BEST VAN LIFE GIFT IDEAS
The Ultimate Gift Guide for the Adventurous Person in Your Life
What makes a great gift for someone living on the road?
What the heck do you buy for the person who who always says:
“I don’t want things, just experiences!”
Growing up, there were several years in a row that my brother’s answer to the question:
Q: “What do you want for Christmas?”
…was…
A: “World Peace”
Free spirit that he was (and still is), he was never being glib (Frankly, we all might be a bit better off putting money towards peace making efforts instead of shiny things in Target… but…I digress). Mostly my brother was expressing that he didn’t need or want physical things.
Which was… infuriating for my family. Particularly for my grandmother, who one year finally snapped, bought an Atlas, cut it up with scissors, and put a bow on it – World Pieces™️.
I remember thinking, “Sucker!”
Because as his little sister, I was contractually obligated to find joy in his misfortune.
Because I got everything I wanted on my list that year.
Compared to my brother, I have always been a little too easy to shop for. I’m materialistic as heck and not shy about telling people what I want. (I mean look at me writing an entire blog post dedicated to buying presents for people like ME.) Sigh. Forever a convenient creature of capitalism.
However, 6 months ago… I downsized my entire life into less than 800 square feet…In July, I moved into my self-converted 2003 Ford E-350 Shuttle Bus and started traveling full-time.
And now I’m yet another one of those: “I don’t need things, just experiences,” people.
(…Sorry, Gam!)
In an effort to make amends to my grandmother and to help YOU finish your holiday shopping, here’s the Ultimate Gift Guide for Van Lifers.
So, let’s drive in, nomads! What the heck do you buy for the person who doesn’t need things?
Generally, vanlifers, nomads, buslifers, RVers, vehicle-dwellers, etc. are:
1) mostly MINIMALISTS
2) sometimes SENTIMENTALISTS
3) always ADVENTURERS
For the
MINIMALIST:
Vehicle dwellers and RVers live in close quarters and storage space is at a premium. Nomads put in a lot of effort to downsize when they move into their rig. You can ask any van lifer, and they’ll tell you that keeping a small space tidy is a constant battle.
As adorable as Stocking Stuffers may be… they can clutter up a living space pretty quickly.
ROAD TRIP RIDDLE:
Q: What makes a great gift, but won’t take up space?
A: Premium Subscriptions & Services!
Here are my Top 5 Road Trip Essential Subscriptions and Memberships
***PLUS a BONUS recommedation***
Autio - imagine having the most interesting party guest as your co-pilot on your next road trip.
Autio
WHAT IS AUTIO?
The ultimate road trip companion app (available for iOS and Android).
Original stories activated by your phone’s location.
Each story is 2-4 minutes long (like bite-sized history lessons!) narrated by celebs like Kevin Costner and John Lithgow!
HOW MUCH IS AN AUTIO SUBSCRIPTION?
$35.99/year (20% OFF November 16-Cyber Monday)
First 5 Stories FREE!
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY AUTIO SUBSCRIPTION?
1-Year Unlimited Subscription
10,000+ location-based stories across the US
Create playlists, enable autoplay, and/or download stories for easy, fascinating, hands-free listening even on the most remote adventures!
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE AN AUTIO SUBSCRIPTION?
In the App Store!
Autio is great for telling stories to you.
If you want some epic travel stories of your own, you need Roadtrippers:
2. Roadtrippers
WHAT IS ROADTRIPPERS?
Road trip planning and sharing tool (available for Desktop, iOS and Android) that does so much more than get you from Point A to Point B. Discover roadside attractions, landmarks, historic places, photo ops, scenic overlooks, and more. Never take a boring road trip again.
HOW MUCH IS A ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP? (see chart below)
There are 3 Tiers of Roadtrippers Membership
BASIC - $35.99/yr
PRO - $49.99/yr
PREMIUM - $59.99/yr
Get $5 OFF with exclusive Roadtrippers discount code: BTR5QTP
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP? (see chart below)
The 3 Tiers of Roadtrippers Membership each come with their own unique benefits.
BASIC
3 saved trips
20 stops per trip
Custom map styles
Trip exports for sharing
PRO
5 saved trips
50 stops per trip
All BASIC benefits
No ads
Trip collaboration
PREMIUM
Unlimited trips
150 stops per trip
All PRO benefits
RV-Friendly tools
IMO this is worth its weight in gold. You can customize your route based on your vehicle specs. Set height, propane on-board, avoid tolls, ferries, highways, etc. Literal life-saver!
Other Member deals*
Sign up for Roadtrippers here. Get $5 OFF with code: BTR5QTP.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE A ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP?
Online (Get $5 OFF with code: BTR5QTP)
In the App Store!
$5 OFF with code: BTR5QTP
3. Audible
WHAT IS AUDIBLE?
Audible is Amazon’s audiobook and podcast service.
HOW MUCH IS AN AUDIBLE SUBSCRIPTION?
Audible Plus - $7.95/month
Audible Premium Plus - $14.95/month
You can gift an entire year or just one month. 1 credit can offer miles and miles of great listening. See below for some great audiobook recommendations. You’ll see that each recommended audiobook is a different price on their own, but only cost 1 Audible membership credit.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN AN AUDIBLE SUBSCRIPTION?
Monthly credit - any title you want!
Audible has 11,000+ titles spanning all sorts of genres, including documentaries, comedy, journalism, kids, wellness, self-development, selections from Audible Theater and more.
The Plus Catalog
Exclusive member sales and deals.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE AN AUDIBLE SUBSCRIPTION?
Peruse Audible’s gifting options here.
If you couldn’t tell already from my Autio subscription recommendation (above), I need something to listen to on those long driving days. Here are just a few titles from Audible that I listened to this year and LOVED.
(and I’m a voice actor… so you know I’m a tough critic)
Where the Crawdads Sing audiobook (written Delia Owens, narrated by Cassandra Campbell) available on Audible for $15.68 (or 1 credit). 12 hours and 12 minutes of listening and travel time.
The Vanishing Half audiobook (written by Brit Bennett, narrated by Shayna Small) available on Audible for $15.68 (or 1 credit). 11 hours and 34 minutes of listening that will lead to hours of important conversations!
The Night Circus audiobook (written by Erin Morgenstern, narrated by Jim Dale*) available on Audible for $20.25 (or 1 credit). 13 hours and 40 minutes of listening and driving time.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo audiobook (written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, & Robin Miles) available on Audible for $14.63 (or 1 credit). 12 hours and 10 minutes - an entire day of listening (if you listen twice…which you will want to!)
Sea of Tranquility audiobook (written by Emily St. John Mandel - author of Station Eleven - narrated by Kirsten Potter) available on Audible for $14.63 (or 1 credit). 5 hours and 47 minutes of listening time - a shorty, but a goody.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue audiobook (written by V.E. Schwab, narrated by Julia Whelan) available on Audible for $20.06 (or 1 credit). 17 hours and 10 minutes of drive & listening time.
Demon Copperhead audiobook (written by Barbara Kingsolver, narrated by Charlie Thurston) available on Audible for $30.54 (or 1 credit). 21 hours and 3 minutes of drive time. Highly recommend if you’re driving through or around Virginia.
The Starless Sea an audiobook masterpiece! (also written by Erin Morgenstern, narrated by many) available on Audible for $17.46 (or 1 credit). 18 hours and 37 minutes of road trip listening!
*can’t go wrong with anything narrated by Jim Dale
4. REI Membership
One of the best jobs I’ve ever had was working at the REI Co-op. I worked Frontline (cashier) so I got really good at discussing the benefits of an REI Membership, and I truly cannot recommend it enough.
WHAT IS REI?
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) is America’s largest outdoor outfitter and the nation's largest consumer co-op.
HOW MUCH IS AN REI MEMBERSHIP?
$30 one-time fee for a LIFETIME membership.
Often comes with a $20 gift card or 20% OFF coupon so you start recouping (REI-co-oping?) your investment pretty much immediately.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A REI MEMBERSHIP?
10% back*** on eligible purchases
***10% is typical but not guaranteed. This benefit is based on the company’s annual profit. For example, during the pandemic, profits were lower so membership dividends were also lower.
Pro Tip: I have the REI Mastercard, too, so I get an additional 5% back on ALL purchases.
Member Exclusive products and deals
Buy & trade in gently used gear
20% off bike & snow shop services
Access to “Garage Sales” - majorly discounted items that come from REI’s generous one-year return policy.
WHERE DO I PURCHASE AN REI MEMBERSHIP?
Go to your local REI - REI Locator Tool
Call 1-800-426-4840
(Mon–Fri, 6am–8pm PT; Sat–Sun, 8am–5pm PT)If you are gifting an REI Membership, here are the details you need to know about your giftee:
Full Legal* Name (*this is the most difficult detail to update in the Membership system so proofread!)
Email
Address
Typically, your giftee can update any of membership these details in store or online.
Hey, as long as you’re at REI., why not pick up an America the Beautiful Pass?!
America the Beautiful Pass available online, most park entrances, or at REI.
5. America the Beautiful Pass
WHAT IS THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS?
You can think of your ATB pass as like a membership card that gets you “free” entry to the National Parks (and more!)
HOW MUCH DOES THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS COST?
$80.00/ year
That’s a bargain when you consider that most National Park entrance fees are $20-$40 per vehicle. I purchased my America the Beautiful Pass at Acadia National Park just a few months ago and have used it enough times that my cost per makes it totally worth it! See “What’s Included” below.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WHEN I PURCHASE AN AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS?
This pass is honored at sites managed by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers
Covers entrance for driver and passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person (kids 15 & under get in free)
Covers park admission only; does not cover Expanded Amenity or Concessionaire fees such as parking, RV hookups, camping, shuttles, boat launches and guided interpretive tours
Pass is valid for 1 year from the month of purchase
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE AN AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS?
Go to your local REI - REI Locator Tool or Call 1-800-426-4840
When you purchase through REI, they will donate 10% of pass proceeds to organizations devoted to the outdoors.
Point of Entry / Gatehouses at most National Parks!
PRO TIP: The pass is valid 1 year from the MONTH OF PURCHASE. So if you’re thinking of giving the America the Beautiful Pass as a gift, make sure you’re able to give it to your loved one ASAP so they can get maximum bang for your buck.
BONUS: Finally, one last gift recommendation for the MINIMALIST traveler.
GIFTCARDS
Now, don’t roll your eyes and scroll on by! There’s an unfair stigma around giving gift cards. Let’s dismantle that right now, please and thank you.
It’s not impersonal. It’s empowering.
Remember getting a birthday card in the mail from your grandparents? That crisp $5 bill inside made your day! Why should sharing a little digital cash at the holidays be any different? It’s not a cop-out, it’s a world of opportunity and it’s appreciated.
The gift of money grants flexibility and freedom, which, when you think about it, really are the two tentpoles of the nomadic lifestyle!
For the
SENTIMENTALIST:
Not all van lifers are minimalists ⬆️⬆️⬆️.
Some of us are sentimental schmucks who like to collect nicknacks as mementos of our adventures.
Imagine traveling around the world and not picking up a single souvenir. That would be crazy!
My dear friend Jon’s van (@TheDotJose) is like a naturalists curio cabinet - full of giant pinecones, beautiful stones, feathers, etc.
So if your van life friend leans more towards maximalist magpie vs. midcentury modern minimalism, here are some useful gifts to satisfy the sentimentalist.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but these gifts can make each photo worth one million memories.
Tripod
Capture every moment with a steady hand. Perfect gift idea for a solo traveler. I wish I had bought one way before I did!
Like a tripod but with better stabilization.
When I was building out The Rollsbud Motel, I tried to capture every moment of the process - without a tripod or a gimbal. When my first video went viral on TikTok, one of the major comments I got was “too shakey”. Help your influencer friend become the next viral sensation with this handy gadget.
Take pro birds eye photos without breaking the bank!
My sentimental nomad friend Jon? Did I mention he’s an incredible photojournalist (@humanizingthroughstory). He took this incredible photo with a drone like this one:
Recreate Responsibly Reminder: many natural areas and parks do not allow drones. Read and obey notices posted at trailheads and on websites.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
For the friend that likes to hold their memories in their hands, this handy camera prints instant polaroids that can go in a scrapbook or become a gift all it’s own!
If you want to gift the whole kit and caboodle, check out some of these accessories:
Film (~$25 for a 20 pack on Amazon) I’m a fan of the black & white film!
Travel bag ($15 on Amazon)
Photo Album ($10 on Amazon)
Scrapbooking Corners ($10 on Amazon)
Did you look at those Instax Mini Polaroids and wish if only if only you could print the photos on your phone as if they were polaroids?
Well you can! This pocket photo printer has transformed my scrapbooking!
I save absolutely every little scrap of paper when I travel (ticket stubs, receipts, coffee cup collars, you name it!), but it looks like garbage when it’s just hanging around my rig.
Shadow boxes are a unique way to showcase your travels by displaying your ticket stubs rather than closing them up in a scrapbook. Alternatively, a shadow box can become a motivational piggy bank. Hang it somewhere you can watch your travel fund grow!
1SE or 1SecondEveryday is an app that helps you capture and share one special second of everyday. I’ve been using this app to document my journey from build to the road since 2021.
I finally got the Pro Plan this past year and now I can record more than one second, remove the watermark, and maintain multiple projects.
If your loved one is already a 1SE super fan, 1SecondEveryday has just launched their Merch Store!
I told you I keep every little scrap of paper. Any piece that doesn’t go into a shadow box goes into my Passion Planner - the only journal / calendar / tracker / diary I will ever use. I’ve been using Passion Planner since 2015 and it has helped me identity and achieve more goals than I can say! The holidays are a perfect time to get a planner for 2024!
Get 10% OFF with RACHEL735
For the
ADVENTURER:
If it just feels wrong not to have something to wrap up and physically hand to that special someone, keep it compact and useful. Check out these tangible treats!
Here are some GIFT IDEAS THAT EVERY ADVENTURER NEEDS no matter the square footage of their living space:
A Hot Waterbottle
Until recently, I thought hot water bottles only existed in cartoons - tacky, rubbery bladders that were only good for a gag gift. But after a few too many cold nights on my bus I started researching How to Keep Warm and boy are these a game changer! These fluffy covers transform a cartoony eye sore into a trendy tool, as soft and as comforting as your favorite stuffed animal.
Living on the road is no excuse for poor hygiene. Whether you’re showering outside or at a Planet Fitness, Dr. Bronner’s All-in-One Tea Castile Bar Soaps will keep you feeling (and smelling) fresh! Less than $5.00 per bar, these are a great (and useful!) stocking stuffer. Tea Tree (the orange one) is a personal favorite.
Socks
Q: How do you know you’re an adult?
A: When you are genuinely excited to receive socks as a gift.
Can’t go wrong with a couple of bears (ahem!) PAIRS of these Darn Tough socks. Cute designs for wearing around camp, tough enough to endure the trail. Don’t cheap out on cotton socks that will breed blisters.
Darn Tough socks are made with merino wool and come with a lifetime guarantee.
Last but not least… You can always gift a Road Atlas
(try to resist the urge to cut into pieces, though!)
If you do decide to send your friend or family member a physical gift this year, Congratulations! You have the added challenge of figuring out how to get it to them!
HOW DO VAN LIFERS GET MAIL ON THE ROAD?
Your adventurous pal likely will be elsewhere during the holidays. If you can’t hand them their gift in person, here are some options:
Permanent address - believe it or not, most van lifers have some kind of permanent address or at least a PO BOX (paperwork and crash/launch pad reasons).
Hold onto it! - Inevitably, your nomadic friend will be passing through your area eventually. (Keep the season of giving going!)
Send to a friend - if your nomad is more likely to be passing through a friend’s neck of the woods instead, confirm their preferred mailing address and send it!
Send to a post office - I’ve had mixed results with this. This solution involves the most effort, risk, and coordination.
Amazon Locker - if you’re gifting something off Amazon anyway, set the delivery address to one of the 2,800 available locations in over 70+ cities.
When in doubt…ask!
Here’s hoping some of these suggestions were helpful.
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season!
Much love,
Rachel & Rollsbud
