David Chandler takes a look at more stuff to spend your hard-earned cash on... this Christmas
Lifesystems Dual-Palm Rechargeable Handwarmers £34.99
Charge it up via USB or a mains supply and slip it in your pocket for some portable finger-warming on wintery birding trips. The split magnetic design means you can pull the two halves apart and have one in each hand. They heat up in 10 seconds, emit heat for up to nine hours and have three heat settings. And you can use them as a powerbank (USB-C). Each half weighs 113g and measures 63x109x20mm. lifesystems.co.uk
Fjallraven Men’s Keb Thermal Wind Jacket £225
It has a lightweight, wind-resistant, water-resistant, recycled outer and a “high-loft” recycled, fleece lining. You can wear it as an outer layer or, on those chillier days, a mid-layer. There’s a hood, a two-way zip and two zipped hand pockets. It dries quickly, it’s packable and it doesn’t have any of those nasty PFAs. XS-XXL. In mountain blue or black. 340g.
fjallraven.com
Wild Nature 2026 Calendar £13.50
Why not buy someone some dates for Christmas? Wild Nature’s 2026 wall calendar comes with plenty of dates and “12 stunning images from award winning photographers”. You also get “insight” and “inspiration”, and all for less than £14. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, right through the year. 300x300mm. Saddle-stitch spine. Produced in the UK for the John Muir Trust. Or you could opt for the Wild Nature diary – that costs £17.
wild-nature.co.uk
Biolite Range 400 Headlamp £53
A slimfit, USB-C rechargeable headlamp that can shine white light to see where you’re going, or red light to reduce disturbance to the wildlife. It’s submersible waterproof – so will certainly cope with a bit of rain – will shine for six hours at its 400 lumens brightest (200 hours at its lowest setting), and a quick eight-minute charge gives you another hour of seeing in the dark. And it only weighs 69g. In grey or blue. gooutdoors.co.uk
Craghoppers Men’s National Trust Rawthey Half Zip Fleece £55
There are lots and lots of fleeces out there. But the print design on this one is a “visual representation of soundwaves from British songbirds”. No, I don’t know which British songbirds. It’s made from “luxurious borg fleece” and both the pockets and main body are 100% recycled. Another garment in Craghoppers’ National Trust collection. Blue navy, woodland green or ecru. S-XXL. 605g.
craghoppers.com
Devold Original Islender Wool Sweater Offwhite £155
That’s not a typo. Islender means Icelander. This is winter warmth the way it used to be – before we all wore fleeces. It’s a “heavyweight knit” of pure Norwegian wool and delivers “unmatched warmth”. Islenders date back to the 1850s – originally, they were made for Norwegian fishermen. It’s described as “incredibly warm” – probably too warm for the tea-room. Wind and odour-resistant. Loose-fit. Ribbed cuffs and hem. XS-XXL.
trekitt.co.uk
RSPB Birder Watch £30
What makes it a ‘birder watch’? Could it be the “subtle, silhouette illustration” of a Swift on the front? This watch is made from “sustainably sourced materials” – the case is recycled alloy and the khaki strap is recycled polyurethane. They say it’s “a must-have for birders”. So, we’d better all buy one. There’s an RSPB logo on the back – not many people will see that, though – and ‘RSPB’ on the front. Made in China. shopping.rspb.org.uk
Steve Cale Garden Wren Christmas Card £3.95 for five
This Christmas card doesn’t have a Robin on it. Or a Turkey. Instead, you get “a stunning piece of artwork” by Steve Cale of a Wren in a garden, printed on carbon captured paper. That means the CO2 generated by making and distributing the paper has been “mitigated”. Less than £4 gets you five cards and five envelopes. Inside, it simply says, ‘Seasons Greetings’.
british-trust-for-ornithology.myshopify.com
Opticron Tripac £65
Now Opticron have one – a tripod and scope/camera backpack carrying thing. The carrying part has six points of connection to your tripod, padded straps, a chest brace, thumb hooks, D-rings, a carry handle and a pocket. The removable accessory pack is padded, has a front zipped pocket, water bottle holder, and four pockets inside. You can have this in any colour you like, as long as it’s black. Or brown. Or green. 620g. Two-year guarantee.
opticron.co.uk