I did my first ever vacation present information for vacationers just a few years in the past, which was enjoyable to compile. Readers appeared to benefit from the varied objects, and I used to be completely happy 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 present strategies 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 quite a lot of birds in right here, you’ve been warned.

Arms 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 expertise that enable for hands-free use, these sneakers come in numerous kinds and hues, and can be found in children, ladies, and males’s choices.

A be aware that their newer fashions aren’t nearly as good for my spinal CSF leak as a result of the heel drop is larger; I discover the Lima mannequin to be probably 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 employ your different foot to carry the bottom regular and slowly pull out of the shoe. They’re wonderful for folks 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 info:
You could find these sneakers and boots on their web site, Kizik.com. Utilizing this hyperlink will get you $20 off (it additionally offers 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

Are you aware somebody who’s specific about their writing implements? The New York Instances calls the Blackwing 602 the “Rolls Royce” of pencils, a beforehand in style 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 have been paying $40 a pop after they did find a stash. Fortunately, in 2010, a California firm introduced it again for “a brand new era of writers, musicians, and others in search of a extra pure existence” (unsure what they imply by that, however sure — it’s a terrific 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 however it’s not $40 a pencil costly. Nonetheless, when you’ve acquired a member of the family or good friend who loves to attract or handwrite, it’s a enjoyable present.

Extra info:
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 each time folks go to, and make nice vacation presents for anybody who likes to eat.

Along with Canada, above, I’ve acquired Vietnam, Portugal, Thailand, Japan, Italy, and Mexico artwork within the store!

Extra info:
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 today, one of many duties I preserve working laborious at is the gluten free playing cards challenge. I began these playing cards once I acquired sick whereas consuming in Japan with a brief gluten free card in Japanese. I noticed I wanted to incorporate extra info, native components names (not simply “I can’t eat gluten”), and cross-contact (not simply meals which might be gluten free).

The consequence, 15 languages and counting with Bahasa Indonesia, Croatian, Lithuanian, and Swedish coming quickly and over 12,000 playing cards bought.

Every card goes by means of 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 recordsdata. An increasing number of folks need to print the playing cards, not simply have them on their telephones.

Good for the celiac who likes to journey!

Extra info:
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 important new card recreation for journey

One other enjoyable present that’s excellent for the traveler: Journey Chaser, a brand new card recreation, 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 probably the most travel-savvy of your group by shopping for, bartering, and playing your technique to varied locations. The more difficult a vacation spot is to get to from North America, the extra factors it’s price.

The sport is already bought out in Canada, however you possibly can order it on backorder or through the US, the place there may be nonetheless inventory.

Extra info:
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 a terrific set of World knives that I slowly collected 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 cozy—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 “basic chef knife” and weighs in at 6.5 oz / 185g. Light-weight, however sturdy sufficient to chop many a terrific factor within the kitchen. They’ve acquired a 30% sale occurring proper now, too.

Nakano additionally has santoku knives and different units on provide; I’m sharing the one I acquired and use as a result of that’s the one one I’ve expertise with. But it surely’s been a terrific addition to my knife block, and light-weight sufficient to make use of even when my spinal CSF leak is in tough form.

Please use code JODI at checkout for a 30% off deal in your knife buy. As a substitute of an affiliate cost to me, I requested for a reduction code for readers. It’s legitimate for the Nakano web site usually, not simply this knife that I exploit and love.

Extra info:
The place to purchase: Nakano Knives
Observe them on Instagram

My favorite pocket book

My good friend Candace despatched me just a few Joytop notebooks once I first acquired sick. She mentioned the strains are simply completely positioned, and the pocket book’s seams have 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 acquired annoyed with the dimensions, all the time wishing I might unfold out my creativity and never be cramped to the facet of the web page.

These books enable me to try this, and for some motive, I haven’t used something since. Truthfully, these books are beautiful however why are they so satisfying?! The simply are. No matter why, Candace was proper, and I wished to incorporate them so that you all can benefit from the satisfaction we get from writing in them.

Extra info:
The place to purchase: In Canada, Yuyu.ca sells these, they usually ship to the USA and internationally as effectively. In Australia, you’re in luck: Maconii carries them too.

A chic straw system in your vegetation

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 like your vegetation 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 wished to make plant care easy and believes that “design needs 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 vegetation, permitting a cotton rope inside every brass tube to slowly add moisture to the soil with out overwatering. This implies you possibly can put thirsty vegetation like swamp and rainforest native vegetation,on an identical care schedule as succulents, cacti or Mediterranean vegetation. Additionally they add a enjoyable look to any room with the brass tubes and glass jars:

Extra info:
The place to purchase: the Plantstraw web site
Transport to: Canada, USA, and Worldwide. (Transport outdoors Europe is dear, although), so you too can consult one in every of their resellers. For some motive 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 mum or dad”, 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 preserve vegetation alive.

Taking inspiration from actual vegetation, Kelsea rigorously crafts knit cacti and succulents in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. She additionally tries to make use of sustainable supplies for different components 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 totally 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 info:
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 under) 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 troublesome promote right here. For these within the winter chilly, a puzzle is all the time a good way to cross just a few hours of your time.

Extra info:
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 each time I’ve unfastened tea, and the satisfaction of watching her peek out from the cup rim will, I think, by no means get previous.

For the tea lovers and whimsy lovers alike!

Additionally unmissable (when you’re me): the identical firm’s spaghetti monster strainer. I adore it a lot.

Extra info:
The place to purchase: Nessie: Amazon Canada, Amazon US.
The spagetti monster strainer: Amazon Canada, Amazon US.
This is similar firm that additionally makes the mushroom funnel I at present personal. Sure, I’m a statistic and I don’t care. It’s also possible to 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 may 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 when you’re available in the market for some enjoyable and tasteful jewellery, you’ll actually discover one thing right here.

Additionally they promote lovely hair equipment and ear cuffs, along with jewellery requirements like necklaces and earrings.

Extra info:
You should buy from the Little Rooms web site.
Observe them on: Instagram

Pleasant chicken artwork

I’ve had the pleasure of assembly the genius behind Birdstrips, Jess, in particular person in Montreal twice earlier than we every moved elsewhere. Her illustrations have grown an enormous following on Instagram on account of their whimsical, relatable messaging.

In Jess’ phrases, the store includes “the existential misery of the flightless by means of the eyes of the flighted.”

Under, 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 basic Birdstrips fashion.

Extra info:
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 positive if I might tolerate pink gentle remedy with a mast cell dysfunction, however every thing I learn advised that if I stayed at larger wavelengths of sunshine, my mast cells could be much less disrupted.

So I sought out a transportable LED pink gentle machine that I might raise with a spinal CSF leak, but additionally that had choices for larger nm of pink gentle, in order that I might hopefully tolerate it. That idea 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 total 10 minute session twice with out difficulty. 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 truly 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 every thing I learn, its lamps didn’t get scorching, and in contrast to laser gentle, I didn’t threat any tissue harm from the research I checked out. Whereas a combo of pink and near-infrared wavelengths are advisable 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 (once I do it earlier within the day), and most significantly actually takes down any nerve ache I’ve. I used to be sceptical once 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 simply 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 shifting round.

The corporate is from Norway, however the machine is made in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Extra info:
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 in style everywhere in the net, with good motive. As Twitter implodes and the world feels prefer it’s doing the identical, the chicken outrage by Aaron Reynolds says all that we’re bottling up inside.

That doesn’t cease folks from getting pissed off concerning the cursing, however … did you count on anything from an organization referred to as Effin Birds?! He additionally now has wax candles, a brand new addition to his “shitmas” assortment for individuals who dislike the vacations.

Extra info:
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 will not be solely a terrific journey author, but additionally runs an environmentally-friendly Tahitian pearl firm, Kamoka, that adheres to the strictest ranges of sustainable farming on the planet. Their pearls are from oysters grown within the nutrient-rich lagoon of Ahe Atoll, 300 miles northeast of Tahiti, with electrical energy provided by photo voltaic and wind energy. And when you wanted extra convincing about supporting their enterprise: a Nationwide Geographic research discovered that their farming strategies helped improve the realm’s fish inhabitants lately.

Certainly one of their merchandise I put on typically: the Mana Bracelet. At $99, it’s an funding, however a sturdy and delightful one.

Celeste mentioned that this bracelet was initially crafted for surfers. Now, it’s one in every of their greatest sellers for lively individuals who need a stupendous pearl bracelet with out worrying about fragility. The adjustable band is made out of kangaroo leather-based (the strongest leather-based on the planet), and is a good alternative for the modern wanderer and the lively fashionista alike.

Additionally they now provide a brand new assortment, that includes Tahitian blacklip oyster shells and jewellery made out of their very own sustainably produced mother-of-pearl. The earrings under are extra reasonably priced than the pearls alone, and are a stupendous present for individuals who need one thing sustainable and totally different.

Lots of Kamoka’s merchandise are one in every of a form, and are put collectively by Celeste and her workforce every year.

Extra info:
The place to purchase: The Mana Bracelet is obtainable right here. The complete mother-of-pearl assortment is right here, with the earrings above right here. If rings are your fancy, they’ve acquired a beautiful aqua crescent ring this season as effectively.
Transport to: Worldwide
Observe them on: Instagram

Embroidered coronary heart maps

I met the stunning couple behind Sadie and June when at a flea market in Ottawa, and appreciated their enjoyable choices as a traveler with quite a lot of locations I miss deeply. They promote hand-embroidered maps for 900 areas (and counting), both as stand-alone “I really 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 provide presently.

The couple, whose names are literally Steve and Kendall, are a cross-border couple—one thing fairly widespread 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 in style 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 have been born out of this love and our perception that love is aware of no borders. The idea: I started embroidering by means of paper classic map prints that meant one thing particular to me and Steve.”

The couple have a publish about how they went from being ‘flat broke’ in 2014 to constructing a full-time enterprise round their stitching expertise. Once I met Kendall on the market, she talked about that because the enterprise picked up she was struggling to get orders completed … till she taught Steve how you can sew, and that helped get the maps accomplished a lot sooner. Now they’re each engaged on their in style maps, and including cities the entire time.

Extra info:
The place to purchase: the Sadie and June web site
Transport to: Canada and the USA, in addition to Europe
Observe them on: Instagram

These are my 2023 vacation present picks! I hope you take pleasure in at the least a few of them.

-Jodi