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Not sure what to buy the traveler on your list this holiday season? While many gift guides offer ideas like luggage or neck pillows for long flights, it can be difficult to pick out such things for other people, especially if they travel often; most frequent travelers have already figured out and purchased the travel products that work best for them.
Instead, why not give travel-themed gifts that can be used or displayed in your favorite traveler's home — items that will fuel a sense of wanderlust all year round? Below are eight travel gifts to consider this holiday season.
One of the greatest pleasures of travel is tasting your way around the globe, and your recipient can do just that with one of these food-themed gifts. Tea lovers will appreciate the Tea Traveler Tea Sampler, which features blends from Morocco, China, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa. Is your recipient more of a coffee drinker? Try Around the World in Twelve Coffees, with samples from a dozen countries including Costa Rica, Colombia, Ethiopia and Indonesia. Other foodie-friendly options include this spice sampler and this box of chocolate bars.
Anyone who loves to travel can't help but be inspired by the photos in a book like National Geographic's Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips, in which vacation ideas are sorted by theme (such as road trips, gourmet adventures and pilgrimages). Another gorgeous option is Lonely Planet's Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World, which is sure to expand your recipient's bucket list.
Coasters make a good small gift or stocking stuffer, with countless varieties available to suit just about any taste or travel interest. These Old World Maps will appeal to many wanderlusters, but you could also try something more specific — like these coasters featuring a Monet painting of Venice (suitable for both art and Italy lovers) or these vintage Paris coasters. Search Amazon or Etsy for more ideas.
Got someone on your list who loves both travel and wine? Consider gifting this unique 16th-Century Italian Replica Old World Globe Bar. An antique globe opens to reveal a tray for wine glasses or bottles, with another lower shelf below. Its three legs have rolling casters so your recipient can wheel it right into his or her library or living room.
Between trips, travel quotes can provide continual inspiration. For example, Susan Sontag's famous line, “I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list,” has been turned into T-shirts, mugs, even pillows. The LakesideDaydreams shop on Etsy offers a number of maps overlain with travel quotes such as “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” and “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Buy one and frame it for your favorite traveler.
Sure, most of us rely on our smartphones to manage our schedules these days, but there's something about an old-fashioned paper calendar — complete with gorgeous, colorful pictures — to inspire wanderlust throughout the year. National Geographic's 2017 wall calendar features images of Santorini, Havana and Paris, among others. For the hiker on your list, consider Wanderlust: Trekking the Road Less Traveled, with incredible shots from adventure photographer Chris Burkard. If you'd rather go for a smaller daily option that your giftee can put on his or her desk, consider this option from Lonely Planet.
Give your travel-loving giftee some unique art for a home or office by purchasing a vintage poster featuring one of his or her favorite travel destinations — such as Japan, San Francisco or London. Want more ideas? See Vintage Travel Posters Are Cool Again.
One of the best ways to keep your travel memories alive is to hang a few of your favorite vacation snaps on the wall. Encourage your recipient to make his or her own travel collage by giving a multi-image photo frame like this one from ArtToFrames (which holds nine 5″ x 7″ prints) or this smaller one from Americanflat (which displays five 4″ x 6″ photos). A less conventional option is this Umbra hanging photo display, which is like a set of clotheslines for pictures.
Want more gift ideas? Check out 10 Unexpected Holiday Travel Gifts and Top 11 Travel Stocking Stuffers.
