Herbs and spices?

Ive had great experience with Zingermans in ann arbor MI and also Zabars in NYC.. I've done pastrami/corned beef packages from both as well as sweeter mixes. I have never received them but they've both gotten rave reviews from my giftees

I've ordered from Flying Fish in Seattle and my nephew used another company in Portland to send Dungeness Crab.. always a great treat.

Not edible! Does he take a phone with cell service with him when he goes out? Maybe one of these? The ones for kids and elderly (if he wouldn't be insulted) actually looks like they don't need activating if he gets in trouble, but can be tracked to the exact location.
https://www.lifewire.com/best-gps-trackers-1683621

Oh, and back to edible. I post this all the time, but I love this company's stuff and their business model. Especially good is the sage biscuit mix and the pilaf mix, but their ancient grain flours might interest the baker.
Bluebird grains

How about Rescuebeacon

Dads wife did mention she worries about something happening to him when
he goes off on his own in the woods. If something happened she wouldn't
know where to look.

Sorry, not a food item, but do they have walkie talkies? Of course they would only work if he were able to speak or push a button. We use them, they're handier than a cell. They have different models with different distance ranges to choose from.

Midland USA Two Way Radios

My parents love kettle corn and also do a lot of casual entertaining so I bought them this last year and they really liked it. I'm not sure if they ended up sharing with their guests or if they ate it all.

Costco popcornopolis

Wolfermans English Muffins, Bosenberry syrup and pancake mix from Knotts Berry Farm, Omaha Steaks, frozen hot chocolate mix from Serendipity, Sara Beths jams/jellies, Juniors cheesecake, Sees Candy.

Wine or beer?

Dessert of the month club?

Great ideas everyone! I'm definitely leaning towards the Bluebird Grains and particularly the Sage Biscuit mix idea. They both love anything sage.

I am also contemplating this for dad. What do you think? He does wear a watch but this has a bunch of stuff and GPS. It has to be waterproof not just water resistant. I'm wavering because he is not overly techy. I know nothing of these things. Dad has always been a fitness buff so maybe he would like the other features. I think (not sure) that his wife could monitor his whereabouts on the home computer?

As you can see I'm techless.

Costco has some high end meats that look good. They also have lobsters.

Another vote for Zingerman's. I get rave reviews when I send their budt cakes.

It looks like that watch has an emergency button, but if he was unable to call for help, it wouldn't track him (emergency services might be able to eventually locate him, but it would be search and rescue). Some things I read said they can locate within 2 miles then have to do a ground search. Some you have to concern yourself with having a good cell signal, too. Sometimes being in the woods affects that.

The one I linked above was one of the few I saw that could be monitored for exact location.

Sending pierogies is a bit of a family tradition. We have used Millie's. This link includes Millie's but reviews several other vendors too. Pierogies

Ok I think I almost have a handle on what to buy. Thank you Olychick! Something sage and one of those GPS trackers you posted. I'm not sure what one yet, need to check on a few things first. Ideally the elderly one warn as a pendant would be best except dad doesn't think he's elderly so I might offend.

Oh localeater-- my family looooves pierogis and unfortunately all the people we knew who made them have died. My mother, especially, will love this gift! TY!

GPS tracker sounds good. Just make sure of the range. I wanted to get a GPS tracker for my husbands keys, but they have a very limited range. Last set of keys is somewhere in the woods.

Olychick not everywhere has cell phone service. My husband quit bear hunting by himself due to he is getting older and there is no cell service where he hunts.

Hmm, those are the few things I need to check on.

Functionthenlook, what are you buying your husband for Christmas?

justerrilynn - sorry I can't help much with gift ideas. My husband and I haven't bought each other Christmas gifts for a long time. When the kids were young and money was tight and we had so many people to buy for we just couldn't afford to buy each other gifts. Now we don't because if we want something we just go out and buy it. We do buy for each other for birthdays and I always have trouble on what to buy him. I know this may sound silly but what about a nice boot scraper since he is tramping through the woods a lot. One thing my husband buys this time of year is a good stock of hand and feet warmers for hunting. The kind you crack and they give off heat. Personally I would look into a GPS. I understand your step mothers worry of him being out there alone.

One comment - for anyone thinking of sending a food gift basket, it is always hard to find one that has all the things you want and none of the things you don't.

That's why I like igourmet, where you can select just what you want with their "make your own basket" option. Of course, like most such things, it is all overpriced. Better to make your own and ship!

I have had cheesecakes (can't remember the source, it was relatively local when I lived out east) and spice mixes from Penzey's shipped to friend for gifts, (other than some of the other resources listed here) and they have been well received. I have also given specialty coffees and teas to lovers of those beverages but I don't know if this pertains to your folks. A Christmas floral gift of some kind is also well received by folks who like to entertain.

Well, there's one at that link for tracking kids. Get him that one and he'll be flattered!

Thanks, Mtn. I just put together and ordered a nice gift basket for my FIL from igourmet.

Angus Barn in Raleigh, NC sells and ships the most delicious cheese crocks and crackers. The blue is the best but I didn’t realize it even had blue cheese in it. I think it also has cheddar in it. It is truly gourmet! They also have a cheddar. Be sure to get the crackers too. Great for parties. http://www.angusbarn.com/cart/Cheese-Crock-P6.aspx

I often send nut or dried fruit and nut trays/boxes from Amazon to relatives with diabetes or heart disease. I've been told they are 'Nummy.' I take comfort in the thought that they are healthy and tasty too.

To a select few that can handle it I send my bourbon balls, which include dates soaked in bourbon and super spicy ginger cookies, cocoa, and nuts, rolled in dark cocoa and a smidgeon of powdered sugar. They are sort of healthy but people who don't drink much get a buzz from them, so they tell me.

Oh one more idea --- Stonewall Kitchen stuff is pretty good.

Oh and another idea - Tate's cookies makes nice assortments and baskets. Not terribly fancy but a crowd pleaser.

One thing I traditionally get for my DD and son in law are the annual passes to our state and local parks because they love to hike and enjoy the many lakes they have. (Michigan has over a million w/in it’s borders) One of the larger sports/hunting stores in their area, Bass, Cabella’s or the likes is an easy place to find out what the state he’s in requires and where you can buy them from; often times they sell them right there. Also a gift certificate to one of those stores, Bass Pro’s especially would be great because they can buy whatever they need when they need it, whether it’s clothing or boots, new equipment or outdoors cooking “stuff” Bass has it all. Magazine subscriptions are good too, I have a sister who gets us annual renewals to our favorites and we love it. If they’re up north, they’re in doors all winter, how about a years subscription to Netflix or a streaming device like a Roku?

You could also put together a winter basket with a variety of things that one never has too much of in winter. Wool smart socks, new hats, beef jerky or sausage, a cook book with new out door recipes or stews and soups, a safety beacon (mentioned above), a couple of fun or corny kitchen gadgets for when she’s canning. Things like that.

You can't literally mean "over a million lakes"? Even including very small ones that doesn't seem possible!

Okay this is what I did, I bought a Man Crate and paid extra to have it wrapped in duct tape because my dad would get a kick out of that. http://www.mancrates.com/store/products/whiskey-connoisseur-crate

I picked the Whiskey decanter one because they will both enjoy that plus the snacks and I had their inintials put on the decanter. Where is says JHA will instead be the recipients initials. My dad fools around with his own brew. I completely forgot about this companies gift crates. They take a lot of work to get into if you have them duct tape wrapped so it's also a bit of fun.

Thank you everyone for the great Ideas!!!

I will be using some of these suggestions for other gifts so all is greatly appreciated.

very cute!

If your dad's wife makes bread, check out King Arthur's Flour. We just got a catalogue and it made me wish I were a baker! Lots of wonderful gift choices (not just flour-ha).

King Arthur's Flour

My dads wife is getting a couple of the sage biscuit mixes and the rest below (thank you Oly!)

https://bluebirdgrainfarms.com/product/organic-sage-biscuit-mix/

https://bluebirdgrainfarms.com/product/organic-emmer-pancake-waffle-mix/

https://bluebirdgrainfarms.com/product/organic-potlatch-pilaf/

I'm done with this part! The cool thing about the Man Crates is that you can order now but pick your delievery date. I put a note of the delivery date on the Blue Bird Grains order but I'm not sure how that will work...hope it does or it could end up a Thanksgiving gift lol.

Now I'll re-study the other suggestions above for the rest of the people on the list.

For someone who has an Irish background, I have always had excellent service from Food Ireland.

Food Ireland