Hither & Thither Gift Guide: For the (Traveling) Kiddo

We’ve already seen lists of the Best Books, Best Toys, and Best Creative Gifts for preschoolers, so this one will be thematic: Gifts for the kids—and the parents of kids—who like to travel a lot…

1. Books are always the right thing. Any of these would be worthy choices: Maps (the most beautiful book of illustrated maps), Walk This World (peek under flaps on a stroll around the globe), one of the Larry Gets Lost titles (we love our San Francisco edition) or a classic This is… city book (This is the World is a compendium). For a board book, consider How Hippo says Hello.
2. Lightweight, easily packable, and ideal for independent play. In other words, perfect for little travelers: Classic Paddle Ball Game
   
3. Who wouldn’t love a Skootcase
   
   ? For mini Gregory Pecks and Audrey Hepburns the world over. Freaking adorable. (Do they already have a suitcase of their own? These would make great stocking stuffers.)
4. We keep a small globe in Hudson’s room. He likes to see how far away a place is before we go. This one’s also pretty enough for the parents of a new baby: “Best wishes on all your adventures as a family!”
5. A vehicle and a power drill: Take-A-Part Airplane
   
6. A charming and cheerful floor puzzle, fit for a globetrotter.
7. These Planes slippers are sure to offend your aesthetic sensibility but kids love sliding around wearing their favorite characters. If you are looking for a less-familiar (i.e. branded) plane, try these.
8. A Little Passports subscription. (Be sure to check the shipping schedule if you want one to arrive before Hanukkah or Christmas.)
9. This one’s more for the parents: OK to wake clock
   
   . Invaluable at home and in a new time-zone. Sure they’re awake but no one gets out of bed until the green light comes on. Throw in a Water Wow coloring book and everyone’s happy.
10. I think I’ve snapped iPhone photos of this in stores at least three time. This VW Camper Van Tent
    
     is so cool!
11. Whether they go by air, land, or sea, help them keep cuddly and comfy. This changes from a teddy bear to a neck pillow and back again. (Or we have one like this.)
12. We love our Wanderlust City Playmat! Both Skyler and Hudson (who zooms around the roads) are fans.

P.S. Last year’s Gift Guide for Kids. And the year’s before that. See all gift guides here.

Hither & Thither Gift Guide: For Him

1. He can use these Italian sour cherries to make the best Manhattan cocktail, or to pair with a sharp cheddar on the prefect cheese plate. (My guy would do both.) They’re so delicious.
2. And, if the time is right, get him a set of Tritan Crystal Glasses
   
   for that cocktail. These are practically unbreakable—amazing for crystal.
3. A wooden-soccer table. (Is a toy or puzzle ever a bad idea? See post script.) [Update: similar]
4. A 36 Hours travel book
   
   . End the “What do you want to do this weekend?” debate once and for all.  Afterall, it’s still a gift even if you stand to benefit. 
5. Everyone needs a really good waffle iron.
   
    (Again, it’s still a gift even…) Make these with it.
6. The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
   
   . He’ll pore over this beautiful book, full of archival detail. (Not a nature guy? Perhaps try this
   
    instead.)
7. A beautiful, subtly masculine leather and canvas tote for his laptop etcetera. (This would also do.)
8. Aron and our friend raved about Kraken Black Rum on our trip to Cayman last year. (Optional: throw in a Ginger Beer
   
   syrup that he can keep on hand for a dark-and-stormy.)
9. Does he have a Grid-It Organizer
   
   for all of his charge cords yet? They’re invaluable. We love ours, even for the drawer at home.
10. Form and function: a sleek Bento box that’s both microwave- and dishwasher-safe. [Update: Similar]
11. Unleash his inner Bear Grylls. He needs a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
    
    for all that time he spends roughing it in wilderness.
12. This insert
    
     turns any old sack into a first-rate camera bag.

Or play it safe: A gift card to Nordstrom. Their half-yearly Men’s sale (one of the best all year) starts the day after Christmas.

P.S. Last year’s guide. And the year’s before that. (That toy helicopter remains my favorite go-to gift suggestion for guys.)

National Parks for a Destination Wish List

While we’re on the subject of gift guides, you must know that my very favorite gift involves experiences—traveling, usually. But Aron and I were talking the other night about how 2015 should perhaps be the year of domestic travel. I’m not ruling out a trip to Asia, should the opportunity arise, but there are so many beautiful places in the U.S. I’ve yet to see. I’d start with some of the 59 National Parks (eight of which happen to be in California!).

The folks at Expedia Viewfinder recently asked me about our plans for the year, so I partnered with them to share some of the amazing National Parks I’ve been to (and hope to return to)—and that you might consider visiting with your family in 2015. And I’ve listed the five I’d most like to see next.

Keep Reading >