By Kumiko Matter

It’s the season of giving, and as excited as I am for the celebrations (mainly the gifts!), just thinking about all the presents I have to buy for my loved ones is stressing me out. Even though I think it’s hard to buy gifts for others, I confess – I’m just as hard to shop for. As a gal on the go, I prefer things that are small and easy to pack. If you’ve got a frequent flyer on your family or friends list, here’s a list of awesome gifts that they are sure to love.

Stocking Stuffers

Candy is the usual stocking stuffer, so why not kick the candy up a notch this year? Visit your local ethnic shops and try to find delicious sweets from your traveler’s favorite country to help bring back nostalgic memories! Pocky anyone?

Stockings full of travel-size toiletries are fantastic gifts for those travelers who prefer to pack light. If you want to buy fancier products than what is offered at drugstores, Sephora has a long list of travel-sized products ranging from makeup to perfume to face cleansers.

Many seasoned travelers own many travel accessories already. But with constant use, travel products, like passport cases and locks, wear out and need to be replaced. For those who carry many bags, or who are a little paranoid about being robbed, TSA locks are a frugal investment that can stand the wear-and-tear of daily travel and potential thieves. REI’s Cable Lock is my favorite at $14.50.

Steripod’s Clip-On Toothbruth Sanitizer is a genius product that any traveler would love! For $5.99 you can get a pack of two, so you can give one to another traveler in your family… or keep one for yourself!

Ray-Ban’s Folding Wayfarer Sunglasses are definitely not a budget option like the other stocking stuffers mentioned, but they are sure to please, and look stunning on whomever you give them to. The Foldable Wayfarers look the exact same as the Original Wayfarers, but the folding option helps save a little more space in a traveler’s bag. Aside from the Wayfarers, Ray-Ban also makes their signature Aviators in the foldable option.

Gifts that Keep Giving

Everybody loves receiving gifts, but receiving a donation made in one’s name can be just as fulfilling, if not more. I get a great feeling inside knowing that somebody else in the world is being given something they need, and it helps me take fewer things for granted in my life. If you’d like to give a donation in someone’s honor during the holidays, consider Kiva or Vittana. Kiva gives microloans to impoverished women around the world to help them start their own businesses. The best part about Kiva is when the woman is able to pay back their loans, you can choose to keep the money or give it to another woman! Vittana has a similar concept, except the loans are used to help put someone through school to help them learn a necessary trade or skill to be used in their community. Both organizations have gift card options too, so that your loved ones can choose who they want to give to.

Another gift that keeps giving is a bit humorous, but with a heartwarming underlying message. Punjammies (a play on words of the word Punjabi) are fun Indian-inspired pajamas, ranging from $19-35, made by Indian women who were rescued from human trafficking. The International Princess Project that runs Punjammies helps to rehabilitate all facets of their lives. I personally love these pajamas for traveling because they are made from lightweight cotton, and are worthy of being worn and seen outside of bed. I own two pairs, and have given some to my friends too, because I knew they would love Punjammies as well!

Giving to Passports with Purpose may not include a physical gift to hand to your loved one, but it’s the fact that it is helping someone in another country acquire an everyday item that we tend to overlook that makes it special. The Passports with Purpose fundraising event brings together travel bloggers and the travel industry together to accomplish projects with big impact, like this year’s project of building five water wells in Haiti. It only runs during the end of November through mid-December, but the prizes gathered for the lucky winners are worth marking your calendar! So donate a few Hamiltons in somebody’s honor, and cross your fingers that you’ll win one of the prizes to make their holiday season even more special!

Wrap-able Presents

For adventurers who like to camp on the beaches of Costa Rica, or in the woods of Yosemite National Park, the Kammok ($128) is perfect. The Kammok is an easily portable hammock that is made of lightweight, durable, and breathable fabric.

Multi-use clothing is a must to keep the traveler’s luggage light, and wardrobe diverse. An infinity scarf is probably the most useful accessory, as it can be used as a scarf, obviously, but also as a head cover in the rain, or as a shrug on chilly nights. My favorite is the Oversized Knit Infinity Scarf ($28) by Shop Mamie, and comes in a versatile and comfy black knit. The multi-way dress ($69.50) from Victoria’s Secret is another fantastic option for the traveler who enjoys fancy nights on the town but also lazy Sunday brunches the next day. This wrinkle-free and machine washable dress can be work in 10 different ways.

For the traveler who loves art, give them a piece of art that they can wear or hang up this holiday season. Design Hype’s Metro Cuffs ($37) are tastefully designed wrist cuffs that have the metro systems of NYC, Paris, Milan, Chicago, and Berlin embossed on metal. So if you know someone who gets easily lost, this would be a funny reminder to help them get around the different rail systems of the world. And purchasing the Scratch Map ($24) will add to their collection of global trinkets. I know I’m not the only one out there who has a world map stuck with pins to show where I’ve been. This map is the creative version of the traveler’s map, where you can scratch off where you’ve been.

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Have a wonderful and memorable holiday season! Cheers!

*****

Photo credits:
Christmas Presents: Robyn Jay
Ray Ban’s Folding Wayfarer: Ray-Ban
Punjammies: Punjammies by International Princess Project
NYC Metro Cuff: Design Hype