The holidays are about spending time with the people you love most. Along with spending time with them, there may be pressure to buy them the perfect gift this holiday season. Materialistic items come and go but giving someone the gift of experience (or items that contribute to their experience) is not only an unforgettable gift, but one that gives you the opportunity to spend even more time together!
In this gift guide, I will be sharing a list of holiday gift ideas for the special people in your life. Examples are meaningful experiences, physical items that can be used during an experience (travel, hiking, self care, etc) and ideas to bring adventure to the lives of your friends, family, partner and children. The list is not specific, but are general ideas that you can search and adjust depending on where you live. Also, remember to support small businesses!
Disclaimer: Everything in my blog is based on my own opinions, experiences and perspectives. We are all different and my hope is you can go out and create experiences and perspectives of your own. I also have some affiliate links with Adobe, Back Country and Kayak.com throughout my blog and advertisements for brands I partner with and use such as Just Strong, Goli Vitamins and DIFF Eyewear. I make a very small commission if you purchase through the link & offer a discount code.
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LIST OF HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS
Decrease your stress this holiday season by using the list below to put together the most perfect, memorable gift for your loved ones. The list is divided into FOUR categories: Experience, Activities, Outdoor Adventure & Physical Items and Subscription Boxes.
ITINERARIES FOR A FAMILY FUN ADVENTURE
EXPERIENCE
Give the gift of experience to get your special person out of the house and into the world. Maybe they need a full on spa day- if you can search spas in the area and consider getting them a gift card there. If you want to go all out, consider researching hotels and seeing if they have spa options available.
Booking a hotel room is also a good idea if there are kids in the family-especially if they have a swimming pool! Consider a cozy cabin getaway or tickets to an event! Be mindful that you can adjust settings for hotels or places to stay on any platform you are using to search. Another tip I have is to book through the direct website if you can.
I have endless ideas below:
- Cozy cabin getaway or staycation- Click VRBO, AIRBNB, Booking Hotel Finder, Home To Go to search!
- The Getaway House stay- click here for more information!
- Spa Day
- Tickets for Music, Comedy or Performance Event
- Tickets for Children’s, Science or Art Museum
- Tickets to the Zoo, Aquarium, Safari or Animal Park (look for interactive animal experiences)
- Environmental learning center visit
- Tickets to Water or Indoor Activity Park (possible hotel room)
- Tickets to a Sports Game or Event
- Plan a Camping Trip- search using Outly
- Amazon Explore Virtual Tours- click here for more information!
- Food, Brewery or Wine Tour of Favorite City
- Pre-book Kayak or Boat Tour
- America the Beautiful National Park Pass
- State Park Pass (Consider the Ranger Challenge for kids!)
- Tickets to Explore the Country via Train- click here for Amtrak
- Virgin Experience Gift Card- click here for more information!
ACTIVITIES
Give the gift of knowledge by thinking of some fun activities or new things your special person can learn. Have they wanted to learn a new language? How to cook a certain meal? Make their own mug on a pottery wheel? These kind of ideas are the gifts that keep on giving.
- Book an Arts and Crafts Class (Painting, Pottery, Crafts, Bath Bombs, etc)
- Book a Fitness Class (Yoga, Pilates, Weight Training, Dance, Self-Defense)
- Rock Climbing Class
- Candle Pouring
- Take a Cooking Class
- Ropes course or sports activities day
- Escape Room
- Horseback riding
- Learn a New Language with Rosetta Stone
- Learn How to Play an Instrument
- Gift card to favorite local coffee shop or restaurant
- Photo shoot- support your local photographers!
TIPS TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & PHYSICAL ITEMS
If you have a loved one who loves travel, adventure and the great outdoors, consider giving them items that they can actually use on their adventures. The following list includes the top items needed when camping, hiking or traveling. I also have some specific product recommendations that have worked out great for my family and I. All items are hyperlinked for product recommendations.
OUTDOOR ITEMS
- Outdoor blanket– Stoic
- Lightweight chair– Alps
- Outdoor Gourmet Pourover Coffee Set– Stanley
- Water bottle- Camelbak Filterable– Camelbak
- USA Bucketlist Sticker Waterbottle- Wondery
- Stash Collapsible Water Bottle– Hydrapak
- Cooking Stove Set– Primus
- Wireless Ear Buds– Outdoor Tech
- Ultra Light Packing Cubes– Osprey
- Dry Bags– Seal To Summit
- Portable Charger- Clutch Lightning
- Backpack– Black Diamond Trail Blitz
- Water Purifier– Rapid Pure on REI
- Garmin In-Reach Mini (GPS for backcountry hikers)
- Hiking First Aid Kid– REI
- Multi-Tool– REI
- Hammock– REI
- Camping String Lights– REVEL Gear
PLANNING/ ACTIVITY ITEMS
- My Nature Book Adventures for National
- The Traveling Wildflower Journal
- Katie Daisy Planner
- Katie Daisy Wildflower WorkBook
- Travel Books: Roaming America, Atlas of National Parks, America’s Best Day Hikes, The Bucket List, Guide to State Parks in the US, Hit the Road
- Midwest Survival Guide
- U.S. National Parks Scratch Offs
- Nature Journal for Kids
- Nature Trail Activity Books for Kids
HOME/ FOOD ITEMS
- Destination Candles- Wondery, Homesick or small, local shop
- Photo prints- framed by Smallwoods
- Artwork (the best gift if you are looking for landscape paintings!)- Kassie Menagerie Art
- Art and Photo prints (perfect if you love pastel colors!)- Emilee Hofferber Photography
- Photography prints with Wild Gina– her prints are the most detailed I’ve ever seen! (Check them out for yourself! Use checkout code HOLIDAYSHIP through December 10th for free shipping)
- Steeped Coffee- FIKA from MN North Shore
- Cozy Blanket- Happy Earth– use code THETRAVELINGWILDFLOWERR for 15% off your entire order!
- Vitamins- Goli (Use code Wildflower22 for 10% off)
APPAREL/FOOTWEAR
- Hiking Boots- Columbia Newton Ridge
- The Parks Beanie– Wondery
- Insulated Jacket-Stoic
- Flannel- Natural Life
- Blanket Shirt– Happy Earth (use code THETRAVELINGWILDFLOWERR for 15% off your entire order!)
- Happy Earth Lounge Set
- Jogger Red Plaid Pajamas- Stoic ($13.48-70% off)
- Nordic Sherpa Jacket- Happy Earth
- Just Strong Women Sweatpants– Use Code JANJAN110 for 15% off your order!
- Scandinavian Earflap Hat- Duluth Trader’s
- Sunglasses- DIFF Eyewear (I love their blue light glasses! Click here for $20 off)
MY FAVORITE DUFFEL BAG FOR TRAVEL
Visit JUSTSTRONG.COM and use JANJAN110 for a discount at check out!
Check it out: I have been using Just Strong’s new duffel bag when traveling. I like that I can wear it like a messenger back or carry it by the handles. Even the smaller outside pockets zip up too. You can use the discount code JANJAN110 at check out and get a discount at The Just Strong Clothing store.
GIVE THE GIFT OF VISION
If you like to scroll your phone, work on your laptop or watch tv, chances are A LOT! As a travel blogger, I know I certainly do my fair share of screen time. I wanted to offer some discounts from DIFF Eyewear– which has literally EVERY style of glasses you can think of- including Blue Light glasses! Mine have been helping with headaches-check out to see what they have here!
SUBSCRIPTION
There are amazing subscription ideas for every person in your life. What I enjoy most about subscription boxes is they have the element of surprise- you never know exactly what you will get! It’s also fun to order boxes that highlight different cultures and countries. It’s a great way to “travel” without leaving your home. The following are box or app subscription ideas. Most subscription boxes you can cancel anytime- but I encourage you to read cancelation policies before signing up.
- Sips By– For the adventurous tea drinker (take a quiz to find the perfect box)
- Atlas Coffee Co.- For the adventurous coffee drinker
- Kiwico Crate– Find the perfect interactive gift for the little ones in your life
- Shaker and Spoon – For the cocktail lovers in your life
- International Snack Box– Try delicious snacks from around the world
- Little Passports– A perfect gift for your little ones to explore the world’s wonders
- Exotic Noods– Check out unique Ramen Noodle concoctions
- Happy Glamper– Perfect gift for the glampers
- Nomadik- For our campers, hikers and nature lovers.
- Wondery– for the female explorer
- Japan Crate- Japanese candy box subscription
- Kinder Beauty– An overall beauty box that you can customize
- Wild Woman– Everything you need to enjoy a hike on the trail
- Healthy Live Succulents– For the plant lovers
- Scribbler Box- The perfect box for readers and riders
- Headspace App- Give the gift of mental health support and meditation
- All Trails Pro Subscription App– For avid hikers
- National Geographic or Ranger Rick Magazine Subscription
STOCKING STUFFERS
- Natural Life Stocking Stuffers
- Anti Blister Glide (for hikers)
- Pacifica Beauty Stocking Stuffers
- Cute Socks (Darn Tough)
- Box of Chocolates
- Burts Bees Lip Care Set
- Hair Ties- Soulvution
- Poetry Book- Shipwreck
GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH
Goli vitamins has something for everyone. Whether you are stressed, an insomniac, need help with your beauty routine or need more greens in your diet, the gift of health is something we all need. Use the code Wildflower22 at checkout for 10% off your order.
TRAVEL AWAY WITH ME
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