Post Dated: 20/12/20
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Here is our guide to the Best Traveller Gifts in 2020
It’s that time of year again when you wrack your brains trying to think of appropriate presents for loved ones….
Well fear not, I LOVE thinking of perfect presents to help you out! Everything on this list are gifts I’d LOVE or things that we actually use.
Here is a little list of suggestions (family, if you’re reading, I’d love any of these!).
Table of Contents
Best traveller gifts under £25
Travel slippers
Don’t let your feet get cold!
We always bring our travel slippers with us, it’s so nice to slip them on after a long day’s exploring. We also keep some plain ones at home when people come to visit.
You can get all types of soft ones that will slip into your luggage. And you can get all styles, from plain to the fun Baby Yoda footlets (loads more at Primark)!
Travel candle
When constantly moving to different locations, not only can the scent of home relax you but also get rid of any bad smells (such as smoke/paint/mustiness) in your hotel/airbnb room. I always travel with a little candle, soothing after a long day and a great save in a power cut!
Map of the world
I’m a bit obsessed with maps showing our travels and it’s a great gift for your traveller friends. People love to look at them and bonus, it gets you chatting about travelling! (oh is that Burma? I’ve always wanted to go!)
I’m a geek so I have the map on the right, which is a 1920’s map with shipping routes. Makes pinning locations tricky as you find borders and countries have changed!
Above is a fun map you can scratch off where you’ve been. Put it in a frame and done : )
Photo gifts
It’s always lovely to receive a personal gift, and you can share inspiring travel photos with friends and family using a photo printing outlet like Snapfish or Snappy Snaps.
I’m always getting calendars for the grandparents, photo books of our travels, and even mugs or prints on canvas for friends.
Travel jewellery
There are some lovely pieces out there from silver charms for bracelets to necklaces of the world. When we travelled the world I collected a silver charm from each place: a puffin for Iceland, music note for Memphis, llama for Peru….and I’m still collecting.
Travel jewellery is a lovely and inspiring reminder of travel!
Get these ones here: Happiness World Necklace and Thomas Sabo Passport
Travel journal
Wherever I go, I always keep a journal, whether its daily notes, bus tickets, or drawings it’s a wonderful way to look back on your travels.
Getting the journal is always an adventure for me, sometimes I purchase in advance and other times I find it in the country.
This journal makes a great present for the traveller for future trips as it has a ring binder that is perfect for ever-expanding adventures!
Travel masks (& earplugs)
A good travel mask can be a lifesaver! Whilst we love those big Insta style window hotels, sometimes you just want to sleep in.
Plus it helps to sleep on planes for those big journeys to Australia.
I love these ones they are large and silky.
Travel cup
Leave footprints and not waste….
Whilst everyone wants to pack light, we should also pack smart. Coffee cups create huge amounts of waste, so bring your own along (you can store your socks in it to fit more : )
I use my Keepcup daily. When I travel I take it with me to reduce unnecessary waste.
I’d love to try the Stojo collapsable cup (on the left), but I have three keep cups and Greg draws the line there!
Be kind to the world and bring your reusable cup.
Water bottle
We always travel with reusable water bottles; not only are you reducing waste but it helps keep you hydrated during the day. Take an empty one with you on the plane and they will fill it up rather than give you those tiny plastic cups.
This mint green Hip bottle is my daily bottle as it’s flat on both so it sits better in bags. For longer journeys I prefer, bigger beautiful bottles which don’t cost the earth like this one from the London Science Museum.
Get the Hip flask here and the Nebula Science Museum Bottle here.
Selfie stick
We have resisted so hard on this (we still don’t have one) but this year for Xmas I requested one from the family. Now as touch contact becomes a problem using a selfie stick seems to be a wise choice.
Plus we now have our Insta-influencer status to maintain! ha ha!
After a load of research this one comes up as top for battery life, tripod conversion, and remote button.
Donation / charity
How about a donation to a international charity like UNHCR, or to a local charity in a country they love?
I’ve always loved how World Vision gives you a card with the exact details of your donation for the friend. From a mosquito net at £8 for buying clean water £15, a kitchen garden kit £24 (pictured), or installing a toilet for £185.
Travel toiletry hang bag
These are incredibly useful and hang conveniently from any door handle, clothing rail, or towel hook. Many contain small mirrors and are large enough to house all your necessaries, but fold up super easily when it’s time to go. Plus when you find yourself in shared bathrooms, having everything in one bag saves so much time and effort (oh no! I forgot my shampoo my rooms down the hall!).
Great little gift and pretty cheap too.
Get yours here
British Museum gifts
If you’re in the UK, you can get some awesome travel-inspired gifts from the British Museum. Other museums around the world, like the Met or Louvre, also have brilliant online shops.
From Egyptian mummy chocolates and pencil cases, to Hokusai’s wave notebooks, a Rosetta Stone jigsaw, and replica Ancient Greek statues, I am always amazed at the plethora of goods you can find.
Gift vouchers
I’m a big fan of gift vouchers, allowing people to choose gifts they would actually use (esp if you don’t know them that well!).
The ones I tend to give (and like to receive) have a wide variety of things available, often ebooks and music, so it’s usually Amazon or iTunes.
*Remember if you’re buying for someone in another country, make sure the voucher works for their local store/region.
GorillaPod tried for camera/phone
Balance these on doors, wrap around trees, or perch over a cliff to get that great shot! It’s also perfect when you want yourself in the photo without the limitation of the usual selfie angle.
We used to have one but lost it somewhere along our adventures…..might be a good stocking filler this year..
(Don’t tell Greg)
Traveller gifts under £75
Kindle Paperwhite
No more packing 10 books in your backpack (I remember those days!). These e-readers range from £59 to £150 and are super lightweight with loads of battery life. You can store a lifetime of reading material for those long flights, plus, back or front lighting means you can read at night, on transport, or in a tent in the Amazon rainforest (like I did!).
Passport holder
Don’t underestimate the beauty of a lovely leather passport holder. I got this one as a present from my boss when I left to go on our world trip. It is beautiful, soft, and lovely to hold.
A lovely gift for the seasoned traveller who probably (like me) needs a new one!
Power bank – Anker
I did the Inca Trail with one of these that charges both the iPad and iPhone. It charged my devices for 4 days/nights with no problems, even had power left over!
Not all power is created equal so invest in a good brand. I’m always going for Anker as they are reliable and last longer than others I’ve used.
Digital photography book & course
Tony Northrup’s Stunning Digital Photography is Greg’s suggestion for budding photographers. A fantastic book introducing you to the skills you need to make the best of a digital camera. It includes a 20-hour video course and online community to share pics and get helpful advice.
Osprey Daylite backpack
In the words of Greg ‘There’s plenty of small backpacks out there, but most of them won’t have chest or waist straps, which can be super helpful when toting heavy loads for long distances.’
Good point Greg. A great day pack from our favourite brand.
Best traveller gifts £100 and above
My absolute favourite suitcase/backpack
I splashed out on this Osprey Sojourn 60 convertible rolling backpack for my world travels (18 months going from Summer to Winter). That was 6 years ago, and I’m not the greatest caretaker, but this has come with me on every trip that is more than 2 nights. No kidding. The ability to roll like a suitcase but strap up like a backpack on uneven ground or stairs makes it my luggage of choice for all terrains. Even when I’m on a 2 day trip I miss it!
It has loads of features, including being able to connect the Osprey Daylite daypack (see above) and is incredibly durable. I have banged the chassis numerous times and the wheels have NEVER broken, unlike many suitcases I’ve owned.
This is our little list for 2020. I do hope you get some inspiration for your family and friends who love to travel.
Let me know how you get on in the comments below, and if you have any other suggestions, please let us know.
Wishing you all Happy Holidays!
Love Jade & Greg xoxo
Why not grab a hot chocolate and read about our Japan Trip or our recent Cornwall Road trip!
