You know the drill: we research, test, research more, and launch our traveling gift guides every year on Pure Wander. It’s not for commissions or sales: it’s for YOU. Gifting and being conscious of our consumption is so tricky during the holidays, so we want to make it a little easier. Think outside the box with us and have a peek at some of our favorite finds this year that you can give to your loved ones to make memories and tickle your taste buds too!
National park (or state park) passes
As someone who is always looking for an outdoor adventure, I can tell you that the best gifts are always experiences, not things. I chose to spend my birthday this year tackling the trails at Zion National Park, and those kinds of incredible landscapes remind you why supporting these spaces is crucial.
Gifting an annual National Park pass or State Park pass is one of the easiest ways to ensure these pristine places are well taken care of for future generations. It’s also the ultimate “experience” gift, providing immediate access and incentive to get out and explore right away. Importantly, this pass offers access to more than 1,000 federal recreation sites across the country, making it an incredible value for any traveler.
We’ve already enjoyed taking our kids to gems like Saguaro National Park in Tucson, and getting them involved in the outdoors early is a huge priority for us. For families, the pass is an amazing catalyst for future travel.
PS, you should also know about two fantastic programs: the Junior Ranger program, which offers fun activities and badges for kids at the parks, and a special National Park program that offers a free pass to all fourth graders and their families. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, opening up a year of adventure while directly contributing to conservation.
Retail $80 for National Park Pass (US residents), children under 16 are free, can be used for four adults -Christian
Suntegrity Mineral Sun Drops, Broad Spectrum SPF 30
When I’m packing my carry-on, every ounce counts, and I have zero patience for bulky, messy toiletries. The Suntegrity Mineral Sun Drops are an absolute game-changer for face protection, and are a woman-owned business. This small bottle is mighty; you only need a few drops for full coverage, meaning it lasts for a couple of hours and takes up almost no space in your liquids bag. This makes it an ideal stocking stuffer or gift for any conscious traveler.
Beyond the travel convenience, Suntegrity aligns with our sustainability values. These drops are reef safe and cruelty-free, so I feel good about wearing them whether I’m swimming in the ocean or just hiking in the mountains. We try hard to prioritize brands that are protecting the health of our skin and the health of the planet, and these drops check both boxes. It’s a perfect, high-impact consumable gift for the traveler on your list.
Retail $38 -Eileen
Thanksgiving Coffee
After traveling with Eileen and seeing the entire process, from bean to cup, on coffee farms in places like Costa Rica and other growing regions, I really learned how critical it is to be mindful of coffee consumption. When you realize the complex supply chain behind every cup, you quickly understand that buying coffee should be fair trade and ethically sourced. When it comes to gifting, I always look for a brand that aligns with those values, making Thanksgiving Coffee a perfect fit for this guide.
The company has serious credentials: owner Paul Katzeff was a co-founder of the Specialty Coffee Association of America back in 1982. Today, they are certified B-Corp, meaning they meet high standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. We’re currently enjoying the bright, flavorful Bee Bold and their seasonal Holiday Blend. Living near Plymouth, we already feel that historical “buzz” around the holidays, and having a truly purposeful, high-quality coffee blend makes those early mornings even better. This is a gift for the coffee connoisseur in your life who appreciates both a great brew and a brand that gives back.
Retail $19.00 for 12 oz
-Christian
Viator tours and experiences
We all have that person on our list who says they don’t need any more stuff. I completely agree with the sentiment that experiences always trump clutter, which is why a gifted tour or activity is one of the best ideas for the traveling loved one in your life. I’ve used Viator many times myself, most recently for a phenomenal tour of the Comuna 13 neighborhood in Medellín, Colombia. It was seamless to book, and having a local expert guide us made the visit infinitely richer than going on our own.
What makes Viator a great holiday gift choice is the security and convenience they offer. They feature reviewed and vetted tours across the world, giving the recipient the freedom to choose an activity that perfectly fits their upcoming trip. I appreciate the free cancellation policies and reliable customer support, which are essential when travel plans can change unexpectedly. Instead of giving something that collects dust, you are gifting a memory, a skill, or a connection to a new culture. It’s an investment in the kind of intentional, deep travel that Pure Wander always champions.
Retail varies -Eileen
Sea Bags Wine Tote (Blue Lobster)
Here’s a product with a story! Sea Bags are handcrafted in Maine from recycled sails, turning old, incredibly durable material into beautiful new goods, like this adorable blue lobster wine bag. This is the kind of thoughtful, sustainable gift that has a great narrative. Ditch the disposable paper or plastic wine holders for this durable tote that will last for years.
I love that you can even trade in your old sails at a retail store for product credit to use toward a new bag. They have everything from wine totes and bucket beverages to weekender bags and backpacks, so there’s a perfect piece for everyone on your list.
I’m gifting this specific blue lobster wine bag to my favorite hostess (shh, don’t tell my mom this is one of her presents for Christmas!). It’s the perfect way to carry a bottle to a gathering while supporting an incredible, sustainable, US-made business that puts conscious consumption first.
Retail $45 -Eileen
Dragon Glassware, Wicked Themed
As a lifelong musical theater geek, I was instantly charmed by the “Wicked Enchanted” theme of this striking Dragon Glassware set. I’m giving my fellow travel mom the Glinda one, and I’ll keep Elphaba, obviously!
My new goal this season is to have my coffee ready in my reusable container before I start any trip, even the short ones like the school drop-off run. This keeps me away from ordering drinks on the go and, crucially, accumulating the kind of single-use trash that adds up over the holidays.
Having high-quality, beautiful drinkware makes sticking to this habit much easier. This 16 oz set is perfect for a big iced coffee, iced tea, or even a fancy holiday cocktail at home. They’re beautifully crafted, making them an excellent hostess gift or a thoughtful present for anyone who appreciates sustainable habits mixed with a little bit of fun. Gifting a quality reusable item like this promotes conscious consumption, allowing loved ones to treat themselves while minimizing their impact on the planet: a perfect win-win for anyone on your list.
Retail $32.99 for the set -Eileen
Wave Kids: water in a can for kiddos
Now hear me out on this one: if you are a parent, you know the struggle. Getting kids to drink enough plain water is a constant battle. That’s why I was so impressed with Wave Kids. This is the first water brand designed specifically for children, and it has absolutely nothing added: no sugar, no dyes, no caffeine. Just cool, clean water. It was founded by Shelly Garg, a regulatory attorney and mom of two, who launched it in response to the new 2025 national pediatric guidelines that reaffirm water as the number one beverage for kids.
The packaging is the real game-changer. My five-year-old got such a kick out of drinking from the little 8.4 oz cans, saying she felt like a “teenager.” The cans are sized for their hands, feature kid-created art, and even change color in the sun or when chilled, turning simple hydration into a fun activity. I’ll do anything to get them excited about drinking water, and the bonus is that I get to support a mom-founded business built on solid health guidance. This is a must-have stocking stuffer for easy hydration on all your family road trips.
Retail varies, about $3 per can -Eileen
Platterful charcuterie kits
Nothing says “holiday gathering” quite like a beautiful charcuterie board, and I love any gift that encourages people to come together and break bread. For a classic, high-quality gift that is also a fun experience, I highly recommend Platterful. These kits arrive with everything needed to build a gorgeous, gourmet charcuterie board.
I’ll admit that I’m often the “cheese board guest” at parties because my cooking is a total wild card, so a perfect, easy-to-assemble kit is a fantastic hack. It’s the kind of consumable gift my parents adore, as it allows them to try new things without having to fuss with sourcing unique cheeses and meats themselves.
The reason Platterful earns a spot in our sustainable gifts guide, however, is their charitable initiative. For every single kit sold, they work with No Kid Hungry to donate ten meals to feeding children across the U.S. That is an enormous impact, meaning when you purchase this for a loved one, you are giving an experience while also making a significant donation to a crucial cause.
It’s a purposeful gift that elevates any holiday party, supports conscious consumption, and ensures that some of the most vulnerable families are fed during the winter season.
Gifts retail start at $173 -Eileen
Owala FreeSip Bottle (the Great American Road Trip Series)
As an avid hiker, I can tell you that staying hydrated is the single most underrated element of a successful trip, especially on a long flight or a dry, high-altitude trail. That’s why I’m always looking for a quality water bottle, and the Owala FreeSip is easily one of the trendiest and most functional options available for both adults and kids right now.
The insulated stainless steel design is leak proof and keeps drinks colder longer, which is a huge win for long days on the move. I like the 2-in-1 design that allows you to either sip through the straw or chug directly from the wider opening, making it simple to get your water intake up, which is critical for staving off plane sickness and muscle cramps.
We especially love the Great American Road Trip series, which features designs inspired by stunning locations like Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon bottle, with its layers and colors, is a perfect reminder of a place I love and hope to bring our daughters to very soon.
Gifting one of these is a fantastic way to encourage sustainability, replacing single-use plastic bottles while reminding your loved ones to prioritize their health and hydration on the move. It’s a purposeful, high-value item that any traveler will appreciate.
Retail $32.99 -Christian
Butcher Box
At first glance, a meat delivery service might seem like an odd choice for a holiday gift guide, but I’ve been relying on Butcher Box for my family’s protein for almost two years now and I can’t say enough great things about the company (Here’s a link for your first box free and free ground beef for life add-on!)
Consumable gifts are always fantastic because they are usually used right away instead of collecting dust in a closet. Beyond the sustainability of receiving ethically sourced proteins, the convenience factor is huge for a busy traveler like myself. It means less time spent worrying about grocery store quality and more time planning the next adventure.
Butcher Box, a certified B-Corp, has expanded beyond just high-quality cuts of meat. They now offer fantastic prepared items, such as ready-to-eat carnitas and various fresh pastas. These are huge lifesavers after getting home from a long trip when cooking a full meal feels impossible. They also offer special gifting boxes specifically for the foodies on your list, making it easy to share the quality without committing someone to a subscription. For anyone looking for a thoughtful, practical, and highly appreciated gift, this is a great choice. You can even use my referral link below to get a first box free, plus free ground beef for life added to your subscription too.
Regular box with 6 items starts at $169 -Eileen
Here’s a link for your first box free and free ground beef for life add-on!
We sometimes receive product samples for guide inclusions. All reviews are our own opinions and never anything we wouldn’t purchase ourselves. Some links also may be affiliates that offer us a small percentage of the sale if bought, at no extra cost to you.
