Typically, I’m not a big (tangible) gift person. I tend to be pretty minimalist with my possessions, and I’m really not a fan of having to buy stuff (or get stuff) just because it’s the holidays and gifts are expected. However, because Jonathan and I knew we wanted to take a RTW trip for some time, we were able to “wish list” many travel items to receive as gifts over the years, so it’s not all bad! For example, my travel backpack was a gift for my birthday; Jonathan received our portable battery for Christmas one year; and small items like SmartWool socks made great stocking stuffers.
That being said, my first tip for holiday shopping for travelers would be to just ask them what they want or need. Especially for backpackers and/or long-term travelers, we can’t really pack things we don’t absolutely want or need, so it’s best to ask. Check to see if they have a public wish list. Listen carefully for the few months leading up to the holidays or their birthday to see if they mention anything they could use for their travels. And if you don’t feel comfortable asking (or would rather surprise them), try one of these Tristao-approved items from our traveler gift guide:
Non-Tangible Items
An Experience
It’s a common mantra of minimalist travelers: “Collect moments, not things.” So give them a moment to remember! It could be a gift card redeemable for lodging, an experience or a favorite airline. If you don’t like giving gift cards, you could gift a voucher or tickets for a specific experience. If you know someone who loves to travel but doesn’t get many opportunities, be creative: A cooking class featuring another culture’s cuisine is a great gift for someone who would love to travel to India, for example, but hasn’t quite gotten there yet. Another great option is tickets to a local performance or sporting event (just make sure you check the recipient’s schedule first or gift a flexible option).
A Subscription
Crossword-lovers (and/or news junkies) might appreciate a year’s digital subscription to The New York Times. Music-lovers will love a paid subscription to Spotify Premium. And unless the traveler in your life already subscribes to Netflix and Hulu and HBO MAX and all those other streaming services I don’t even know about, a streaming service subscription may be appreciated. (Not all services are available in all countries without a VPN.) For sports fan, consider a service like ESPN+ or YouTube TV so they can keep up with their favorite teams even while traveling. (Check to see which sports and networks are included first.) And for those people in your life who would love to travel more, consider a fun subscription box service like a wine of the month or hot sauce of the month, preferably one that includes products from different cultures.
Sustainable Gifts
If you would rather gift a thing, make sure it’s a thing the recipient will actually use and that won’t create waste. Some of our favorite sustainable travel items include reusable sporks (to eliminate the need for single-use plastic utensils) and refillable travel-sized toiletry bottles (so you can refill from big containers rather than buying tiny plastic bottles all the time). To be even more eco-friendly, consider shampoo and conditioner bars to eliminate the need for a plastic bottle at all. And what about a water filter or reusable water bottle? We currently use and love our Klean Kanteens, but I hope to invest in a LifeStraw bottle eventually (a reusable water bottle that filters water itself!).
Stocking Stuffers
A Travel-Friendly Game
We first played Qwixx, a “fast family dice game,” while visiting my sister, and it was so fun and easy! It packs up quite small, and I bet it would be a great item to take on the road. In fact, we once saw a Danish couple playing it at their table at a restaurant in Porto. Other options for small games include LCR (requires at least three players) or a deck of cards (great for solo travelers, couples or larger groups).
Double USB Charger
Almost all our devices use USB chargers, so this double-USB wall plug has been a lifesaver. Travelers who spend a lot of time in Europe may prefer this wall plug with a European adapter.
High-Quality Unmentionables
I love my Ex Officio underwear and Jonathan swears by his Saxx. If you don’t feel comfortable buying underwear for all the travelers in your life, merino wool socks are a great gift! You can find merino wool socks in almost any style, from no-show socks for the fashionable traveler to hiking socks for the outdoorsy traveler.
Top-Dollar Gifts
Portable Battery Charger
We have a heavy-duty portable battery charger (similar here) because we travel with a laptop and sometimes do camping or other activities where we’re off the grid for several days at a time. Most travelers would probably get by with this smaller version, which is also significantly cheaper.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Jonathan has raved before about how much he loves his Bose noise-cancelling earbuds (which were also a gift! thanks, Mom). These are also available as over-ear headphones if you prefer.
Travel Backpack
The right travel backpack will depend on what type of travel the recipient does. There are plenty of great options available from different brands depending on your needs. For primarily urban travel, we use and recommend Tortuga Travel backpacks. My zippers on my Outbreaker backpack (the older Tortuga model) actually came apart during our RTW trip (I think they were defective from the beginning, so I should have exchanged it before we left), but when I contacted Tortuga they sent a new backpack within a day, free of charge. So plus one for the backpack itself, and plus two for great customer service!
Need more ideas? Check out Megan’s packing list, Jonathan’s packing list, and a mid-year recap of our favorite items we packed (a few of which are already mentioned above).
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Featured image: Vienna City Hall at Christmastime (photo from 2012, hence the low photo quality!)
Well done, you two!