What do you get for the person who loves to travel? Or what do you put on your holiday wish list this year as an avid traveler yourself? We know all travelers are looking to travel more efficiently and improve the quality of their journey. But where do you go from there? It can be difficult to decide on gifts when each person’s travel style is different and the ‘top travel gifts’ lists are ever-changing. No need to stress — we have come up with the perfect guide! Not just a list of the newest gadgets and gear, but a strategic list, built around a mindset. With questions to ask yourself that will ensure you pick out the perfect travel gift every time! Find below the travel style that best describes your recipient, and start confidently gifting:
The 2021-2022 Traveler
The pandemic has certainly changed how we travel. With new restrictions and requirements, there are a few things that every 2021/22 traveler will need for at least the next year.
Gift Ideas
Reusable Facemask: Facemasks on planes and in airports probably aren’t going anywhere. Every traveler will need at least one if not more for their journeys. Have a look at the expert-recommended face masks to give the gift of breathing easy and comfortably.
Facemask case: Even if travelers choose disposable masks, chances are they’ll need to carry a few spares around. Rather than shove them in your dirty bag or pocket why not put them in a sterile, clean case?
Travel Wallet: Passport, tickets, money, negative covid test, and a vaccine card! Travelers are carrying a lot of really important documentation these days! A cute travel wallet is a perfect way to keep everything in one place and avoid anything being lost.
For the Travel Photographer
You may have noticed some of your friends come back from their trips with amazing photos. They are more ‘show’ than ‘tell’ travelers who are always excited to show off their artistic travel photos!
Ask Yourself: How can I help optimize their photos/ improve visual aspects of their trip?
[Photo Credit: Kaitlyn King via Shared Adventures]
Gift Ideas
Waterproof action cameras, like a Gopro– adventurers and beachgoers will love being able to take amazing photos from the water.
Xenvo Smartphone Lens Kit– perfect for those trips where they don’t want to cart a heavy DSLR around all day. These lenses work with most phones and include wide-angle, zoom, and macro lenses.
Extra SD cards or a USB bracelet – help them store those extra photos!
Travel photobook– perfect for displaying their beautiful works and showing off their travels.
Tile Mate– a small square that can go right in their camera bag. Nothing is worse than having expensive equipment lost or stolen! Tile mate can help them track their gear
Travel tripod– lightweight, easy to carry around, and attach to various spaces this is the perfect addition to a photographer’s gear bag
The Social Media Guru/ Remote Worker
Especially with Covid, more and more people are remote-working while they travel, whether they’re on social media with a huge following or need to work on their laptop and join a zoom meeting or two. Side note: the Social Media Guru would probably also enjoy any of the above Photographer suggestions
Ask Yourself: What will help them stay connected? What will help them look their best while traveling?
[Photo Credit: Damir Spanic via Unsplash]
Gift Ideas
Charging station/ power bank– perfect for those on-the-go moments without an outlet in sight
Mini makeup remover reusable cloths– reduce waste, save space and money with these reusable cloths.
Wifi signal booster– this will help them stay connected even in remote locations.
Portable jewelry box– help them keep track of earrings, necklaces, and rings.
Cable tidy travel bag– anyone with all the electronics necessary to run a business is going to have a lot of cables. Help them organize!
Waterproof phone case– nothing is worse than having your connection to the world fall into the Trevi Fountain without protection. A waterproof phone case is a traveler’s best friend
The Over-Packer
We all have that traveler in our life who packs 3 big suitcases for a weekend getaway. No matter how they try, they will pack much more than necessary “just in case”. The key here: don’t fight it. Don’t try to turn them into something they’re not, instead, find gifts to help them!
Ask Yourself: How can I help them save space and/or stay organized? The best gifts for our over-packers are things that will help them take more things in smaller spaces.
[Photo Credit: Sarah Brown via Unsplash]
Gift Ideas
Packing Cubes/ Vacuum cubes– these space savers will make a huge difference in their suitcases and their organization skills!
Travel-size items: Their favorite creams, a travel yoga mat, or a pocket picnic/beach blanket! Anything that can be a smaller version of what they want to pack
Multi-bag Mover – If they’re going to bring too many bags, we might as well make it easier to travel!
Foldable bags– For those times their bag is overweight, they bought too many souvenirs or maybe to use as a beach, picnic, or laundry bag! Something that has multiple uses is great for over-packers
Travel umbrella – small and sturdy: this is the perfect “just in case it rains” item
Outdoor Adventurer/ Sustainable Traveler
These are the travelers who love to get out into nature– everything from backpacking to glamping, They typically have a focus on reducing their waste. Even if they’re not heading into the great outdoors, many travelers in 2021/22 are considering their impact on the planet.
Ask Yourself: What will help them reduce & reuse?
[Photo Credit: Bob via Shared Adventures – read about his adventure in glamping here!]
Gift Ideas
Reusable water bottle with filter – getting a water bottle with a built-in filter means they will always stay hydrated.
Infinity scarf with pocket– for the traveler that doesn’t want to add weight and bulk with a purse or extra bag- these scarves are perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures.
Zero waste starter kit– you can find a variety of these around- they come with everything you need to start traveling zero waste
Reusable tea/ coffee filter– if your traveler loves their tea or coffee every morning this is a must.
Guppyfriend washing bag – a great way to wash your clothes without polluting microplastics.
Collapsible Tupperware– easy to pack and easy to bring your own snacks along for the trip.
Long Distance Traveler
Do you have a friend who is always going to far-flung places? Their next vacation always seems to be at least a 10hr plane ride away, with multiple stops? While their exotic destinations are always amazing, remember they’re going to spend a long time on a plane and in an airport to get there.
Ask Yourself: What will make their journey more comfortable?
[Photo Credit: Annie via Shared Adventures- read about her Tahitian adventure here!]
Gift Ideas
Travel Pillow – the key to starting your vacation well-rested! Pair it with an eye mask and earbuds for a cute gift basket
Noise-canceling headphones– just like a travel pillow this is the gift of rest.
Universal travel adaptor– they are going to be in a foreign airport with multiple devices to charge. Give them the gift of a full battery in any country
Compression socks – get fun and funky patterns, these are great small gifts or stocking stuffers!
Travel essentials pouch– an airplane essentials kit will help them survive a long flight – getting them a small pouch with many pockets for maximum organization.
A Year Vip Airport Lounge Pass– if your traveler is always on the move, consider getting them a little luxury wherever they go. – Just check they don’t already have access first!
Acquaintance
Maybe you’re involved in an office Secret Santa, or you’ve just made a new friend and don’t really know them well, or your mom says you need to get your second cousin a birthday present. The one thing you know about this person is that they travel.
Ask Yourself: What’s something all travelers have in common? Look for things that aren’t specific to one type of travel.
[Photo Credit: Arthur Edelmans via Unsplash]
Gift Ideas
Luggage Tags or Luggage strap– everyone, even a backpacker, has luggage. Cute luggage tags can even be personalized.
Luggage Scale– that luggage invariably needs to be weighed.
Where to Go When – Book– This Lonely Planet book will inspire their travel in every season
Map Themed– mugs, posters, coasters, the pinboard maps, jewelry — the possibilities are endless
Bucket List Adventures Travel Book – a perfect book to inspire their next adventure
Gift card –Whether for an airline or a tour group site like Viator or GetYourGuide –- it’s something every traveler can use!
Going Now
Does your traveler have a trip coming up imminently? This is the easiest one! Get them something themed towards that trip. It will help them get excited about their upcoming adventure and have the added benefit of being immediately useful!
Ask Yourself: Where are they going?
[Photo Credit: Annie via Shared Adventures – read our long flights’ refresher guide here! ]
Gift Ideas
Currency – instead of a gift card, go to your bank and exchange some money into the destination currency! They’ll be so grateful to not have to worry about it themselves.
Guide book – Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and a million others- help them learn about their destination!
Phrasebook– if they’re going somewhere that speaks a different language, give them the gift of connection
Clothing item related to their adventure: If they’re going to the beach then pick out some cute sunglasses or a beach towel, if they’re going on a ski adventure get them a puffy vest or a warm scarf!
