Finding a Christmas gift for someone is not always the easiest task, and this challenge is further magnified by the idea of shopping for gun related stuff. When it comes to guns, everyone has their own bias, preference, and priorities. This makes shopping a challenge, no matter what you are looking at getting the person.
ON THE LIST
I am sure that everyone remembers the Christmas morning scene in A Christmas Story where Ralphy opens all his presents and is not entirely satisfied with the selection of gifts that he received. I mean, who can blame him for not being thrilled with the fact that he was gifted a bunny suit by a relative he already knew to be crazy? But, then his Christmas turned right around into a good thing when he opened up his last gift, which was nothing less than exactly what he asked Santa for. And let us not forget the response of the parents when they saw Ralphy respond to the reality that he got what he wanted. It feels good to see people glow with excitement when they receive a gift from you. It feels even better when you know that you got that person exactly what they were wanting.
In order to even get close to getting what this person was wanting, you have to know them and have a few ideas of gifts to get as a backup. The reason why is because sometimes people will get whatever they want, whenever they have the money or the inclination. A good example of this is what has happened for the last 8 years where every year our the holidays, a new panic in the gun industry causes people to buy everything on their Santa wish list because they are scared that it won’t be there in the future due to litigation. Gun panics are your worst enemy during Christmas, but there is always a way around it.
UNDER THE TREE
When we think of THE GOOD GIFTS, we think of what comes under the tree, and maybe even the stuff that is so big that is has to lean up against the wall behind the tree. The gifts under the tree, in my house at least, have always been perceived as the big ticket items that are most likely to make my materialistic Christmas spirit happy. So what might those items be? Well, I would say that they could be things like guns, gun parts, books on guns, or gear that goes with guns.
If you are intending to have one of the gifts under the tree be a gun, I would say bravo, but proceed with caution. First thing is you need to make sure your laws allow the gifting of guns in the first place, but that is not what I am talking about. To keep it short and sweet, there are two things that you need to be 100% sure of. First, you want to be sure that it is not a gift that this person is going to self-gift before Christmas. The second thing you should do is make sure that it is a gun that they were actually wanting and will use. If you get a fancy rifle that they will not use, you may not receive the happiest response, but instead will receive questions with concealed complaints. Plus, don’t forget that you will be basically putting hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on a gamble.
Don’t take this as me saying to not buy someone a gun, but remember what I said at the beginning. Wanting or respecting a gun for a couple of characteristics, and wanting a gun more than you want more years on your life expectancy are different. I have a list of guns that I would love to shoot, or I like the basic concept behind them, but if I was gifted these guns, I would not be happy. I know this sounds weird, but I would feel obligated to shoot it just to prevent the person for feeling bad. That is not a fun place to be, and I have been put in those situations before, with both outcomes happening.
STOCKING STUFFERS
Things that will fit in the average stocking can usually be viewed as low cost and menial at best. But remember, that there better be an overflowing stocking on Christmas morning. I find that stockings are probably the best places for a little gun related Christmas gift. Think magazines, boxes of ammo, sights, lights, grips, etc. These small items, wrapped up with candy, will make a great little addition that is sure to satisfy that materialistic spirit on Christmas morning.
THE GUARANTEED PLEASER
When shopping for gifts, it is really difficult to find the right thing. If you are not sure what to get someone, save the dough on a gift that is a guess and just use it to buy them a gift card. I know it sounds cheap to do this, but it actually can help more than just getting what that person wants. We cannot read minds, and we can not always be 100% certain that the gift you thought they wanted is still a priority to them. If you were thinking that this person wanted a gun, you could give them a little help by giving them a gift card that would cover part of it.
If you think about it, a gift card is a guarantee because it enables that friend or loved one to feel better about getting something that was previously out of reach. Christmas gift cards from stores like Cabelas, Amazon, or even a gun and ammo store would be pure gold. Especially if that person visits these places of business on a regular basis. Or even better, just get them some ammo and wrap them up and stuff them under the tree. No one who shoots will complain about finding a box of ammo in their stocking or under the tree.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
When shopping for a gun geek, it is actually pretty simple to find a Christmas gift, even if you know little or nothing about guns or gun stuff. Like I said, just get a gift card and watch the smile form. For us gun geeks, gift cards and even small things like parts are big ticket items. Or you can just get a couple of magazines for their gun shoved in their stocking. Either way, with these tips, it is a win-win for you.
David served in the USMC for a few years. Deployed twice and got wounded. Retired and moved to Alaska. Has a passion for reviewing and testing guns and gear of all kinds. Enjoys working to dispel myths and show that you can train and practice in a realistic, safe, and practical way.
