Gift Guide: Black Friday 2019 Is Upon Us
It’s upon us, AND IT’S GIVING ME ANXIETY.
I won’t bitch and moan about Christmas music starting before Halloween because that story is played out. It’s absurd, and it makes me feel rushed (like can we NOT hurdle our way through the holidays and toward the bleak nothingness of January and February?). But the real rush that’s raising my blood pressure this year are the Black Friday sales happening weeks before Black Friday.
I’m told this is what happens when there is a late Thanksgiving. It’s as if retailers miss out on a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas in order to get their ledgers in the black. I get it, but as an avid bargain hunter, this is far too much pressure. I CANNOT be monitoring the deals for my gift list and wish list while I’m still working and, you know, just living my life. BUT WHAT IF I MISS ONE?
If you’re like me, I…have no real solution for you. I have not figured out how to quell my FOMO re: the best deal. But I DO have some quality travel-themed gifts for the jetsetters in your life (or for you to put on your wish list). Here are some gifts to check out this weekend while you’re on the hunt for bargains like me.
Travel illustration or custom house drawing, $25-$75, JenIllustrates on Etsy YOU GUYS! Jen has opened her very own Etsy shop, where she’s selling hand-drawn illustrations of some of our favorite destinations as well as custom drawings of YOUR favorite spots. It’s a perfect personal touch for nearly anyone on your recipient list.
Go-to legging, $25, Pact Planning an airplane outfit is an art, not a science. So many factors to consider! Where you’re coming from, where you’re going, looking chic enough to not feel like you’re a hot mess, but most importantly — STILL BEING COMFORTABLE. I personally vouch for these Pact leggings. Pact makes organic, sustainable, fair trade basics, and they’re all SUPER SOFT but still flattering. The prices are affordable, and for Black Friday, items are up to 70 percent off. SEVEN ZERO.
A Travel + Leisure subscription, $6 Magazine subscriptions are SO CHEAP these days, and understandably, since many of us do our reading online and on digital devices. But certain magazines demand to be consumed in their original format. Travel + Leisure is one of these for the beautiful travel photography and travel inspo.
Urban map cocktail glass, $16, Uncommon Goods These cocktail glasses with urban gridded maps etched into them are the coolest. This gift is perfect for not just travelers but city transplants and map lovers alike.
Mixed media painting or print, $22-$40, Found Studio on Etsy Baltimore studio Found Studio has been creating some of the most beautiful mixed media collages and art for years. This “You Belong Here” print is perfect for a traveler to put on the wall in his or her home base.
Oliver Gal luggage tag wall art, $172-$278, Nordstrom Speaking of wall art, this is a bit pricier and not from a local maker, but I adore these glicee luggage tag pieces.
eBags Mother Lode weekender convertible, $149.99, eBags In my old age, I’m coming around to the benefits of carrying a backpack instead of a heavy tote or duffel bag. Jen and I both use eBags packing cubes to keep our suitcases organized, and this backpack was featured as the budget pick on Wirecutter’s list of best travel bags. If you don’t know Wirecutter, allow me to change your life.
Kindle Essentials Bundle, $94.99, Amazon Yes, as someone who works in book publishing, I should eschew all the evil that is Amazon and opt for physical books always. But here’s a glimpse into my cognitive dissonance — as much as I love book stores and turning pages, you cannot beat an eReader when it comes to travel. Rather than lugging a stack of books with you throughout airports and onto trains, you can have five books on deck in this tiny little package. This bundle includes the device, a cover, and a charger.
What are you buying this season for the travelers in your life?
-Staci
