping the sites we’d be shopping anyway through ActiveJunky.com.
A couple of the items on this list are available through ActiveJunky.
For example, look for the Thermic Air boot dryers at Skis.com. Just remember go to ActiveJunky.com first, then enter Skis.com to save additional money.
ActiveJunky has graciously donated two $50 gift cards to readers of Braveskimom.
To enter this drawing, leave a comment. To double your chances, follow Braveskimom on FB, Twitter or Google+.
Two winners will be chosen from all entries received on Monday, December 2nd.
Good luck!
To facilitate this post, I received review products from Kulkea, Transpack, myBunjee, , Kupilka, Snowmule and a copy of each of the books mentioned. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends. This post contains affiliate links.
Other Gift Guide Posts from My Friends:
- Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Families 2013, Tales of a Mountain Mama (Wizbang Hats, Teton Sports, Sierra Trading Posts Giveaways).
- Holiday Gift Guide, Go Adventure Mom.
- An All Weather Gift Guide for All Year Adventures, Cragmama.
- Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Conscious Families, AK on the Go.
- The 10 Essentials Gift Guide for Outdoor Loving Mothers, AKSkeddale.
- Five Great Christmas Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Kids, Rain or Shine Mamma (Hanna Anderssen Giveaway).
- Snow Warm! An Outdoor Mom’s Christmas Wish List, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies.
- A Week of Christmas Gift Ideas and Giveaways, Bring the Kids.
Related Posts:
- Christmas Gifts for Skiing Families, November 20, 2012.
- Just One Gift (Happy Holidays and Book Review), December 19, 2012.
- ‘Tis the Gift-Giving Season: Suggestions for Skiing Families, November 22, 2011.
- Merry Christmas with a Beat, December 22, 2010.
© 2013 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.
Great Ideas! The boot backpacks will be under our tree this year!
Are those not sweet? Good luck! The $50 from ActiveJunky.com can be used so many ways! Check out their site to see where you can shop!
Thanks for the awesome ideas! I love that Snowmule backpack and with two junior racers that would come in handy. Can’t wait for the USA to get some! Love your blog!
Thanks Lisa!And I think you can get them from Canada. Check out the links at the bottom of the letter. It’s worth a try!
I am replying as the father of two pre-teen boys who are budding skiers, and on behalf of my wife who will, no doubt, soon become another brave ski mom! It took a while for our boys to understand the enjoyment the sport while growing up in the southeast… So, I love the ideas in the santa letter and will certainly get the bootpacks for our trips to ski the west!
Thanks for the ideas and great blog!
You’re so welcome! You will love the boot packs. Truly. And don’t forget they make great storage bins for your gear when you’re not using it. I’d love to send your wife some brave ski mom stickers for her stocking! Just shoot me an email via my contact me button with your address.
That offer is good for anyone!
MyBunji– I’m certain we need several to stuff the grown-ups’ stockings this year! Thanks for the great ideas!
You’re welcome. Santa is bring myBunjee to our stockings, too. The myBunjee website will take North American orders, or you can find some at the Container Store website.
Coming over from Bring The Kids and glad I found your blog. My husband will be gaga over most the things on this list, especially the backpack. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ah thanks for visiting! I appreciate it! Cheers!
Following now on Twitter @alocalwander. Can’t wait to see more!
You are in twice and I’ll follow you back!
I think we need that lego village…
You do! You do! I love the lego village. My kids say they’re too old, so I build it. I think its quite therapeutic!
I follow you on FB and twitter!
You are in three times total!
Hmmm maybe I need to get on the Active Junky bandwagon! 🙂 Thanks for the tips as always 🙂 Great post!
Thanks Amelia! Good luck!
I’d love to try Active Junky! We love outdoor gear! Thanks for the great giveaway!
You will love ActiveJunky! Sign in from my page and take a look. Seriously, it’s great. Good luck!
I follow on Facebook!
You’re in twice!
You’re in thrice!
I follow on Twitter!
Just found out about activejunkie.com LOVE IT!! What a great way to save while outfitting the whole family. Let’s ski!
Thanks Stacey! Yep, it’s time to ski!
TRES WICKED COOL PREZZIES. THANKS, BSM.
— jules
You betcha Slope Dope!
I feel it is so important to get out and enjoy fresh air with the kiddos! Skiing of all types is great exercise.
So true! Great exercise!
I haven’t heard of ActiveJunky before. Looks amazing!
You will love it!
I know you’ll love ActiveJunky! Follow the link from my site and sign up!
I like you on facebook!
Thanks so much! You’re in twice!
Just found your blog thanks to Bring the Kids- awesome stuff! I can’t tell you how much I need the myBunjee cord… I never ski without my camera, and I’ve had a few close calls! And I’d seriously love a personalized ski run sigh. What a great gift idea too. 🙂 Thanks for this amazing list!
You’re so welcome. I know…myBunjee is going to be the best $10 I’ve ever spent. Good luck!
Love the gift ideas. Hope to hit the slopes very soon. Headed out to Winter Park for Thanksgiving with family. Living in DC makes most of your posts just seem like a dream, but we always try to make them a reality once a year!
So much happening at Winter Park! Check out their new website and visit the Season of the Seven page! It’s so cool! Have a great time!
Following on Google+!
Thank you so much! You’ll have three entries!
Following on FB!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
I am going to show Activejunky to my son. He was just looking at pants at some of the sites included on Activejunky. He could buy the pants and get money back. Sweet!
I am following you on Twitter @dbkagrayson2002 and Google+
It’s the best. Just placed another order last week. Got an email telling me money will be coming my way. There is a 90 day delay…they want to make sure you’ll be keeping what you ordered and not just flipping it for cash. But the email comes right away! Thanks for all the follows. You’re in three times!
The Kupilka bowls and cutlery are pretty neat looking.
I agree! Quite woodsy, contemporary, scandanavian…Very cool!
Great ideas. Thx. Def need to look up the ski mule
It’s the bomb. I just heard yesterday that it will be available on Amazon.com really soon. Like in days. Sorry for the delay.
The snowmule packs look awesome. I love backcountry skiing / hiking and sometimes I have to take off the skis to hike or while in certain areas. This looks awesome. Going to be asking for one:)
I hope Santa will oblige!
Kupilka bowls are pretty cool, and i’m definitely checking out activejunky, thanks!
Activejunky looks interesting. I recall my letters to Santa being a duplicate of the sears catalog, now it’s a duplicate of an rei winter catalog both on spiral notebook paper.
Roberto, you always crack me up! Thanks for sharing this very real insight! Cheers!
And do check out ActiveJunky.com. It never hurts to get a bit of cash back!
great Christmas ideas
Thanks Sandra! Good luck!
Love the book suggestions.
A good ski book is always appreciated…at least by me! Enjoy!
Glad to see some outdoorsy gift ideas. I like the look and sound of the boot dryers. I could use those year round.
Speaking of boot dryers, I just saw a good price on them at backcountry.com. Access their site through ActiveJunky.com (http://www.activejunky.com/join-us?offer_id=20&aff_id=1010) and save an additional 12%!
I followed you Braveskimom on FB, Twitter and Google+.
You’re entered for all! Thanks!
As always, amazing ski stuff!
Thanks, and good luck!
I like the boot backpacks and the Kupilka cups would be great for anyone.
So true! Thanks for reading and commenting! Good luck!
Always looking for great gift ideas for all of the skiers in my life. Thank you!
My pleasure! Thank you!
These are great suggestions. i’ve added some to my own wishlist.
I hope all your holiday wishes come true! Cheers!
Thanks for the giveaway. I love the iPhone bungee! I have never seen that before 🙂
I know — what a great idea! Happy that it’s coming to North America!
Snowmule backpack looks cool.
Very cool. You need one, I know! Cheers!
Whoa this would be fun to win!
Good luck to you Shannon!
Following on twitter (@channynn)
You’re in twice! Best of luck!
I’d love to win this for my husband. This is the first I’ve heard of Active Junky, but I will be using it in the future.
I know you’ll love it. Who doesn’t want to save money?
My daughter would love the lego village. Such great gift ideas!
katja9_10 at hotmail dot com
In all honesty, I love the lego village. It’s so incredibly creative!
I like you on Facebook (Les Johnson).
katja9_10 at hotmail dot com
You’re in twice! Thank you!
Awesome gift ideas – those ski signs are awesome!
Aren’t they? What will you call your run?
These are all great ideas!!
Thanks Melissa!