Men's Journal

When friends invite you out for a long weekend at their second home, it’s only proper to bring a token of appreciation — particularly something you’ll enjoy, too.

By Stephen Treffinger

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Bodum Fyrkat Grill
Every man needs a hibachi for taking the BBQ beyond the backyard, and that’s where the slick design of the charcoal-powered, 13.4-inch (in diameter) Fyrkat excels. Silicone handles prevent burns, and clever lid clips make it easy to carry the grill from house to shore. [$50; bodumusa.com]

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Soulra Solar-Powered iPod Speaker
Despite their obvious utility, water-resistant iPod speakers are disappointingly scarce. Thankfully Etón, makers of stylish emergency radios, created the Soulra. Rubberized for its protection, the beach-ready boombox can play for four hours on its internal, rechargeable battery — longer if you fold out the solar panel. [$200; etonsoulra.com]

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Traxxas Blast RC Boat

Unlike most radio-controlled boats, the Blast arrives ready to rip (though the decals are DIY). Its 24-inch-long deep-V hull can handle everything from a glass-smooth pool to small ocean swells, and its electronics are waterproof — a surprising rarity in RC vessels. [$150; traxxas.com]

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Moonshot SpectraCarb SCX Revolution Wiffle Bat
Yes, it’s 50 times pricier than the classic yellow basher. But if your friend is a wiffle fanatic, the trampoline-like effect of the Moonshot’s carbon-fiber barrel will make him the Albert Pujols of the afternoon game. [$180; moonshotbats.com]

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ABO Gear Stowaway Hammock

No vacation home is complete without a hammock. Thanks to collapsible wooden spreader bars, the Stowaway can be easily moved to a shadier spot or stored in its stash bag for winter. [$120; abogear.com]

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Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Two-Quart Ice Cream Maker
Bring a man dessert and he’ll eat for a day, but bring a man an ice cream maker and he’ll create his own crazy flavors. The Cuisinart whips up two quarts of ice cream in only 25 minutes. (Just remember to put the liner in the freezer in advance.) Bacon gelato, anyone? [$80; cuisinart.com]

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Coronation Khukri XXX Rum

When your friend sees the handmade glass bottle, shaped like a ceremonial Ghurka dagger, he’ll want to show it off on his mantle. But once he tastes the Nepal-distilled Coronation Khukri XXX Rum inside, all chocolate and spices with a hint of oak, he’ll want to hide it away from everyone else. [$44; khukrirum.com]

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Coleman 4D XPS LED Duo Lantern
Whether going for a midnight stroll or bolting from the bonfire to the bathroom, you won’t get far without a lantern. The Duo’s twin removable LED panels ensure that no one gets left in the dark, glowing for 56 hours when clipped into the base and 2.5 hours when detached. [$60; coleman.com]

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Seletti Badminton Set

Badminton, brought west by British military officers stationed in 19th-century India, is the genteel sport of choice for a post-beach afternoon. This ’20s-style Italian set features metal rackets with wrapped (not plastic) grips, along with everything else you need.
[$59; conranusa.com]

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Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
Out in the sticks, the stars multiply, and this powerful scope will let you and your buddy take advantage of the show. It’s a cinch to set up, it’s stable (an issue with other budget scopes), and it comes with excellent optics for the price. Pair it with an astronomy app on your smartphone, such as Planets, and you’ll be scouting galaxies in no ——————————————–time. [$130; celestron.com]

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Watch MJ Senior Editor Jonathan Wilde filling Al Roker in on our summer house gift selection on the Today show here.

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This article was originally published in the August 2010 issue of Men’s Journal.