These are our gift guides for travellers, hikers and nature lovers. Where possible we have tried to choose gifts which focus on being ethical and/ or sustainable, and tried to choose as many as possible that will support small businesses. Some of the gifts are practical travel gifts, some add a touch of style, comfort or personalisation to a trip, others will remind people of their travels or the great outdoors, hopefully making their home, one they want to come back to after a holiday.
We would always encourage asking the recipient if there’s anything they would like, or need there’s no shame in it, it’s much better to get something they will be put to good use rather than something that’s shoved to the back of the cupboard. A sustainably bought item isn't sustainable if it's not used. Here's our stocking filler gift guide:
1. Luxury Chocolate
Put a sweet treat into their Christmas stocking in the form of some ethically made chocolate.
Yard Confectionary £6
Based in London. Ethically sourced Jamaican cocoa chocolate company. They have some traditional flavours and a mix of unique and unusual flavours too. Once they are released they are often snapped up quick and sold out, so keep an eye out!
Tony's Chocolate £3
Based in Amsterdam. Tony's commitment is to make chocolate 100% slave free, and to show the world chocolate can be made ethically. It also tastes great!
2. Tea
Good Tea, for a lot of Brits is one of the best things about being home, so treat them.
Tea pigs £2
Based in London. Tea Pigs are working on being more ethical and sustainable, they provide plastic free tea bags or loose leaf tea and are part of the Rainforest Alliance. Choose from traditional everyday brew to pop corn flavoured tea or pick a Christmas brew.
Cup Smith Tea £4
Based in Surrey. Often found at local cafes, food markets and farm shops. Plastic free tea bags. They're also selling these cute Christmas themed tea, hot chocolate and coffee decorations.
3. Reusable Cutlery
Reusable Cutlery A Plastic Free Studio/ WillowoodUK £3+
Available from most zero waste shops, try out A Plastic Free Studio based in Surrey or WillowoodUK based in Lincoln. Ideal for travellers who are often grabbing food on the go or campers, helping to reduce waste in turn.
4. Scrunchies
There's always one in the hair, around the wrist or in the bumbag.
Rescr.unch £6
Based in Northampton. Sustainable scrunchies made from scrap fabrics.
Nativemixstore Scrunchies £6
Based in London. Sustainable brand taking offcuts of premium brand fabric and repurposing them into scrunchies and headbands.
5. Socks
Whats Christmas without new socks. Comfy socks are essential for long travel days, for walking socks you'll have to wait for our kit list guides.
Vvworthy Socks £7
Based in Kent. Essential comfort when on long travel days whether you're on the plane, bus, boat or car.
Thought Socks £6
Based in London. Bamboo and Recycled polyester Socks, check out the designs inspired by nature including the safari collection.
6. Don’t look behind you; tales of a safari guide
Peter Allison Book £8
For those of you that have been on safari, it will have you reminiscing or if you're planning on it going on safari, it will make you book it there and then. However, it will leave everyone, gasping in shock.
7. Toothbrush Case
£9 Based in Surrey. 100% Eco-friendly Travel Toothbrush Case made from Wheat Straw. May seem like an odd gift, but its much more practical than a normal toothbrush holder as it actually stands up, so theres somewhere to put your toothbrush especially if youre backpacking and staying somewhere not so clean or camping, as long as you've got a bit of extra room in your bag that is. Alternatively, a compact bamboo tube case from your local zero waste store.
8. Mapinoes Card Game
Mapominoes by Wild Card Games £10
Ideal games for travellers whist their at home but also small enough you could fit them in your suitcase.
Their are different continent and country editions, you guessed it, its like dominoes but with places. Don't worry, you don't need to be good at Geography to play, all information is on each card.
9. Backpackers Card Game
Backpackers by Wild Card Games £10
Again another one small enough to travel with or just play at home. Constantly changing competitive game, keeping everyone on their toes, replicating the highs and lows of backpacking, ideal for family holidays, gap year, gift for globetrotters or anyone!
10. Personalsied Map Bauble
Lots of different options on notonthehighstreet and etsy starting from £10+
The one pictured is from a wholeworldoflove, based in Leeds, and is entirely personisable. Choose either a specific location and pick their favourite or get a globe Bauble and add their name or a quote. For specific locations we'd recommend Bombus.
11. Hidden Places
Sarah Baxter Book £15
If you love to find hidden gems this one is for you
12. A tote bag, foldable bag or a reusable laundry bag
Reusable laundry bag (various prices)
This one pictured is by WeaselandStoatLtd and £12. Based in Kent. Cut down on using plastic bags and get a reusable laundry bag for travelling, like this one.
A tote bag (various prices)
It's always useful to have whilst travelling whether its for supermarket trips, snack bag, overflowing luggage or literally anything, having it tucked in a pocket of your backpack it will come in handy at some point, thats why it made our top sustainable items blog post .
13. A Passport Cover
Lots of people already have one but if they don't its one of our favourite ideas, and we've both been gifted one ourselves.
Bespoke Binny £16
Based in London. Vibrant travel accessories made from West African Cloth.
Luna Studio Designs £20-25
Based in Cheltenham. Personalised map location, coastline or quote in vibrant colours. Vegan leather usually £20-25 but often on sale for half price so keep an eye out!
14. Reusable Coffee Cup
There is an unbelievable amount of options for reusable coffee cups, here are some of our favourites
Bamboo Coffee Cup by WillowoodUK £9
Based in Lincoln.
Collapsible Coffee Cup by Stojo £10+
Based in USA, but sold by many independent stores in the UK, so keep an eye out when you're shopping locally. These coffee cups by Stojo are so handy, they can easily be popped in your bag or squeezed in if you're travelling. Stojo are seeking ways to use recycled plastic and silicone in the cups.
Circular and co £12+
Based in Cornwall. Formerly called Rcup. They use single use plastic including coffee cups to make reusable coffee cups. Leak proof.
Chillys £20+
Based in London. Chilly are more expensive but more advanced than the others listed above, including more colour options; 6 hours hot. Leak proof
Hydroflask £25
Based in USA. Probably the most well known brand on the list, Hydroflask. inspired by moving in nature and a need to refill. Leak Proof.
15. Reusable Water Bottle
Chillys £20+
Based in London. Reusable insulated water bottle, durable, leak proof, 24 hours cold, 6 hours hot, lots of different sizes. Ideal for everyday use. If you're after a patterned water bottle these should be your go to. Grab the karibener for an extra £3.
Hydroflask £25+
Based in USA. Extremely durable, leak proof, 24 hours cold, 6 hours hot, lots different sizes ideal or being in the outdoors and everyday use. From experience, the wider mouth of the hydroflask makes it easier to keep clean when travelling.
Some of our recommendations to suit all budgets!
Experience gifts are always great. Why not give them a head start at planning their next travels and get them a voucher for a tour company. Our recommendations; G Adventures, Much Better Adventures, KE Travel, Exodus, Undiscovered Mountains, Blue Yonder, Adventure Alternatives, Better Places Travel, Justice Travel or Responsible Travel.
You could also give a donation to their favourite charity on their behalf, especially for the friends and family that have everything. You can make a donation, or some charities allow you to give a gift on their behalf check out ‘Help Refugees - Choose Love’ or you could even ‘Twin your toilet’ or ‘Twin your Tap’ to provide hygiene facilities in various developing countries, these are just a few ideas of many!
Get them vouchers for somewhere they’ve missed during their travels, whether that be their favourite restaurant or cafe, a local climbing wall, escape room or the cinema or just about anything.
A subscription service whether that’s monthly spices, baked goods or one of our best finds, a subscription service to ‘The Happy Newspaper’ by Emily Coxhead. Starting from £3.99 and spanning to all budgets, depending on how long you wish to subscribe the recipient for. A whole colourful newspaper filled with only good news, good for those stuck at home and waiting to travel and also great for those returning in the future to catch up on the good stuff.
Socks and Sandals
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