Every year, I do a travel gift list for the travelers on your holiday list. This year, I want to try something different. Instead of giving our money to big corporations, we want to give to small businesses and support real people who are impacted by every single sale.
Here are some of my favorite small business travel (and related) merchants to purchase from this holiday season that will make your recipient happy and make you feel great about where your money went.
SpectraSpray
This woman-owned business brings convenience to vitamins and makes your travels better from sleeping better, supporting your immune system, and having more energy, even on your last day. You can slip all of these into your day bag, because they are small spray bottles that are easy to take anywhere you are. No water required. I am partial to the Sleep Well bundle, but you can buy several other sets or individual vitamins. (Remember to use code SHEREENTRAVELS)
It's no surprise that the airplane tray is one of the dirtiest things on the plane. It's also super slippery, so if you're trying to use it for anything while there is turbulence, forget about it. The Serenity Tray Organizer is not only anti-microbial, but it also helps you keep everything you need close at hand, so you don't have to contort your body to get stuff out of the bag under your seat. It has one large pocket and three small pockets and when you're done, you can slip it off, close the drawstring, and throw it back in your bag.
If you're like me and try to do work on a trip or just want a place to put your sandwich and drink while you're at the gate and there's no table in sight, this little desk that attaches to your roller bag handle has a pull-out cup holder and a little flip up phone or tablet holder , so you can watch a movie while you're babysitting your luggage.
This woman-owned company is making fashion, functional. This wrap can keep you warm on the plane and then it's going to look chic everywhere you go. It that has an odorless bug repellent woven into its sustainable, impossibly soft, recycled cotton and Tencel fabric. It can be used it as a wrap, a sarong, a scarf, a blanket, and more wherever you take it. I take mine everywhere.
This local company has been expanding rapidly in the last year, but their product quality has not suffered at all. I owned a Cascade Backpack before I worked with them and now I have two Cascade Backpacks and a Cascade Tote and am patiently awaiting their spinner luggage that has been teased. These are pieces you're going to use for a long, long time, and always get complimented on them. I'm still baffled by how the hidden zip pocket on the backpack can hold so much stuff without displacing things in the main bag.
The guys at Gravel are so passionate about what they do. They love the outdoors and they love products that do exactly what they need to do, that are well-made and rugged. I have yet to use my Layover Travel Blanket on the plane, but I used it as a regular blanket in a hotel and it kept me warm, but not too warm. I also have both the mini and the max Explorer Dopp and I love them for different reasons. Do I need a 3L toiletry bag? No, but it literally holds all my toiletries, my makeup, my travel flat iron, and my pill caddy. It rules. If you're a minimalist, the mini is going to be perfect for you.
You might see Cocoon products everywhere, but they are, literally, a company with the bare minimum of staff and a handful of great products. Whether you love camping, glamping, or just comfortable budget travel in general, they have products you're going to love. The travel blanket can double as a wrap, a picnic blanket, a beach towel, and more. The packing cubes are awesome. The clothes line is a must for those who do laundry on vacation. The travel sheets and mummy liners bring a bit of luxury everywhere you go.
For those of you, or your loved ones, that get motion sickness, either on a dinghy, cruise ship, car, or a plane, instead of those ugly patches behind your ears (though, you do you, because whatever works), get a set of pretty bracelets that put pressure on your pulse points to keep the nausea at bay. Blisslets come in pairs and are different, but complimentary, so you can turn your sickness solution into fashion. These even work for morning sickness!
No one wants to get a bad sleep, be it on the plane or at the hotel. Cabeau succeeds in having 3-5 products that they do really well. While I am not a fan of a regular neck pillow for travel, they have a range that are exceptional, including the Evolution X. I adore their Midnight Magic Sleep Mask and I was able to drive for 4 full days on a road trip without wanting to cry by using the Evolution Cushion. I've used it on the plane and at a basketball game and I highly recommend it for everyone.
Every woman should have one of these tanks - for travel, for walking, for exercise, for festivals. The pockets stay closed with a Velcro-like suction and keep all your belongings safe. This is where they can put their emergency cash, passport, and any other important thing she wants to keep close to her body, all in an attractive tank. It makes a great layering piece, but you can also wear it alone.
I'll be doing a few more lists closer to the holidays, but I really wanted to showcase some great small businesses for Small Business Saturday/Sunday, which may also be having Black Friday sales, because you basically have to. Your purchases impact small businesses much more than those same dollars going into the pocket of big corporations, because instead of hoarding that money, a small business will use that profit to live and also put it back into their company, putting more into the economy.
Are you being more mindful this year of where your gift dollars go?
Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!
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