Amanda’s 2024 Vacation Present Information for Vacationers and Journey Lovers
This is a enjoyable truth about me: I LOVE Christmas, and particularly love choosing out the right items for all of the individuals in my life. I store year-round for the individuals I like, and normally have a stash of “oh, this might be good for [insert family member name here]” items come Christmas time. (Inform me I am not alone right here?)
Should you’ve bought a choosy traveler or travel-lover in your life (or if you happen to’re like me and by no means appear to wish or need something particular across the holidays), this reward information might provide help to discover the right current.
This listing is stuffed with objects that I personally use and love, and that I believe different vacationers and travel-lovers will take pleasure in, too. Most of them are issues I’ve bought with my very own cash – no person has paid me to incorporate an merchandise right here, so you possibly can belief that the suggestions are actual!
And there are some non-material reward concepts, too, in case that is extra your velocity.
So, with out additional ado, I provide the 2024 version of Amanda’s Vacation Present Information for Vacationers (and Journey-Lovers)!
USEFUL TRAVEL GIFTS
Listed below are a few of my favourite issues which can be helpful each at house and on the highway:
1. Speakeasy hidden pocket journey scarf
It is true: I am a liiiiiittle bit obsessive about these hidden pocket infinity scarves from Speakeasy Journey Provide. Not solely do they arrive in smooth materials and cute patterns, however in addition they come full with a hidden zippered pocket that is the right measurement for a passport, bank card(s), and a few money.
These are good for journey days – simply put all the things vital in your scarf, put on it like regular, and skip the half the place you are worried about your necessities getting stolen in-transit.
And if you’re not touring? Properly, these scarves are nonetheless extremely cute and cozy! I’ve 4 or 5 in numerous patterns, and put on them from fall into early spring.
Buy a hidden pocket scarf here!
2. Convertible Pacsafe backpack
For the previous a number of years, I have been touring with this convertible backpack/purse from Pacsafe – and I by no means fail to get compliments on it from different vacationers! The bag is made with Pacsafe’s signature slash-proof materials, has lockable zippers to make it pretty theft-proof, and I like that it may well simply rework from this cute daypack to an over-the-shoulder purse.
I’ve an embarrassingly great amount of luggage in my closet, however this one has grow to be my go-to after I’m touring. (I additionally love this convertible cross-body purse of theirs.)
3. Packing cubes
No reward information or packing listing of mine can be full with out a point out of packing cubes. I exploit packing cubes to arrange no matter bag I’m touring with, be it a carry-on-sized backpack, or a bigger suitcase.
I normally use about 3 cubes: one for tops, one for bottoms, and one for miscellaneous issues like sweaters or clothes. This makes choosing out an outfit SO a lot simpler, because you don’t should dig by each article of clothes in your bag.
I additionally typically use my cubes to assist maintain my clear and soiled garments separate on a visit, they usually may even double as small laundry luggage in a pinch!
Buy packing cubes here! (I additionally actually love these double-sided compression packing cubes in case your finances is larger – I can pack for a complete week in only one!)
4. Personalised passport cowl
Somewhat private contact can go a good distance. And a simple reward to get a travel-lover that’s assured to be the suitable match is a customized passport cowl. These hand-made leather passport covers may be stamped with a journey quote, and your beloved’s identify or initials. They arrive in common or pockets variations, and may be paired with matching baggage tags.
This actually is not one thing each traveler would buy for themselves, however that is why it will make a terrific reward! (For the document, I like my very own passport holder; it holds my passport, vaccination playing cards, further passport photographs, and my journey insurance coverage data for each journey!)
Buy a leather passport holder here!
5. Belt bag / hip pack
The fanny pack/bum bag is again in type, people! (Besides now they’re being marketed as “belt luggage,” “hip packs,” and “sling luggage” to make them sound barely cooler. Regardless, I’ve gotta say that I am a fan!
The Lululemon Belt Bag could also be all the trend, however my favourite is definitely the Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Sling Pack, which is barely bigger and might match all the things I would like on journey days (telephone, pockets, energy financial institution, sun shades, hand sanitizer, possibly a granola bar, and so forth.).
It is bought all of Pacsafe’s security options like a lockable zipper and slashproof materials (and RFIDsafe™ blocking pockets, too), and you’ll put on it both as a hip/belt bag or as a sling pack. And it even is available in a number of good colours.
WEARABLES FOR TRAVEL OR HOME
Just a few issues I like packing after I journey – after which additionally love sporting at house!
1. Merino layers
Merino clothes has grow to be a journey packing important for each my husband Elliot and I within the final couple years. Merino is a light-weight sort of wool that is tremendous smooth, extraordinarily breathable, and proof against each wrinkles AND odors. That means it is good for journey!
Unbound Merino is a more moderen model within the merino journey clothes area. They make all of the fundamentals to make use of both as base layers, or simply common garments. Their merino is gentle and breathable, and has no logos or different markings on it. And these garments actually CAN be worn for days on finish without having washed!
I’ve just a few tops tops and a pair of girls’s leggings, and Elliot loves their t-shirts and henley-style tops. They promote reward bundles, too!
2. SUAVS footwear
I am at all times looking out for my subsequent good journey shoe. I’ve discovered flats that I like, and now have go-to strolling sandals. And now I FINALLY have a pair of sneakers that I am keen on. (A lot in order that I at present have 4 totally different pairs of SUAVS in my closet…)
SUAVS makes footwear that really feel and match extra like socks. My SUAVS shoes are smooth, breathable, and versatile. I can throw them within the washer in the event that they get soiled or smelly, they usually take up principally no room in a suitcase.
I additionally love that the corporate relies within the US and run by girls, which is an added bonus in my ebook! (In addition they supply these identical footwear in men’s sizes – my husband has two pairs of his personal!)
SUAVS normally runs a Black Friday sale, however I even have a reduction you need to use year-round! Use code DB15 to save lots of 15% off.
3. Cozy slipper socks
I am an enormous fan of cozy socks and slippers – and never simply at house! I typically pack slipper socks after I journey, too. They’re nice on planes and in resort rooms (I am not the one one who hates strolling on resort carpet barefoot, am I?), and customarily do not take up a complete lot of area in a suitcase or carry-on.
I like my slipper socks to have a semi-solid backside, and found these knit slipper socks from Azerbaijani Socks and fell in love! They’re referred to as jorab, and have been part of Azerbaijani tradition for hundreds of years. These are knitted with Azerbaijani patterns by girls in rural Azerbaijan, which means your buy helps maintain a novel custom alive.
They’ve all kinds of patterns and types to select from (I’ve the yellow ones pictured above!); test them out on Etsy here, or visit their website.
4. Coordinates bracelet or rings
Jewellery is at all times a terrific reward concept, and why not make it customized? You possibly can order a fairly bracelet or set of rings with customized map coordinates on them; good for a travel-lover, or anybody who has moved round loads.
I’ve a set of coordinate rings with the coordinates of the place I grew up, and of Wellington, New Zealand, the place I lived for some time throughout school. They’re nice for stacking!
Listed below are some Etsy listings that I like:
GIFTS FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS TRAVELER
On the lookout for methods to make use of much less plastic at house AND whilst you journey? Listed below are my favourite eco-friendly objects that additionally make nice items.
1. Camelbak MultiBev bottle
I am an enormous fan of CamelBak, and personal a number of totally different types of their water bottles that I exploit for all the things from touring to understanding. They launched a brand new bottle final 12 months that I actually bought as a Christmas reward: the MultiBev, which might function each a to-go espresso cup AND a water bottle.
This insulated bottle/mug combo is available in two totally different sizes and some totally different shade combos. This may make a terrific reward this 12 months, too. (Mine traveled with me on just a few totally different journeys within the final 12 months!)
2. Reusable straws
Whereas many eating places all over the world are switching over to biodegradable straw choices, you continue to discover a LOT of plastic straws on the market. I discover plastic straws to be one of the vital pointless sorts of single-use plastic, just because there are many higher choices on the market!
I’ve a pleasant set of reusable stainless steel straws, and normally tuck at the very least one into my bag earlier than a visit (together with my fork-spoon-knife combo).
However this fold-up drinking straw would make an excellent higher reward! It comes with just a little carrying case and a brush for cleansing. Nice for a stocking stuffer.
3. Strong shampoo/conditioner
For numerous causes (together with desirous to waste much less plastic and maintain my baggage lighter), I’ve began touring with solid shampoo and conditioner on a few of my longer journeys. Shampoo/conditioner bars take up far much less area in a suitcase, and are not topic to the liquid guidelines that common bottles of the stuff are.
Those made by Ethique are my present favorites and get the job carried out – I like this shampoo bar and this solid conditioner. In addition they promote sampler packs of shampoo, conditioner, and physique soaps like this one that might make nice items!
4. Cleaning soap bar bag
This one would possibly initially appear a bit odd, however as somebody who now normally travels with at the very least 2-3 bars of stuff (cleaning soap, shampoo, and conditioner), I can not precisely describe how excited I used to be to find these soap bags at REI!
They’re simply tiny dry luggage the scale of bars of cleaning soap. That means you need to use one or two of those as an alternative of these cumbersome plastic cleaning soap containers, thus saving room in your journey toiletry bag. And the good half is that the fabric permits bars of cleaning soap to dry contained in the bag, however the exterior stays dry! Genius.
(And these are issues that that outdoorsy somebody in your life won’t choose to purchase for themselves, making it a terrific reward or stocking stuffer!)
TRAVEL TECH YOU CAN AFFORD
1. Kindle Paperwhite
I do not go ANYwhere with out my Kindle today. And the Kindle Paperwhite, for my part, is the easiest Kindle on the market. It has a built-in backlight good for studying on planes, will not damage your eyes with display screen glare, and has a battery that lasts for weeks. The most recent model of the Paperwhite is waterproof, too, making studying on the seaside, by the pool, or in a flowery resort tub even higher.
And naturally my Kindle will get a variety of use at house, too! I learn most nights earlier than mattress, and have breezed by dozens of books on this factor.
2. AirFly Professional
I found this useful little gadget final 12 months, and it is now a must-pack for me! The AirFly Pro principally lets you use your wi-fi headphones/earbuds with airplane TVs! (There are different makes use of for this, too, as all it does is change a wired headphone connection to a wi-fi one, however for vacationers it is most helpful to make use of with seatback leisure.)
You merely plug this into a daily headphone jack, flip it on, after which join your bluetooth headphones to it such as you would every other wi-fi bluetooth machine. I’ve used this on a number of flights, and my seatmates at all times ask me about it! It might make a improbable reward for anybody who travels loads.
3. AirTags / Tiles
Talking of frequent fliers… the baggage woes of latest summer time journey satisfied lots of people to journey carry-on solely, and to put monitoring units like Apple AirTags of their luggage in the event that they needed to test them. Placing an AirTag in your baggage will not forestall it from getting misplaced, in fact; but when it DOES get left behind someplace, at the very least you may know the place.
You should utilize Apple AirTags to trace issues aside from baggage, too (I’ve pals who put them on automotive keys, in studying glasses instances, and even on pet collars), however I purchased some myself this 12 months to place in my luggage.
Should you already use Apple merchandise, it is simple to arrange your AirTags and join them to your Discover My app in your iPhone. Should you’re an Android consumer, although, there are related non-Apple merchandise on the market that work the identical means, like those made by Tile.
Buy Apple AirTags here and Tiles here.
4. Anker energy financial institution
Whereas batteries are lasting longer today, I nonetheless discover that my telephone typically runs out of juice after a protracted journey day of utilizing maps and posting to Instagram Tales (and, okay, scrolling a variety of TikTok). For that reason, I at all times journey with a small energy financial institution for backup battery energy.
I just like the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000mAh as a result of it is pretty small (which means straightforward to throw into my purse or day pack), however mighty – it would cost my telephone just a few instances earlier than needing to be charged itself.
This has saved me on a couple of event, like that one time I used to be in Istanbul attempting to ensure my dad and I may discover our means again to our resort, and my telephone inconveniently determined to die after we had been nonetheless a couple of 20-minute stroll away. Fortunately I had my energy financial institution and charging twine in my bag, and easily plugged in and saved strolling.
5. World journey adapter
Whereas touring with a voltage adapter is not crucial for most individuals today (except you might have a hair dryer or curling iron that is not dual-voltage), you DO nonetheless have to journey with outlet adapters if you happen to’re touring internationally.
This world travel adapter is without doubt one of the cooler ones I’ve seen, because it doubles as a surge protector AND has built-in USB ports. Should you’re from the US and know you may have to cost a number of units every evening, this adapter can be tremendous useful.
(Should you’re from someplace exterior the US or choose your adapters to be all-in-one, I additionally nonetheless love my SKROSS adapter that I’ve had for years.)
6. Reliefband
I used to be skeptical about this machine till I bought one to attempt myself. Reliefband is worn type of like a watch, and makes use of electrical indicators in your wrist to assist do away with nausea – together with the type attributable to movement illness (or simply good quaint anxiousness).
That is the type of wearable gadget that makes a terrific reward, particularly for anybody who suffers from seasickness or journey illness. I have been attempting it out for a pair months now, and it actually does appear to assist! (Although, I admittedly nonetheless do journey with Dramamine, too, simply in case.)
7. Rechargeable hand heaters
You probably have somebody in your life like me who likes to journey to chilly locations just like the Arctic, or somebody who likes to plan ski journeys, or simply somebody who at all times has very chilly palms, then these rechargeable hand warmers may be the right reward!
I’ve purchased these as items myself this 12 months, they usually’re tremendous helpful and sensible. They warmth up and final for hours – good for a soccer recreation, a day on the slopes, or possibly even a visit to Antarctica.
TRAVEL-INSPIRED GIFTS FOR THE HOME
1. Customized map items
Once I purchase items, I attempt to make them personalised after I can. It simply provides that particular further contact. And a very enjoyable choice for a travel-lover is a customized map!
I like these personalized map prints, which might be nice to commemorate a particular massive journey. (A good friend of mine bought one made after a honeymoon highway journey, for instance.)
I additionally love this shop for beautiful watercolor maps of various US states and areas – I’d want to purchase the Nice Lakes one for myself!
2. Meals maps
Talking of maps, my good friend Jodi from Authorized Nomads affords these beautiful food maps (and different merchandise) specializing in well-known dishes from all over the world. She has maps representing greater than half a dozen nations all all over the world, with each that includes all probably the most well-known conventional dishes from that nation.
I’ve given these posters as items myself earlier than, and everybody at all times loves them!
3. Scratch-off map
I like discovering inventive methods to deliver my travels into my on a regular basis life – and that features in my house adorning! I like these scratch-off travel maps not solely as a result of it is enjoyable to disclose all of the locations you’ve got been, but additionally as a result of they make for a terrific dialog piece up on the wall!
I particularly like this one from Landmass Items as a result of it consists of all of the flags of the world so that you can scratch off, too.
4. Journey fund jar
On the lookout for one thing small however cute and really travel-centric? This “Adventure Fund” coin bank makes a terrific reward (and this larger version can also be cool!). Elliot and I’ve had a coin jar on the desk in our entryway since we first moved in collectively, and you would be stunned how rapidly all that free change can add up!
Order an Adventure Fund jar here!
5. Customized View Grasp
This is an excellent distinctive strategy to show journey photographs: You possibly can gift a Viewmaster with a customized reel of memorable photographs (sure, a Viewmaster like those you used to play with as a child!).
I like this as a present concept, since it isn’t one thing an individual is probably going to purchase for themselves. Plus, the power to decide on which photographs go on the reel makes it a terrific personalised reward. I gave Elliot one in all these a number of years in the past for our anniversary, and he liked it!
Order your custom Viewmaster here.
6. Mini picture printer
Or, if you happen to’d reasonably have bodily copies of a few of your journey photographs (or any of the opposite photographs you’re taking in your telephone), a mini picture printer like this one from Canon or this one from Kodak would make a very cute reward.
Nearly all the things is digital today, however I dunno… I like having bodily photographs typically, too! And these mini picture printers print good-quality pictures in only a minute or two. A few of them even print on sticky-backed paper so you possibly can put your photographs in your planner, on a calendar, or wherever else.
Buy a mini photo printer here!
FOR THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST
1. GRAYL air purifier bottle
Have an outside journey fanatic in your life? Then a GRAYL Geopress would make a terrific reward. These water bottles are additionally purifiers, nice for backpacking and mountain climbing since they permit you safely drink water from any water supply, be it a stream or waterfall.
I’ve typically traveled with a bottle like this, which additionally works to make faucet water secure to drink all all over the world by filtering out viruses, micro organism, pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics.
They’ve an “ultralight” model of this bottle, too, however I choose the bigger Geopress one, because it’s simpler to make use of.
2. Mountaineering poles
Have you ever or your beloved picked up mountain climbing as a passion just lately? A lot of individuals have! In that case, a set of nice hiking poles can be a terrific reward for Christmas.
(And, earlier than you inform me that they are dorky, mountain climbing poles are an *wonderful* piece of drugs to personal. They may help enhance your stability, shield your knees, and even encourage you to choose up the tempo on a hike.)
I purchased my dad a pair of mountain climbing poles a pair years in the past for his lengthy walks along with his canine, and he is introduced them on all our journeys since! (And sure, you possibly can journey with these; purchase the collapsible kind, and pack them in your checked baggage – I used these ones to hike the Inca Path this 12 months!.)
3. Packable solar hat
Solar safety isn’t any joke, individuals. I have been on a quest for the previous couple of years to discover a packable solar hat that I like. And I’ve lastly discovered some! I actually love the hats made by the Wallaroo Hat Company, which aren’t solely cute solar hats, but additionally efficient – a lot of them have UPF safety constructed proper in.
I to this point have the Victoria Fedora, the Naples Fedora, and the wider-brimmed Montecito, and love all of them! The Victoria may be folded up and packed (although you may need to unfold it as a lot as you possibly can).
These hats aren’t low cost, however are good high quality and final a very long time – making them a terrific reward.
FOR THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN
On the lookout for one thing enjoyable to reward the game-loving traveler in your life? Listed below are some enjoyable and interactive reward concepts.
1. Journey Chaser card recreation
My pals Dalene and Pete from Hecktic Travels launched a journey card recreation referred to as Trip Chaser simply in time for the vacations this 12 months, and it is legit a enjoyable recreation! Principally you construct your financial institution and accumulate playing cards to be able to “journey” to unique locations all over the world, attempting to keep away from setbacks. The individual with probably the most journey factors on the finish of the sport wins.
This recreation can also be packaged actually properly in a small field, and the artwork on the playing cards is so fairly. You can even journey with it if you happen to needed to.
2. Lonely Planet On a regular basis Adventures
Lonely Planet is normally identified for its journey guidebooks, however just lately they launched a brand new “information” referred to as Everyday Adventures, which goals to present individuals new concepts of how to discover locations nearer to house. I am an enormous fan of hometown journey, and assume this might make a enjoyable reward.
3. Journey-themed board video games
In our home, we’re massive followers of board video games. (Any fellow Betrayal at House on the Hill followers on the market? It is a favourite of ours.) However do not assume that board video games solely imply Monopoly and Clue. There are SO many nice video games on the market.
For many who need to weave a little bit of journey into their board video games, test these out:
FOR THOSE WHO DON’T WANT “STUFF”
I personally take pleasure in shopping for individuals bodily items to open on Christmas Day, however it may be actually robust to search out issues which can be each considerate AND helpful. Generally, extra “stuff” simply is not the reply.
Should you’re in search of some non-material issues to purchase the traveler in your life this 12 months, right here just a few issues to contemplate:
1. Flytographer session
Whether or not you are touring solo, with a companion, or as a complete household, it may well typically be actually troublesome to get good photographs of your self. I typically journey with a tripod to get the pictures I would like, however others normally simply depend on the goodwill and pictures abilities of strangers – which everyone knows normally results in completely horrible photographs.
If you wish to ensure that your folks and family members get actually stunning trip pictures to take house, why not reward them with a Flytographer session?
The way in which Flytographer works is fairly easy: you select town, select a photographer, select the size of your session (60 minutes might be sufficient), after which ebook! And you then go have a enjoyable skilled picture shoot and get just a few dozen edited photographs to maintain.
Flytographer operates in additional than 300 cities all all over the world, and you’ll even purchase a present card that by no means expires – the right reward.
Elliot and I did a Flytographer session in Porto this 12 months for our anniversary, and I like the photographs we bought!
Learn more about Flytographer here!
2. GetYourGuide reward card
I have been reserving a variety of day journeys and excursions just lately by the GetYourGuide platform. I discover this reserving platform very easy to make use of (they also have a useful app to maintain observe of all of your tickets for you), and admire what number of consumer critiques there are to learn for many excursions.
GetYourGuide has hundreds of excursions and experiences to select from all all over the world, from cruises to day journeys to meals excursions. I’ve booked issues like an island tour of Aruba, wine tasting within the Douro Valley in Portugal, a day journey to Essaouira in Morocco, sightseeing in Istanbul, and extra by GetYourGuide.
You possibly can purchase a GetYourGuide gift card for any quantity and reward it to a good friend of liked one. Present playing cards are good for 18 months, and can be utilized to ebook any expertise or tour on the location.
3. Bookings for future journey
Journey demand is again all over the world, and meaning you undoubtedly have to plan forward in the case of future journey. The top of the 12 months is at all times a favourite time of mine to begin planning journeys for subsequent 12 months – and there are normally some gross sales, too!
Some firms providing nice gross sales proper now embrace:
- Intrepid Journey – My favourite tour firm is as soon as once more doing a Cyber Sale, offering up to 20% off excursions for 2025 (ebook by December 5). They’ve a versatile reserving coverage, and lots of of excursions to select from.
- G Adventures – Much like Intrepid, G Adventures (the corporate I simply did my Galapagos journey with) can also be doing a sale, with as much as 30% off excursions if you happen to ebook by December 3. Look for tours here.
- Reserving.com – The resort reserving website (that I personally use more often than not) is providing up to 35% off resort bookings. Many resorts on Reserving supply free cancelation, so it is a deal price making the most of if you happen to’re pondering of planning a visit quickly.
4. Plot of land in Scotland
Okay, this one could appear just a little bizarre or foolish, however that is what we purchased my in-laws two years in the past for Christmas they usually LOVED IT. They nonetheless discuss it weekly.
Highland Titles is an organization that sells memento plots of land in Scotland, together with a “title” like Laird, Lord or Woman of Glencoe. Should you order far sufficient prematurely, they will ship you a stunning reward bundle with certificates and playing cards with GPS coordinates denoting the place your land is.
As a result of sure, you are *truly* shopping for a tiny plot of land inside a chosen nature reserve in Scotland. You possibly can even go go to your plot in actual life, which I simply assume is pleasant.
This can be a actually enjoyable and personalised reward, and who is aware of, possibly it will immediate a visit to Scotland sometime, too!
(We purchased the “{couples} plot,” which is 2 1-square-foot plots subsequent to at least one one other. You should purchase wherever from 1 to 100 sq. ft. And no, this is not sponsored; I simply assume it is such a enjoyable reward concept.)
Learn more about Highland Titles here!
So there you might have it – one other 12 months, one other reward information!
Which of these things would you want Santa to deliver YOU this 12 months?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
