It’s that time of year again. Christmas is fast approaching and you’re wracking your brains for ideas on what to buy as gifts for the special people in your life. Buying gifts for travellers can be extremely difficult, because the last thing they want is to be weighed down with gimmicky items they’ll barely ever use.
Thankfully, there are some really awesome and innovative products on the market, and the following list includes ten of the best ideas for gifts for travellers this December. As I’m in the festive spirit, I’m also GIVING AWAY one of these absolutely awesome Fatboy Lamzacs!
Read to the end of the post for more information on how to enter.
These inflatable sofas from Houseology retail at £74.50 and make the perfect gift for travellers and festival goers!
GIFTS FOR TRAVELLERS
EL CAMINO BRACELET
Friendship bracelets are the mark of a seasoned traveller. They remind us of where we’ve been, and they’re a great way to display how far we’ve roamed.
The El Camino bracelet is both simple and genius. They’ve taken a basic design formed of durable high-strength cord to create a variety of attractive coloured bracelets on which to display what they refer to as ‘steps’. A metal step might have a country name, a specific location or a short customised message etched into its side. There are also regional steps made from coloured glass, as well as wooden ‘spacers’.
Collecting the steps is almost as addictive as the travel itself! Just as charm bracelets provide a great way for friends and loved ones to contribute to a treasured possession, the special people in your life can gift you small mementos of the places you’ve explored together.
A SLEEPING BAG WITH ARMS AND LEGS
I first came across this concept while watching The Apprentice UK back in 2009 and, finally, I have one! The SelkBag is a sleeping bag with the freedom to move around as you please. If, like me, you struggle to keep your limbs restrained inside a conventional bag, this unique design will keep you both warm and comfortable.
SelkBags are ideal for camping trips, festivals and cold nights in hostels. They come with booties you can zip on and off, so you’ll never again have to experience that horrible feeling of climbing into the cold night air to use the bathroom. They also have leg vents for temperature regulation and a front zip system that makes it easy to climb in and out.
Both practical and hilarious, you’ll be the envy of all your friends if you have one of these. Still not convinced? Check out the ’10 Funny Reasons for Getting a SelkBag’ video on their website!
CABIN LUGGAGE
Have you ever turned up at check in only to find that your hand luggage is too big for the measuring box? CabinZERO luggage has been specifically designed for acceptance by all major airlines. It also has some nifty features that will appeal to both the long-term traveller and the city break addict.
Weighing in at either 760g or 960g, depending on which model you choose, CabinZERO luggage is much lighter than conventional suitcases, giving you that extra bit of leeway when it comes to packing below the airline’s weight limit.
The fact that you can wear it as a rucksack means you can hop on and off escalators and public transport more easily, and saves you the embarrassment of waking up whole neighbourhoods with the sound of wheels scraping against uneven ground.
Finally, an inbuilt Okoban tracking system ensures that your bag can be traced back to you if it’s ever lost or stolen. These fantastic bags come in a wide range of striking colours, with a 25-year guarantee, making them one of the best gifts for travellers on the market today.
A MAP OR CITY CANVAS
Earlier this year I partnered with a fantastic company called Maps International. They sent me this amazing text art map and gifted a beautiful city skyline canvas to one of my readers. Since then, I’ve had a lot of fun learning where some of the more obscure countries are located, and it’s definitely brightened up my room.
Maps International are always coming up with innovative ways for travellers to decorate their homes and they’ve put together a fantastic selection of maps and canvases.
They have everything from ‘scratch the world’ travel prints to advent calendars, colouring in maps, glow in the dark posters and 3D craft kits. Maps show city suburbs, tube lines, football stadiums, mythical monsters, star constellations, and much, much more!
Beyond Blighty readers can get a 10% discount until December 2, 2016, by entering the code BBMAPS at checkout.
BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONES
These Trekz Titanium bone conduction headphones are manufactured by the specialist brand Aftershokz. While their primary aim is to keep people safe while they exercise, they’re brilliant for travellers too.
When you travel, you spend most of your time either exploring the great outdoors or travelling on public transport, and because you’re usually unfamiliar with your environment, it’s more important than ever that you pay attention to your surroundings.
With bone conduction technology, sound is transmitted through small vibrations in your cheekbones, leaving your ears free to pick up other sounds.
These headphones are durable, lightweight and secure, as well as having wireless Bluetooth connectivity. This means you can lock your phone or other music device in a secure pocket while you listen to music on your travels, rather than having that telltale wire advertising exactly where it’s hidden!
PERSONALISED TRAVEL ITEMS
One of the best ways to show you care is to design personalised gifts, and that’s why I love Bags of Love so much. They have a massive range of products you can add your own touches to.
There are so many ways to get creative on this site, whether your travel-obsessed friend has just returned home, is still overseas, or hasn’t even set off yet.
Gifts like canvasses, cushions, mugs, christmas decorations and other homeware can be made to feature your favourite photos from a trip the two of you shared; smaller items like keyrings, travel wallets, luggage tags and passport covers could be personalised and sent abroad to remind them of the loved ones they’ve left behind; and travel towels, laptop and kindle cases, water bottles, backpacks, suitcases, neck pillows, and a wide range of clothes and swimwear are all brilliant gifts to personalise for a friend before they go away.
You can add your own photos or design something truly original using patterns and inspiration from anywhere you like! Finally, don’t forget to wrap it all up in personalised paper!
CUSTOMISABLE SUNGLASSESS AND SNOW GOGGLES
Whether you’re spending Christmas surrounded by snow or having a barbie on the beach, SunGod is a brand you definitely need in your life! These fully customisable snow goggles and sunglasses are really great quality. In fact, the manufacturers are so convinced of their durability they come with a lifetime guarantee.
The snow goggles have interchangeable lenses to optimise clarity in different conditions, and the sunglasses come in one of two styles: classics and mavericks. The straps, arms and frames also come in a wide range of styles and colours. Mix and match as you please and it’s likely you’ll never meet anyone else with the same pair!
These products are built to look good and to withstand the harsh conditions backpackers and serious sportspeople subject them to and, for this reason, they’re a seriously good investment.
TRTL PILLOW
Introducing the first travel pillow with neck support that actually works! There are so many styles of travel pillow on the market, and 99% of them fail to provide the level of comfort we seek on long-haul flights and overnight buses.
The Trtl pillow (pronounced ‘turtle’) is a scarf with an inbuilt rigid support system, which allows you to rest your head while sitting upright in a chair. It completely avoids floppy head syndrome and saves your neck from those uncomfortable strain-related aches and pains.
Unlike many travel pillows, it’s incredibly light and compact, plus it keeps you toasty warm.
ACTION CAMERA
In a day and age when almost everyone shares their photos and experiences on social media, the demand for top-quality smart phones and camera equipment has skyrocketed. Since travellers’ experiences might involve a multitude of crazy activities, nothing suits their needs more than a sturdy, waterproof, impact-resistant action camera.
There was a time when the phrase ‘action camera’ was synonymous with the GoPro, but not anymore. Cobra Electronics have just launched the WASPCam, which – although it looks similar – has the added advantage of being waterproof without a case to 30 m!
Built-in WiFi, remote shooting, time-lapse and HD video, GPS capabilities, 20 megapixel photos and a 1.5 inch LCD screen are all features that make this new contender a brilliant option for adventure sports both above and below the water.
FATBOY LAMZAC HANGOUT
Admittedly, the Fatboy Lamzac Hangout is a bit of traveller’s luxury, but if you spend any time camping, at festivals, on day trips to the beach or park, or hosting house and garden parties, this cushy little item will become invaluable.
It takes seconds to inflate, feels comfortable and sturdy to lie on, and packs away into a small, compact bag weighing just 2.6 pounds. It also comes in a wide range of vibrant colours. The materials and design are really high-end, and I guarantee if you whip one out around your friends you’ll be the centre of attention and the envy of everyone.
You could also pick up the book I’m reading – Girls Who Travel – and add it to your gift. After all, who doesn’t love a good travel story when they’ve got a long journey ahead of them.
PIN IT!
COMPETITION TIME!!
Now it’s time for one lucky reader to win themselves their very own Fatboy Lamzac in my Christmas giveaway!
It’s pretty self-explanatory, but you can choose which methods of entry suit you best and make multiple entries to increase your chances!
Love them, esp like knowing about bag sizes. It can be “FUN” at the airport with the wrong size bag in tow!
Yes, it’s such a stressful process not knowing if they’ll let you through!
That sleeping bag looks so cosy – I love the thought of cuddling up in that whilst camping!
Emily, it’s one of my favourite possessions ever! I have the yellow one and I feel so cosy and happy snuggled up like a toasty banana! I highly recommend :)
Some great suggestions, something for everybody
Or one big splurge on yourself! ;)
I like the travel pillow with neck support. The last time I went on a long journey (8 hours overnight) I couldn’t sleep with a normal travel pillow. I’d be willing to try this out next time.
It’s great! It takes a bit of getting used to, but it definitely helps. I always wonder why they don’t just make airline seats with more side support for your head!
I especially like the personalised travel items!
It’s a great selection isn’t it?!
Ii like the Fatboy Lamzac Hangout ,the City/Map/Canvas and the
customisable Sunglasses and Snow Goggles. Perhaps a very welcome
present for this coming winter.
Treat yourself Jan!
I love the idea of the El Camino bracelet it’s a lot better than a fridge magnet ☺
So much better! It’s a lovely way to collect small tokens from the people who matter in your life as well.
Such a good line up of great travel gifts. The SelkBag is so cool. Great for festivals!
I think it’s the item that will get the most use from me in the next few weeks! I was tempted to wear it to go Christmas shopping today :-)
LOVE ALL THE TRAVEL ITEMS ALL WILL COME IN SO VERY HANDY GOOD LUCK TO ALL HAPPY TRAVELS
Glad you like them! Good luck!
Some very usefull things , I love the sleeping bags with arms and legs
They are such a great idea, right?! I read somewhere that they might not work so well because your body warmth is more spread out – but mine is amazing!
The SelkBag sound great
I seriously love mine. I feel so snug and comfortable. Makes me look like a yellow spaceman too!
great suggestions, something for everyone
Thanks! Have a great Christmas
i like the action cam, i would love one of these. Great ideas
I love my action cam. They’re so great for travel. I’m really into scuba diving and use mine every time with a red filter :)
looks cool
Some great gift ideas, the personalised ones have really helped, thanks,
Excellent! Hope you have a great Christmas!
I love the TRTL Pillow. I am 6’4 and trying to rest comfortably on flights is not easy!
I’m quite tall too. I find I have to sit more upright just to fit my legs in, and then my head is even more likely to flop! The TRTL really is a great idea. Its predecessor was an eye mask that straps around the back of your chair, but you can’t use it on planes because of the TV screen. Also I felt really silly in it!
very good comments
Some great finds. Love how some are a bit wacky like the sleeping bag with arms and legs
Hahaha. I love that you think they’re wacky! I guess that sums up my tastes!
The TRTL pillow is a great item, I think we all know about the floppy head on a plane
Yes! It’s the worst!
Some great suggestions for everyone :)
I think they’re all fabulous and would come in so useful for next summers festivals
I think so too! A few of those items are really great for festivals as well as travel :)
I love seeing your reviews of products I can take camping. Wonderful, thanks!
You’re welcome! I hope it helped with your Christmas shopping!
I love the action camera, not that I get up to too much action.
I think they are great! I especially like the fatboy and the camera. Thank you!
You’re welcome. I had a lot of fun reviewing these items!
the headphones look really good
They’re such a great idea aren’t they?!
I’m tech mad so the bone induction headphones and action cam would be brilliant for me…who says you have to rough it when travelling and ditch the benefits of modern day living hey? ;)
Exactly! I think sometimes it’s best to splash out on gear for travelling – especially if you’ll be using it day in day out. :)
Some great suggestions, I love the sleeping bag with arms and legs!
It’s the best, isn’t it?! I was jumping up and down like a little kid when mine arrived in the post!
Great suggestions! I think all of these products look pretty neat! I love to travel and could see myself using many of these
That’s great to hear! :)
Being a traveller the tiredness makes you crave comfort and some of these items are genius. I would love to win any of them. Best of luck to everyone
I completely agree Lesley!
I think I need the sleeping bag with arms for me….the school runs just too cold I’ve shivers before I leave the house lol and the Fatboy Lamzac Hangout would have been great for a festival we went to in the summer. Daytime before the music kicked off would have been great to top up my tan and relax after a night on the back breaking inflatable bed that kept deflating in the night.
I think the sleeping bag would be great for the school run! It’s so handy to be able to step outside and still feel snug and warm. I had a similar experience at a festival this year too! It was actually because of that experience and my subsequent Google searches that I came across the Fatboy Lamzac.
I love the sleeping bag outfit I’m always cold that would be great
I love mine too! It’s been a Godsend in this weather!
great selection, i struggle to buy my brother gifts for his travels
Thank you! I hope you got some inspiration :)
The Trtl pillow would like to try this as I am an avid get my forty winks when ever I can
I can’t function without proper sleep either! I love the Trtl pillow, especially for backpackers who don’t want to fill their bags with anything too cumbersome.
A great range of gift ideas thanks! I especially love the travel pillow with neck support and the sleeping bags with arms and legs!
I used my sleeping bag this weekend at a friend’s house and everyone was trying it on and trying to steal it from me!
Some great ideas, like the map especially.
It’s cool isn’t it?! They have some pretty unique stuff at Maps International.
I love the look of the wasp, I have been waiting to see something that can rival GoPro
GoPro do seem to have been pretty much the only option out there for some time!
Fab love gadgets especially the headphones
I love the headphones too! I’ve only used them for travel so far, but when I get back into running I think they’ll be invaluable!
my favourite has to be the sleeping bag with arms and legs :)
It’s the one I’ve used the most so far! Perfect for the weather we’re having in the UK at the moment!
All suggestions are great! I particularly like the rucksack and camera
Love the TRTL neck, that’s a fab idea. My daughter would be interested in that.
I love the thought of the sleeping bag – looks so cosy!
some great suggestions I love the sleeping bag for cold nights snuggled up on the sofa.
I’ve worn mine quite a lot indoors too. It saves on heating bills and it’s cosy!
I like the lamzac and my favourite colour is purple!
Good luck to you then! :)
they are fab
Great new design!
Good ideas there.
These are great suggestions xx
Some great suggestions and travel gifts.
Brilliant ideas. I soooo need a carry around sofa! :)
Who doesn’t?! ;)
What a lovely, cosy looking sleeping bag. The map looks great too.
Great selections, those sleeping bags look so cosy
they all sound great, really like the headphones!
They’re awesome. I was really surprised by the sound quality too!
Love the idea of one of these, great to keep in the car in the event of a breakdown.
Some really great ideas
I love your suggestions :) I always struggle with headphones when away – so difficult to not damage them or end up in a hopeless tangle of wires!
I get my old ones tangled all the time!
I love the lazy boy the colour is amazing
There are a lot of good ideas!
sleeping bag awesome
Great ideas
looks cosy and warm
Looks like my kind of travelling. I could get used to it :)
I love the personalised travel items!
I love the look of the gadgets in this post! I love how they’re practical and not necessarily extravagant, which is a must when travelling.
Some great stuff, the Selkbag is fantastic, I can’t believe no one has thought of this before!
great ideas for my camping trips :)
some great ideas and really love the friendship bracelet, but who looks that good when travelling Im talking about the girl on the plane. I look a dishevelled mess dribbling as I lean x
Haha. Fair point! :)
Love them, great!
Great blog. Like the look of the travel pillow – looks really snug and cosy!
I love the sleeping bags with arms and legs, awesome idea! We love our camping trips and some of the inventions listed here are amazingly useful!
That’s great to hear! They do the sleeping bags for kids too.
Great review love the lamzac be great for in the bag garden in the summer
I love them all – travelling in style. The big bean bag would be gorgeous for CHILLING in the garden.
Great list. I like the travel pillow with neck support and the action camera best.
Love the cabin luggage and the lamzac, very useful.
some great ideas, lovely blog post
I love your list, really useful a coule of things I’ll definately be packing now after reading this
A nice wide range of varied products for everyone
What a great list of ideas, inspired!
Some great ideas here thank you I particularly like the BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONES
Ooooh some fab ideas. I do love the Trtl pillow. as until they make seats like childrens car seats with side support on long journeys a pillow like that is amazing.
Love the looks of the sleeping bags such a great idea!
The cabin bag rucksack is a fab idea, especially for short trips. I find also if im travelling through London it is so much easier with a backpack than trying to lug a suitcase about
I completely agree! I visited Bristol recently with a regular suitcase and was making so much noise going over cobbles!
I love the suggestions that is suggested on this page
Some great products. I would love the FATBOY LAMZAC HANGOUT
I think they’re great x
I especially like the personalized travel items.
I like the idea of the Selkbag
Love the Lamzac – looks so comfy!
Some really great ideas there. I like the sleeping bags with arms and legs, I feel really claustrophobic in sleeping bags and can’t use them, but that would be perfect
I hate not being able to move my limbs around! I’ve had some amazing nights’ sleep in my SelkBag :)
Very nice list of some great unique gifts. I especially liked the Map Canvas. Another category of unique gifts is handmade items such as handmade knives, handcrafter knittings, and even paracord items.
TPatrick recently posted..Top 15 handmade gift ideas for campers to buy in 2017
Nice collection of such a wonderful gifts for Travelers.
Great ideas, Arianwen! Me as a traveler would love to get any of these gifts! :)