We put ourselves through this every year, what the hell do you buy your loved ones at Christmas? Thankfully Antler Luggage has some fantastic ideas on their site, so I thought you might appreciate a little bit of inspiration.

Aside from explaining the Carnaby Street luggage set designs, which are a particular favourite, Antler luggage also has a whopping 60% off the recommended retail price at the moment, meaning, credit crunch or not, it’s in everyone’s Christmas budget. From a distance this luggage set looks like it’s white quilted leather, closer up its made from polyester but has a Teflon coating, so it should manage to stay white for a while!

How about a nice shiny new laptop bag, with a 30% discount and a free continental travel adaptor? Antler Luggage are also selling an inexpensive laptop bag called the Executec for the business traveller in your family. It comes with a 30% discount and a free continental travel adaptor - £34.90 including delivery. Better than a briefcase any day!

It’s that time of year again when we need to start thinking about what we’re going to buy for our family and friends for Christmas. As it’s the middle of winter, camping equipment may not be at the top of everyone’s list for Santa. However, it’s the perfect opportunity to replenish a loved one’s box of camping gear with handy items to use when the weather allows us to go outdoors once again.

Obviously, it’s not worth buying the big things like tents and sleeping bags because they are expensive and most people into camping would already own these. I haven’t written a list for Santa for years, but if was to compile a wish list of suitable stocking fillers it would go something like this:

For the Camping Kitchen
New Stove
Non-stick pots and pans
Lightweight tin opener
Multi-function pen-knife

For the Tent
Camping lantern
Wind-up torch
Roll Mat

For Outside
Travel towel
Camping boots
McKenzie jacket
Small backpack
Frisbee

In a previous blog I wrote about my new-found appreciation for the humble camping chair. I’m not sure if it is my acceleration into middle age or many years of camping experience, but I’ve become very fond of these comfortable, fold-up camping chairs. In fact, I’m now such a fan that I want to spread the word and pass on my enthusiasm for the simple pleasure of having somewhere to sit when you go camping. So I’m going to buy my brother one for Christmas.

Having looked around on the internet for some suitable chairs I was amazed at the breadth of choice available. There are camping chairs in all shapes, sizes and colours.

Most are simple, basic, fold-up jobs but some are highly technical works of art. The Concept Crusader, for example, is a luxurious folding chair with optional padded headrest or clip on foot rest.

I even found a chair that folds up as a backpack so you can take it on a walk with you. The Realtree Range Rucksack Seat is not a bad idea if you’re an artist and want somewhere to sit and paint, or a birdwatacher or fisherman. Or it can come in handy for a picnic or BBQ on the beach.

The Coleman Sling Chair is a stylish, laid back chair for sitting back and admiring the view.

But I think I’m going to opt for the Coleman Standard Quad Chair. It’s a pretty standard camping chair but the materials appear more robust than some of the cheaper chairs on the market.

I’m sure my brother will be pleased with my choice. He too will be able to sit in comfort next time he goes camping and I know he’ll appreciate the cup holder for his beers!

Camping has come such a long way from the classic days and the simplicity portrayed by the likes of Carry on Camping. Today, you can go camping in the middle of nowhere and still get internet access via a satellite phone. It becomes impossible to get lost with a good GPS. We have almost insulated ourselves against nature. I have been bemused over the past two years by the media attention thrown over camping and the subsequent ‘coolness’ that has attached itself to camping. I mean, who would have thought of buying Cath Kidston tents a few years ago? Or tents with little roses emblazoned all over the canvas? I’m slightly worried that I’m becoming a grumpy old man or some kind of annoying camping purist. The fact remains that I enjoy camping at campsites less and less now, unless they are pretty rustic, with the odd camping lantern swinging in the breeze. The thought of the big holiday parks fills me with dread. They may be great for kids but I think toddlers are just as happy digging up worms and running around in the bushes as they are watching shows and sticking 10 pence coins into slot machines. Kids love to go camping – just being outdoors should be enough.

Anyway, I digress. Back to ‘cool’ camping. I guess it’s just something that makes me shiver when I see the ‘whats hot’ and ‘what’s not’ fashion barometers in the papers with trite comments like “We love the new flower wellies by so and so..” or “Get yourself one of these season must haves – a rose petal fold out camping chair”. The only rose petals I want on my camping chair when I go camping are natural ones from a real rose bush! It just seems to drag the whole consumerism problem into camping, which has been so wonderfully uncomplicated for such a long time. I guess when it comes down to it, we’ll just have to see which tents stand up to the great British weather. Here’s praying it won’t be the fashion tents!

At half-term loads of families will be heading to the hills and coast for their final camping trip of the year before the weather turns unbearably cold. But there is already a chill in the air and autumn can produce some pretty heavy storms so I hope they have purchased a good quality family camping tent. There are plenty of large tents on the market suitable for family camping holidays or expeditions.

The Khyam Chatsworth family tent is suitable for couples with young children. It’s a compact, four berth tent that is easy to erect thanks to its Rapidex fibreglass pole system. Once inside it is surprisingly spacious with a single bedroom (with dividing curtain), one side and one front entrance door and three windows. It’s a great family tent for early years camping.

The Vermont L 6 Man Tent from Outwell is at the other end of the scale. This is a large, deluxe tent with such features as built-in ‘wardrobe’, cable tidy gullies and ‘Vent-View’ windows! As well as all its advanced features, the Vermont is easy to pitch, has bags of room and is extremely strong and durable. Perfect for an extended family adventure!

Wild Country makes exceptional tents for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts from family campers to Himalayan adventurers. Its Family Khamsin provides reliable shelter for two adults and up to three kids. It has separate bedrooms and a large central area with 6ft headroom for eating, sitting and playing games if the weather is bad outside. A small area under the fly sheet provides excellent storage for dirty items in case children come home caked in mud.