(Part of my very occasional Travel Post Friday series here on the blog)
Holiday gift-giving was a lot easier when my Navy ships went on six-month deployments.
I’d do leisurely shopping for gifts in ports across Asia or Europe or the Middle East (depending upon where the ship was deployed and how much time I had off duty) and the biggest problem when I got home was finding a place to hide it all, time to wrap things, and not missing package shipping cutoff dates.
Even though I still travel a lot today as a civilian, I don’t seem to have as much interest or inspiration when I walk out of random conference centers or hotels.
If you’re like me and starting to get that “deer in the headlights” holiday feeling, I’ve got a round-up of gift round-ups here – 2016 gift guides from some of my favorite travel blogs.
Of course, the best option is to shop your local stores and support your local retailers (pay cash or check to save them the merchant credit card fees, too) but you can also use these gift guides to at least start a list and get moving….
** Holiday Gift Guide for Families Who Love to Travel, from family travel experts Trekaroo.
** 2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Travel Lovers, from my longtime friend and “value luxury” travel specialist Mary Jo Manzanares.
** Great, Affordable Gifts for Travelers from Jodi Ettenberg, former corporate lawyer & now with Legal Nomads. PS. If you’re a celiac traveler, her blog is a godsend.
** 2016 Travelers Gift Guide, from fun PR maven Angie Away.
** The Tim Ferriss 2016 Holiday Gift Guide, from the 4-Hour Workweek/Body/Chef guy Tim Ferriss, who also has a new book, Tools of Titans.
** A Holiday Gift Guide for Runners (and check out their tours while you’re there) from Wanderlust and Lipstick.
** They don’t have a gift guide per se, but Practical Travel Gear is loaded with reviews and ideas.
Bonus Ideas
** If you know someone who loves tea, my friend Andy’s Plum Deluxe tea subscription service might be just the thing.
** When in doubt or totally stumped, try gifts under US$50 from Uncommon Goods. They have such a mix of offerings, you’re bound to find something that works.
Best of luck in your shopping quest!
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