If there’s a traveler on your list, happily, there are plenty of stylish presents that offer convenience, value and practicality. Whether you’re shopping for an experienced jet-setter or a budding globetrotter, use this gift guide to pick an essential item that’s sure to spark future trip-planning. Start crafting your shopping list with these innovative, inspiring and time-tested gift ideas.
[See: 10 Underrated Places With Fantastic Holiday Celebrations.]
A Hardcover Book of the World
American publishing company Rand McNally recently released a new hardcover book featuring photo-illustrated vignettes of 120 captivating destinations. “Worldly Escapes” takes readers on a captivating journey to more than a hundred destinations around the globe. An ideal gift for those with a case of wanderlust, “Wordly Escapes” offers a new way to experience some of the world’s most intriguing and desirable places through jaw-dropping imagery and is divided into four thematic chapters containing engaging vignettes. The 249-page book, featuring 120 destinations, retails for $24.99.
A Portable Speaker
Mix passions for travel and music this holiday season with the Bose SoundLink Color II Bluetooth Speaker (available for $129 online or in stores at Dick’s Sporting Goods or through Bose). With increased durability and sound, the SoundLink Color II allows the savvy audiophile on your list to listen to his favorite tunes on the road. Available in four colors, this Bluetooth speaker is perfect for trips to the beach, the park and anywhere in between. It also features a voice prompt and delivers eight hours of listening.
High-Tech Headphones
For frequent fliers, comfortable headphones are an essential item. SleepPhones offers a comfortable, noise-canceling design that’s practical and easy to use while flying. The product’s innovative model features ultra-slim, high-quality flat speakers embedded inside of a soft, machine-washable headband. Plus, SleepPhones double as an eye mask. Just pull the band down over your eyes to listen to movies, music, audiobooks and podcasts comfortably in-flight and drown out any external noise.
A Wine Subscription Service
If that special person on your list loves to visit vineyards and explore to the world’s top wine regions, consider a travel inspired wine club, like Vinley Market’s Adventurer’s Wine Club. This subscription service explores regions the world over with monthly shipments of two bottles that best represent their land of origin. Plus, Vinley Market focuses on small batch, artisan wines, and grants members access to top-tier bottles from regions such as France, Australia and South Africa.
[See: 9 Steps to Trim Holiday Travel Costs.]
An All-in-One Charger
Experienced travelers know the importance of staying efficient in transit. For road warriors, the Bump Charger, a sleek and stylish accessory that serves as both a wall charger and a portable battery, is a worthwhile investment. When you’re on the go, simply connect Bump’s technology to your device with a USB cable to recharge anywhere. Available in black, blue, magenta and red for $40, the accessory makes an ideal gift or stocking stuffer for the travel pro. Plus, it’s compatible with both Apple and Android devices.
An International Snack Subscription Service
Universal Yums, a subscription service that sends out a box of unique snacks and candies from a different country each month, can meet the needs of globetrotters and foodies in one swoop. The service enables members to sample exotic foods, such as fried seaweed rolls from Thailand and burnt milk wafers from Russia. Every box is designed to take recipients on an enriching adventure by immersing them in the flavors of the featured country. With boxes starting at $14 per month, Universal Yums offers way to explore the world without breaking the bank. There’s also an educational benefit: Each box contains a booklet with fun facts and trivia about the featured country, as well as descriptions of each item.
A Posture Aid
BetterBack, a product that trains the body into a perfect posture in order to alleviate back pain and prevent it, is a great gift for anyone looking to remedy in-flight discomfort. While high-tech neck pillows and other products designed to convince travelers that they will achieve better sleep, other discomfort, such as back pain is often the root cause of travel-related aches. For $59, the BetterBack product provides an economical, long-term alternative that can conveniently fit in a compact carry-on bag.
Travel-Friendly Skincare Supplies
Pearlesque Box, a monthly skincare subscription box, makes organic products affordable and accessible to those on the go. Available for $39.95 per month, the box includes full-size and travel-size skincare and body products. And whether you’re shopping for an avid traveler, your best friend, your mother or a co-worker, chances are, someone on your list will benefit from a skincare subscription well beyond the busy holiday travel season.
A Travel-Size, Multi-Functional Mat
RestoPresto, a multi-faceted small pouch that transforms into a blanket or mat, serves a variety of purposes, from maximizing in-flight comfort to enjoying in-room workout sessions on the road. It can easily be clipped to or transported in a carry-on thanks to its portable, compact, water-repellent design. Aside from using it as a blanket or a yoga mat, you can also wear it as a poncho with snaps than can transform the mat into a hood. Best of all, the lightweight pouch make their journey a bit easier as it folds compactly in its own carrying case than can be easily stored in a handbag or carry-on.
[Read: 10 Hacks for Headache-Free Travel This Holiday Season.]
A Comfortable Pair of Shoes
Any experienced traveler knows a sturdy and stylish pair of shoes goes a long way. Double-duty shoes from the brand Naot offer a fashion-forward look that easily transition from day to night. Naot sandals, for example, are a great bet for any lady on your list who likes to walk her way through tours and then put on a sundress ready for dinner — without sacrificing style or arriving with aching feet. Even better, Naot offers a variety of footwear styles and price points, with classics like the Naot ‘Unicorn’ T-Strap Sandal available for $149.99.
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10 Great Gifts for the Traveler on Your List originally appeared on usnews.com
