Hey Owlets,
Giving season is fast approaching and if you’re anything like me you’re probably already wondering what to get the difficult person in your family. Like many other travel lovers, I’m the difficult person in my family - what do you get someone who’s always on the move? If they are at home then it’s probably only to save up and plan for the next trip.
You don’t need to worry this year, I have you covered! I’ve researched, discussed with other travel addicts and scoured the internet to find the best gifts for travel lovers - whether they’re at home between trips or out on adventures. As usual, I’ve personally tested every single item in my guide so that you can be sure whatever you buy will be a hit with your travel-loving special someone. I’ve also included gifts at a range of price points, so you’re guaranteed to find a great gift no matter what your budget is.
The Original Item Tracker from Tile
Why is it a great gift?
This year the trend of tracking luggage with Apple Air Tags has exploded - I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen a screenshot saying “yay, my luggage made it!” on someone’s Instagram stories. It’s great in theory, but the Apple Airtag has two issues: first of all, they’re expensive, and secondly it excludes the 2.5 billion Android users around the world.
Enter Tile - the perfect alternative that’s much more flexible. Add it to your luggage, keys, wallet or even your dog, then you can track it from any phone - simply download the app and log in. It’s also much more affordable than an Airtag. Tile comes in two versions - the Tile Mate, pictured above, and the Tile Pro. The Tile Mate has a three-year battery life and then you need to buy a new Tile, while the Tile Pro battery will last for one year before replacing the battery in the unit - the Tile Pro also enjoys a longer Bluetooth range, but both are waterproof.
Addressing the elephant in the room, Tile won’t track your items wherever you are in the world but that’s because the Apple Airtag connects to the nearest iPhone to ping a location - no other company has a large enough network of devices to do this - but for a non-Apple and more affordable alternative, Tile is the ideal gift f.or travel lovers (especially those who have a habit of losing things, myself included).
How much is it?
The Tile Mate starts at £20, while the Tile Pro starts at £30. You can also get a better deal by buying multipacks.
Where Can I Buy From?
You can find Tile Mate and Tile Pro direct on the Tile website, or find the Tile Mate and Tile Pro on Amazon with Prime shipping.
Liforme Travel Yoga Mat
Why is it a great gift?
Unsurprisingly after being locked in our homes for two years, wellness travel has become hugely popular in recent times. Getting away from your everyday life to practice mindfulness and seek adventure with likeminded people has been a saving grace for millions of people. If your loved one (or you, because “treat yourself” still applies) loves to practice mindfulness on the go, then a travel yoga mat could be the perfect gift - particularly one that comes from an ethical company.
Liforme is a B Corp company, meaning they have to adhere to strict policies surrounding community, environment, customer service and how they treat workers. On top of this, each Liforme yoga mat is biodegradable and PVC-free and features technology to improve your grip on the mat, and an alignment guide that works for all bodies and types of yoga, ensuring that you’re always in the perfect position.
How much is it?
Liforme travel yoga mats start at £90, while the signature range starts at £110.
Where Can I Buy From?
Buy direct from the Liforme website
The Ultimate Cosy Travel Jumper from TOG24
Why is it a great gift?
Why are aeroplanes always cold, and why don’t more items of clothing feel like a hug from a loved one? I’ve been travelling part time since 2017, and one of my must-have items to bring with me is a cosy jacket. Whether you get caught out with a day of bad weather, you’re exploring your surroundings late into the evening, or you need some comfort on a travel day, it’s always advisable to have a cosy jacket.
This option from TOG24 is warm, cosy, comforting and squashes into a much smaller size to ram into your over-packed case (pro tip - wrap any breakables inside!). It comes in a few different colours and TOG24 are fairly size inclusive, offering up to a size UK24 - this is a rare gem in the outdoor clothing world, as most brands seem to assume that only thin people enjoy the outdoors! It’s for this reason, in addition to the great quality of the clothing, that I love TOG24 as a brand - I’ve shopped with them for several years now!
How much is it?
Usually £60, but they have a sale on at the moment!
Where Can I Buy From?
Buy the Sawley hoodie direct from the TOG24 website.
The Best Travel Bag from STM
Why is it a great gift?
Finding a bag that’s great for all aspects of travel, especially as someone who loves creating content on the go, is an absolute mission. It’s either ugly, too small, too big, the wrong fabric, too fiddly or it’s so obviously a camera bag that you might as well hold a placard saying “please rob me”. My number one piece of advice for new travellers is not to advertise that you have anything worth taking - most people will turn their attention to hiding jewellery or not walking round phone-in-hand, but carrying a camera bag is just as bad, if not worse because it makes it look as if you have *multiple* things that are worth stealing.
I’d almost given up the search when STM’s Myth backpack appeared in my emails one day. Despite looking like a standard day bag it fits the perfect amount for a hand-luggage-only trip - it has all the hallmarks of a Mary Poppins bag without the dodgy carpet. Inside you’ll find a range of pockets (potentially too many - please remember where you put your passport!!) that range in size to cushion any delicate items, as well as the “shove it all in” space as I like to call it.
The bag is lined with plush fabric and cushioned by a thin layer of foam, making it ideal for camera equipment. Any content creator will tell you that you should NEVER throw an SD card in loose, but if you’re going to ignore that advice (guilty as charged) then the Myth backpack is probably the best bag to do this in! With the added weight distribution technology, it’s fair to say that I’ve finally found a bag that’s designed by people who actually know what a travel camera bag needs to be - it even has a pocket for easy access to your headphones, and comes in a range of colours. Absolute winner.
How much is it?
The 18l backpack (pictured above) is $120 on the STM website and you can get a discount by signing up for a free account, or find it on Amazon for £99.
Where Can I Buy From?
North American readers can buy direct from the STM website, while anyone from the UK (or worldwide!) can buy from Amazon
Take Sharper Photos with the Lens Pen -
Why is it a great gift?
A lot of the ideas for my gift guides come from researching and talking to other travel lovers, but this one is totally selfish. I discovered the lens pen somewhere around 2015 at a photography trade show, and I’ve not been without one since. In fact, when I received an email offering to send me a lens pen to test, I said I didn’t need to test it but could I have a new one to photograph please, as the one I actually use has no writing left on it!
The Lens Pen is one of those genius items that makes so much sense it hurts that you didn’t think of it first. On one end, you’ll find a brush to wipe away any larger pieces of dust, and on the other a cleaning cloth that never dries out. It’s a must-have for any passionate photographer, even if a phone is your tool of choice. Phone photos are often less clear simply because the lens needs cleaning, rather than the camera not being good enough, so keeping a Lens Pen handy before taking the perfect shot will help to improve the quality instantly. Having a clean lens is especially vital if you're planning to print your images, like in a photo book or on a canvas, because any imperfections will be much more visible. I may also have used it once or twice to clean my glasses - glass is glass, right?
How much is it?
Around £8-£15 depending on if you buy one pen or a bundle, and where you buy them from.
Where Can I Buy From?
The Lens Pen is available on Amazon worldwide, from Jessops in the UK, and direct from the Lens Pen website if you’re based in North America or Canada.
A Waterproof Coat that’s NOT Boring, from TOG24.
Why is it a great gift?
A fold away waterproof jacket is truly an essential item for any traveller, but why are they always navy, grey or black? Foldable waterproof coats have always been ugly and there’s no reason for it - luckily, TOG24 have come to the rescue with a range of colourful waterproof coats that will fold away to fit in even the smallest bag. This pack-away coat comes in standard and plus sizes, and each come with a drawstring bag to pack your coat into. It’s the perfect gift for any outdoor adventurer or travel addict. If you want to bump up your gift to be a real "travel survival pack" then waterproof boots could make an excellent gift for those rainy roaming days, and don't forget smaller necessities like a portable charger or waterproof bag for swimming.
How much is it?
£70, but as I write this it’s on offer at half price!
Where Can I Buy From?
The TOG24 website, or they have a number of shops around the country
A Thermos Travel bottle with a Reminder of Home
Why is it a great gift?
A few years ago a family member gave me a reusable water bottle for Christmas, and it has genuinely become one of the most used items that I own. When you’re on the go all the time, the amount of disposable bottles that you’d use would very quickly mount up; it’s not only terrible for the environment but if you’re between places you might not be able to buy a bottle of water so it’s much better to come prepared.
Thermos have long been the go-to brand for insulated bottles and mugs. As a child I remember quite traditional designs, but the newer releases and really special. I personally love the Jubilee collection - it’s the perfect reminder of home when you’re travelling, or for London-enthusiasts from further afield. Thermos have also just released a vintage collection with the original plaid print which I love!
How much is it?
Bottles start from £15; the Jubilee collection is £28 and there are lots of other unique designs on the website (I love the Kate Stephens sea-themed collection)
Where Can I Buy From?
You can find water bottles on the official Thermos website as well as their official Amazon store - the Jubilee collection is out of stock at the moment but more stock is due in soon and there are lots of other designs to choose from.
The Ultimate Instagram Kit from JOBY
Why is it a great gift?
For a lot of people, a big part of travelling involves challenging themselves to get the best content. Whether you prefer to hike up a mountain for the ultimate sunrise timelapse, or you vlog all of your trips, JOBY has a range of products that will up your Instagram game in a heartbeat.
The GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Kit features everything you need to create high quality content. Inside you’ll find the iconic GorillaPod with flexible rubberised legs to help it grip to pretty much any surface. You’ll also find the powerful Beamo light, perfect for helping you to create stunning images or video updates in low light, and the Wavo microphone for high quality audio on the go.
The full kit is definitely a splurge at just under £200, but it’s a must for any enthusiastic content creator. For a more affordable gift option, you can find each of the items included in the set available to buy separately.
How much is it?
The full set comes in at just under £200, the Wavo Mobile mic is £38,95 and the Beamo is £82.97. The tripod included in the set is the GorillaPod Mobile Rig which is available for £114.95, but tripods start from just over £30 if you’re looking for a great gift on a tighter budget.
Where Can I Buy From?
The kit and all of the individual items are available to buy direct from the JOBY website. You can also find the mobile vlogging kit, the Beamo light and the Wavo mic, as well as a selection of tripods, on the official Amazon store with Prime shipping.
Arran Sense of Scotland After The Rain Wash Bag Kit
Why is it a great gift?
Wash bags are a hugely useful gift, whether your travel-obsessed love one is a fan of backpacking adventures, luxury hotels or prefer a cruise holiday. It’s the best way to keep all of your cosmetics organised while on the go.
The Arran Sense of Scotland After The Rain wash bag features several water-resistant compartments to help organise any products, as well as a handy hook to keep your bag out of the way and easy to access in the hotel room. The wash bag also folds up into an attractive space-saving bag with a carry handle, making it ideal for any length of travel adventure.
What makes the Arran Sense of Scotland After The Rain wash bag extra-special are the products that it comes with. Each After The Rain wash bag features a full size shower gel, body lotion hand cream and perfume - all in their most popular scent. The After The Rain scent is inspired by the unique smell of a spring garden after rainfall on the isle of Arran. It’s the ideal reminder of home for any British person who grew up experiencing rainy walks through the countryside, and the well-thought out wash bag will ensure that it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
How much is it?
The After The Rain wash bag comes in at £60 and includes all of the products mentioned above.
Where Can I Buy From?
The After The Rain wash bag is available on the Arran Sense of Scotland website, along with lots of smaller gifts if you’re shopping with a smaller budget this year.
The Perfect Cosy Thermals from TOG24
Why is it a great gift?
Whether your loved one is going to be trekking up a mountain or simply travelling hand luggage only during Winter, thermals are an essential item that you probably wouldn’t think to buy yourself. As I mentioned before, TOG24 are one of my go-to travel brands. Not only are the items great quality, but they’re one of the few retailers to recognise that plus size people can enjoy the outdoors too! These thermals go up to a size 24, they’re quick to work and they’re some of the softest thermal layers I’ve ever felt!
How much is it?
The full set is normally £50, but TOG24 regularly have sales so you might get lucky!
Where Can I Buy From?
Thermals are available on the TOG24 website in full sets, or you can purchase leggings or thermal tops separately.
Choosing a Great Christmas Gift for Travel Lovers
Hopefully these suggestions have given you a lot of inspiration! With so many people worrying about money but still wanting to buy presents, I’ve tried to include lots of practical items that travel lovers will really appreciate, that won’t break the bank! Equally, if you’re in the market to treat that special someone, then there are plenty of ideas. The most important thing to note is that I’ve chosen many of these suggestions as starting points for you; all of the brands featured offer a range of items for all budgets to help you find something special for Christmas.
What’s on your wish list this year?
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