Burning Man Gift Ideas: Cool Finds for Desert Dwellers
At Burning Man, I love discovering unique and meaningful gifts to share with my fellow burners. Gifting is such an essential part of the experience, and finding items that celebrate art and community really embodies the spirit of the event in Black Rock City, Nevada.
Whether you’re a seasoned Burner looking to spice up your gift-giving game or a curious newcomer eager to contribute meaningfully to the community, I’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of unique gift ideas that are high in spirit but low in cost, (mostly) ensuring you spread joy and create memorable moments on the Playa.
From crafted keepsakes to practical gestures, let’s dive into the wonderful world of Burning Man gift ideas together!
🎨 Crafted Keepsakes and Arty gifts
Handmade crafts and personalized notes are thoughtful and unique gifts that can serve as keepsakes for attendees, reminding them of their experience at Burning Man. These items are made with care and can be created using inexpensive materials.
🧶 Handmade crafts: Create small crafts such as friendship bracelets, keychains, or small trinkets that reflect the spirit of Burning Man.
Simple yet meaningful, these things serve as a personal connection between the giver and receiver.
Plus, they can be a reminder of the unique and unforgettable moments we shared in the magical world of Black Rock City (and they can be made with inexpensive materials).
💌 Personalized notes: Write heartfelt notes or positive affirmations on small pieces of paper.
These can be uplifting messages, quotes, or words of encouragement. Distribute them to people you meet, leaving a little touch of positivity wherever you go.
🎭 Hand-painted masks: Paint and decorate masks that attendees can wear during the festival, adding an artistic touch to their outfits and allowing them to express their creativity.
🖨️ Prints: One year, I came across this Etsy shop with custom-made, art-inspired prints that were perfect for enhancing the atmosphere at our camp.
I decided to gift a few of them to neighbours, and they became great conversation starters that drew us all closer.
💫 Glow-in-the-dark body paint: Another cool gift idea, especially for those who love the rave culture that’s characteristic of Burning Man, is glow-in-the-dark body paint.
I remember receiving a pack of this paint and spending the night painting intricate and expressive designs on bodies all around the campfire. It was a fantastic way to get everyone involved and fuel the creative spirit that drives the festival.
📦 Miniature DIY art kits: I’ve also found that creating miniature DIY art kits makes for an excellent gift. I put together a small bag containing art supplies like coloured pens, stickers, and a tiny notebook.
The idea was to encourage fellow burners to create their own art miniatures, a true reflection of the creativity that invades the sands of Nevada.
🖌️ Temporary tattoos: They’re easy to carry, fun, and can be applied right then and there! Plus, they come in all sorts of cool designs, so people can choose one that resonates with them.
These are also a great option if you aren’t sure what to pack and have little space in your suitcase.
These gifts can be cherished as symbols of connection and creativity. In the end, it’s gifting items like these that strengthen the community, celebrate art and human expression, and make Burning Man one of the most extraordinary gatherings on Earth.
😊 Positive Interactions
Creating positive interactions is a wonderful way to contribute to the Burning Man community. By offering compliments, hugs, and high-fives, you can spread joy and connection throughout the event.
🙌 Compliments and appreciation: Offer genuine compliments to people you encounter at Burning Man. A simple compliment or expressing appreciation for someone’s creativity, outfit, or contribution can brighten their day and create a positive atmosphere.
🌟 Compliment cards: A spin on the above idea. Design small cards with uplifting compliments or positive messages. Encourage attendees to give these cards to others, spreading kindness and appreciation.
🤗 Hugs and high fives: Sometimes, the simplest gestures can make a significant impact. Offer free hugs or enthusiastic high-fives to strangers, spreading joy, connection, and a sense of camaraderie.
🛠️ Practical items
As someone who loves attending Burning Man, I know how important it is to have the right necessities.
DIY survival kits are practical gifts that can be assembled with essential items, providing fellow burners with useful supplies during the festival.
These can be especially handy or meaningful to a sparkle pony or those who just need an extra hand.
🏕️ DIY survival kits: Assemble small survival kits with essential items like band-aids, hand sanitiser, tissues, wet wipes, lip balm, and sunscreen or hydration sachets.
You could even throw in some sunburn relief gel if you’re feeling generous. These kits can be distributed to fellow Burners who may find them a life-saver during the event.
You’ll find that people will be super grateful- especially the newbies, who perhaps weren’t quite sure how to plan for Burning Man properly and landed themselves lacking the proper supplies.
💧 Hydration/vitamin packs: Provide electrolyte packs/ multivitamin sachets or water bottles to fellow attendees, promoting the importance of staying hydrated in the desert environment of Burning Man.
🌬️ Dust protection kits: Burners know the importance of protecting themselves from the dust, so why not assemble kits containing dust masks or bandanas, goggles, and earplugs?
These kits help protect against the dusty environment of the festival. You could also just offer bandanas as gifts.
They’re not only functional but also add a touch of fashion to one’s outfit. You can even customize them with cool designs, quotes, or the Burning Man logo to make them personal.
💡 Illumination kits: At night, I love to light up with a fairy light costume or other illuminated accessories.
These not only make it easier for fellow Burners to find me but also bring a magical vibe to my nighttime adventures. Handing out light kits or batteries to fellow burners could prove to be extremely helpful and fun.
You could include LED Micro Fairy String Lights, glow sticks, or small flashlights to help attendees navigate the dark nights of Burning Man or spice up their outfits and accessories.
The LEDs are available in various colours, and they can easily be wrapped around a bike or sewn onto a costume to add a unique glow.
🍪 Food or snacks: I’ve noticed that anything with bacon seems to be a major hit on the Playa. I mean, who doesn’t love bacon?
You could either cook up some crispy strips yourself or perhaps create a bacon-inspired snack like bacon-wrapped dates or bacon-infused popcorn. Trust me; it’ll make people’s day.
Now let’s talk imperishable snacks. Everyone loves snacks, and they’re perfect for keeping energy levels up throughout the event.
You could hand out things like protein bars, trail mix, energy bars, jerky, crackers, dried fruits, nut butter packets, granola or cereal bars, rice cakes, seaweed snacks, dark chocolate.
👔 Pro Tip: If you’re planning to gift perishable items, just remember to consider the food safety guidelines.
🧃 Beverages: Another idea I had was handing out cold beer. Nothing beats a refreshing, ice-cold beer in the desert heat.
Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to just beer – any kind of alcohol would be appreciated. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a permit if you’re planning to serve alcoholic beverages to the public.
Now, I know some people might not be into alcohol, so having a variety of non-alcoholic options is a good idea. I suggest offering some thirst-quenching drinks like infused water, lemonade, or even mocktails.
These will be a great addition to your gifting repertoire, and who knows, you might even come up with a signature Playa drink along the way.
🐝 Beeswax bottle cap candles: These provide a clean-burning and eco-friendly light source. These candles can serve as excellent decorations for a campsite or in a man cave and, at the same time, offer a wonderful and practical gift.
📚 Knowledge Sharing
Sharing knowledge and experiences can be a meaningful gift. By hosting workshops, and discussions, you can contribute your expertise and foster a sense of learning and connection.
💬 Workshops and discussions: Offer your expertise or knowledge in a specific area by hosting impromptu workshops or discussions on topics you are passionate about.
It could be anything from meditation, yoga, or art techniques to sustainability practices or personal development strategies.
📎 Provide materials and resources that participants can take home to continue their learning and exploration: For example, art supplies. You could share art supplies like sketchbooks, pens, paints, or coloured pencils, allowing fellow Burners to express their creativity and participate in interactive art experiences.
🔄 Book exchange station: Set up a book exchange station where Burners can bring books they’ve enjoyed and swap them for new reads. Foster a culture of reading and intellectual exploration.
🎵 Entertainment and Connection
Many of us have a gift, passion or just the privilege of wisdom that comes with age or experience. Sharing these things with the community can bring immense joy and healing in ways that an exchange of pleasantries can’t.
📜 Musical performances or poetry readings: If you have a musical talent or enjoy spoken word poetry, consider sharing your art with others.
Perform in open spaces or participate in impromptu jam sessions, allowing fellow Burners to enjoy your creative expression.
🗣️ Share stories and experiences: Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow Burners and share your personal stories and experiences.
Listening and connecting with others on a deeper level can be a gift in itself, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.
🤲 Acts of service
Acts of service are valuable contributions to the community. By offering assistance with various tasks and being helpful, you create a positive impact on others’ experiences at Burning Man.
Acts of service embody the spirit of community and can foster a sense of togetherness.
⛺ Assisting with camp setup: Help others with setting up their camps, offering a helping hand with tasks like pitching tents or arranging camp furniture.
🎁 Gift exchange: Set up a gift exchange station where attendees can bring items they no longer need or want and take something they find useful or interesting. Encourage the spirit of giving and sharing within the Burning Man community.
🚚 Helping with carrying belongings: Offer to assist fellow Burners in carrying their belongings, especially during arrival or departure when they may have heavy loads to transport.
🚲 Bike repair station: Offer a bike repair station equipped with basic tools, air pumps, and spare bike parts. Assist fellow Burners in fixing their bicycles, which are a common mode of transportation at the festival.
🍳 Assisting with cooking or cleaning: Extend a helping hand by assisting with cooking or cleaning duties, alleviating some of the responsibilities and contributing to the communal effort.
🚦 Bike accessories: Gift bike accessories such as bike lights, bells, or colourful spoke decorations. These items add functionality and personalization to attendees’ bikes.
🤝 Community Contribution
Contributing to the community by practising “Leave No Trace” ethics and actively maintaining a clean and tidy environment aligns with the principles of Burning Man.
🍃 Leave No Trace: Respect and contribute to the principles of Burning Man by actively practising “Leave No Trace” ethics. This is obviously something you have to do anyway, but you can help by cleaning up communal spaces and picking up litter regularly.
🌱 Encouraging others to practice Leave No Trace ethics: Educate and inspire fellow Burners to adopt sustainable practices and take responsibility for their waste, leaving the environment as pristine as possible.
♻️ Biodegradable or reusable items: Provide biodegradable or reusable items such as bamboo or metal utensils, reusable food containers, or compostable plates and cups. Encourage fellow attendees to reduce waste and minimize their ecological footprint.
🧹 MOOP (Matter Out of Place) cleanup supplies: Distribute MOOP cleanup supplies like gloves, garbage bags, and litter pickers. Promote the importance of keeping the festival grounds clean and minimizing any debris left behind.
Maintaining a clean and tidy environment benefits everyone and helps preserve the ethos of the festival.
🎉 Playful Offerings
🧸 Toys: Toys are always fun, and at Burning Man, I think they can be even more magical. From LED-illuminated hula hoops to simple yoyos, offering a fun little plaything as a gift can spark a moment of connection or even start an impromptu game with fellow Burners.
😷 Burning Man LED Masks: These masks are another fun option for lighting up the Playa. They can be found in styles such as wasteland gas masks and cyberpunk gas masks that glow in the dark, adding an exciting and mysterious element to your nighttime adventures.
I hope these ideas help you find the perfect gift for the Burning Man. It’s all about spreading joy and creativity in the true spirit of the festival. So go ahead, gift them something special and watch their eyes light up at the next Burn!
🌯 The Final Wrap
Remember, these are just my suggestions, and you can always get more creative with your gifts.
The aim is to contribute something meaningful to the Burning Man community, and these ideas focus on fostering connection, positivity, and shared experiences while keeping in mind the limitations of cost and resources.
If you’re still asking yourself the question, should I go to Burning Man? Consider that this wonderful community is waiting for you to join and collaborate with them in creating the ephemeral Black Rock City.
