Christmas is just around the corner – so I thought I’d write a post for that ever pressing question I get each year from my family. So what on earth do you want this year?
Shopping for frequent travelers and foodies can be tough. So we take the guesswork out of it with our top 5 gift picks for the holidays.
5. The World’s Greatest Hoodie
Kevin’s jacket of choice while in Bolivia from American Giant – aka “the world’s greatest hoodie”
I didn’t come quite so prepared to Bolivia… Wishing I had a hoodie of any kind!
This zip-up hoodie, made by San Francisco startup American Giant, costs $89. Not cheap by any means for a hooded sweatshirt. But a few years back, Slate.com proclaimed it as “the greatest hoodie ever made.” And that’s when the Internet exploded! And the company had to expand fast to keep up with all the demand. So is it worth it? I bought one for Kevin and he certainly thinks so. The thick cotton is perfect for staying warm while walking around the city or going on a hike. It has ribbed paneling along the shoulders and sides that help create a tailored look. And best of all, it doesn’t really bunch up (literally eliminating that unflattering belly bulge look).
– Cost: Starts at $89 plus tax and shipping
4. Silly Luggage Tags to Help Identify Your Bag
Kevin looks on as the bags pile up in Morocco! If only we had a good tag to help identify it.
We travel a lot and yet we somehow always forget the all-important luggage tag. And are forced to scribble out our information on those flimsy paper tags the airlines still give out (and haven’t started charging for… yet!). I love the variety of luggage tags from Zazzle.com — with jokes that totally fit the scenarios we find ourselves in. You know, like that one time we accidentally took the wrong luggage in Bogota and ended up with a suitcase full of bras! Oops. The Zazzle fluorescent yellow tag yelling “Clearly not yours!” would have probably clued us in. Though, we were both pretty sleepy and who knows?
– Cost: $9.95 + tax and shipping.
3. Cooking Class to Sharpen Up Those Kitchen Skills
Kevin hard at work in the kitchen at our 5 week Mexican cooking class
Even if you aren’t a foodie, a cooking class is a fun way to spend time with your loved ones and friends. Plus, it’s always a good excuse to drink wine and eat good food. Nothing wrong with that! This year, Kevin and I got a 1 day course from Sur La Table for my family where we’ll be making signature dishes from Tuscany. But even if you don’t have a Sur La Table in your area, don’t give up. Cloud9Living.com is a great source for cooking classes near where you live. Plus, they also have other foodie experiences — like the food walking tour my mom got for my birthday (and also a unique holiday gift for the foodie!).
– Cost: Prices vary with a 1-day cooking course typically $79 per person
2. Hire a Personal Chef
PlateDate.com is an online platform designed to streamline the process of hiring a personal chef. Full disclosure here — I’ve actually never done this but I love the concept. And the service gets very positive reviews online. PlateDate allows you to build a menu online with easy drop-down options — whether you want to host a private dinner party or have an intimate meal prepared by trained chefs. There are a variety of packages, including a Date Night Classic that is made especially for a dinner of two. Haute cuisine in your pajamas? Yes please!
– Cost: Not cheap, Date Night Classic Package, a 3-course meal for 2, starts at $250
1. Classy Framed Photo of a Travel Memory
Kevin shows off his favorite Christmas gift – a frame photo from our travel adventures every year.
Every year, we exchange gifts and without fail the one that Kevin loves the most is the $5 frame (I typically just get at Walgreens!) and put some of our best travel photos in. It goes to show, you don’t need to spend a fortune to find that perfect gift. Let’s just say, the framed photo was much more beloved than the big-ticket Rowenta iron I bought him this year. Though, that may be more due to the fact that we both hate ironing. For those looking to step it up from the plastic Walgreens frame, there are several other websites like Shutterfly (that offers everything from frames to calendars) or Photo & Go Express. In fact, Photo & Go has a physical store in Las Vegas right on the strip that I checked out over the weekend. They have something called Magneto Frames, which are made with a vinyl-like matte finish, that allows you to continually swap photos out. So it’s the gift that keeps on giving year round and will score you big points on your thoughtfulness.
– Cost: Basic frames can cost as cheap as $5, with a classier Magneto Frame from Photo & Express starting at $11
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