Oh dear. It’s that wonderful time of the year again. That time when we are all stressed out, pulling out our hair trying to find that perfect gift for that perfect someone we love. Or maybe it’s just an obligation that you really don’t want to do but have to. Yes we all have those people to buy meaningful gifts for, when really we’d prefer to throw a washing machine at them.
The List Selection
Every year we compile a list of things that we as avid travellers love to give and receive. We’ve gone through a strict-ish selection process and generally want things that are;
Multi-use-Does this item make our lives easier? Will it be useful in different circumstancecs?
Light weight – We don’t want to be turtles travelling around our entire home.
Unique– Can we get this anywhere else?
Affordable– We’re not Oprah here. So we look for things that are affordable for the average coffee lover.
We’ve listed below prices in the items local currency. The links here are generally speaking affiliate free and are provided to guide you on your way to the gift buying highway.
Guardianship Rights of the land
The Helsinki Foundation was established after growing concerns about the ever-increasing footprint of man upon the world. Recognizing the need for a collective approach and long-term land conservation measures, the Foundation’s members created “The Guardianship Project.”
The Helsinki Foundation is a Finnish based organisation that has created a truly unique way to conserve parcels of land for future generations. The Foundation acquires a block of land that has environmental significance, using their bespoke mapping software they virtually map out the parcel of land into smaller blocks and then give the public the opportunity to purchase guardianship rights. Each block comes with pinpoint specific coordinates. As a guardian of the land you have the right to visit your piece of land at any time.
The Helsinki Foundation has recently released a small batch of land available for Gift Guardianship. You’ll be able to send a wonderful traveller a great excuse to travel more to see their own protected piece of the world. Each Greenspace can be easily gifted. It will be theirs forever.
Price- Starts at $45 USD
Where to buy- Helsinki Foundation
The Scrubba Bag
Ain’t no body got time for dirty underwear. Even when we stay in fancy pants hotels it’s always a struggle for time and emotion to put our clothing in the laundry. No more washing underwear in the bathroom sink. The Scrubba Bag is a mobile washing machine that doubles up as a dirty laundry bag when we are on the road. Weighing just 142g it easily fits into our travel life style.
Price- Starting from $64.95 AU. If you’re wanting to up your game then why not give the Scrubba Wash & Dry Kit $109.95 AU
Where to buy? The Scrubba Bag
Keep it real with a KeepCup
No one ever wants to tell you how unglamourous travel can be. The early mornings, long lay overs in airports, lengthy bus rides. It’s not all beaches, bikinis and mojitios. A safe vessel for hot beverages is a must. Whether your a coffee queen or a total tea lover it doesn’t matter. A hot drink can turn a bad day into a manageable, funny to tell later story. The KeepCup is BPA/BPS free, non toxic polypropylene #5 and is available in 5 different sizes.
We’ve been travelling with a KeepCup since 2009. It’s a vital part of our travel kit.
Price– $14 AUD
Where to buy– KeepCup online store. Note that KeepCup is sold all around the world. Check their website to see if they have a local store in your country.
Pocket Tripod
The perfect present for any solo traveller or the travel couple who doesn’t have a dedicated Instagram Husband. The Pocket Tripod is an adjustable card-size iPhone tripod that fits easily in a wallet or purse. A great way to take time lapse videos or solo travelling photos. The great thing about the Pocket Tripod is the variety of phones and cases catered for. The online store walks you through the phone and case options before reccomending a product.
I personally can’t wait to get my hands on one of these.
Price– $25 US.
Where to buy – Pocket Tripod
Wear your wanderlust- Spindrift Collection
Spindrift Collections creates jewellery and accessories designed to inspire your wanderlust for places not yet explored. All the pieces are timeless, unique and crafted with love. Wearing Spindrift allows your beloved traveller to keep a piece of the ocean with them. Spindrift is more than just a collection of jewellery and accessories, each piece is intended to spark a journey, embrace a memory and tell a story.
Price – $10-100 AU
Where to buy – Spindrift
Scrubba Weightless Wallet
Ok so don’t get mad here. It’s another great invention from the team at Scrubba that I love and use. The Scrubba Weightless Wallet offers a virtually weightless, water-resistant means to carry the cards and cash you need while travelling or enjoying physical activity. Upcycled using excess material from the Scrubba wash bag, it has minimal impact on the environment and is one of the thinnest wallets on the market.
Price- $14.95
Where to buy – Scrubba
Put it into Context- Walking tours for the intellectually curious traveller
Say farewell to the waving umbrella, tip driven city introduction walking tours. If you or the person receiving this super awesome gift believes that they are a true traveller and not a “tourist” needing a guided tour then you are both oh so very wrong. Context Travel offer one of the best walking tour companies that you’ll find. Taking you off the tourist trail and into the local community. We’ve been on three Context Travel tours in Melbourne and London. Each tour was led by a well educated, articulate docent who’s truly passionate about the topic on the tour.
Price– Tours are priced based on city. Prices start from $60
Where to buy – Context Travel
The gift of travel style.
Travel clothing and style don’t usually go hand in hand. More often than not travel ladies wear comes in bright, horrid colours with “unique” designs. I’m a huge fan of the designers at Mountain Designs. An Australian based clothing country that is born of a heritage from the mountains. These guys make clothing for the urban traveller, the adventure traveller and unfortunately the zip off pants traveller. And the best part? They use coffee in their clothing.
Price: Varied
Where to buy : Mountain Designs
Only the best bag from Osprey
Osprey make some of the best and most affordable bags on the market. As a female with a slightly slim figure I found it really difficult to find a pack that fitted my frame, was comfortable and affordable. I have bags for my city work, backpacking and a little purple beauty for my carry on.
Price: Varied
Where to buy : Backpacking Light, Melbourne Australia
Fancy flip-flops that inspire and educate.
Moeloco flip-flops are thongs with a difference. Each step you make leaves an inspirational message and with the purchase of every Moeloco, they provide a pair of shoes directly to the orphans supported by the Hope Foundation. This enables children to attend school and avoid injury and health issues caused by lack of footwear.
Price – $45 AU
Where to buy – Moeloco
So really this is just a list of cool stuff that can be great gifts. Have you got a fall back gift that you love to give? Let us know in the comments below.
1 Comment
Submit a Comment
Jeanette
Founder, Principal Blogger & Coffee Drinker
Coffee Lover | Travel Blogger | Horse Rider | Adventure Racer | Donut Dame. Generally nice lady-enjoys wine, indie movies & random dance parties in my tent.
Just a little FYI- this article was written in partnership with me and me! Any and all views and opinions expressed are entirely my own based on personal experiences when traveling and are honest and factual without any bias. There are no spammy whore affiliate links here. Any links to websites are for your help only.
Awesome ideas!