Hi Friends! Happy holiday season. I’ve decided that I’m just buying my my feelings in the Target holiday aisle this year. I snagged this happy little cat and two sets of the Anthro-esque ornaments during an early November sale.
This year I’m rounding up the best gifts for travelers. You can check out my National Parks list from last year, and most of the items are still available. I’m still awaiting a Laura National Park sign.
None of these link to a CEO who sends himself to space. Some are affiliate links – if you purchase anything through my links, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. This helps support Hi Friends It’s Laura web costs. Happy holidays!
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Stocking Stuffers
Everything here is $20 or less, and would be great for a stocking or even office gift swap.
Vintage Silk Scarves from eBay
eBay or Etsy
Under $20
A scarf is a traveler multi-tool. It can be a shawl on a cold airplane. It can become a headband, a belt, a neck scarf, or purse decoration. No need to spend hundreds at Hèrmes for your recipient this holiday season. Instead, search eBay or Etsy for a scarf that meets their personal style.
I have a saved eBay search for “vintage silk scarf under $20.” My favorites to search for are Liberty and Ralph Lauren. In this photo I’m wearing. a vintage Cape Cod map scarf tied around my neck.
Liquid IV Electrolytes
Target, Costco or your grocery store
$14-$30
These permanently live in my backpack now, especially after sparkling summercycling in summer in France for 7 days. I usually pick up a 24-pack at Costco, although to fit this into the stocking stuffer, under $20 category, I’m linking to Target.
Tide Travel Detergent
Target or your local grocery
$6.50
I brought these with me to Alsace to wash my workout gear daily and what a life saver! Each one was perfectly portioned for a sink. I got a better deal on the Zon, but I refuse to link to them so here we are!
Sibley’s Trees of Pacific Northwest
Bookshop af link
$9
IDK about you but I cannot tell a pine tree from a fir tree. I need this guide (OK there is a strong chance I already own this and need to find it) when I go on hikes. How cute would it be to plan a family trip and use this as a stocking stuffer? Other regions on my Bookshop list, incl California, NE/Upper Midwest, Southeast, and Mid Atlantic.
New York Times Wednesday Omnibus – Crossword Puzzles
Bookshop af link
$14
Crossword puzzles are a perfect gift for a traveler! I love to bring the book with me to do while waiting for takeoff, or if I’m sitting alone at dinner. I’ll even tear out a few puzzles to take with me in my purse to save space. Wednesdays are a good mix of easy and difficult levels.
Books
Everything on this list – and more! – are on my Bookshop.org Gift Guide list. Bookshop is an alternative to Bezos-World that supports independent bookstores. Buying through a bookshop supports independent bookstore of your choice and me!
The Last Wilderness: A History of the Olympic Peninsula
Bookshop af link
$24
I just bought this at the Olympic National Park bookstore. One of my favorite things is reading books about where I’m visiting.
Life on Svalbard: Finding Home on a Remote Island Near the North Pole, by Cecilia Blomdahl
Bookshop af link
$30
I’ve loved following Cecilia in Svalbard on Instagram. She makes this northern, perpetual winter expanse look inviting.
12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic by Jen Ruiz
Bookshop Affiliate link
$16
I met Jen this summer at a book signing. She’s an OG travel writer that I’ve followed for years. She writes about traveling by yourself, especially when life gets you down.
Walking in the Dolomites: 25 Multi-Day Routes in Italy’s Dolomites by Gillian Price
Bookshop af link
$20
This is THE guide to hiking in the Dolomites. Did I already buy it, even though I do not have a trip planned? YES.
Apparel & Gear
Washington National Parks Nalgene Bottle
Rainier Watch
$30
Is the mountain out? Rainier Watch, a local WA shop, has tees, hats, hoodies, stickers, and pins asking the same question. Become a RW Insider to save 10%. Check them out on Insta: @mtrainierwatch
Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth
REI
$20
The perfect gift for any hiker or traveler, especially women. I used mine several times while hiking and cycling through Europe!
Sahara Shade Hoodie – Women’s
REI
$50
If you saw any of my cycling or hiking posts this year, I am wearing this REI sunshirt in every photo. I wear a large and own it in two colors. It’s a great tech top AND has sun protection. #OptOutside
goodr Mount Rainier National Park Polarized Sunglasses
REI
$30
I have two pairs of Goodr sunglasses and love them! REI stocks these, as do a lot of running stores.
Quince 100% European Linen Long Sleeve Linen Shirt – White
Quince af link
$40
This linen shirt has become my go-to travel shirt because it looks cute over leggings or tied over a dress. I literally wear this every time I fly. It’s incredibly comfy, doesn’t wrinkle and looks nicer than it costs. The link is for $20 off your purchase, and I get $20 too.
The Gift of Memories
I love stuff and souvenirs, but I would love love love a gift of an experience over more things to take up space in my home. You could pair any of these with a book from Bookshop.org so your loved one has something physical to open on the holiday.
🎁 My friend Melissa at Miss Rover agrees – and has handpicked ten experiences to gift to a loved one.
🎁 A lot of my friends have RVs or travel vans, so I rely on Adventures with TuckNae for expertise on gifts for RV fans
Sailing Adventure on the Grace Bailey in Maine
$1400+
The Schooner Grace Bailey is sailing again out of Rockland, Maine. Enjoy a unique 3-7 night experience on a wooden sail boat through the Penobscot Bay. The food is incredible, the views are amazing, and there’s even a lobster bake!
My sister and I sailed the Windjammer Gam in June 2023 for four nights. I fell in love with Maine on that trip and can’t wait to move there return.
Beercycling Cycling Adventure to Belgium
$2050 for the Farmhouse Ale tour
This summer I cycled through Alsace on a wine tasting cycling trip for a once in a lifetime experience. Beer cycling offers a number of week long cycling trips through France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. If you’re looking for an active trip with an amazing guide, Beercycling is for you.
Tecumseh Trail Challenge 4 Hike Package
$600 for 4 hike training series
Have you ever wanted to do a through hike but don’t know where to start? My friends at Hoosier Adventure Expeditions in Nashville, Indiana, are offering a training series to prepare to hike the Tecumseh Trail in Indiana. Save $50 with code TECUMSEHCHALLENGE if you buy by January 1. Tell them Laura B sent you!
Snapfish Keepsake Books
snapfish af link
$10+, there is ALWAYS a coupon tho
I made one of these for my dad after our cross-country roadtrip and it was SUCH a hit! Take those iPhone photos of your roadtrip across the national parks and turn them into a photo book, ornament, or just print them out. Always find a coupon!
Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald, Switzerland
Expedia af link
$500/nt
My sister and I hiked around Interlaken, Switzerland, this summer and loved it. I would absolutely go backmto hike around the Swiss Alps even more. We stayed in Wilderswil, although Grindelwald is IN the mountains. More accommodation recs in the recaps.
Seattle Food Tour at Pike Place Market
GYG af link
$69
You KNOW I LOVE a tour, and food tours combine two of my favorite things: food and tours! Try out a local food tour at the Pike Place Market, your next vacation destination, or even your home town.
Donations
- Why succumb to consumerism when you could support the parks directly?
- National Parks Foundation
- Washington’s National Park Fund
- Washington Trails Association
- BlackOutdoors, a Texas based nonprofit to help reconnect youth of color to nature
- Campfire Outdoors Club, a Tacoma based nonprofit to make nature more accessible to all. Their coffee is also awesome and at Trader Joe’s!
Leave a Reply