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The holiday season is officially upon us, which means you’re probably thinking about what to buy everyone on your list (or trying to decide what to put on your own list to give to grandma).
People tend to struggle with what to buy me, and I struggle to put together a list for reference, because how do you shop for someone that only wants airline miles and passport stamps when that’s quite a bit out of your budget?
Have no fear! I am here with the ultimate list of gifts for the traveler in your life. This list has travel items from the basic to the luxurious and to the perfect gift to the wanderluster that won’t be getting on a plane any time soon but still wants to dream.
Basic Travel Items Everyone Needs
(Click the picture to be brought directly to the item!)
- Passport Cover
- Dopp Kit
- Eyemask
- Neck pillow (for side sleepers like me, I recently switched to this “J Pillow” and I LOVE it!)
- Luggage Tags
- TSA-Approved Luggage Lock
- Compression Bags (these have been a lifesaver for both my overpacker of a husband and for my cold weather trips)
- Packing Cubes
- Wine Heroes (I know they seem like a waste, but these protect my bottles of wine or beer even when I have to check my pack!)
- Luggage Scale
- Universal Plug Adaptor
- Summer Fridays Jet Lag Face Mask
- Reusable TSA-Approved Liquid Containers
- Scratch Off World Map
Gifts for the Traveler that has Everything
(Click the picture to be brought directly to the item!)
- Priority Pass (this will get your traveler into airport lounges all over the world)
- Teppy (I personally hate figuring out SIM cards despite how “easy” they are. Once I discovered Teppy my life was changed forever! This little phone-sized device will give your traveler wifi all over the world! They can be rented or bought.)
- Cashmere Travel Set
- Carry On Cocktail Kit
- Portable Humidor
- Heated Eyemask
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Tile Pro (for tracking luggage)
Books for the Wanderlust-filled Bibliophile
(Click the picture to be brought directly to the item!)
- When Grief Gets a Passport by Jennifer Zollo
- What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman
- Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
- Ten Years a Nomad by Matthew Kepnes
- Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman
- Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way by Kamin Mohammadi
- The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
- The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
- Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
- In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Gifts for the Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Traveler
- Stream2Sea Gift Set (reef safe sunscreen)
- Patagonia Recycled Black Hole Bag
- Lifestraw/Water Filter
- Reusable Straw
- Reusable Water Bottle (I’m a fan of the collapsible one pictured above)
- Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
- Solar Portable Charger
- Reusable Silverware (minus the knife of course)
- Clothing made of recycled materials and organic cotton (I’m a big fan of prAna)
- Biodegradable Dog Bags (because we want our doggos to be looking out for the planet too)
Gifts for the Outdoorsy Traveler
- Patagonia Nano Puff (the jacket that got me through my trip to Iceland)
- Osprey Daylite Plus
- Nalgene Water Bottle
- Lifestraw
- Headlamp
- Bug and Tick Repellent Wipes (way more effective and better for the environment than regular sprays)
- Solar Powered Charger
- Quality Hiking Socks
- Dude Wipes (Mark got these in a sample box once and we have both been hooked ever since; it’s like a portable refreshing shower perfect for after long hikes or when you don’t feel like walking all the way to the campground showers)
- A compact and quick drying towel
Gifts When You Don’t Want to Give More Stuff
- Tinggly Gift Box – Tinggly provides experiences. Depending on the box you purchase, the gift recipient can choose from all different types of activities all around the world. Some of the boxes even cover hotel stays! You can have a physical gift box delivered (which is made of recycled materials and printed with eco-friendly ink) or you can do an e-voucher. The company has also made great strides to reduce its carbon footprint; they now offset carbon emissions by 200% and are also working to clear plastics from the rivers, oceans, and lakes of the world. So not only are you giving your wanderer an awesome gift, but you’re helping the planet too!
- REI Adventures – Incredible action-packed trips organized by REI!
- Priority Pass – This insane membership will get your traveler into airport lounges all over the world, making their time spent waiting around at airports significantly more enjoyable.
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