Going to Electric Forest? We Have Gift Ideas for Ravers and Non-Ravers Alike!

ain image courtesy of Substream Magazine. 

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Do you know someone who plans on attending Electric Forest in Rothbury, MI this year? Then chances are you know they’re in for a great time, as this yearly summer festival draws thousands each year to enjoy music, art, and love—all in the beautiful forest surroundings. Originally started in 2008 as the Rothbury Music Festival, Electric Forest evolved into its current form in 2011, and with just breaks for the pandemic, has been going strong ever since. This is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to enjoy time spent in the beautiful forests of Michigan listening to bands and DJs of all genres, taking in the artistic performances, doing yoga, or just getting to know their fellow festival-goers.

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If you know a family member or friend who will be going this June, then why not send them off with a gift? A little stumped about what a good gift idea for a raver would be? You’re in luck because we have all kinds of options below to help them have the best time at Electric Forest, including:

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• Practical gifts to ensure they have a safe time
• Gifts to help them express themselves
• Options that will help them make memories to enjoy for years to come

Send a GiftYa to a raver (or anyone!) going to Electric Forest

Perhaps one of the best gift ideas for anyone heading to Electric Forest is a gift card from GiftYa. Getting a gift card means the recipient gets to choose exactly what they want, and when they spend it. GiftYa’s all digital platform means that it’s even easier than ever to send a gift card, just choose the merchant, pick an amount, add a customized photo or video, and then just hit send. You can text or email the gift card so they’ll have it immediately, and you won’t have to worry about them losing it, because it goes directly to their phone until they use it!

1. REI gift card

This is a great gift card to stock up on supplies for Electric Forest

Text an REI gift card

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Because Electric Forest is a four day event, if you go, you’re responsible for bringing all you need to sleep, care for yourself, drink, and eat (although there are vendors on site). That’s why a gift card to a place like REI would be a great gift idea for someone going. If this is your loved one’s first time, you’ve got to make sure they have all the camping supplies they need, including:

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Air mattress
• Air pump
• Coolers
• Camp chairs
• Easy-ups
• Tarps
• Coolers 
• And more!

You can easily find all these items at your local REI or online, ensuring they’ll have all they need to really enjoy the festival. Having the right camping supplies ensures they’ll be protected from the elements, and able to get the best night sleep that they can in between jam-packed days of fun. You wouldn’t want to forget any of these items, as that could put a real damper on the whole experience!

Text an REI gift card

2. Purse size first aid kid

You always want to be safe rather than sorry, so make sure they bring along a first aid kit!

When you’ll be spending any significant time away from home, it’s important you think ahead and bring a first aid kit. Although no one likes to think they’ll be in a situation where it’s required, it’s always better to have it as a back up and never use it, than to not have it at all. If you’re staying multiple nights in Electric Forest, there’s always the chance an accident can occur, which is why this purse/bag sized first aid kit is a must. It is intended to treat only minor first aid incidents, and includes hand cleansing wipes, gauze pads, and band aids. It’s also a good idea to bring hand sanitizer with you as well. These kits are small and easy to store, so you won’t have to worry about them taking up a lot of space, and they can be really handy if someone in your party gets a cut or a scrape. 

In addition to this small kit, consider bringing a separate bag that you can leave at your campsite that includes:

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• Alcohol swabs
• Tape
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Gloves

3. Ulta gift card

This gift card will help them stock up on festival makeup essentials!

Email an Ulta gift card

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Perhaps just as important as your festival outfits (more on that later!) is your festival make up! If your loved one is planning on going all out, or if they just want to keep in low key, they’ll find everything they need at Ulta. A lot of folks who attend Electric Forest have a variety of outfits planned for different days, along with makeup to match. There are also those people who have a persona or a character that they want to embody for the festival, and need some elaborate makeup as well. Even if your friend or family member is not planning on creating a work of art on their face, chances are they could still stock up on essentials like sunscreen, foundation, powder, or bronzer. 

Ulta also has a variety of body lotions and creams, and hair care essentials. You always want to make sure you’re comfortable, no matter what the weather is, so keeping your skin moisturized is always a good idea. You may need to pay for showers at Electric Forest, so keep that in mind when shopping for hair care items, and try to stay simple by using dry shampoo or delaying washing your hair and limiting your products. 

Email an Ulta gift card

4. New water bottle or hydration pack

Stay hydrated in style at Electric Forest

Aside from essentials like camping gear and first aid, the next most important item you need to bring to a festival that lasts a few days is a good waterbottle or hydration pack. While you can bring a regular water bottle and keep refilling it, you want to make sure that it’s convenient to carry around with you and doesn’t weigh down your bag too much. That’s why for festivals a lot of people recommend a collapsible water bottle or one that you can wear over your shoulders like a pack. Just fill up your water bottle at the start of each day, and either put it in your pocket, or attach it to your bag with the clip. Some can weigh as little as 2oz, and when it’s empty can be rolled and stowed away until you refill it.

Alternatively you could get a hydration pack, which can hold water as well as all your essentials in a back pack style. Depending on the size, you can find packs that hold 5L+ of water, which is enough to ensure you always have easy access to water when it’s time to hydrate. 

5. Target gift card

Get a Target gift card so they can stock up on all the snacks and extras they want to bring to Electric Forest

Text a Target gift card

When you’re planning to stay at a festival like Electric Forest for a few days, you’re going to need to plan out snacks and meals (in addition to your hydration, see above!). And that means it’s a good idea to plan a Target run before hitting the road. A gift card to Target would make an excellent gift idea because you can pretty much get anything and everything at this retailer. Need extra sleeping clothes or a warm sweatshirt just in case? Target has you covered. Want to see what kinds of blankets or extra pillows they might have to make sleeping on an air mattress a little more comfy? You’ll need to go to Target! 

And of course you can’t leave home without snacks for the car ride, and some meals. Although there are plenty of food vendors and food trucks available, you don’t want to rely on eating out for all your meals, as that can get expensive quickly. So consider bringing some basic snack/food ideas including:

• Fruits like apples and oranges
• Granola bars
• Beef jerky
• Chips and salsa
• Hot dogs and buns
• Packaged tuna
• Bread
• PB and J

Text a Target gift card

🌈Bonus: Gifts for others at Electric Forest

One of the many endearing things about the positive vibes of Electric Forest, is how guests like to give each other little trinkets or gifts to other festival goers. While this is not required, it is a fun little memento that you can take home. Think kandi jewelry, little bracelets made of yarn, animal figures, really anything that you can just give away to a stranger when you feel like it!

6. Macy’s gift card

Level up your festival gear at Macy’s

Text a Macy’s gift card

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In addition to whole costumes and wonderfully colorful makeup, lots of people who attend Electric Forest wear some creative outfits each day. Not only do you want to ensure you’re comfortable in the warm weather, but you have to plan for potential rain, or it may be very dusty. Really anything goes when it comes to festival attire, but it seems the more colorful and eccentric, the better. If you’re looking for some ways to spruce up your wardrobe, or pick up a couple last minute basics, then a gift card to Macy’s is a fantastic idea. Here you’ll find everything from tanks and tees to wear during the day, to comfortable athletic shoes, as well as plenty of easy to dry light pants and shorts.

Festival goers like to change their outfits each day, and while one day might find you in loose pants and a tank top with a hat, another day you may be in a bathing suit with a mesh coverup and sandals. And don’t forget to pick up sleeping and lounging attire for while you're hanging out at the campsite!

Text a Macy’s gift card

7. Set of headphones and ear plugs

Both of types of ear equipment are a great way to ensure you’re comfortable at Electric Forest

A set of headphones is a great way to ensure you can wind down and tune out for a good night’s sleep after a long day at the festival. Whether they’re ear buds, or noise cancelling, having headphones can help you fall asleep on an air mattress a little easier. Alternatively, ear plugs are a great way to relax and block out some of the noises late into the night, especially if you’re a light sleeper. Noise reducing ear plugs are also helpful at loud festivals, when the music just seems to be a little overwhelming. Pop these ear buds in and you can still hear what’s going on around you, just at a much safer (and more comfortable) level. 

Which gift ideas for Electric Forest will you give this year?

Electric Forest is a popular festival because it not only offers some amazing musical artists, but it’s a free-spirited place where people feel welcome. In order to have the best experience, it’s essential to bring along a few items to ensure a fantastic time, like one or more of the items on this list! Which one will you pick up as a gift idea for a raver in your life?