In past years, I’ve used my holiday gift guide as a way to give away some of my favorite products to my readers. But this year, I’m going to support my local writers and small business owners as well as organizations! As always, all are under $100, meaning there’s something to buy everyone on your list and within your budget. This guide includes affiliate links and images are courtesy of their respective owners.
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Books
Everyone loves a book, whether you’re actively planning a trip or looking for inspiration for your next one. These books are all personal favorites or those written by friends. I’ve also included my own book for some shameless self-promotion! I am a book fiend, so it’s no surprise that this section is the longest.
Ultimate Journeys for Two, Mike and Anne Howard
Whether you’re planning your honeymoon or just looking for a vacation with your boo, this book by my friends, also known as the bloggers behind Honeytrek, is sure to inspire you.
Their lives as long-term travelers have brought the knowledge found in this book, where they share stories from their favorite destinations, offer tips on how to balance relationships with travel, and interview fellow travel couples.
Buy Ultimate Journeys for Two on Amazon. $18
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, Matt Kepnes
Now in its THIRD edition, this book by “Nomadic Matt” Kepnes is as relevant now as ever. His book breaks down how to budget for your trip in nearly every corner of the world, whether that be by staying in shared accommodations like hostels or Couchsurfing, cooking your own meals using ingredients from markets and grocery stores, or taking longer forms of transportation to save on cash.
Buy How to Travel the World on $50 a Day on Amazon. $13
25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit, Jody Robbins
Since I visited Canada this year with my family, and a number of times before that, I can attest to the fact that it’s a great destination. Written for Canada’s 150th anniversary, travel expert Jody writes about the best places to bring the little ones and older children in every corner of the country. Her style has the conversational style of a friend providing you with travel advice, including the most enjoyable activities, sites, and attractions.
Buy 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit on Amazon. $15
Travel as a Political Act, Rick Steves
I first purchased this book in 2009 when I was just starting my eventual life of travel and I feel like it is more important than ever for travelers to see the impact of the places they do, and don’t, visit. Steves is our nation’s elder statesman when it comes to travel, visiting Europe especially, but also countless other destinations misunderstood by the average American.
Pick up the most recent edition, examining how the world has changed in the last few years. And if you’re looking for a more modern take on his Europe guides, check out his son’s book!
Buy Travel as a Political Act on Amazon. $14
Lagom: The Swedish Secret of Living Well, Lola Akinmade Akerstrom
Sure, you might have heard of “hygge,” but have you heard of the Swedish concept of “lagom”? In her own words, “Lagom sums up the Swedish psyche and is a way of living that promotes harmony. It celebrates fairness, moderation and being satisfied with what you’ve got.
It’s not about having too little or too much but about fully inviting contentment into our lives.” This book is like a lifestyle guide that will both inspire changes and perhaps even a trip to the source.
This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States, Caroline Eubanks
Yes, this is the book that I worked on for the last year! This guide covers ten states in the region I call home. You may think you know the South for its food, its people, its past, and its stories, but if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that the region tells far more than one tale.
It is ever-evolving, open to interpretation, steeped in history and tradition, yet defined differently based on who you ask. Inside, there are hundreds of color photographs with sections on unique and quirky accommodations, offbeat attractions along with well-known landmarks, and old school eateries that show you what the places are all about.
Buy This Is My South on Amazon. $20
The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World, Torre DeRoche
After falling head over heels with her first book, Love with a Chance of Drowning, I knew I had to immediately get her next one. I’d followed Torre’s blog for many years for her wit and this second book had the same self-deprecating style from the first.
After falling in love and sailing the world, her life took a turn with the death of her father and the end of her relationship. A chance encounter with a fellow traveler led her to start a year’s worth of pilgrimages in Italy and then India, with mixed results, to cope with her losses.
Buy The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World on Amazon. $10
How Not to Travel the World, Lauren Juliff
If you’ve followed her blog for any amount of time, you know just how accident prone Lauren of Never Ending Footsteps is. There’s even an entire section of her website called “The Incidents.” Her book puts them all in one place, along with a few tales her readers haven’t heard.
So how did such a person end up traveling full time across the world and falling in love with a handsome Kiwi? If Lauren can overcome her anxiety and other obstacles to become a full-time traveler, she shows that just about anyone can.
Buy How Not to Travel the World on Amazon. $13
Decor and Gear
Find something nice for your home to remind you of your favorite trip or pick up something you might need for your next adventure.
Food Map of Vietnam from Legal Nomads
In case you didn’t know, I’ve been a fan of Jodi’s website since there were actually two nomads and it operated on Blogger. Her travels, especially in Asia, inspired my own and allowed me to eat outside of my comfort zone. Vietnam turned out to be my favorite food city, so this food-related typographic map was my personal favorite.
She also has maps, t-shirts, and tote bags for Mexico, Thailand, Japan, Portugal, and Italy as well as cards for celiac travelers. It’s also important to purchase items from Jodi’s shop as she recovers from a spinal fluid leak.
Buy a food map of Vietnam on Legal Nomads. $18
cFold zippered collapsible tote from RuMe
I’ve gone through my fair share of reusable tote bags, especially because I am given them frequently at press events. But I’ve finally found the one. This collapsible tote from RuMe folds down into a small zippered pouch and when it opens, has a solid bottom.
It also zips at the top and has pockets, making it the perfect overnight bag. I’ve also brought it on trips to be an extra bag that I can check on the way home. The company also makes packing cubes and other tote bags.
Buy the cFold zippered tote on Amazon. $32
Globe print from Toothbrush Travels
The creative Amy at Toothbrush Travels also has her own shop, which sells creative prints, cards, and even sweatshirts. This globe print was my favorite, with bright colors. It’s printed on heavyweight A4 paper, ideal for framing.
Buy the Globe print on Toothbrush Travels. £5
Clothing
Show your love of travel even close to home with these travel-related clothing items. I’ve also included the pieces I typically wear on my trips.
T-shirts from Adventurous Merch
I’m sure you recognize the broads above, my friends Cailin and Kate. They’ve created their own line of merchandise, called Adventurous Merch, with clever travel-inspired shirts. Some of my favorites include the “travel essentials,” pictured above, the neighborhoods of New York, popular Southeast Asia destinations, and names for travelers.
Buy your own Adventurous Merch on Amazon. $23
Indispensable Maxi Dress from TravelSmith
The solid colored maxi dress is my go-to item of clothing for just about every trip because of its versatility to be dressed up or down, for warm and cold climates. The wicking fabric keeps you from sweating through the jersey material, which is both machine washable and made with UPF50+ sun protection. It’s a piece that doesn’t wrinkle, so it will still look good after you’ve slept in it on a plane all night.
Buy the Indispensable Maxi Dress on TravelSmith.com. $79
The Zilker Shoes from Suavs
When in Austin for TravelCon, I couldn’t stop admiring my friend Amanda‘s new shoes and had to add them to my Christmas list! The Austin-based company’s shoes are knitted to be breathable, sweat-wicking, washable, and flexible. They’re made sustainably, something important to me, and fold up small for packing.
Buy the Zilker shoes from the Suavs website. $95
Stocking Stuffers
Looking for a few more items to add to your gifts? I’ve got a few suggestions.
“Nice to Meet You” Bag from Grace & Stella
This company has become one of my favorites for some must-have self-care items, including the bath rocks and under eye masks. The intro bag has a little bit of everything in travel sizes so that you don’t have to commit to full sized items. You can also easily throw them into your suitcase to moisturize during a long haul flight.
Buy the Intro Bag on their website. $35
Buy the Anti-Wrinkle + Energizing Eye Masks on Amazon. $21
Reusable mug from Keep Cup
Long before all of the trendy coffee cups were sold in stores, I was traveling with my grubby REI mug on trips not just to save on paper and plastic waste, but so that I could enjoy my drink without being rushed. Reusable mugs are just one of many sustainable items that travelers can incorporate into their everyday lives, including metal straws and bamboo cutlery. This item is essential for any mindful traveler and an easy stocking stuffer.
Buy the Keep Cup on Amazon. $27
Merino Wool Knee High Socks from Bombas
Every traveler needs a good pair of socks to prevent blisters and to protect from the cold. Bombas is a company that supports local communities by donating a pair to a homeless shelter for every pair purchased. The performance footbed is made for movement to stay on your leg, preventing that annoying roll. Merino wool is considered to be among the best of materials for both warmth and wicking.
Buy the Merino Wool Knee High Socks from Bombas.com. $24
Organizations
The holidays are also a great time to support philanthropic organizations, where you can make a donation for your loved ones instead of buying more “stuff.”
I personally recommend donating to the Elephant Nature Park, a preserve in Northern Thailand that I spent a week volunteering with a few years back, and Wine to Water, an organization that digs wells and creates water filtration methods around the world, including a project I worked on in the Dominican Republic. Nomadic Matt’s organization, FLYTE, supports bringing school children who would not otherwise be able to travel on international trips.
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