Gift Cards That Montana People Actually Want For Christmas

It's the thought that counts, right? One year for Christmas my mom bought dad a brand new leaf blower; put a big bow on it and had it under the tree Christmas morning. She really wanted to give him something he'd use and enjoy, and later she told me that his reaction was worth every retail markup penny she paid for it.

The thing is, mom forgot to check the garage: he had a leaf blower already. However, in a display of remarkable husbanding, he put on his grateful Christmas morning face and kept quiet about it. It's not that he didn't want a brand new leaf blower capable of unleashing hurricane levels of fury on the lawn, he just had one already that worked fine. He gave his old one to our next door neighbor, and chalked it up to "it's the thought that counts."

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Sometimes we just don't know what to give someone for Christmas, and that's where gift cards come in. The tried-and-true gift that lets people spend a few bucks on things they actually want, rather than a shot in the dark that might end up dusty in the corner of the garage. Here's some gift card ideas for the Montanan in your life that will keep you on Santa's "nice list."

Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply

Stuff for the dog, supplies for the farm animals, flannel, boots, hats, garage knick-knacks, even Can-Am service and parts. If you get a gift card from Murdoch's, you won't run out of ideas on how to spend it as an outdoorsy type (if you live in Montana and you're not an outdoorsy type, you're one of the very few.)

Home Depot

This is where mom got the portable tornado generator that dad eventually loved using. I defy any Montanan to go to the Home Depot and walk out without seeing something they need around the house. It's hard to miss with a bright orange gift card, no matter the amount.

Local (with emphasis on local) Coffee Shops

Sure, you could go with the green and white trope that has shown up in stockings and Christmas cards aplenty over the years, but Montanans live on local coffee shops (you may remember my quest to find out which one in Missoula served up the best pumpkin spice latte.) Getting a gift card for your special someone from a truly local Montana coffee shop shows you care.

Fishing Shops

Getting hubby ready for fishing season is easy with all the angler shops in Montana. We contacted several in Missoula that offer gift cards or certificates for fly gear, rods, reels, and even fishing tours, like Grizzly Hackle. Other shops include:

• Missoulian Angler
• Kingfisher
• Rock Creek Mercantile & Fly Shop

Bob Wards

Bob Wards was sold to a Utah sporting goods company earlier this year. Even though it's not owned by the original owners after being in business in Montana for over 100 years, Bob Wards will continue to supply us with outdoor gear and sporting goods for hopefully many years to come. A gift card from Bob Ward's would make any Montana sportsman happy.

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Scheels

The next big retail powerhouse in outdoor gear, Scheels has stores all over the northern United States. It's hard to miss with one of their gift cards; your recipient can get themselves ammo, camping gear, or quality workwear to keep them snug during the winter months.

Griz/Bobcat Official Team Stores

With all my heart, PLEASE make sure you know who their team is before dropping cash on a gift card for either. You do not want to swing and miss at this one. I know Griz fans who would rather burn a MSU gift card than spend it, and Bobcat fans who would just as soon use a Griz gift card as a way to test the sharpness of their kitchen scissors.