7 of the Best Shop Small Gifts for Travel Lovers This Year

Nov 16

These special gifts for travel lovers all support small business around the world.

Three gifts wrapped in red bows and brown paper sit on a rug surrounded by ornaments.

(Photo credit: monicore/Pixabay)

This small business gift guide is packed with one-of-a-kind goodies that travelers will love. We’re talking eco-friendly bags, gorgeous watercolor maps, and decor and accessories handcrafted in Nicaragua, Mexico, Greece and the United States.

The best part? These are businesses you can feel good supporting. They’re small shops run by fellow travel lovers and passionate owners, many on a mission to reduce waste, support fair trade, and highlight talented artisans around the world. Some have found a lot of success and others are just starting their entrepreneurial journey.

We hope you’ll shop small with us this holiday season and support these makers and others in your local community.

  
    This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one or buy something, we might receive a commission for telling you about it, at no extra cost to you.
  

Global Teas Mixed in Arizona

I first tried Maya Tea at a conference in Tucson earlier, and immediately fell in love with the flavors. I’ve been ordering it online ever since!

The Arizona company mixes and ships from Tucson, but sources their teas globally. They’re best known for their chai concentrates, but I order loose leaf and tea bags in fun blends like creme brulee oolong, peach mango black, and raspberry vanilla mint green (it sounds crazy but it’s so good). These would make such a fun gift for any tea lover you know.

SHOP HERE

A sandy hand holds a candle that says glass half full on the label.

(Photo credit: Ignite Your Peace)

Soy Candles Hand-Poured in New Jersey

Based in New Jersey, Ignite Your Peace offers handcrafted soy candles with uplifting mantras and messages from shop owner Kierra.

We especially love the “Breathe Queen Breathe” with a calming combo of eucalyptus, mint and lavender, and the “Love Thy Self” with a jasmine and vanilla scent.

SHOP HERE

A woman with her back to the camera wears a black and gray backpack and looks over a city skyline.

(Photo credit: Canopy Verde)

Vegan Bags and Backpacks

The timeless design and multi-use functionality of the Canopy Verde bags recently ranked one of them an Etsy Design Awards finalist. Shop owner Linda is based in Brooklyn but produces her eco-friendly products in China, where her family lives. The backpacks and handbags are made with vegan leather and organic cotton and dyes.

The Greenpoint and Rockaway bags are especially useful for travelers since they can be worn as backpacks or shoulder bags. The store also has duffles, totes, clutches and wallets.

SHOP HERE

A hand scratches off a section of a map of the United States to reveal watercolor art underneath.

(Photo credit: Kristin Douglas/Waypoint Wanders)

Watercolor Scratch Maps and Bucket Lists

The Utah-based artist and travel-lover behind Kristin Douglas Art produces gorgeous watercolors and maps for her shop.

Scratch maps, scratch journals and scratch bucket lists let you track and display your travels in a pretty way. You can select from U.S., world and national park options with gold and silver overlays and floral, topography and modern watercolor backgrounds.

SHOP HERE

Four wooden cutting boards are seen from above on a concrete countertop.

(Photo credit: Manchester Woodcraft)

Cutting Boards Handmade in Vermont

Manchester Woodcraft has been in business for more than 60 years in Vermont. The family-owned shop is now run by sisters Jenny and Lauren and sells gorgeous handmade wood products.

We think their charcuterie and cutting boards would make beautiful and useful gifts — they come in clean and classic looks as well as fun animal shapes like whales, elephants and bears. Their Etsy store also has little wooden toys, wall shelves, coasters and utensils.

SHOP HERE

A framed sign that reads “not all who wander are lost” sits on a shelf next to a globe and vase.

(Photo credit: Curtin Creative Art)

Printable Travel Art and Quotes

Curtin Creative Art is run by a pair of sisters, one of whom also writes the blog GreatWideTravel.com. In their shop you’ll find cute t-shirts, fun mugs, and printable art.

For travel-lovers, there's inspirational quotes, destination prints, and pretty watercolors of beaches and florals. The best part — the art is available as digital downloads, which means it’s quick for last-minute shoppers to buy, print and gift.