I did my first ever vacation reward 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 comfortable to share among the merchandise that accompanied me on the street.
Now that my life is a little totally different – one thing all of you already know – my reward solutions are much less about souvenirs from overseas or studying about journey, and extra issues I exploit daily or discovered fantastic.
I hope you’ll discover one thing you want in them!
Vacation presents for the 2023 season
There are a variety of birds in right here, you’ve been warned.
Palms free sneakers and boots
It was a fellow leak affected person who first informed me about Kizik sneakers, and I’ve used them ever since. Made with patented know-how that permit for hands-free use, these sneakers come in numerous types and hues, and can be found in youngsters, ladies, and males’s choices.
A word that their newer fashions aren’t nearly as good for my spinal CSF leak as a result of the heel drop is increased; I discover the Lima mannequin to be essentially the most comfy, although my sneakers are their Cairo mannequin that has since been discontinued.
When you tie the laces on Kiziks the primary time, you merely step into the sneakers 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 individuals with disabilities, for being pregnant, for seniors, and customarily for individuals who hate having to crouch to get their sneakers 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 sneakers and boots on their web site, Kizik.com. Utilizing this hyperlink will get you $20 off (it additionally provides me $20 off, however I don’t see myself getting any extra sneakers as I’ve a number of pair!). They ship to Canada and USA.
Observe them on: Instagram
A pencil to finish all pencils
Have you learnt somebody who’s specific about their writing implements? The New York Instances calls the Blackwing 602 the “Rolls Royce” of pencils, a beforehand fashionable alternative 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 once they did find a stash. Fortunately, in 2010, a California firm introduced it again for “a brand new technology of writers, musicians, and others in search of a extra pure existence” (unsure 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, in case you’ve obtained a member of the family or good friend who loves to attract or handwrite, it’s a enjoyable reward
Extra data:
The place to purchase: Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or Blackwing’s personal web site
Transport to: Canada and Worldwide (together with USA)
Observe 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 at any time when individuals go to, and make nice vacation presents for anybody who likes to eat.
Along with Canada, above, I’ve obtained Vietnam, Portugal, Thailand, Japan, Italy, and Mexico artwork within the store!
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Authorized Nomads artwork store web site
Transport to: Worldwide
Observe me on: Instagram
Gluten free translation playing cards
Regardless of my work hours being restricted nowadays, one of many duties I maintain working arduous at is the gluten free playing cards undertaking. I began these playing cards after I obtained sick whereas consuming in Japan with a brief gluten free card in Japanese. I noticed I wanted to incorporate extra data, native substances names (not simply “I can’t eat gluten”), and cross-contact (not simply meals which are gluten free).
The end result, 15 languages and counting with Bahasa Indonesia, Croatian, Lithuanian, and Swedish coming quickly and over 6000 playing cards bought.
Every card goes via 2 units of translations for accuracy, with one translator at minimal being accustomed to celiac illness. I’m within the technique of including PDF downloadable variations too, as a substitute of simply the PNG information. An increasing number of individuals 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.
Transport to: Worldwide as a result of they’re digital playing cards!
An ideal new card sport for journey
One other enjoyable reward that’s excellent for the traveler: Journey Chaser, a brand new card sport, superbly designed. Journey Chaser is the love little one of Dalene and Pete Heck, who you might also know from their web site Hecktic Travels.
The sport lets you determine who’s essentially the most travel-savvy of your group by shopping for, bartering, and playing your option to varied locations. The tougher 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 by way of 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.
Observe them on: Instagram
Light-weight chef’s knife
I’ve an amazing set of International knives that I slowly gathered over my years of lawyering. The issue is, with a spinal CSF leak I can’t 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 comfy—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 “traditional 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 obtained a 30% sale occurring proper now, too.
Nakano additionally has santoku knives and different units on supply; I’m sharing the one I obtained and use as a result of that’s the one one I’ve expertise with. However 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.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: Nakano Knives
Observe them on Instagram
My favorite pocket book
My good friend Candace despatched me a number of Joytop notebooks after I first obtained sick. She stated the strains 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 obtained pissed off with the scale, all the time wishing I might unfold out my creativity and never be cramped to the facet of the web page.
These books permit me to do this, and for some purpose, I haven’t used something since. Actually, these books are beautiful however why are they so satisfying?! The simply are. No matter why, Candace was proper, and I needed 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, Yayo Stationary sells these, and so they 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 choice for me as a result of I’m a infamous #plantkiller, I used to be intrigued. I do know a lot 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 needed 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. Additionally 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
Transport to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide. (Transport exterior Europe is dear, although), so it’s also possible to consult one in every of their resellers. For some purpose the one ones in Canada are in Alberta; hopefully that modifications at some point quickly!
Observe them on: Instagram
Knitted cacti
With a mission to carry greenery to “each struggling plant guardian”, Kelsea’s whimsical knitted cacti caught my eye at an area flea market. The enterprise took place when Kelsea knitted her sister some cacti for Christmas, after seeing how her sister couldn’t maintain 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 delivery.
The corporate is absolutely 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 it’s your decision one too.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Kelsea Knits web site
Transport to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide.
Observe them on: Instagram
Fowl language puzzle
Certainly one of two choices (see Effin Birds beneath) for individuals 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 emblem), and it has birds so I’m probably not a tricky promote right here. For these within the winter chilly, a puzzle is all the time an effective way to cross a number of hours of your time.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Unusual Items web site
Transport to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide.
Observe 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 at any time when 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 (in case you’re me): the identical firm’s spaghetti monster strainer. I find it irresistible 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 present personal. Sure, I’m a statistic and I don’t care. You may also purchase their merchandise on the OTOTO Design web site, however they solely ship to the US.
Observe them on: Instagram
Hummingbird ring
I loved the symmetry and pleasure from this cute hummingbird ring, which could 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 in case you’re out there for some enjoyable and tasteful jewellery, you’ll definitely discover one thing right here.
Additionally they promote stunning hair equipment and ear cuffs, along with jewellery requirements like necklaces and earrings.
Extra data:
You should purchase from the Little Rooms web site.
Observe them on: Instagram
Pleasant chook artwork
I’ve had the pleasure of assembly the genius behind Birdstrips, Jess, in individual in Montreal twice earlier than we every moved elsewhere. Her illustrations have grown an enormous following on Instagram as a consequence 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 “not often seen” gulls, together with the elusive popsigull, peagull, and pierogigulls; and the second, remedy “earlier than and after”—in traditional Birdstrips fashion.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Birdstrips Print Store (additionally mugs, tees, and extra!)
Transport to: Worldwide
Observe them on: Instagram
A transportable pink gentle machine for ache
I wasn’t certain if I might tolerate pink gentle remedy with a mast cell dysfunction, however the whole lot I learn urged that if I stayed at increased wavelengths of sunshine, my mast cells can be much less disrupted.
So I sought out a conveyable LED pink gentle machine that I might elevate with a spinal CSF leak, but in addition that had choices for increased nm of pink gentle, in order that I might hopefully tolerate it. That principle 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 concern. 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 really use it proper earlier than mattress as a result of they are saying it helps them sleep.
I opted for this units as a result of from the whole lot I learn, its lamps didn’t get sizzling, and in contrast to laser gentle, I didn’t danger any tissue injury from the research I checked out. Whereas a combo of pink and near-infrared wavelengths are really useful for many makes use of of the machine, 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 (after I do it earlier within the day), and most significantly actually takes down any nerve ache I’ve. I used to be sceptical after I began utilizing it, however I’ve actually come to take pleasure in how a lot it helps the backbone ache from my leak.
The machine comes with velcro bands that you just connect on the handles, for whenever 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 transferring round.
The corporate is from Norway, however the machine is made in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the FlexBeam web site
Transport to: Worldwide
Observe them on: Instagram
Birds + curse phrases
These illustrations of birds that swear in artistic methods are fashionable all around the internet, with good purpose. As Twitter implodes and the world feels prefer it’s doing the identical, the chook outrage by Aaron Reynolds says all that we’re bottling up inside.
That doesn’t cease individuals from getting pissed off concerning the cursing, however … did you count on anything from an organization known 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 e-book (at present on sale!) and a French Effin’ Birds e-book, in addition to a 2024 Calendar too.
Transport to: Worldwide
Observe him on: Instagram
Pearl jewellery from Tahiti
My good friend Celeste just isn’t 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 earth. 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 in case you wanted extra convincing about supporting their enterprise: a Nationwide Geographic examine discovered that their farming strategies helped improve the realm’s fish inhabitants lately.
Certainly one of their merchandise I put on usually: the Mana Bracelet. At $99, it’s an funding, however a sturdy and delightful one.
Celeste stated that this bracelet was initially crafted for surfers. Now, it’s one in every of their greatest sellers for energetic individuals who need a wonderful pearl bracelet with out worrying about fragility. The adjustable band is constituted of kangaroo leather-based (the strongest leather-based on the earth), and is a superb alternative for the modern wanderer and the energetic fashionista alike.
Additionally they now supply a brand new assortment, that includes Tahitian blacklip oyster shells and jewellery constituted of their very own sustainably produced mother-of-pearl. The earrings beneath are extra reasonably priced than the pearls alone, and are a wonderful reward for individuals who need one thing sustainable and totally different.
A lot of Kamoka’s merchandise are one in every of a sort, and are put collectively by Celeste and her crew annually.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: The Mana Bracelet is accessible right here. The complete mother-of-pearl assortment is right here, with the earrings above right here. If rings are your fancy, they’ve obtained a stunning aqua crescent ring this season as effectively.
Transport to: Worldwide
Observe 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 a variety of locations I miss deeply. They promote hand-embroidered maps for 900 places (and counting), both as stand-alone “I like this place” fashion, or connecting hearts, the place there’s a thread connecting two locations. Additionally they do customized maps, in case your favorite locations aren’t on supply 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 fashionable 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 submit 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 accomplished … till she taught Steve the best way to sew, and that helped get the maps accomplished a lot quicker. Now they’re each engaged on their fashionable maps, and including cities the entire time.
Extra data:
The place to purchase: the Sadie and June web site
Transport to: Canada and america, in addition to Europe
Observe them on: Instagram
These are my 2023 vacation reward picks! I hope you take pleasure in at the very least a few of them.
-Jodi
