Every boater loves gadgets and tech gifts, and fortunately, it is easy to find gifts in this category that fit every budget. From magnetic flashlights that never need batteries and protect the environment to high end EPIRBs, boating gadgets are sure to please the boater in your life.

Boating Gadgets Gift Ideas

Tis' the season to give great boating gifts to the boater in your life! Stumped for ideas? No worries. This holiday season I will be blogging frequently with plenty of great gift giving ideas, best places to find great boating gifts and even last minute gift items that are easy to find, and easy on the budget. You can add to the holiday cheer by sharing your own gift ideas that you have given or received by leaving a comment on the blogs or in the Readers Response area of each article.

To get you started, here is a sneak preview of holiday gift giving guides sure to please every boater and every wallet:

Boating Gift Ideas

More than a boat show, the St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show is a boat show, boating seminar and boating festival all wrapped into one neat package. Enjoy the beautiful St. Petersburg, FL waterfront Dec. 3 - 6 and give your children an opportunity to learn how to fish, take in a boating clinic on a variety of topics and enjoy a little holiday shopping all in the same day.

Kids will experience the joy of fishing, while adult guests will have the opportunity to learn or brush up on a variety of skills at the upcoming St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show at The Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater & Albert Whitted Park from Dec. 3-6 in downtown St. Pete.

Capt. Don Dingman's free 'Hook the Future' Kids Fishing Clinics is open to children from 4-16 years. Young anglers who participate in the weekend clinics enjoy free admission with a paid parent or guardian. The Kids Fishing Clinics will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, at noon and 2 p.m., with registration starting each day at 10 a.m. on site. After completing all of the learning stations at the fishing clinic, every kid will take home a free rod and reel, while supplies last.

Check out sales on more than 400 new and used powerboats and sailboats displayed on land and in a waterfront marina setting. Show-goers also will enjoy two large air-conditioned tents filled with the latest in marine gear, equipment, and accessories -- perfect for holiday shopping. In addition, a variety of entertaining boating and sailing seminars provide the chance to expand their knowledge of life at sea.

After perusing the web for Thanksgiving boating topics, I was charmed to find many blogs written by every day boaters sharing their warm stories of boating on Thanksgiving Day. Some stayed in the marina and enjoyed a feast with members of the yacht club, others met fellow cruisers in secluded bays and shared a potluck style dinner aboard their boats. What about you ... will boating be a part of your Thanksgiving celebration? How do you intend to spend the day?

Here are a few ideas to bring boating to your holiday celebration (weather permitting of course):

1. Invite a few friends and family members and have a simple dinner aboard your boat.

2. Plan a potluck dinner for friends and other marina patrons.

3. Cruise to a favorite location and set up a picnic Thanksgiving dinner.

4. If you live in a cold climate and boating is impossible, bring the nautical into your home via decorations, pictures of your boating adventures and maybe a change from traditional cuisine to a coastal menu of fish or seafood.

Whatever you do, this Thanksgiving be thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and the simple pleasures that boating brings.

More ideas? Share them below in a comment.