I did my first ever vacation present information for vacationers a number of years in the past, which was enjoyable to compile. Readers appeared to benefit from the varied objects, and I used to be pleased to share a number of the merchandise that accompanied me on the highway.
Now that my life is a little totally different – one thing all of you already know – my present ideas are much less about souvenirs from overseas or studying about journey, and extra issues I exploit everyday or discovered great.
I hope you’ll discover one thing you want in them!
Vacation presents for the 2023 season
There are numerous birds in right here, you’ve been warned.
Fingers free footwear and boots
It was a fellow leak affected person who first instructed me about Kizik footwear, and I’ve used them ever since. Made with patented know-how that enable for hands-free use, these sneakers come in numerous kinds and colors, and can be found in youngsters, girls, and males’s choices.
A notice that their newer fashions aren’t pretty much as good for my spinal CSF leak as a result of the heel drop is greater; I discover the Lima mannequin to be probably the most comfy, although my footwear are their Cairo mannequin that has since been discontinued.
When you tie the laces on Kiziks the primary time, you merely step into the footwear thereafter. To get out, you utilize your different foot to carry the bottom regular and slowly pull out of the shoe. They’re wonderful for folks with disabilities, for being pregnant, for seniors, and customarily for many who hate having to crouch to get their footwear on and off.
And for this vacation season, in addition they have winter boots for the primary time, and a brand new Chelsea boot that goes to the ankle.
Extra data:
You’ll find these footwear and boots on their web site, Kizik.com. Utilizing this hyperlink will get you $20 off (it additionally offers me $20 off, however I don’t see myself getting any extra footwear as I’ve a number of pair!). They ship to Canada and USA.
Comply with them on: Instagram
A pencil to finish all pencils
Have you learnt somebody who’s specific about their writing implements? The New York Occasions calls the Blackwing 602 the “Rolls Royce” of pencils, a beforehand in style selection from many a author—together with John Steinbeck. First created within the 1930’s, the Blackwing was additionally utilized by Chuck Jones, who proudly used Blackwings to create Bugs Bunny and lots of different Looney Tunes characters. After 1998, the pencil couldn’t be discovered, and devotees had been paying $40 a pop after they did find a stash. Fortunately, in 2010, a California firm introduced it again for “a brand new era of writers, musicians, and others looking for a extra pure existence” (undecided what they imply by that, however sure — it’s an amazing pencil!).
They introduced again the cult-favourite mainstays: comfy grip, a replaceable eraser in a really satisfying rectangular form (why is that this so satisfying!?), and a pencil crafted from California cedar and Japanese graphite. It writes like a dream, and makes doodling a pleasure. It’s not low cost but it surely’s not $40 a pencil costly. Nonetheless, when you’ve acquired a member of the family or good friend who loves to attract or handwrite, it’s a enjoyable present.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or Blackwing’s personal web site
Delivery to: Canada and Worldwide (together with USA)
Comply with them on: Instagram
Hand-drawn maps of meals
Sure, sure—I’ve included my very own maps on this information as effectively! My meals maps get compliments each time folks go to, and make nice vacation presents for anybody who likes to eat.
Along with Canada, above, I’ve acquired Vietnam, Portugal, Thailand, Japan, Italy, and Mexico artwork within the store!
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Authorized Nomads artwork store web site
Delivery to: Worldwide
Comply with me on: Instagram
Gluten free translation playing cards
Regardless of my work hours being restricted as of late, one of many duties I preserve working arduous at is the gluten free playing cards mission. I began these playing cards once I acquired sick whereas consuming in Japan with a brief gluten free card in Japanese. I spotted I wanted to incorporate extra data, native elements names (not simply “I can’t eat gluten”), and cross-contact (not simply meals which might be gluten free).
The end result, 15 languages and counting with Bahasa Indonesia, Croatian, Lithuanian, and Swedish coming quickly and over 12,000 playing cards bought.
Every card goes via 2 units of translations for accuracy, with one translator at minimal being acquainted with celiac illness. I’m within the means of including PDF downloadable variations too, as an alternative of simply the PNG information. An increasing number of folks need to print the playing cards, not simply have them on their telephones.
Good for the celiac who likes to journey!
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the GF Playing cards shopfront, with free nation guides right here.
Delivery to: Worldwide as a result of they’re digital playing cards!
A fantastic new card recreation for journey
One other enjoyable present that’s good for the traveler: Journey Chaser, a brand new card recreation, superbly designed. Journey Chaser is the love baby of Dalene and Pete Heck, who you might also know from their web site Hecktic Travels.
The sport lets you determine who’s probably the most travel-savvy of your group by shopping for, bartering, and playing your approach to varied locations. The more difficult a vacation spot is to get to from North America, the extra factors it’s value.
The sport is already bought out in Canada, however you’ll be able to order it on backorder or through the US, the place there’s nonetheless inventory.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: in Canada, the Journey Chaser web site. Within the USA, on Amazon US.
Comply with them on: Instagram
Light-weight chef’s knife
I’ve an amazing set of International knives that I slowly collected over my years of lawyering. The issue is, with a spinal CSF leak I can not use them as a result of they’re too heavy.
As a substitute, I’ve gotten a chef’s knife from Nakano, which is light-weight and cozy—a lot so, that anybody who is available in to assist in the home solely opts to make use of that one. It’s their “basic chef knife” and weighs in at 6.5 oz / 185g. Light-weight, however sturdy sufficient to chop many an amazing factor within the kitchen. They’ve acquired a 30% sale occurring proper now, too.
Nakano additionally has santoku knives and different units on provide; I’m sharing the one I acquired and use as a result of that’s the one one I’ve expertise with. Nevertheless it’s been an amazing addition to my knife block, and lightweight sufficient to make use of even when my spinal CSF leak is in tough form.
Please use code JODI at checkout for a 30% off deal in your knife buy. As a substitute of an affiliate cost to me, I requested for a reduction code for readers. It’s legitimate for the Nakano web site usually, not simply this knife that I exploit and love.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: Nakano Knives
Comply with them on Instagram
My favorite pocket book
My good friend Candace despatched me a number of Joytop notebooks once I first acquired sick. She mentioned the traces are simply completely positioned, and the pocket book’s seams had been satisfying to make use of; I can’t disagree in any respect. There’s one thing concerning the measurement and light-weight matte texture of those books that makes me need to write in them on a regular basis. I used to like Moleskine books however I acquired annoyed with the dimensions, at all times wishing I may unfold out my creativity and never be cramped to the aspect of the web page.
These books enable me to try this, and for some purpose, I haven’t used something since. Truthfully, these books are pretty however why are they so satisfying?! The simply are. No matter why, Candace was proper, and I wished to incorporate them so that you all can benefit from the satisfaction we get from writing in them.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: In Canada, Yuyu.ca sells these, they usually ship to the USA and internationally as effectively. In Australia, you’re in luck: Maconii carries them too.
A chic straw system in your crops
When a good friend in Sweden talked about plantstraws as an possibility for me as a result of I’m a infamous #plantkiller, I used to be intrigued. I do know lots of you’re keen on your crops and do much better at not murdering them than I do, so I believed you’d have an interest too.
Plantstraws is the brainchild of Sweden’s Elin Fyhr, who wished to make plant care easy and believes that “design ought to be playful, curious, and unhurried”. Can’t discover fault there.
The straws work by placing one finish right into a water jug and the opposite into the soil of your crops, permitting a cotton rope inside every brass tube to slowly add moisture to the soil with out overwatering. This implies you’ll be able to put thirsty crops like swamp and rainforest native crops,on an analogous care schedule as succulents, cacti or Mediterranean crops. In addition they add a enjoyable look to any room with the brass tubes and glass jars:
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Plantstraw web site
Delivery to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide. (Delivery exterior Europe is dear, although), so you can even consult certainly one of their resellers. For some purpose the one ones in Canada are in Alberta; hopefully that modifications at some point quickly!
Comply with them on: Instagram
Knitted cacti
With a mission to convey greenery to “each struggling plant mother or father”, Kelsea’s whimsical knitted cacti caught my eye at an area flea market. The enterprise happened when Kelsea knitted her sister some cacti for Christmas, after seeing how her sister couldn’t preserve crops alive.
Taking inspiration from actual crops, Kelsea fastidiously crafts knit cacti and succulents in quite a lot of sizes, colors, and shapes. She additionally tries to make use of sustainable supplies for different elements of her merchandise: upcycled packaging, sustainable yarn and stuffing, plus reusing cardboard contained in the pot to make them lighter weight for transport.
The corporate is totally family-supported, together with the construct for the shows on the market stall I met her at.
I purchased myself a mini cacti (although I’m having cactus remorse that I didn’t get a bigger one), and thought you might have considered trying one too.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Kelsea Knits web site
Delivery to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide.
Comply with them on: Instagram
Fowl language puzzle
One among two choices (see Effin Birds beneath) for many who, like me, are in that candy spot of Venn diagram overlap between swearing and birds. This time, a 1000-piece puzzle so that you can put collectively as soon as dinner is over.
I cherished the color (it matches my brand), and it has birds so I’m probably not a tricky promote right here. For these within the winter chilly, a puzzle is at all times a good way to cross a number of hours of your time.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Unusual Items web site
Delivery to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide.
Comply with them on: Instagram
Kitchen cuteness
I purchased Nessie the tea guardian the second I noticed her, and I’m obsessive about it. I exploit Nessie each time I’ve free tea, and the satisfaction of watching her peek out from the cup rim will, I think, by no means get outdated.
For the tea lovers and whimsy lovers alike!
Additionally unmissable (when you’re me): the identical firm’s spaghetti monster strainer. I like it a lot.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: Nessie: Amazon Canada, Amazon US.
The spagetti monster strainer: Amazon Canada, Amazon US.
This is identical firm that additionally makes the mushroom funnel I at the moment personal. Sure, I’m a statistic and I don’t care. It’s also possible to purchase their merchandise on the OTOTO Design web site, however they solely ship to the US.
Comply with them on: Instagram
Hummingbird ring
I loved the symmetry and pleasure from this cute hummingbird ring, which might be ordered in 18K plated gold, or sterling silver. It’s from Little Rooms, a store launched by designer Ester Delug in 2007. The store has expanded fairly a bit since then, however when you’re available in the market for some enjoyable and tasteful jewellery, you’ll definitely discover one thing right here.
In addition they promote lovely hair equipment and ear cuffs, along with jewellery requirements like necklaces and earrings.
Extra data:
You should buy from the Little Rooms web site.
Comply with them on: Instagram
Pleasant chicken artwork
I’ve had the pleasure of assembly the genius behind Birdstrips, Jess, in particular person in Montreal twice earlier than we every moved elsewhere. Her illustrations have grown an enormous following on Instagram as a result of their whimsical, relatable messaging.
In Jess’ phrases, the store includes “the existential misery of the flightless via the eyes of the flighted.”
Beneath, two prints from her store: one a vintage-style poster of 33 “hardly ever seen” gulls, together with the elusive popsigull, peagull, and pierogigulls; and the second, remedy “earlier than and after”—in basic Birdstrips fashion.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Birdstrips Print Store (additionally mugs, tees, and extra!)
Delivery to: Worldwide
Comply with them on: Instagram
A conveyable purple mild gadget for ache
I wasn’t certain if I may tolerate purple mild remedy with a mast cell dysfunction, however all the things I learn advised that if I stayed at greater wavelengths of sunshine, my mast cells could be much less disrupted.
So I sought out a conveyable LED purple mild gadget that I may raise with a spinal CSF leak, but in addition that had choices for greater nm of purple mild, in order that I may hopefully tolerate it. That idea did bear out with my use of the FlexBeam, the place I can use their Setting 3 for 20 minutes a day on my back and front when wanted. I needed to work as much as that—I began at solely 5 minutes—however now I can do the complete 10 minute session twice with out problem. I do use it earlier within the day in case it disrupts my mast cells sufficient to have an effect on sleep, however most individuals truly use it proper earlier than mattress as a result of they are saying it helps them sleep.
I opted for this gadgets as a result of from all the things I learn, its lamps didn’t get scorching, and in contrast to laser mild, I didn’t threat any tissue injury from the research I checked out. Whereas a combo of purple and near-infrared wavelengths are beneficial for many makes use of of the gadget, I opted for under stage 3, its longest wavelight, which penetrates deeper however most significantly doesn’t disrupt mast cells as a lot. I’ve discovered it will increase my vitality, helps with sleep (once I do it earlier within the day), and most significantly actually takes down any nerve ache I’ve. I used to be sceptical once I began utilizing it, however I’ve actually come to get pleasure from how a lot it helps the backbone ache from my leak.
The gadget comes with velcro bands that you simply connect on the handles, for once you need to loop it round a leg or your backbone, in addition to a slender carrying case. I exploit it as is (with out the velcro) as a result of I simply place it on my backbone or abdomen the place my leak websites are, however many individuals I’ve chatted with apply it to their thigh or at lumbar whereas shifting round.
The corporate is from Norway, however the gadget is made in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the FlexBeam web site
Delivery to: Worldwide
Comply with them on: Instagram
Birds + curse phrases
These illustrations of birds that swear in inventive methods are in style all around the internet, with good purpose. As Twitter implodes and the world feels prefer it’s doing the identical, the chicken outrage by Aaron Reynolds says all that we’re bottling up inside.
That doesn’t cease folks from getting pissed off concerning the cursing, however … did you count on the rest from an organization referred to as Effin Birds?! He additionally now has wax candles, a brand new addition to his “shitmas” assortment for individuals who dislike the vacations.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: Clothes, mugs, pins, and extra right here, plus an Effin’ Birds ebook (at the moment on sale!) and a French Effin’ Birds ebook, in addition to a 2024 Calendar too.
Delivery to: Worldwide
Comply with him on: Instagram
Pearl jewellery from Tahiti
My good friend Celeste will not be solely an amazing journey author, but in addition runs an environmentally-friendly Tahitian pearl firm, Kamoka, that adheres to the strictest ranges of sustainable farming on the planet. Their pearls are from oysters grown within the nutrient-rich lagoon of Ahe Atoll, 300 miles northeast of Tahiti, with electrical energy equipped by photo voltaic and wind energy. And when you wanted extra convincing about supporting their enterprise: a Nationwide Geographic research discovered that their farming strategies helped improve the world’s fish inhabitants in recent times.
One among their merchandise I put on usually: the Mana Bracelet. At $99, it’s an funding, however a sturdy and exquisite one.
Celeste mentioned that this bracelet was initially crafted for surfers. Now, it’s certainly one of their finest sellers for lively individuals who need an attractive pearl bracelet with out worrying about fragility. The adjustable band is made out of kangaroo leather-based (the strongest leather-based on the planet), and is a superb selection for the modern wanderer and the lively fashionista alike.
In addition they now provide a brand new assortment, that includes Tahitian blacklip oyster shells and jewellery made out of their very own sustainably produced mother-of-pearl. The earrings beneath are extra inexpensive than the pearls alone, and are an attractive present for many who need one thing sustainable and totally different.
A lot of Kamoka’s merchandise are certainly one of a sort, and are put collectively by Celeste and her workforce annually.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: The Mana Bracelet is out there right here. The total mother-of-pearl assortment is right here, with the earrings above right here. If rings are your fancy, they’ve acquired a beautiful aqua crescent ring this season as effectively.
Delivery to: Worldwide
Comply with them on: Instagram
Embroidered coronary heart maps
I met the beautiful couple behind Sadie and June when at a flea market in Ottawa, and appreciated their enjoyable choices as a traveler with numerous locations I miss deeply. They promote hand-embroidered maps for 900 areas (and counting), both as stand-alone “I really like this place” fashion, or connecting hearts, the place there’s a thread connecting two locations. In addition they do customized maps, in case your favorite locations aren’t on provide presently.
The couple, whose names are literally Steve and Kendall, are a cross-border couple—one thing fairly frequent right here within the cities that border the US! She’s from New Jersey and he’s from Ottawa, however they met in Florida. Extraordinarily in style any time I’ve seen their sales space round city, they seize the nostalgia of leaving items of ourselves in locations we cherished.
Says Kendall, “Our hand-embroidered coronary heart maps had been born out of this love and our perception that love is aware of no borders. The idea: I started embroidering via paper classic map prints that meant one thing particular to me and Steve.”
The couple have a publish about how they went from being ‘flat broke’ in 2014 to constructing a full-time enterprise round their stitching abilities. Once I met Kendall on the market, she talked about that because the enterprise picked up she was struggling to get orders finished … till she taught Steve tips on how to sew, and that helped get the maps accomplished a lot quicker. Now they’re each engaged on their in style maps, and including cities all the time.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Sadie and June web site
Delivery to: Canada and america, in addition to Europe
Comply with them on: Instagram
These are my 2023 vacation present picks! I hope you get pleasure from at the least a few of them.
-Jodi
