2020 has been anything but a normal year, and there is a lot of uncertainty about what 2021 is going to look like, especially for travelers. This gift guide will hopefully help you pick out something meaningful for any travelers on you list. We always encourage giving gifts that are experiences or enable experiences. This year with most plans up in the air I am thinking that gifts that will enable experiences in the future.
Camping Gifts
Camping became one of the most popular activities during summer 2020 because of its relative safety compared to other forms of travel and recreation. Camping requires quite a bit of gear though, so chances are the travelers on your list could use some things to improve their experience.
Outbright Camping Pillow
We just barely put up a full review of the pillow, so check that out here. This is a fantastic gift for someone who wants to go camping but doesn’t want to give up all comfort. It’s nice and soft, but gives plenty of support in a tiny camping size.
My Cot Portable Toddler Bed
For most of our camping experiences as a family Lucy has used a little a little sleeping tent inside our tent, but this year she has just grown too tall for it. So for her birthday she got this toddler cot and she absolutely loves it. We will probably do a full review of it later, but it is a great option for taking a kid camping.
Jet Boil Stove
The Jet Boil is one of those pieces of camping equipment that we have had forever, but we just keep using it. If you are giving to someone new to camping this little stove can make a huge difference. It takes up hardly any room and is super easy to use.
Packing Cubes
You didn’t think we were going to get through a gift guide without talking about packing cubes did you? We got these packing cubes years ago, and they quickly became our number one travel gear recommendation. This year we did so much camping that we really got a chance to see how well they do in the tent. Packing cubes honestly keep your tent so much more organized and make it so easy for everyone to find their clothes.
Camera Gifts
Preserving travel memories is a big part of making travel meaningful. So capturing travel memories is probably important to the traveler on you list. A camera can make a big difference in the quality of memories you are able to capture.
DJI Pocket 2
We have been shooting all of our vlogs this year on the original Osmo Pocket and we love it. But of course the Pocket 2 just came out last month and now we have camera envy! Either one of these pocket cameras makes a super convenient package for capturing stable travel video. They are so small that you don’t have to worry about how much space you devoting to camera gear and they work super fast so you can catch all the moments.
DJI Osmo Action
For situations like water sports, bad weather, sand, or action adventures we might not be able to use our pocket, so we also have an Osmo Action. This camera is very similar to a GoPro which we have used a lot in the past, but it pairs better with Pocket since they shoot in the same profiles.
Road Trip Gifts
While airline travel is still possible during the pandemic, road trips are definitely becoming the most popular way to get around. Here are some items we think are super helpful for your next year of driving adventures.
Kindle
Meagan actually uses her Kindle everyday, not just while we are traveling. But it is super convenient to have while you are traveling. Depending on how long your road trip is you might need quite a few books to get through it (I used to bring a bag full of books every time my family went on a trip). The Kindle is the perfect way to carry a bunch of reading material without breaking your back or filling up your car.
iPad
The iPad is literally the perfect travel device. It can be used for work or entertainment while you are on the road. I use the iPad on every trip we go on to edit photos and videos while Meagan is driving. It takes up way less room than a laptop but can do everything I need to do while we are on a trip.
Scratch Off Map by Travelbug
If you are hitting the road next year or your kicked up some dust this past summer you will be checking off those states left and right. The best way to keep track of where you have been and where you still need to go is a beautiful travel map from Travelbug. We have talked about them before here on the blog, and we love being able to scratch of new places each year.
FM/Bluetooth Receiver
One of the best ways to have money to travel is to NOT buy a new car and have a bunch of debt. But that also means you might not have any fancy features like bluetooth connection for your long road trips. Never fear, these little bluetooth receivers plug into your car and connect to your phone by bluetooth, then they transmit on an FM radio signal. They are the perfect way to listen to audio books or music from your phone while you are cruising the roads.
Nintendo Switch
This year I finally got a Nintendo Switch to help get through the quarantines, and it has been absolutely amazing. It’s fantastic for being stuck at home, but it is also amazing for road trips. While I love looking out the window at new places, some areas of the country your can only look at so long. The Switch is a great way to pass some of the long hours on the road, and the best part is you can even play with multiple people if you want.
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