It’s Christmas-Eve-Eve, and, while hopefully all of your major holiday shopping has been completed and is wrapped and safely nestled under your tree, you might find yourself needing a few last-minute presents. Maybe your cousin or neighbor unexpectedly bought you a gift and you want to reciprocate, maybe you discovered that (true story) you and your brother bought your mom the very same thing, maybe you have been too busy at work to concentrate on holiday shopping. Or, hey, maybe you’re just lazy – there’s no judgment here.
It’s too late for the internet to save you, so you’ll need to brace yourself for a trip out amongst other panicked last-minute shoppers and you’ll need to start getting a little creative.
You’re on your own for navigating those holiday crowds, but, to get you started, here are five ideas for last-minute holiday gifts for the mindful traveler in your life:
1. Yoga mat bag.
The great thing about yoga mat bags is that you can find them everywhere these days, from your favorite yoga studio to your neighborhood big box store to Whole Foods.
2. Tiny travel bottles.
Empty bottles in TSA-approved sizes allow the recipient to travel with his or her favorite self-care products. They’re certainly not a show-stopper item, but they are something that people rarely buy from themselves and yet often appreciate. As a bonus, you wrap each tiny bottle individually for more unwrapping fun.
3. Water bottle.
No one can have enough water bottles. A refillable water bottle is a safe, practical gift for the traveler, exerciser, or basically anyone in your life.
4. Notebooks.
If you didn’t write about it, did it really happen? Buy your favorite traveler a notebook in which to chronicle his or her next adventure. Moleskines are my notebooks of choice (hint, hint) but any sturdy notebook will do the trick.
5. iTunes cards.
Available in a variety of denominations and in places as convenient as your grocery store checkout line, an iTunes card is a fail-safe gift for just about anyone. As a traveler, I love iTunes cards because they can become music for long bus rides, books for plane rides, or yoga videos to keep me motivated on the road. They might feel like a cop-out, but I assure you they will be appreciated.
Any other ideas for last-minute holiday gifts? Let me know in the comments!
Image credit: David Porter