One memorable Christmas, when we were playing host to both families, the pile of gifts under the tree was staggering. There were bales and bundles of every size and description, some large, some small. Even more appeared magically in time for the Christmas morning gift opening.

My favorite was the mismatched pair of oars wrapped tightly so their shape was obvious to all. The oars were oddly paired - one very short, one very long - to fit their intended recipients, our newly engaged nephew and his bride-to-be, both avid campers. He was well over six feet tall, and she quite petite. The give-away wrapping was a humorous reminder of a Christmas past when our nephew had similarly wrapped up a hockey stick for his dad.

As it turned out, most of the bales and bundles turned out to be camping gear, and the favorite gift, a set of matching, folding camp chairs.

We all had a good laugh over the chairs as they, like the oars, were wildly different sizes - one quite large and one almost child-sized.

They were beautifully made though, and we all admired the rugged fabric and sturdy construction.

I have since managed to locate a similar pair for the backyard patio, and am very pleased with them.

We found a couple of Coleman chairs at our local big-box store at a very good price.

Unfortunately, they didn't have much selection so we were pleased they had exactly what we were looking for.

We particularly wanted chairs that had insulated cup holders - an absolute necessity for a good BBQ.

My son says the second "B" in BBQ stands for "beverages", and therefor it is a necessity to have a proper holder.

I was also very pleased to find a chair with an attached table, which makes outdoor entertaining even more of a breeze.

Having an attached table is so much easier than having to add extra side tables in a confined space.

Mesh fabric makes a great addition to any of these great chairs.

The mesh back invites any passing breeze to cool your back - so much cooler and more comfortable than the standard, nylon back.

For those who are into a little more relaxation in the back yard, here is just the ticket.

These cotton hammocks are sturdy and comfortable. If you have ever spent a lazy afternoon drifting back and forth in one of these beauties, you will know what I mean.

I recall we once talked my dad into setting up a hammock in my grandparent's back yard. We were threatened with our lives if we were too rough.

"It's not a swing, you're just supposed to rock gently," we were admonished. When my dad admonished, we listened.

The wretched thing only bucked us out a couple of times before we "cottoned on" to proper hammock mounting and dismounting procedures, but it certainly was our favorite place to "chill" for the remainder of our summer.

My son is not a small fellow. At six foot four, he tops the scales anywhere between 180 and 210, depending how close he is to hunting season.

When I was looking for folding chairs, I knew a small or light-framed chair would not suffice.

Any of these three chairs would fill the bill, as did the extra large chair I found.

Featuring a heavy-duty frame and double stitched seams to hold the sturdy nylon fabric securely, either one of the chairs will stand up to a lot of wear and tear.

I love this wooden Adirondack rocker. It would be a great addition to your outdoor patio, or for a weekend visit to the lake.

The chair cushions are available in a variety of colors, and add just the right touch of cozy comfort for those who require a little more padding.

The next four chairs are two folding loungers, an orbital lounger, and an unusual swing chair. Each could be the perfect featured addition to your backyard or lakeside comfort.

The hanging chair is easily installed and removed for storage. The orbital lounger has to be experienced to be believed. The folding loungers feature easy fold-up for convenient storage, and strong frames for long service. Comfort, style and sturdy construction will mean years of enjoyment for your family.

What better than custom covers to protect your yard furniture.

These sturdy, water resistant covers come in a variety of styles and sizes.

They are available in most standard sizes from single chair covers to styles that will fit a stack or completely cover your table, or your table and chair set.

This canopy chair is too cool and right up my alley. As one who burns at the drop of a hat, quite literally, I am always looking for a shady place to set up my chair.

Shade can be hard to find in mid-August, so this chair with its own canopy could be the answer to my search for shelter from the sun..

These last four chairs are all wooden chairs. There's nothing quite like a set of Adirondacks with a connecting table to grace your patio with a touch of style.Combined with the lovely green painted cedar chair, they will give years of pleasure.

The sling recliner begs to be set next to a pool for àprês-swim lounging, but the plain, light wood chair would be equally at home in beside the lake, the pool, or on the deck of your pleasure craft.

My vote is pool-side, but I wouldn't sneeze at the lakefront, either.