Holiday Gift Guide for your Wanderlust Struck Friends & Family
This year our Christmas is going to be different. We will form new traditions and learn how to celebrate with our friends and families from afar. Travel is also different right now and because we are unsure of the stability of some of our suppliers I have put together a list of easy inexpensive gifts that would be perfect for the traveller in your life.
#1. Essential Oils
Sage has two awesome products that I recommend for anyone travelling. Essential oils have calming and healing properties (in my opinion) that I find work well. I do not like taking medication unless necessary so a natural pick me up or headache relief is perfect.
*Sage
Peppermint Halo - Headache 10ml remedy roll-on
Arrive Revived - Jet lag & travel 10ml remedy roll-on
#2. Sleep Mask
Having a sleep mask has been a lifesaver for me during travel on multiple occasions. The perfect sleep mask has a few components. Straps that are adjustable, comfortable material and total black out.
*Bedtime bliss
Bedtime bliss countered sleeping mask
#3. Microfibre towel
I believe that everyone who travels needs one of these! Depending on your journey you may not need it especially if you are staying somewhere like an all inclusive. However, I have found this so useful when I didn’t always have access to a shower or beach towel. They are so compact and absorb water surprisingly well.
*Mountain Warehouse
#4. Rucksack Covers
For travellers who do not have a waterproof backpack this works great to keep all of your belongings dry. I am always paranoid that I will be out enjoying the world and will get stuck in a rainstorm unprepared and my passport and electronics will be ruined (this happened to me in Nashville one time and I was PANICKED!).
*MEC
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5046-103/Pack-Rain-Cover
#5. Passport Holder / Travel Wallet
I love having a secure spot to keep my passports and any travel documentation I need. I have both a small passport holder which I keep inside of my travel wallet. It depends on what you think your traveller would like best! Love and Lore have super cute holders and wallets that have a small gold plane on them and are made of vegan leather!
*Love and Lore passport holder
Passport holder
#6. Travel Journal
I enjoy having a travel journal with me to write down all of the hidden gems I find, experiences that I have and anything else I feel like remembering.
*Indigo
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=travel%20journals#internal=1
#7. Small carryon
I like to pack light when I travel, I do not enjoy carrying around clunky suitcases or big bags. I found a convertible bag by Sakroots and love using it for my small carryon. The only thing that doesn’t fit when I zip up is my laptop but if your looking for a small bag to put your phone, tablet, headphones, gum, wallet, passport etc. in this is the perfect bag. It also can be used as a backpack and a crossover bag which is one of my favourite features. If you are looking for something bigger they also sell backpacks, duffle bags and suitcases. It is also waterproof!
*Sakroots
https://www.thesak.com/products/olympic-convertible-backpack?variant=23702353969210
#8. Reusable grocery bag
I like having a reusable grocery bag with me when I travel as I tend to buy a lot from the grocery stores and I want to make sure I don’t have to use a plastic bag. These net bags are super cute and easy to throw in your purse.
*A Greener Place
https://agreenerplace.ca/products/market-string-bag?_pos=2&_sid=dba580acf&_ss=r
#9. Scratch map of the world
This is a fun present to give to a traveller so they can scratch off all of the places they have been. I have one of these hanging in my office and have only scratched off the places I have been with my fiancé. It is a visual reminder of how much of the world we still have to explore together.
*Indigo - this is where I got mine but you can get these in so many places now!
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/scratch-map-original/5060146590310-item.html
#10. Yoga mat
If your traveller is a yogi, a great travel yoga mat would be a perfect gift! I would try to gauge how thin they like their mat however. I like a thicker mat but it is harder to tote around during travelling. Manduka is the leading travel yoga mat.
*Manduka eko lite yoga mat 4mm
#11. International Adapter
These will always come in handy for travellers to have. I love this one because it covers most countries and it is not as bulky and heavy as some of the other adapters available. I have been using this brand for years and I’ve never had to replace it.
*Ceptics International travel adapter plug
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00E0P2GLM?ascsubtag=AwEAAAAAAAAAAU_n&linkCode=gs2&tag=thewire0f-20
#12. Collapsible & reusable coffee/tea mug
*A Greener Place
I love having a reusable coffee mug when I travel because I loveeee my coffee and my tea but it is also nice to have if you are somewhere warm and want to keep your alcohol cool. Yeti is one of the best brands out there right now for this. You could pair this gift with your travellers favourite tea or coffee!
https://agreenerplace.ca/products/16oz-collapsible-cup?_pos=12&_sid=e2a8af7fd&_ss=r
#13. Noise cancelling headphones
Noise cancelling headphones can make a big difference when you are travelling especially on the plane. I have over the head ear phones and the one thing I find with them is they take up a lot of space. AKG N60NC Wireless headphones fold making them easier to store. I also love that they are wireless which is something I would love to have when travel starts up again.
*AKG N60NC wireless headphones
https://www.akg.com/Headphones/Wireless%20Headphones/N60NC+BT.html
#14. Life straw
Depending on where your traveler will be going a life straw could be a great gift. I really like the life straw because you are able to drink any water and it cuts down on so much plastic as you don’t have to constantly drink bottled water. I was looking into getting this before the pandemic hit and will be purchasing one when travel resumes. If you are purchasing this just make sure it is the real deal and not a knock off.
*Lifestraw - personal water filter
https://www.lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw
#15. A donation
Throughout the years I have seen making a donation becoming more and more mainstream. This is such a thoughtful and personal gift to give someone. My sister one year gave me the gift of a donation in my name to an animal welfare group that is very important to me.
*Donation to anything, travel related or not
I hope this helps with the madness that will be this year's Christmas shopping!