13 eco-friendly holiday gifts for the traveler in your life
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Perhaps this year you’re on the road, traveling the world to parts unknown. Or maybe you’ve taken a break for some rest and relaxation to reinvigorate your love of plane, train, boat and bus-hopping your way around this beautiful world.
Whatever your holiday plans may be, we’ve gathered some unique eco-conscious gifts that will keep you cozy and ready for all your world travels. Buy them for yourself or gift them to those who you know will appreciate a new piece of travel gear that keeps our precious Mother Earth in mind.
S'well Travel Bottle Set
Ditch single-use toiletries and fill these stainless steel bottles instead. These travel bottles are both stylish and functional, and they include a carrying case, which will keep them organized in any backpack or carry-on bag.
Baabushka Outdoor Slippers
Whether home for the holidays or off on your latest adventure, these lightweight wool slippers are some of the best around. Wool keeps your loved one's feet temperature regulated no matter the weather, and they're spectacularly cozy for those winter months. Baabushka slippers are sustainably handmade by women artisans in Nepal, and the outdoor versions are fully animal-friendly.
Sunbriolet Sun Hat
Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat is durable and lightweight and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. It’s vented and made with moisture-wicking fabric so feel free to work up a sweat! Outdoor Research is a company born of its founder’s solution-focused ethos and each and every product goes through rigorous R&D to make sure it’s up to par for the avid traveler in your life.
$45 at Outdoor Research
From $22 at REI
Unbound Merino Wool Leggings
Merino wool anything — socks, shirts, shorts — is a great material to pack for trips where the weather might be all over the place. The products are naturally anti-odor, fast-drying and breathable, and will keep you or your loved one warm when an extra layer is needed. Plus, they're easily packable in any suitcase or travel backpack.
SteamLine Entrepreneur Mini Purse
If you want to look chic and keep your valuables safe while traveling, SteamLine’s Entrepreneur Mini purse should definitely be added to your gift list. SteamLine has a gorgeous vegan leather line of luggage ranging from trunks to the Mini. The smallest purse is for the everyday adventurer, a crossbody hard case with a combo lock. Gift it in red for the perfect holiday vibe.
KLEIO Candles
Time travel is possible with these one-of-a-kind, sustainably sourced, hand-poured, ethically produced candles. But you’re not just getting a candle — the gift comes personalized with letters, embossed seals and a story through history. It might look like just a sweet-smelling candle in your living room, but it can help transport you to worlds and centuries away with an all-encompassing gift experience. Ever wondered what Cleopatra’s perfume smelled like? KLEIO can give you the sensory trip to find out.
Heirloom Video Book
Still haven’t printed those pictures from that trip three years ago? We understand — making an album can be daunting, time-consuming and expensive! With the Heirloom Video Book, you can relive your adventures in both analog and digital; the beautiful hardcover book holds a 5-inch HD screen with a speaker to play through your most treasured travel memories.
This is a great gift for parents and grandparents too — just preload it with photos and gift it.
UVCeed UV Light Sanitizer
Say goodbye to disinfectant wipes and plastic bottles of hand sanitizer — UVCeed is a brand-new consumer product on the market that hopes to change the way we kill germs. The UV light, which attaches to your mobile device, eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including Covid-19. Not only are wipes and bottle sprays wasteful, but they don’t pack the same punch as a UV light. Plus, it’s safe for pets and children.
Sockwell Compression Socks
Sockwell is here to change the way we think about our feet while traveling. Made with merino wool, bamboo rayon, nylon and spandex, Sockwell compression socks don’t just look snazzy in holiday prints — they’re a smart choice for those long-haul flights. Sockwell has reinvented the therapeutic sock by combining high-quality, eco-friendly manufacturing with style, so you can say goodbye to your grandad’s compression socks with these feet-huggers.
Monos Algarve Collection
Known for its chic, sustainable bag and luggage lines, Monos has recently released the Algarve Collection, a staple three-piece mix-and-match clothing line perfect for traveling to warmer climates. The Algarve shorts and shirt are a perfect gift set and are made in Canada using OEKO-TEX®-certified 100% washed linen featuring all-natural corozo buttons derived from the nut of the tagua palm.
Happy Earth Herringbone Flex Collection
Always in search of that perfect travel outfit, Happy Earth has designed a line that might just be the one for you. Always eco-focused and sustainably driven, Happy Earth’s 100% organic joggers, shorts and hoodies will give you the comfort you need for long hours on the road while keeping you looking sharp. Mix and match, or pair one color together for a totally sleek travel ‘fit.
Laguna Beach Textile Company Mexican Blanket
If you or your loved one are gearing up for a road trip in 2024, Laguna Beach Textile Company’s Mexican blankets are a great addition to the packing list. Made from 100% recycled yarn and handwoven by a family of artisans in Tlaxcala, Mexico, they’re versatile and soft and come in so many fun patterns and colors.
$39 at Laguna Beach Textile Co.
Juntos AlpaKnit Slip-On
Named after the Spanish word for “together,” Juntos footwear works toward a sustainable future by the power of the collective. Juntos are inspired by the popular Ecuadorian street shoe and made from sustainable materials abundant in Ecuador like Huacaya Alpaca fleece, coconut and banana tree fibers and sugarcane. They’re lightweight, odor-minimizing (even sockless) and washable, and they pair with tons of outfits while traveling.
Looking to earn travel rewards? Check our CNN Underscored’s list of the best travel credit cards currently available.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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