This post is sponsored by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Sheaffer Told Me To!
I’m so excited about today’s post, and I sure do hope that it will be a huge help to all of you. When writing it, I did so with the intention of providing ideas to help you cross several gifts off your Christmas lists. This post should really help you with gifts for the men in your life including dads, husbands, brothers, and sons. I’m hoping by the end of this post that you will feel a sense of relief and accomplishment, because if you’re like me, nothing feels better than crossing things off a TO DO list!
When we were at the ranch over Thanksgiving, the boys were wearing and we were using lots of Academy gear, just like we always do when we’re at the ranch. The items you see in today’s post are items that the boys have had for awhile and love. They are Carter and Chris approved, so I think they would make excellent gifts for the men in your life as well.
Let’s just dive right in!
Y’all should be quite familiar with the family ranch by now.
The first morning we were there, Carter was up and dressed early. He couldn’t waste any time because he had to figure out what kind of ducks were swimming in the tank.
(Sidenote: After my last post on the ranch, I had TONS of questions about what a “tank” is. Officially, a tank is a small body of water found on ranch or farm land. It’s basically a pond, but for some reason, we’ve always called it a tank. Hope that clears up all the confusion! Haha!)
For those interested, they were Hooded Mergansers. These ducks are especially fun to see because the feathers on their heads form a type of mohawk.
So the first gift giving idea for the men in your life is a nice set of binoculars!
Carter had borrowed Chris’s binoculars for his morning sightseeing, but Carter is getting a pair of his own for Christmas. Academy has a nice selection of binoculars at varying price points found HERE.
These are the pair that we are getting Carter, and they are ON SALE right now!
Carter and his pups are never far apart, especially when at the ranch.
Later in the day, the boys decided to do a little afternoon fishing.
These two always have a great time together, but their favorite place to hang out is at the ranch.
Chris’s sweatshirt / Chris’s shoes
They’ve spent a lot of time together on this dock.
Makes my heart happy.
When talking about fishing, you know that the gear is important.
Chris and Carter both recommend this rod and this reel for affordable options. They’ve always had great luck with All Star rods and continue to purchase them. They are durable and a great price point at around $100 or a little less.
What can I say, the boy loves to fish.
But you know what he loves even more than fishing? Having a fish fry with the fish he catches!
We threw everything back on this day (didn’t catch anything big enough to eat), but we’re very much looking forward to our next big family fish fry.
Carter got this exact watch last year for Christmas, and it was one of his favorite gifts. He wears it every single day and really only takes it off to shower and sleep. It’s waterproof, so he could actually shower in it, he just prefers not to. Carter hadn’t asked for a watch, so it was a surprise gift, and it was definitely a hit.
Another EXCELLENT gift idea for any of the men on your list is a great Bluetooth speaker. This one from Altec Lansing is super affordable and has really good sound. It’s waterproof and dirt-proof, which is obviously perfect for the ranch. It also has built-in LED lights that beat sync to your music! The speaker lasts up to 16 hours on a full charge, and it also charges your smartphone.
This is a seriously great gift.
Sometimes I join in on the fishing fun too! I enjoy fishing (especially with my boys), but like Carter, a good old fashioned fish fry is one of my favorite things on earth.
my sweatshirt / my leggings / black Adidas sneaker options
Family time is the best time.
I asked Carter for a picture of his outfit…
boy’s Under Armour tee options / Under Armour hoodie
And he maybe started poking a little fun at me and all of my blogger poses.
boy’s Under Armour tee options / Under Armour hoodie
Y’all already know that when at the ranch, I’m all about comfort. Who am I kidding, I’m about comfort everywhere. And if it’s during the cooler months, you’ll be hard pressed to find me in anything other than athletic wear and sneakers when at the ranch.
my sweatshirt / my leggings / black Adidas sneaker options
This hoodie is crazy comfy, soft, and warm. It comes in lots of color choices, and today it’s ON SALE for under $40! For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.
The leggings are also on sale. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.
my sweatshirt / my leggings / black Adidas sneaker options
The dogs spotted me during my outfit pics and came running.
my sweatshirt / my leggings / black Adidas sneaker options
Chris’s sweatshirt is so soft and plush. He likes that it’s heavier than a t-shirt and keeps him warm, but he appreciates that it’s not super thick because he gets hot very easily. It comes in 10 color choices, and Chris is wearing the navy.
Carter and the pups played in the leaves for at least half an hour. Check out instagram stories later for some video footage of the craziness!
They had a ball.
When at the ranch during the fall and winter months, we always spend a lot of time gathered up with lots of friends and family members around the camp fire.
And although we have TONS of fold up chairs that stay down at the ranch, it’s these specific chairs that people always race to get to first. AND THEY MAKE PERFECT GIFTS.
What’s so special about these chairs?
Well, the absolute best feature is that they boast Spring-Action Rocking Technology™ that offers smooth, comfortable rocking.
Yes, ROCKING!
And their Eazy-Fold™ handles lets you quickly fold the chair for transport or storage, which makes them perfect for all sorts of events including camping, tailgating, neighborhood get-togethers, and kid’s sporting events! All of the other parents will be jealous when you are sitting on the sidelines in this bad boy!
Get one for yourself, get one for your spouse, and go ahead and get them for the grandparents that show up at all of your kid’s games too! They will thank you again and again. It really is a perfect gift and an awesome price point at right under $60!
In addition, these FANTASTIC chairs have powder-coat steel frame for lasting use, padded arm and back rests for maximum comfort, and they even have a built-in cup holder.
This year we added this camo one to the bunch.
The little fella claimed it as his own.
Two young men, just discussing life.
And Carter may be 12, but when gathered around the campfire, you can often find him in his daddy’s lap.
So thankful for the ranch, campfires, and these people.
The boy’s hoodies, the fishing gear, the binoculars, the Bluetooth speaker, and the rocking chair are gifts that Chris and Carter HIGHLY RECOMMEND for the men in your life.
But I couldn’t let you leave today without a bit more comprehensive Academy Gift Guide!
Academy has SO MANY great things for the entire family.
- men’s hoodie / 2. sports wagon / 3. men’s slippers / 4. insulated hunting boots / 5. throw blanket / 6. portable rocking chair/ 7. portable waterproof speaker/ 8. football options / 9. ping pong table set / 10. men’s fleece / 11. women’s fleece jacket / 12. Yeti tumbler / 13. Yeti cooler / 14. Cornhole set
You can also shop the collage by clicking on any of the following:
Thank you to Academy Sports + Outdoors for sponsoring this post.
Lynn W says
Great post with a lot of options for my “boys” who are adult men now. I had read your reviews on the rocker chair previously put this time I decided to just go ahead and gift myself one for Christmas. I’ll just tell my husband he has great ideas 🙂 when he sees it under the tree. Thank you for all you do for us. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Sheaffer says
Merry Christmas to you too, Lynn! You are going to LOVE the chair! xoxo
Shay Shull says
So many great pictures of your sweet family!!!!!
Talitha says
My grandparents had a ranch in the hill country of Texas. There were several “tanks” on the property and I always thought that was a Texas word. When I saw the word in your previous post, I wondered how many questions you’d get.
Laurie S says
You and all your guys – Chris, Carter, Buddy and Charlie… what a great looking family! I can tell you love your time at the family ranch – what a special place to hang out and make memories.
Sheaffer says
I feel very lucky, Laurie! Thank you so much for the sweet words. xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Susy says
Carter has your smile–100%.
What a wonderful post. And absolutely gorgeous site.
Merry Christmas to you!
Sheaffer says
Thank you so much for such a kind comment, Susy! Merry Christmas to you too! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Cheryl says
I always thought they were called tanks because they are manmade; dug out and filled up with water. Like a big galvanized metal tank for cattle and other animals…they just call them all tanks since they are not natural. Sometimes I even think they are actually buried tanks…but I’m from the suburbs so I’m just speculating. 😉