Christmas Gift Ideas For the Traveler in Your Life

Or whatever you celebrate… don’t get your panties in a wad. So Happy ChrismaHanuKwanzika! If you’re anything like me, you were not out with the flocks of uncivilized psychos throwing elbows this morning for cheap crap on sale at department stores early this morning. And then I thought that maybe I’d share with you come Christmas gift ideas for the traveler. Rather than give you a list of no-brainers and shit your travel buddy probably already owns (backpacking packs, suitcase…) Here is a list of shit they may not have! Some of these are things I don’t even own, but I think they sound handy. So here ya go, my Christmas gift ideas for the traveler.

Maps Not Apps Travel Journal

I’d never even thought about keeping a journal with me on my travels until in the last year when I met people who would sit down everyday and just write down what happened and even how they felt. I am starting to forget and get places mixed up from my earlier travels, and this is the perfect way to keep track. A great journal to go with is Valerie and Valise’s Travel Journal that is a part of Valerie’s Maps Not Apps brand that focuses on mindful travel and on reconnecting with the world rather than being glued to an iPhone It’s a 200 page journal with travel quotes on each page.

And if you buy between now and November 30th it is on sale for $9.71 plus shipping and then beginning December 1 the price goes up to $14.95 plus shipping (after December 1, $2 from every purchase will be donated to World Vision). You can also join the beta e-mail list by clicking here.

What’s also cool about this is that you’re buying an item from a real human being, not a giant company. This human being is a fellow travel blogger, aaaaand one that I graduated highschool with and grew up in the same town as, and stumbled across each other sites in the last couple months. Crazy, huh?

Fuji Instax Camera

Anyone into photos will like this. I love instant cameras thanks to my friend Lex. The only downside is they’re clunky and you need film, but they’re so much fun. I have the Fuji Instax 210, however there are a few different models. I love my instant camera, and it could pair well with the about mentioned Maps not Apps Journal. Photograph your memories and include them in the journal!

RFID Blocking Wallets and Passport Covers

These handy things block assholes from scanning your wallet and getting card info. There’s anywhere from individual sleeves for cards, full on wallets and even passport holders with this tech in them. I actually have and use all three. PacSafe sells several RFID wallets that you can check out here, I’m a fan of PacSafe. But, many other companies make these items also.

iPad Mini with SD Card Jack

I know, I know, one more expensive piece of technology to have on you. I never even thought of iPads this way until I was on Africa and saw how some of the others I was traveling with used them. They’d use the SD card jack to load photos onto the iPad and then lock it up on our truck. That way if their camera and cards got stolen, it was backed up. Then they could easily load them and share them with family when we were somewhere with internet access.

LifeStraw

It looks like a straw, put it in water and suck. It cleans the water as you suck the water through it. They even make a Lifestraw Go, which is a water bottle with the straw in it, so just fill your bottle and drink through the mouthpiece. Handy if you’re visiting places that tap water is not safe to drink or for hikers/backpackers with access to rivers, lakes, and stream water.

External battery

Charge it before you head out and when the batteries run low on all your electronic goodies just plug them into it! Handy if you’re somewhere where you may go days without any electricity. I use the RavPower.

Quick dry/travel towel

Towels are bulky, these are not! And they dry quickly. Super handy when you’re cutting down weight in your pack.

Pac safe bags/backpacks

I love PacSafe, and they sells a number of different purses, messenger bags, day packs and of course more great stuff! Check out their products here.

Packing cube

Keeps you organized and your luggage from exploding. Just put your stuff in the cubes and load them into your luggage.

Shoe goo

Great to stuff in a stocking. This prevents you from things like being a ghetto ass, buying gum, chewing it and then using it to glue the soles of your sandals back together while walking the streets of Bangkok. True story.

Nap anywhere

An ergonomically designed pillow so you can nap…anywhere! Check out their site, and put in your order here!

Scarfbag

Has a zipper and then you can stuff money and shit inside, an inconspicuous purse.
You can take it to the next level and make one to give to your traveler friend. But if you’re not crafty you can purchase them from SHOLDIT.

Scrubba Washbag

A washing machine in a sack. Just put them dirty clothes in, add water and laundry soap and squish it around, rinse and you have clean clothes! Awesome. Read more about the Scrubba here.

Shower Organizer

Perfect for the organizationally challenged scatterbrain, that is frustrated with their lack of organization, but never actively does anything about it.

Me.

Roll it up and go. Unroll at you new shower hook to the curtain rod.

Travel adaptor

People of the world can’t agree on ANYTHING. What made you think they could agree on holes and voltage? Yes, you need an adaptor for many international travels. Read more about the sockets and plugs of the world here.

So there are a few of the items I came up with for gift ideas for your beloved traveler (or wishlist ideas for you travelers).

If you’d like to read more about what travel gear I use, visit my Travel Gear Advice post for more ideas.

• Christmas
• Gifts for travelers