Part III of this year’s gift guide is in just in time for Black Friday! So far we’ve covered men and book lovers, and this week we’re shopping for: adventurers, explorers, travelers, wanderlusters – you get the idea.
As a traveler myself, I have to admit that I’m constantly disappointed by gift guides for people who love to travel. They all seem to be lists full of practical items like packing cubes and adapters. While those are certainly helpful travel items, they don’t inspire excitement; they don’t light the wanderlust fire in my soul and get me excited about planning my next trip.
So I did a lot of thinking for this gift guide and have included only things that are on currently my own travel wish list (or wish-lists of years past) – things I would be thrilled to unwrap, not just glad to check off my list.
The best part of gift giving is seeing someone’s expression as they open their gift; hopefully they look delighted rather than simply pleased or content. So unless the recipient has specifically asked for a “regular” gift, go with one of these and they’ll be all smiles.
8 Gifts for Travelers (That They Actually Want)
1. City Guides
City guides are a fun gift to receive because they offer tons of travel ideas and tips, immediately lighting that inner traveler fire. They also generally suck to pick out in the store because there are so many to choose from, so getting them as a gift makes it a nicer experience. They’re easy to carry around and are nice to have on hand when electronics fail you.
Honestly most city guides look a little obnoxious and have tourist written all over them, so I suggest going with a Phaidon Wallpaper City Guide (usually about $10) or a Louis Vuitton City Guide ($37) if you’re feeling fancy. Both of these look fantastic on the outside and have some great tips on the inside making them ideal city guides and great gifts!
2. RPC Travel Calendar + Art Prints
Really you can’t go wrong with anything from Rifle Paper Co., but their World Traveler calendar and art prints are the best. I especially love the calendar because you essentially get 12 prints in one and get to use it year-round. They’re a fun way to look at stylized maps of different places and think about where you might want to go next (and make for a great + inexpensive gift!).
For art prints you can go with a stylized map (like the ones in the calendar) or a unique print for a certain place like New York in autumn, Rainbow Row in Charleston, or the Queen’s Guard in London. Lots of good options!
3. Travel Planner
I’m a very type A, loves to make lists kind of person so obviously I love planners, but travel planners are great for the organized and unorganized alike. When planning a trip there are so many loose strings to keep track of so it’s super helpful to have one specific spot to jot down everything.
I like this travel planner from Erin Condren specifically because it’s small (i.e. easy to carry around) and includes pages specifically for flight & lodging information, packing lists, reservations, etc. and has a little pocket in the back to hold loose papers. Plus it’s cute and only $12 – a win-win for all.
4. Language Calendar
This is the perfect gift for someone taking a trip to non-English speaking country. I have always struggled with learning languages so something fun like a daily language calendar is the perfect way to pick up a few words and phrases before traveling. You can find them in almost any language and they’re a fun, quick addition to any daily routine.
5. Phrase Books
Another great gift idea for someone going to a non-English speaking country. The trick with finding the right phrase book is finding one that isn’t 1,000 pages long – you want a phrase book, not a dictionary.
I particularly like the Penguin phrase book series because they’re easy to carry around, include a good set of introductory phrases, and have pretty covers. Right now I think they only make them in Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese but hopefully they’ll expand to more languages soon.
6. Scratch Off Map
Scratch off maps are great because they serve as wall décor and a way to show off your past adventures. Like checking something off your to-do list, scratching off a location feels like a small but exciting accomplishment. Plus they’re a fun, visual way to keep track of where you’ve been and see where you might want to go next.
I’ve seen a ton of different ones out there so there are lots of options. You can find ones with a map of the world or of just the U.S. depending on your travel goals.
7. Travel Subscription Box
Subscription boxes have become super popular so why not go with a travel themed one? Getting real mail is the best and is even better when there’s a box of goodies waiting for you.
I haven’t been able to try any of these myself yet but here are a few I think sound the best…
- Try the World: A subscription box filled with gourmet food from around the world.
- The Wordy Traveler: A quarterly subscription box that features books and extras inspired by different destinations.
- Wander Away: A travel themed subscription box with a different location theme every month, giving you a taste of cultures from around the world.
- GlobeIn Artisan Box: A box of curated artisan goods from around the world
8. Money
Giving money as a gift can sometimes feel lame or like the easy way out but let be honest, travel isn’t cheap. Especially for twenty-somethings still trying to figure life out (me), financing a trip can be a little overwhelming.
I think the best way to give money as a gift for travelers is to give them currency from the place they’re going. For example, if they’re going to London, give them £ instead of U.S. $ and if they’re going to an E.U. country give them €.
And it doesn’t have to be a lot! If you’re a twenty-something on a tighter budget, just giving €25 is a fun gesture and a great gift.
If you’re not sure how to acquire foreign currency, check with your bank. Most will have an option to order foreign currency on their website.
Good luck Black Friday shopping!
Aimee Lerman says
Do some Googling and learn about the Miroslav Sasek “This is…” travel books. At first glance they are children’s picture books but they are also mid-century marvels. Juniper Books offers a set of 10 but you can also find them at Barnes & Noble or go on the hunt for vintage originals.