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It’s gift giving time! Wondering what to get a person who likes to travel?
For a seasoned traveler a scratch off world map would be a fun thing to do, to see where in the world they’ve actually stepped foot on.
For the foodie traveler, a Try the World box of food from one country can either bring back memories of a visited country or entice them to learn more about the food (and culture) and make plans to visit.
For a new traveler gearing up for a trip there are some ideas for backpacks or bags to hold everything to a journal for writing down new experiences.
And one of the most helpful things to have for traveling in current times and keeping track of your bags.
Here is a list of 12 traveler gifts under $100!
1 Backpack
Backpacks for traveling should have several pockets for organization and be durable and secure for travel. I’ve been a fan of Timbuk2 bags and in fact own several backpacks and bags. They don’t sell my favorite backpack anymore, but the Tuck Laptop Backpack is close in style to one that I have, with the roll top style it is amazing how many items you can put in it. For instance, on flights, when you don’t need the extra layer of a sweater or sweatshirt, you can add it in the backpack and roll the top down. I’ve managed to squeeze in extra things that wouldn’t have fit in a zippered top backpack. This backpack has a zipper in the back for easy access to part of the interior so you don't have to open the top. For water bottles or umbrellas there are two pockets on each side. $79 at Timbuk2
2 Travel Purse or wallet
There are purses and wallets specifically designed for keeping your items secure while traveling with RFID protection, metal cables in the straps, anti-cut mesh in the sides, and zipper tab clips that make it harder for thieves to easily unzip your bag without you knowing. Travelon is a brand that makes purses and bags with these security features and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. There are small slim bags ($45) that are just large enough to hold your ID, cell phone, and passport for while you’re traveling and can be easily placed in a bigger backpack, as well as bags large enough to use while sightseeing ($80) as it can hold your iPad, water bottle, and small camera. Travelon also sells a sling style bag for men ($85).
3 A World Food Box
Example of items in Try The World Spain box - you may receive different items
For the foodie traveler, a Try the World box or subscription would be a way for them to experience a country’s food while being stuck at home. Each box contains foods — snacks, condiments, or cooking mixes — from a specific country along with a pamphlet that describes the items and includes recipes. It’s a fun way to discover more about a country. I know that I couldn’t wait to see what country was coming in my shipment and then to eat whatever arrived was a fun experience. Starting from $39 per box. Gift the World - Try The World
4 Electronics Organizer
The Inside of a Timbuk2 Stealth Folio Organizer, a gift idea for the traveler on your list
Organizers to hold various charge cords, a power brick, earphones, are useful for keeping everything in one place. The Stealth Folio Organizer is full of different sized pockets and straps to hold things and a large enough size to hold a laptop or an iPad. It comes in handy on flights, when you only need these certain items and can pull the organizer out of your backpack or carry on before you sit down. $49 at Timbuk2
5 Packing Cubes
To help organize clothing items when packing suitcases, these packing cubes from eBags are very useful. Each cube can be packed with similar items, such as shirts, pants, swimsuits, workout gear, underwear, or socks, and when you get to your destination it is easier to pull out a cube without messing up the contents of your suitcase. It’s much easier to find your socks when they’re in one place. I’ve found it much easier to unpack at destinations, for instance with all my shirts in one cube it’s easier to transfer them to a dresser drawer when unpacking for longer stays. If you have to open your suitcase at the airport because it’s too heavy and you have to rearrange things or at customs, having your underwear in a packing cube keeps your things from being on display. These packing cubes have a partial mesh screen on them so you can see what’s inside and they come in different sizes and colors. I find these things indispensable when packing! A set of 4 different sizes is about $30, at eBags
6 Travel Books
For inspiration, travel books that show the reader about different cities and countries are always good. One that mentions many places all over the world is 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, about $23 at Bookshop.org, an online site that donates 10% of purchases to local bookshops. So you can purchase a gift and help a bookshop at the same time! There are travel guides and travel stories that your gift recipient might like and if you're unsure as to exactly which one to get them then a Gift Card from Bookshop.org might be just the thing!
7 Travel Journal
The travel journal I used in Morocco
Travel journals are great way for travelers to remember their trips. From sites visited to foods eaten, travel experiences can be written down. Adding ticket stubs, receipts, photos or sketches to the journal will create an easy way to remember the whole trip experience in one place. From $12-17 at Bookshop.org
8 Scratch Off World Map
Give a traveler a map of the world and they will usually either find the countries they'd like to travel to in the future or look at countries they've already been to. The Scratch Off World Map can be used to mark off countries where a traveler has been and can be displayed on a wall. As the traveler visits more countries in the future they can scratch them off to show off the places the traveler has been. $26-40 from Uncommon Goods, depending on the size
9 Compression Socks
Compression socks are knee high tight socks that help keep the circulation in your legs and lessen the chance of getting DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or blood clots in your legs when sitting for hours at a time such as on long flights. Bombas has colorful compression socks for women and men for $24-34 each and the following link will get you a discount! The comfiest socks in the history of feet. And for every pair you purchase, Bombas will donate a pair to someone in need. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code BOMBAS20.
10 Silk Sleep Mask
Sleep masks can aid in taking a nap on a long flight, or if you’re trying to take a nap after arriving at a different time zone. Silk ones feel luxurious and these larger sized mask work well for blocking the light. Available in different colors, these silk sleep masks are adjustable via the strap to fit your gift recipient’s head. $12 at Amazon
11 Bamboo Cutlery
For those travelers wanting to become more sustainable, carrying and using your own bamboo cutlery so that you can forego using the plastic utensils is a good way to help the environment. These reusable bamboo utensil set come in carrying pouch. $18 at 4 Ocean
12 Apple AirTags
This past summer thousands of suitcases were lost or delayed for people who traveled by air. Apple AirTags are coming in as a very useful way to keep track of your bags. On a recent trip to Switzerland, my husband and I used 4 AirTags, one each in our backpack and suitcase. It gave us peace of mind as an easy way to keep track of our suitcases while flying, also since we were traveling around Switzerland by train, when we had to store our luggage at the end of the carriage, we could check that they were still with us.
The AirTags only pair up with Apple products so an iPhone or iPad would be necessary. They are available in a single pack at $29 or a package of 4 for $99.
When it’s time to purchase gifts for the travelers in your life, hopefully some of the 12 items on this list will fit the bill and there might even be some items that you want to add to your wish list!
