Taking the kids: Holiday gifts for your favorite travelers

Would you rather get a gift or be gifted an experience?

According to a recent American Express Amex Trendex report on shopping for the holiday season, consumers want to give something special, like a shared fun experience. Roughly one in three said they plan to gift their significant other or their children an experience. ( AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home from Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 to Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.)

That might be entertainment, travel (54 percent) and food and drink related experiences. Sixty-nine percent said rather than have a gift exchange with friends, they would rather share a fun experience or a trip.

That said, I wouldn’t plan a surprise trip on anyone. You can alternatively offer a gift card for an experience from a company like Giftory Tinggly that offers holiday gifts starting at under $50 (Windsurfing in Miami; a painting class in Denver, for example. ) At Viator, the world’s largest marketplace for travel experiences, holiday lights tours, like the Chicago-style Holiday Hike or culinary tours, like the North End Boston Food Tour, are especially good bets. We have had many fun experiences with Tours By Locals (how about truffle hunting in Italy?)

But many of you are probably thinking you don’t want to just give an experience – you want to share it. That’s why it’s good to broach the subject far in advance. Maybe the family doesn’t want to go to a dude ranch or on a cruise to Alaska. One grandfather had to forfeit a hefty deposit when that turned out to be the case.

Another grandmother I know presented her 11-year-old grandson with several options for a trip, letting him have a say. Together they chose a multi-generational trip to Italy from Tauck Tours.

Of course, not everyone is in the position to give a trip or even an experience. There are plenty of gifts your favorite traveler will appreciate. For example, for a hiker and national parks lover, consider the book“Hiking Hidden Gems in America’s National Parks” by Ted Alvarez ($34.95 ). What national park lover doesn’t want to get away from the crowds? There’s also the Monopoly National Parks edition ($44.99) from Amazon, though you can also purchase it online from many national parks stores.

Puzzlers would enjoy Crossword Rush and Word Search Rush with more than 150 beat-the-clock puzzle challenges ($3.99); chess aficionados would like — Beginner Chess Puzzles and Intermediate Chess Puzzles ($16.99). They’re perfect when stuck in an airport.

I’m also a fan of things someone might not buy for themselves – say a monogrammed insulated cup or flask from YETI. (Consider a Rambler Jr. 12-ounce bottle with a leak- resistant cap for the kids ($25). I use my Rambler 42-ounce Straw Mug every day ($45) and love my Yeti wine tumbler with a lid that says “Mountain Mama” ($25).

New socks are always appreciated by young and old, especially for travelers who might not splurge on really good socks for themselves. Get a pair of compression socks for those who have long flights in their future. Check out cozy socks from Vermont-based Gordini. The company motto is “We keep you outside longer.” Their Craftsbury Sock ($25.99) has insulating quilting and even arch support. Gordini socks kept me and my husband warm in the Arctic on our recent expedition. Farm to Feet Socks is committed to creating wool socks by exclusively using US materials, US manufacturing and US workers. I love the designs on the everyday socks like the stag in the fall colors on the Pineville ($23) or the cow in the fields, the blue sky and fluffy clouds above in the Cheyenne ($23). There are plenty of options for kids, too.

I’m also a fan of clothes that don’t wrinkle, wick moisture and can keep you warm and protect you from the sun. Hot Chillys, enormously popular for snow sports, are also a good bet for any traveler as they regulate your body temperature and pull sweat from your body. Hot Chillys Clima-Tek is a mid-weight base layer that while designed for high performance sports, works just as well for travel. Whether you prefer crew neck, hoodies, Zip-Ts, joggers or leggings, these have a relaxed fit, stretch, wick moisture, they’re breathable, dry quickly, block odor and offer 30+ UV sun protection (start at $60). Hot Chillys Youth Originals are now available in cute prints and are perfect for layering. I also like their lighter weight Peach Skins (starting at $55).

Those who struggle to get everything in their suitcase on the way home will appreciate the Foldie. It’s a packable, expandable travel tote ($79) that folds into a small square that can fit in your suitcase in case (like me) you need an extra bag on your return.

I’m guessing my daughter and son-in-law will be reluctant to return the Gregory Quadro Pro 28” roller s they borrowed for their honeymoon. I love that it can expand, that the polycarbonate hard-shelled case is built to last and that the zip-out Activeshield compartment separates dirty and clean items. The wheels are terrific, too. (MSRP: $319.95). Opt for the 22-inch carry-on ($249), though you may find it cheaper elsewhere.

You might not think a flannel shirt would be a splurge. But the Lieback flannel shirts from Royal Robbins are breathable, provide UPF protection and are stylish enough to go from the trail to dinner ($100 for men, $95 for the women’s flex tunic that has some stretch built in). You might find them on sale at REI.)

Check out REI’s Gift Guide where you will find everything from puffy jackets and vests, beanies and headbands, down booties and more, many on sale – and of course gift cards if you can’t decide.

Didn’t your shopping just get easier?

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kid’s Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kid’s Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)