Gwen's Gift Guide
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Shopping for gifts can be tricky, frustrating & time consuming! Especially around the winter holidays when often finding gifts for multiple recipients. There's no shortage of Gift Guides to help source gifts, but those too can be overwhelming with different guides for each purpose and not great options. So I've compiled 60 gifts across 20 categories sure to cover and please a variety of recipients. All inspired by travel, but can be used in everyday life. Mostly under $100 USD with lots small for stocking stuffers too! Happy Gift Giving!
Travel
Photo Credit: Calpak
A belt bag is so useful for life, particularly when traveling. This Luka belt bag from Calpak is great, because it's lightweight, durable, spacious & has an exterior zipper pocket perfect for separately storing a passport or cash. It's available in a variety of shiny & matte colors and at the time of writing on sale starting at < $25 USD for select colors, including this jazzy gold!
Photo Credit: Transient Books
Photo Credit: Bloomingdale's
This hand bound travel journal can be completely customized with names, sayings, map, color, and pages. The book comes with colored pencils to fill in the states or countries visited. It also has an option to add a slip case to better protect the book.
Bloomingdale's compiled some great mini body products from top brands into one sleek toiletry set valued at $75 perfect to throw in your bag for travel, the gym or office to have on hand. Just add a toothbrush & floss and you're covered!
Wanderlust
Photo Credit: Vacation, Inc.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Photo Credit: Travel Challenges Gift
Based out of Miami, Vacation Inc. makes "the world's best smelling sunscreen" with a brand embracing 80's summer culture. Vacation Inc. captured their signature scent in this eau de toilette, so you can smell like vacation all year long. There's also travel size sunscreen, SPF face mist, & sample pack pictured here.
*Perfume sold separate.
Wish I Was Here showcases top travel accounts and blogs illustrating paradise on earth around water. Whether thinking about a trip or longing for sun and sand, this book is where daydreams begin.
Created by a young couple, who loves to travel, this deck of cards was designed to create unique memories to enhance the travel experience. This deck of 50 cards includes a travel challenge and inspirational quote on each one.
Getaway Gifts
Photo Credit: Sin City Engraving
Bring Vegas home with you with this personalized poker set available in two sizes with 100 or 300 poker chips, 2 sets of cards, and 5 dice.
Photo Credit: Bloomingdale's
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Perfume
I met Francis Kurkdjian a few years after the perfumery was formed when buying a bottle of his perfume for my mother. Now part of LVMH, Francis Kurkdjian has become synonymous with luxury French perfume, particularly the Baccarat Rouge 540 to commemorate Baccarat's 250th birthday. The 1.2 oz bottle shown here provides a travel friendly size.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Test your knowledge of all things Disney with this collectible Disney game featuring Disney trivia cards, 3D locations, characters to play with made for all ages 6 and up.
Bucket List
Photo Credit: Tinggly
Tinggly Bucket List Gift Voucher
Tinggly's Bucket List box provides a gift voucher to select from over 8,700 Bucket List experiences for 1-4 people in 110 countries.
Photo Credit: Sterling Laser UK
Track your Bucket List goal and completion with this personalized wood Bucket List to increase likelihood of completion.
Photo Credit: Amazon
The Travel Bucket List contains 500 travel experiences to provide loads of Bucket List inspiration for lifelong memories.
Experience
Photo Credit: Amazon
TableTopics: Destination Anywhere
Ignite conversations with 135 questions about travel and vacations to get to know the group better.
Photo Credit: Handmade by Hannah Ltd
Custom Scratch Off Boarding Pass
This boarding pass can be completely customized for the occasion, recipient, date, etc. with the destination concealed under a gold scratch off for the big reveal. What better gift than surprising someone with a trip!?
Photo Credit: Tinggly
Tinggly offers access to thousands of experiences around the world. They offer experiences at multiple price points ranging from essentials to once in a lifetime and for various occasions. So check it out to give stories, not stuff.
Exploration
Photo Credit: Ilgar Leather
Photo Credit: The Coastal Collect Co
Photo Credit: grab gift co.
A compass is a great sentimental gift symbolic of safety and protection, as well as motivation and inspiration directing the user where to go. This brass compass is particularly special, because it can not only be personalized with a saying, but also with handwriting or pictures.
The World Is Your Oyster Frame
Feature a favorite picture in this beautiful The World is Your Oyster picture frame. Available in 3 sizes to feature a 4" x 6", 5" x 7", or 6" x 8" size picture.
This cork globe with stainless steel base is a great gift for the world traveler to track and display places visited. It's available in 3 sizes to choose from to serve as a great addition to a desk, dresser or shelf without taking up much room.
Passport Cases
Photo Credit: With Love From Julie
Photo Credit: Fancy Gift Studio
Photo Credit: bambina
Made in Great Britain, this super soft Italian lamb's leather cover is available in a variety of fun, bright colors and can be personalized with any saying.
There are a ton of cute travel designs & sayings to choose from, including the ability to upload a picture to print on your passport case that can also be personalized with a name or additional words. The case is waterproof from faux leather with RFID protection.
Fancy Gift Studio provides a variety of colors and designs that can be personalized with a name and message inside like this Treasure Map cover cute for children or adults. The faux leather holder has interior pockets for cards too.
Luggage
Photo Credit: Calpak
Photo Credit: Calpak
Photo Credit: Calpak
This set of 5 packing cubes keeps your items organized & compact when traveling. Available in a variety of colors & patterns, with different sizes to cover all your various items. So everything is kept neatly in place & easy to unpack upon arrival.
I like the simplistic style of this carry-on luggage available in a variety of colors. The luggage has a durable polycarbonate shell, 4 dual 360 spinner wheels, expandable capacity, and TSA approved lock. The dimensions of ​21” x 13.75” x 9” are just within dimensions permitted by US airlines and provides packing capacity of 39L. ​
The Calpak Luka large duffel is the ultimate duffel bag. Complete with an exterior pocket for a laptop, water bottle and shoes with loads of room & pockets inside & a luggage trolley pocket with a secret zipper compartment to easily connect to roller luggage.
Outdoors
Photo Credit: Cliq Chair
The Cliq chair is a portable chair that packs into the size of a water bottle, weighs 3.65 lbs, and holds 300 lbs. Perfect for outdoor adventures at the park or beach or wherever you want to sit. Easily compacts to toss in a bag and go.
Photo Credit: North Face
These North Face gloves keep hands warm through the cold weather with three layers of insulation and lined with super-soft, high-pile fleece. They also have touchscreen functionality, clip to hold together, and drawstring to tighten. Women's fit featured below. Men's fit here. and Child's fit here. Available in different colors and sizes.
Photo Credit: Ray-Ban
​The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Sunglasses are a game changer for life, especially travel. They can take calls, play music, take photos and videos, provide requested information, make notes and scan a QR code. They can even share your view during a video call. ​All available in different colors and favorite, classic Ray-Ban sunglasses styles.
Winter Wonderlands
Photo Credit: Target
These skier slippers are too cute to pass up! Complete with a rubber sole & machine washable, they'll keep those footsies warm all Winter long!
Photo Credit: Gift Boxes Corner
I love these gift boxes that are cozy relaxation in a box! There are multiple themes to choose from each with its own inclusions, like this one with a mug, hot chocolate, candle, and cozy warm socks, complete with a greeting card too!
Photo Credit: Target
Sticking with the ski theme, Target's selling these super cute matching 'Tis the Ski-son themed PJs for the whole family, including infant sizes and for cat & dog fur babies too!
Pictures
Photo Credit: Whimsy Creation Art
What better way to showcase a favorite picture & create a fun activity than through a puzzle. Puzzles can be customized to feature a picture of choice maybe from a recent or favorite trip. This one is made with wood, instead of cardboard, so it's more sturdy and available in a variety of sizes. Once finished, it can even be framed!
Photo Credit: Kodak
This fun, retro Kodak camera prints two pictures on each frame for double the pictures for each roll of film and compact to bring for trips and available in a variety of colors.
Photo Credit: woodlack
There are a bajillion photo albums to choose from, but this one stood out because it's colorful & fun. Available in a variety of sizes to choose from, this photo album can be customized to even choose what color wood & pages to include.
Reading
Photo Credit: Graphic Image
1,000 Places to See Before You Die
This leather bound version of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is a great gift for travelers to provide inspiration and ideas. It's complete with details on each place and also available in red leather. Paperback version available here.
Photo Credit: Assouline
It's difficult to include a short list of travel books and not include Assouline's gorgeous coffee table travel books featuring some of the hottest destinations around the world. They're sure to serve as great decoration while providing travel inspiration and insight.
Photo Credit: Amazon
This fourth edition of The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World created by Lonely Planet, includes details of when to visit, what to see and do, and how to learn more about the country’s culture from its film, music, food and drink.
Playing
Photo Credit: Fizz Creations
Solve the Case Escape Room Game
This at home travel themed escape room game provides 5 plays to try to solve to escape. Reviews note it can be very difficult to solve. Are you up for the challenge?
Photo Credit: Ridley's Games
Test knowledge of the world & learn new information with this World Tour Travel Trivia, featuring 80 questions, that's also light & small to bring along on trips. Other travel themes available like City Getaways, Road Trips & Foodie Vacation. ​​
Photo Credit: Amazon
Vintage Book Game
Easily take board games with you with this vintage book board game. It's a compact way of storing the classic board games that doubles as chic decor for a book shelf. They have all the classics like Clue, Chess, Scrabble, Monopoly, Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Sorry!, Scattergories, Taboo, Mystery Date!
Entertaining
After traveling the US and trying many drinks, author Brian Bartels created this book with pictures, recipes, and history of each state's cocktail contributions. This leather bound version can be personalized to create an even more special gift. Also available in hardcover here.
Photo Credit: Graphic Image
Photo Credit: Amazon
Celebrate Everything! by Darcy Miller is the ultimate guide to making special occasions unforgettable packed with original ideas, including planning strategies, D.I.Y. craft projects, recipes, and insider sources and pro tips to help organize a variety of parties.
Photo Credit: Harry & David
Impress your guests or host with this top-notch charcuterie board from Boarderie. High-quality ingredients sourced from around the world arrive beautifully arranged in a reusable acacia wood serving tray with bamboo serving utensils. The boards can be refrigerated for up to 10 days and are available in a smaller size, bigger size, and without meat too.
Cooking
Photo Credit: Costabile
This gift set features 5 mini bottles of different flavored infused organic olive oil from one vineyard in Puglia nicely packaged for a great gift. Or buy one big bottle of 100% extra virgin Italian olive oil by award-winning Frantoio Galantino in a hand-painted ceramic dispenser made by artisans in Puglia here.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Taste the World without leaving your home with this cookbook that includes 1 recipe featuring a representative dish from each of the 192 countries. Or how about one using only ingredients from Trader Joe's available here.
Photo Credit: Gustus Vitae
Gourmet World Flavors Seasoning
Add a taste of the World to dishes with these high quality, gourmet, non-GMO seasonings from Gustus Vitae out of Venice beach, CA. The spices are made using the best sustainably sourced, all-natural ingredients crafted in small batches by this small business. Plus the tins have magnets to stick to metal surfaces for easy access too. ​
Eating & Drinking
Photo Credit: Williams Sonoma
Originally created in the 1730s for customers journeying to their country estates, Fortnum & Mason's signature hampers are hailed as "the world's best-traveled tuck boxes" offers an assortment of tea, preserves, biscuits and truffles made in the UK. Now available in the US, exclusively at Williams Sonoma. ​
Photo Credit: Cheese Brothers
Give the gift of Wisconsin natural cheese with this gift set from Cheese Brothers. The deluxe gift set features all 8 of their unique flavors, including Fratello, dill havarti, smoked mozzarella, and 5 goudas: smoked, honey Sriacha, el diablo scorpion pepper, 3 amigos spicy, and mango habanero.
Photo Credit: In Good Taste
In Good Taste created these mini bottles of wine to provide an approachable at home wine tasting. This Vine Voyage features wines inspired by Italy and France. They also offer an advent calendar to enjoy wine through December.
*Alcohol is only intended for those of legal drinking age.
Relaxation
Photo Credit: Lyric
Travel can be wearing on the body. Bringing along a compact massager may be the answer. This massager helps relieve minor pain, improve blood circulation, and relax after those long travel days.
Photo Credit: Hotel Lobby Candle
Hotel Lobby Candle was created by a former writer and editor for magazines like Town & Country and Vogue and inspired by her travels to over 60 countries. The candles come in a variety of scents to transport you to that place. Made with all-natural US soy wax, burn for 65 hours and beautifully packaged for a lovely gift. Other styles available on Amazon here.
Photo Credit: nodpod
Good sleep is crucial for a good trip. Nodpod's weighted eye mask applies pressure to key points to help soothe and sink into deep, restful sleep. It's filled with BPA and scent-free micro beads that contour to your face.
Health & Wellness
Photo Credit: birdie
The birdie personal Safety Alarm activates a piercing siren and high-intensity flashing strobe light when activated to deter an attacker. Compact & lightweight, it easily attaches to a keychain or bag to easily bring on the go. Also, a portion of birdie's profits go towards partner organizations dedicated to helping women's safety, shelter & health. Available in a variety of colors.
Photo Credit: The School of Life
I love the concept of these Travel Therapy cards intended to deepen and transform the experience of travel. Each of the 52 cards contains a question designed to make more meaningful and impactful travel experiences.
Photo Credit: Co-Pilot
Increase chances of staying healthy when traveling with this daily travel supplement from Co-Pilot. This plant-based gel tablet is made, in an FDA-regulated facility practicing GMP, using the ​highest-grade ingredients with 20 natural vitamins, nutrients & trace minerals to help with immune support, sleep, energy, digestion, stress management & mental clarity. Learn more about Co-Pilot on their website here. ​
Countdown Calendar
Photo Credit: Hidden Games Store
Photo Credit: Target
Photo Credit: Palais des Thés
Help Professor Charlie on his journey around the world by solving a puzzle each day to unlock the mystery. A fun interactive critical thinking game for 1 or more people each day or in segments.
The great thing about these countdown calendars is they allow the user to sample a bunch of different products that are also useful for travel. This 12 Days of Spa includes a variety of body products perfectly sized to bring on the go and carry-on friendly.
Enjoy 24 days of different single estate teas, flavored tea blends, and herbal infusions in muslin tea bags each individually packaged for maximum freshness and ethically sourced from Parisian tea company Palais des Thés in this beautiful holiday gift box.
Children
Photo Credit: The Purple Cow
Provide exposure to a different country each day with this creative My World Countdown Calendar providing 24 arts & crafts symbolic of 24 countries with a passport book to stamp as each one is completed & learn interesting information on each one. Includes necessary components aside from common household materials like scissors, ruler, etc.
Photo Credit: Eco Chic Craft
This embroidered Passport Case handmade in Vietnam couldn't be any cuter. This is only one of multiple designs to choose from that can be personalized too! A wonderful gift to protect a child's passport & provide excitement to travel!
Photo Credit: Amazon
Oh, the Places You'll Go! Book
This Dr. Seuss classic is child-friendly, but really good for all ages. From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights, Oh, the Places You'll Go! addresses life’s ups and downs, a perfect gift for anyone starting a new chapter in their life.