So how’s your Christmas shopping going? I’ve not started mine yet (eek!), but I’ve put together this Christmas gift guide to give you some inspiration for gifts for parents who like to travel, with or without their children.
Electric Jukebox
Electric Jukebox is a music streaming service which works via your TV, making listening to music a social experience. As long as you have a wifi connection, it takes just a couple of minutes to set up, and gives you access to 29 million songs, with no monthly subscription needed. The voice-activated controller allows you to find the music that you want really quickly and easily. The device includes 12 months of unlimited music streaming, and you can take it with you to use on your travels.
Electric Jukebox music system – includes millions of albums for your TV £169.
Personalised football
My son loves playing football and we always take a football with us when we travel. This personalised football from Mitre is a great idea, especially for someone who loses things – a ball with someone’s name on is likely to find its way back to them, right? You can personalise the ball with up to 48 characters, it’s available in green, red or blue and is delivered pumped up and in a gift box.
Mitre personalised football £30, including free UK delivery.
Kindle Paperwhite
My Kindle is brilliant for when I’m travelling, as it holds so many books. My daughter even borrowed it when she went InterRailing. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is highly rated by Which? – they say that it’s one of the best ebook readers that they’ve ever tested. This model has a 6″ high -resolution display with built-in light, as well as Wi-Fi.
Kindle Paperwhite E-reader – Includes Special Offers £109.99.
Backpack handbag
I often need a big bag to use as a handbag/ camera bag combo on my travels. My daughter made me buy a white PVC backpack from Accessorize because the bag that I was using at the time was offensive to her. I grumbled at the time (mainly at the PVC aspect), but it’s actually been really useful and much admired. I can’t see it on sale any more, but this Kipling Women’s City Backpack is pretty similar.
Kipling Womens City Pack Backpack Cream £84.99.
Wool shawl
I bought a Sea Salt wool shawl a few years ago, and I use it loads when we’re travelling. It works as an extra warm layer, or a pillow, or a blanket, and is just a really useful thing.
Eastpak suitcases
I included these suitcases in a previous gift guide, and then received two of them for Christmas (thank you!). I’m including them again, because they really are great. They come in a range of sizes, they’re lightweight and durable, and they open up into two separate zipped sections, which really helps to organise your stuff when you’re travelling.
Eastpak Suitcases from £55.86.
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Gift Set
Liz Earle beauty products are just fantastic, especially for sensitive skin. The company is based on the Isle of Wight and their products aren’t tested on animals. I’ve been using their face products for a few years, and this gift set is ideal for travelling as it has mini versions of cleanser, toner and moisturiser.
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Gift Set from £52.95.
Monopoly Deal
We always take some games along with us on family trips, and this year’s favourite is definitely Monopoly Deal. Playing it is a great way for kids to practice strategic thinking, and it’s really portable as it’s just a deck of cards. It’s suitable for ages 8 years +.
Hasbro Games Monopoly Deal Card Game £7.89.
Portable battery charger
This battery charger has dual USB ports, so you can use it to charge two devices at the same time when you’re on the move. It has the capacity to fully charge an iPhone 7 six times before needing a recharge, according to Amazon, (although obviously you could use it to charge any phone, tablet or other gadget with a USB connection). This charger would be very useful to any family, I reckon.
Poweradd Pilot X7 20,000mAh Portable Universal External Power Bank £19.99.
Personalised photo gifts
Personalised photo gifts are easy to create and often offer great value. You can personalise a whole range of things, from mugs to cushions to calendars to stickers. This personalised photo make up bag is a great idea and very useful.
Happy Snap Gifts Personalised Photo Make Up Bag £10.95.
Fire TV Stick
The Amazon Fire TV Stick connects your HDTV to a huge selection of movies and TV episodes, and includes Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer, low-cost movie rentals, live and on-demand sports, music, photos, games and more. It works on any HDTV, so you can use it when you’re travelling as well as at home.
Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player from £39.99.
UNICEF gifts
If you’d like to send a gift to someone who really needs it, check out the Unicef Inspired Gifts range. It consists of real, life-saving and life-changing supplies which they deliver to children and communities around the world. Options include polio vaccines to protect 100 children (£14.50), an emergency shelter kit for a family (£27.00) and a bicycle for a schoolchild or a health worker (£110).
UNICEF Inspired Gifts from £6.00.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and buy something.
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Anne says
Great ideas there. I would love to get the suitcases myself – we need to buy a couple of carry-on suitcases. I also loved the last option – well done!
Anne recently posted…13 Fantastic Self-Drive Day Trips Around Las Vegas
Gretta Schifano says
Thanks Anne!
Sarah Ebner says
Like a lot on this list! The suitcases and backpack look great, but feel I “need” the portable battery and the Monopoly game!
Sarah Ebner recently posted…The Jewel Tower, Westminster, London
Gretta Schifano says
Yes,Monopoly Deal is definitely one for you guys!
Welsh Cakes and Wellies says
I love Liz Earle products, my sister bought me the cleanse and polish gift set last year and now I’m hooked. Great ideas here, but I’m not sure I could give away the cream rucksack, I’d want to keep it for myself!
Welsh Cakes and Wellies recently posted…The Hare and Hounds Aberthin – A Foodies Heaven
Gretta Schifano says
I know, Liz Earle stuff is fab!