Somehow it’s already December (guess we can thank Covid for that one) and although most of us are cooped up inside at the moment, there will come a time again in the near future when we can all safely travel about like the good ol’ days. So if you’re trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone who will be buying the first plane ticket out of the country when things reopen once again, then you’ve come to the right place!
We carefully selected items that we think are thoughtful, sustainable, and things we personally own or would love to receive this holiday season (hint, hint).
*Please note this site contains affiliate links.
- HANDMADE GOODS BY LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES – starting at $15+
Stunning earrings by BlueBegonia 
One of a kind ceramics by
Gems Of A Gypsy
Hand crafted bracelets by Aura + Grace 
Dreamy macrame earrings by Daydream Weaver 
Wool Felt hat from Friends of Friends
We may travel to far off places, but we love to bring along our favorite local goods to remind us of home. With the current state of affairs and cities across the globe shutting down for a round 2 of Covid-19 lockdowns, now more than ever we need to remember the importance of shopping local and supporting local businesses. Many of your favorite hometown shops have shifted to online stores or Etsy shops amidst the brick & mortar shutdowns and they need your help! Some of Katie’s favorite small businesses include BlueBegonia handmade jewelry, Gems of a Gypsy one of a kind ceramics & earrings, Aura + Grace unique diffuser bracelets + necklaces, Daydream Weaver handcrafted macrame jewelry + accessories, and Friends of Friends super stylish headwear. We love to shop small because you always get something unique and support an actual person, not a giant corporation.
- VUORI PERFORMANCE JOGGERS – $89
A pant you can really live in. The Vuori Jogger has become a must-have for any occasion and the best part is, they come in both Men’s and Women’s versions! Both styles are slim but relaxed fit with a slightly cropped leg, side pockets and a drawstring. The Men’s style has an added zippered pocked at the thigh. Designed with the butteriest stretch fabric, they’re your new go-to whether you’re jet setting to Europe or working from home.
- JEWELRY ROLL TRAVEL CASE – $14
This is a jewelry-saver and Katie’s personal favorite! Countless necklaces and earrings of hers lost the ‘travel battle’ and were completely destroyed before purchasing one of these Jewelry Roll Travel Cases. With zippered compartments for each type of jewelry, this little guy keeps your items organized and untangled on the go.
- COTOPAXI DOP KIT – Del Día – $20
W love the Dop Kit Del Día from Cotopaxi for a few reasons: it’s the perfect size to fit all your toiletry essentials, it’s sewn with two internal side sleeves and a large loop of webbing that doubles as a carry handle and hang loop, it’s made of 100% remnant materials scrapped from other Cotopaxi products that could have gone to a landfill and so in turn they are all one-of-a-kind.
- CAMERA LENS FILTERS BY URTH – starting at $22+
For the travel photographer, a gift of Urth lens filters is sure to make them smile. We love this brand; Their lens filters are made from the best materials so you can trust them in wild places. All Urth lens filters are guaranteed for life and the brand plants 5 trees with the purchase of every filter.
- WOMEN’S SOREL EXPLORER JOAN BOOT – $140
Sneaker meets Snow Boot with this stylish Sorel style. The Explorer Joan Boot is super lightweight & features waterproof leather/suede and 100g of cozy insulation that makes snowstorms a breeze. A boot designed for all-day wear with a rubber sole that provides the traction you need for those slick city streets or rocky mountain trails.
- MEN’S BACK-TO-BERKELEY BOOT BY THE NORTH FACE – $140
This multi-functioning Men’s Back-To-Berkeley boot features a waterproof, breathable DryVent™ membrane and a comfy fit, so your feet stay dry and happy wherever they take you. Perfect for roaming the street of any city or hiking the trails in the wilderness.
- KINDLE COVER – $37
Instead of buying a mass-produced plastic-based Kindle cover, opt to support small businesses like those on Etsy and purchase a hand-made Wool Felt Kindle Cover like these from byBears. Handmade of 5 mm thick wool felt, these cute covers will protect your Kindle from scratches. & despite the snug fit, they offer easy access to your Kindle at any time. Of course you’ll want to make sure whomever you’re gifting this to already has a Kindle…and if not then that’s another great gift idea!
- PATAGONIA BETTER SWEATER FLEECE JACKET – $139
The Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket (available in both Women’s & Men’s) is the perfect gift this holiday season. A warm, low-bulk full-zip jacket made with soft, sweater-knit recycled polyester fleece. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, Patagonia is a leader in the industry of sustainable clothing and one of our favorite brands to support.
- MINI STEAMER + IRON – $20
Featuring a 420-watt motor and three fabric heating levels, this Mini Travel Steam Iron is the smallest in the world! Coming in at about the size of a computer mouse, traveling with one of these can be extremely useful for travelers of all kinds who are on the road and need to remove the inevitable wrinkles from packed clothing.
- POP FASHION SCARF WITH HIDDEN POCKET – $14
Not only will this cute and cozy infinity scarf keep you warm on your travels, but it also features a hidden pocket for you to safely store all your important essentials, right at your neckline. The zippered compartment is big enough for you to fit your phone, credit cards, passport, keys, and more.
- CROSLEY CRUISER DELUX RECORD PLAYER – $59
For the traveler who’s been cooped up at home this past year or the one who’s been #vanlife -ing it, the Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable is the perfect gift. With dynamic full range stereo speakers, RCA Audio Output, Bluetooth Receiver, & available in over 12 vintage colors & finishes, this record player is portable & lightweight in its charming suitcase-style shell.
- CEPTICS TRAVEL ADAPTER – $30
An item we swear by for our travels, the Ceptics Travel Adapter is versatile and interchangeable for nearly every outlet in the world. Equipped with 2 USA outlets, 2 USB (3. 6A) with Quick Charge 3. 0 & Micro USB cable, it’s the perfect adapter for every traveler and also the perfect gift!
TRTL TRAVEL PILLOW – $23
Gone are the days of traveling with a bulky neck pillow that seems to be more hassle than it’s worth! The Trtl Neck Pillow is made of super soft fleece with an integrated neck support system hidden within and looks just like a neck scarf. It’s designed to fold up with an easy velcro attachment you can latch on the handle of your backpack or outside of your luggage, and it only weight a half a pound.
ATHLETA MINDSET SWEATSHIRT – $69
Comfort & sustainability in one top. The Mindset Sweatshirt by Athleta is made from the brand’s “beyond soft” material making this a top you can just live in. Available in 17 colors, all of which are made from TENCEL Modal™, a fiber that is produced from European beechwood trees harvested from sustainable forests where 99% of the raw material comes from certified or controlled sources. Athleta is also a “Certified B Corporation” brand meaning they are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Men’s Exposure/2™ Gore-Tex® Paclite® Plus Jacket – $300
We know this one comes with a hefty price tag, but if the person you are gifting to is into the outdoors, then there is simply no better rain jacket than the Mountain Hardwear Men’s Exposure/2™ Gore-Tex® Paclite® Plus Jacket. Speaking from experience, Stefan LOVES this jacket. It’s ultra-lightweight, completely waterproof yet somehow breathable and packs up into almost nothing.
THE NORTH FACE STRATOLINER 36L BACKPACK – $159
This is the pack Katie travels with and swears by. Stefan found the TNF Stationliner pack just before we set-off on our Adventure Year trip and we’re glad this is the pack we purchased. 36L in size, this perfect carryon-size backpack has an insane amount of space with compartments & organization necessary for any kind of travel: there is a small zippered compartment at the top for your passport, phone, charging cords, etc., a separate padded compartment for your laptop, a zippered bottom space for shoes, and the entire front of the bag boasts a U-shape zippered design allowing you to open it up completely to get to what’s inside. The North Face makes this in both Men’s & Women’s styles & we can’t say enough good stuff about this bag, it’s perfect!
We hope this list has helped you find the perfect gift for that special someone this holiday season! Remember to gift sustainable, gift from small businesses, and gift minimally but thoughtfully!
Vitamin Sea See Sí 