TRAVEL

12 holiday gift ideas for the curious and adventurous

Run out of ideas for what presents to give this holiday season? From puzzles to a smart tumbler, here are a dozen suggestions recommended by Nat Geo staff—and why they make great gifts.

A child, dressed in snow clothing, pulling a sled with wrapped presents and a little girl in a pink jacket while another little girl pushes from behind. They are in snow covered mountains.

We asked members of our staff to recommend a few of their favorite gifts. Here are 12 ideas for the loved ones on your shopping list.

Photograph by Adie Bush, Getty Images

ByNational Geographic Staff

December 1, 2023

13 min read

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With the holiday season upon us comes the scramble to find the right gifts for the special people or pets in our lives. So, we turned to our Nat Geo staffers for ideas on items they have loved to give (or receive) over the years—gifts that are practical, unique, or quirky without creating a gaping hole in the wallet. Here are 12 suggestions accompanied by links on where to purchase the items and bit of reasoning behind the choice. Happy shopping!

1. Vintage National Parks Map Puzzle

Vintage jigsaw puzzle, packaged in a 10-inch long cardboard tube, with a picture of the united states and it's national parks. — Any jigsaw fan is sure to enjoy these puzzles inspired by intricate vintage prints. Each vintage jigsaw puzzle is packaged in a 10-inch long cardboard tube, with puzzle pieces safely stored in a muslin bag inside.
PHOTO COURTESY America's National Parks

It's a perfect activity to help pass the cold months, and it can help you plan your next trip! Placing the park pieces in their respective places on the map introduced me to sites I'd never thought about traveling to but now can't wait to visit. —Ryleigh Nucilli, Digital Content Director

Find it now at Amazon.

2. Kershaw Leek Composite Blade Folding Pocketknife

A silver, single blade, pocket knife — Kershaw’s Composite Blade Technology joins two high-performance steels in one. The wavy copper running through the blade is the brazing that permanently joins the razor-sharp, durable D2 cutting edge to the 14C28N spine. The combination provides a unique look and the best of two steel worlds.
PHOTO COURTESY Kershaw

Everyone should have a sturdy and dependable pocketknife. I’ve had this one for years. While I mostly use it to open packages, it’s a versatile tool for endless situations. I’m always thankful to have it. —Samantha Clark, Senior Photo Editor

Find it now at Amazon.

3. Baggu 3D Zip Set

Three striped nylon travel zip bags, the small is pink and green, the medium is blue, green, and maroon, and the large is blue and red. — A set of three zippered Baggu pouches is useful for travel and organization. The loops can be used for hanging or as a handle for on-the-go moments.
PHOTO COURTESY Baggu

I’m a traveler and a packing cube fanatic (they really do make your suitcase more organized!). This set of Baggu stash pouches serves a similar purpose in a carry-on or backpack, and the bright colors mean it’s a breeze to locate them in an overstuffed tote. —Jennifer Barger, Senior Travel Editor

Find it now at Baggu.

4. Owala 40 oz Insulated Water Bottle

A 40oz water bottle with a blue body and a red, yellow, and blue top with built in straw. — This insulated stainless-steel water bottle with a FreeSip spout and push-button lid with lock provides an easy way to hydrate. It can be used for sports and travel.
PHOTO COURTESY Owala

I'm a big water drinker, and I prefer straw tops, but it can be hard to find ones that stay clean. This water bottle has a unique top with an option to sip through a straw, or drink more by tipping the bottle and using the spout above. The lock is a nice feature too to avoid water spilling. Plenty of color options, and the metal keeps water cold all day. —Emily Martin, Digital Producer

Find it now at Amazon.

5. AeroGarden Hydroponic System

A group of herbs growing from a black plastic box with a lamp hovering over the herbs — This indoor garden hydroponic system uses LED light for use year-round. It can be used to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers in water without the mess of soil.
PHOTO COURTESY AeroGarden

I love fresh herbs but I'm a beginner plant mom living in an apartment. This works almost too well with very minimal effort–and you can grow flowers and veggies too! —Delaney Gordon, Partner Development & Solutions Manager

Find it now at Amazon.

6. Ruff Dawg Stick Rubber Dog Toy

A group of 5 multi-colored rubber stick dog toys. — These durable rubber sticks come in assorted colors.
PHOTO COURTESY Ruff Dawg

My dog is strong and very energetic. This toy is his favorite. He loves it so much, we get him a new one every year. The crinkle of the twig, its bounciness when thrown, the bright colors, and durability ... all of these factors and more are why it makes a great stocking stuffer for your pup. —Chrissy Garcia, Partner Development & Solutions Manager

Find it now at Amazon.

7. Eagle Creek Packing Cubes

A black, rectangular, cloth case, with a handle, zippers and a black mesh pouch in the front. — These packing cubes have dual compartments to keep dirty clothes away from the clean stuff.
PHOTO COURTESY Eagle Creek

My carry-on compatriots: you do need packing cubes to save space and stay organized. You do not need packing cubes that look especially special. Skip the name brand luggage groups and stick to sturdy basics like these from Eagle Creek (I like the mesh model specifically so my clothes don't feel stale).

Pro tip: When using a packing cube, fold each item of clothing to the size of the cube and stack them inside to fit the most in your bags and end up with the least amount of wrinkles. —Maura Friedman, Senior Photo Editor

Find it now at Amazon.

8. Allbirds Wool Runners

A pair of dark navy blue sneakers. — The superfine ZQ Merino wool material in these runners is incredibly soft and cozy, naturally thermoregulating, and ready for anything.
PHOTO COURTESY All Birds

These shoes are incredibly lightweight and comfortable, and have a slim, neutral profile that is versatile enough for work or leisure attire. I love bringing them for travel for all the same reasons. They are my go-to pair for walking to the office. (Some days I never even bother to switch into heels!) While I wouldn’t recommend them for hiking on rough terrain, they’ll do fine with most outdoor activities and long days or walking long distances. The wool material is surprisingly cool—even in sizzling summers—and feels cozy in cooler temperatures especially when paired with good socks. —Sarah Gardner, Director, Social Media

Find it now at Allbirds.

9. L.L.Bean Rechargable LED Pathfinder Beanie

A blue beanie, with a small, square LED light on the brim of the hat. — This lightweight, warm beanie provides convenient hands-free, on-demand lighting. It's made from soft, smooth fleece with a moisture-wicking lining and a touch of spandex.

PHOTO COURTESY L.L. Bean

Whether you are walking your dog before sunrise or going out for a nighttime winter walk, this hat makes seeing in the dark/low light easier and it keeps you warm! It's a great gift for kids and adults. —Bridget Hamilton, Senior Editorial Manager, Newsstand Special Issues

Find it now at L.L. Bean.

10. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set

A white and plastic fold out box with 12 water color pants in squares — This compact watercolor paint set has everything you need to get creative.
PHOTO COURTESY Winsor & Newton

Once upon a time, long before the days of Kodachrome (not to mention iPhones), practically every explorer carried watercolors. How else to capture an orchid’s particular hue of magenta or the nuances of a mountain sunset? I started tossing this compact set from Winsor & Newton in my bag years ago—more as a means to find zen in the midst of travel chaos, rather than an attempt to create great art. I’ve painted my way through flight delays, COVID shutdowns, visa snafus, you name it.

Parent pro tip: It also works great to occupy a fidgety child. —Peter Gwin, Senior Editor

Find it now at Amazon.

11. Apple AirTag

A group of 4 round Apple tags, white on the outside rim and silver in the middle — A set of Apple AirTags for luggage and other belongings.
PHOTO COURTESY Apple

I recently snagged the Apple AirTag, and let me tell you, it's like having a trusty little sidekick for all my belongings. No more frantic searches for lost keys or worrying about misplaced luggage—it's a game-changer, and has become my go-to accessory for all my trips. —Delaney Gordon, Partner Development & Solutions Manager

Find it now at Amazon and Best Buy.

12. S'well 10 oz. Pink Topaz Tumbler

A pink, travel coffee mug, with a clear lid. — This triple-layered, vacuum-insulated tumbler is designed to keep beverages cold or hot and it offers a condensation-free exterior.
PHOTO COURTESY S'well

I don't drink a lot of coffee—this one-cup size is all I need to start my day. The metal mini-tumbler is light, fits right in my hand and easily slides under my K-cup machine. The only downside is I wish I could put it in the microwave! —Alissa Swango, Head of Digital

Find it now at Amazon and S'well.

*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.