How to Stuff Your Stockings With Travel This Season
I still can’t believe it, but Christmas is officially only a few weeks away. And although it is a time for family, food and hopefully snow, giving and receiving a meaningful gift is always a bonus. If you are still wondering what to get your world wandering friend, lover or family member, here are my Top Tips for filling a fabulous Christmas stocking with a travel gift.
In need of a few more ideas? Be sure to read our list of 10 Simple Gift Ideas for the Travel Lover in your Life.
Give the the gift of advanced selfies.
Yes, the advanced selfie is a real thing. Gone are the days of front cam selfies with pouted lips and Snapchat filters. Now it is all about landscapes, showing off nature’s scale and pretending you don’t know the camera is there. I get a lot of comments and questions on how I take my Instagram pictures and it all comes down to one thing: I never, ever leave the house without my tripod setup. Like, never ever. Mounting a camera or your phone on a steady tripod allows you to play around with longer exposures, get more artistic and set up and frame a scene exactly the way you want it. Pairing that with a self-timer or a wireless shutter release remote will allow you to move away from your camera and tripod, get into cool locations and positions and still control when and how many shots to take.
To help you capture that perfect shot for Instagram, your blog or travel photo album, get yourself a decent tripod. The AmazonBasics Lightweight Tripod is a great place to start. It comes with a travel bag and is light enough to carry around all day. Pair that with the PIXEL FSK 2.4GHz Wireless Shutter Remote Release Control and you are in business. The remote release control can be mounted to most DSLR cameras and it is my absolutely favorite camera accessory. I mean, who needs a complaining Instagram husband if you can just take your own fabulous pictures?
Scratch your way around the world.
Nothing gives a serial traveller more pleasure than scratching another country off their travel wishlist. How much would you be loved by your travel obsessed friend if you can physically allow her to do that? From personal experience, I can tell you that a scratch-off world map is an instant crowd-pleaser. It is sure to leave your traveling buddy dreaming about past travels and surely have them inspired to see more of this stunning world.
There are millions of scratch maps available these days. I suggest the Maps International Scratch the World® Travel Map in gold. This is the perfect travel gift.
Treat a traveler, and Mother Earth.
In a time where plastic pollution should be at the front of every mind, why not inspire your world wanderer to be a world saver as well? There are so many things we can do to tackle the plastic problem. Starting with small changes is the way to go for creating a bigger social and long lasting change.
Island holidays certainly mean cocktails and coconuts, so make sure your traveller has some reusable straws to make those drinks taste great and be more eco-friendly. I love the WhiteCrowsNest reusable glass straws. They are available in various colours, sizes and even come with a little cleaner to make sure all the coconut gets washed away. Handblown in North Carolina, these straws come packaged in recycled shredded materials and will make a great gift that will last a lifetime.
A zero-waste cutlery set is always a great gift for any traveller. Not only does it allow you to skip dirty cutlery in dodgy hostels, it also allows you to skip on the single use plastic cutlery. Which is popular at food markets and street food stands. I love the handmade sets from Saidonia Eco, a zero waste and green living essentials shop. Most of the cutlery sets include a bamboo knife, fork and spoon. There’s also a set of chopsticks and a straw and cleaner, all wrapped up in a pretty pouch.
Give the gift of listening!
So, your travel mad sister gets onto a long-haul flight. There is a crying baby in the row behind her, the guy next to her already claimed the armrest. And the plug for the earphones into the entertainment unit is broken. Obviously. Luckily you got her an Audible subscription for Christmas and now you are her favourite sibling ever. The end.
No, but really. Audible is a fantastic App that allows you to listen to over 100,000 of the world’s best stories. All books are read by our time’s most beautiful voices. Why it’s special is, unlike reading a book, Audible allows you to listen to your book while you go. Whether you are driving, running, washing the dishes or crossing the Atlantic at 53,000 feet en route to New York. It is the perfect gift for anyone who loves books, and is also another great zero waste gift.
Subscribe, explore and discover.
I am yet to meet a fellow traveller who doesn’t want to work for National Geographic. I mean, does that kind of traveller even exist? For anyone who loves travel, nature, exploration, science, culture and how all of these are connected, a subscription to National Geographic is the perfect gift. There are a few different options available regarding print or online versions. Your travel lover will get a reminder how wonderful the world is, and you are, every month when it’s delivered.
Help a traveler make a list.
Whether it’s a list of where to go, what to see or how to get there, all dreams start with writing them down. Journaling whilst on the road is one of the best things about travelling. You get to write down important facts, favourite memories and the names and contacts for the amazing people you meet along the way. Spoil your wandering friend with a personalised leather journal by ATLAS & I. A part of the ‘Not on the High Street‘ movement that supports and promotes small local businesses, ATLAS & I’s products are all personalized, thoughtful, hand made to order and stunningly beautiful.
PS: They also do a variety of other products, all covered in vintage maps, including baking gloves, kitchenware, chairs and passport covers.
Let them wear the dream.
Whether it is that lonely beach in Australia you got to see during your gap year or maybe that beautiful park in Paris where a simple ‘yes!’ turned a boyfriend into a fiancé, we all have that one special place that stole our heart. With the help of Gemma McGuinness Jewellery, you are able to not only keep that place in your heart, but also wear it. Hand made to perfection in her home workshop, Gemma creates 100% sterling silver jewellery. It is designed to share a passion and love for travel. Through expert craftsmanship, Gemma creates stunning personalized map necklaces. Along with other travel inspired pieces of jewellery. This is all the perfect reminder of that special place for anyone who loves traveling. A gift from Gemma McGuinness Jewellery is thoughtful, personalized and is sure to leave you or your loved one with serious travel fever!
So there you have it. These would all make a great travel gift to treat yourself or a loved one with. Now go fill your stockings and have yourself a merry little Christmas!
About the Author
Luzanne is a writer and photographer from sunny Yorkshire who loves sailing, houseplants, pasta and chunky Labradors.
I still can’t believe it, but Christmas is officially only a few weeks away. And although it is a time for family, food and hopefully snow, giving and receiving a meaningful gift is always a bonus. If you are still wondering what to get your world wandering friend, lover or family member, here are my…