Stumped on what to buy your travel-loving friend or relative for the holidays? Here’s an extensive list of practical, yet fun gift ideas for anyone with travel plans in the near or distant future. I promise the traveler in your life will be excited to receive a useful gift that aids them in their travel pursuits!
Clicking on the name of each item will open a link to where you can purchase the gift in a separate window. I did not include pictures of each item for copyright reasons.
JOURNALS/BOOKS:
This is a great way to save important ticket stubs as tangible memories of various trips!
2) Moleskine Volant Notebook Ruled Blue Extra Small (Set of 2)
These pocket-sized notebooks provide a fantastic way for a traveler to jot down their thoughts, save important addresses or phone numbers, and write down important translated words so they’ll always know how to ask where the bathroom is. They’re a perfect size and won’t weigh your traveler down. I never travel without these!
3) The Food Traveler’s Handbook
Perfect for your food-loving traveler! It discusses adventurous eating while traveling, safety precautions, and some interesting historical/cultural insights about food.
4) The Solo Traveler’s Handbook 2nd Edition
This book offers stories and tips on everything a solo traveler should know, whether they’re a seasoned traveler or about to embark on their first solo trip.
5) The Career Break Traveler’s Handbook
Get this for the traveler-at-heart who needs a little help planning their career break and the trip they’ve been dreaming about for years.
SAFETY & HEALTH:
6)Braza Bra Travel Pocket Pouch
This is one of my favorites and has been a total life saver for me!
Anti-theft bags do what they say: they’re designed to protect against theft and are a great way to help your traveler stay safe. There are purses, messenger bags, backpacks, and safety-minded accessories available.
THIS is the purse I use
These bottles are BPA-free, save money, and help keep travelers healthy by filtering tap water.
Most travelers have had at least one unfortunate instance of tummy troubles caused by local water/food. These tablets can be trip-savers since they absorb unwanted substances and toxins in the gut, but many people don’t even know about them!
MAPS:
This allows your travel-lover to easily keep track of all the countries they’ve traveled to.
Perfect for the young aspiring world-traveler!
STOCKING STUFFERS:
12) Universal Travel Charger Adapter
Allows a traveler to use most of their electronics anywhere in the world, regardless of the outlet type. (Note: a few older electronics will not be compatible, but it is suitable for the universal voltage of 100-240V AC)
13) Currency And Passport Organizer
This lets travelers keep track of multiple currencies, allowing their foreign transactions to be quick, effortless and safe.
14)World Time Travel Alarm Clock with Flashlight
Features a clock in 16 time zones, a thermometer, an alarm, and a flashlight all in one!
This is an inexpensive gift that is surprisingly useful for anyone, as it keeps cord tangling to a minimum every time the headphones are hastily tossed into a backpack or purse.
16) Mini LED Flashlight/Lantern (2-pack: $22.50)
A great flashlight that doubles as a stand-alone lantern…this is a must for all travelers!
17) Power Monkey Portable Charger
The power monkey will charge small portable electronics (cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, Kindles, etc.) multiple times and holds its charge for up to a year before needing to be recharged.
18) “Fiz, Let’s Go Places” iPhone App: (Free)
If you can, download this free app on your traveler’s iPhone! It has a compilation of exciting activities for locations all over the world, and should be available for Android phones soon.
OTHER FUN IDEAS:
19) Airline miles
Airline miles are a great way to actually give the gift of travel to your travel addict, but keep in mind you will have to know your traveler’s membership number for each airline. Here are a few of the common U.S. based companies:
- Delta: Both you and the recipient have to be Delta Skymiles members. It’s free to open an account; the cheapest option is 2,000 miles for $70.
- US Airways: Both you and the recipient have to be Dividend Miles members. It is free to open an account; the cheapest option is 1,000 miles + 1,000 bonus miles for $35.
- American Airlines: Both you and the recipient have to be AAdvantage members. It’s free to open an account; the cheapest option is 1,000 miles for $29.50.
**Note: If you’re purchasing miles with a specific destination in mind that your traveler is dreaming of, make sure the airline actually flies there. Regardless, your traveler should be excited to receive such a useful gift.**
20) House Sitting Membership
Imagine the rustic romance of a white stone house overlooking lush vineyards in Tuscany, Italy…or the modern excitement of a high rise apartment in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. Think vacationing in such exciting destinations around the world free of accommodation costs is impossible? Think again!
Buy your travel-addict a membership for a house sitting website, where they can peruse house-sitting opportunities all over the globe that last anywhere from a couple of days to several months.
One good site is www.trustedhousesitters.com, but there are many out there. Keep in mind that a lot of the house-sitting opportunities involve pet care, so your travel lover should be comfortable with animals.
Trusted House Sitters.com membership prices:
3 Months: $49
6 Months: $64
12 Months: $79
What other great gifts have you thought of for the traveler in your life? I’d love to hear more suggestions!
Disclosure: If you purchase a product via some of the links above, I will receive a few cents that I will put towards developing this blog further. It’s not much money but every bit helps! I also promise that this has not affected my recommendations as I genuinely love these products.
