Understandably, you are struggling to find a present for a digital nomad! After all, what would you gift to someone who prefers to live with fewer belongings?
As a digital nomad myself, I have first-hand experience of what we do and don’t use. Therefore, this gift guide will undoubtedly ease the pain and delight the minimalist traveller you had in mind. Each present is practical, compact and commonly sought after in the nomadic community; that I know for sure!
For similar recommendations, have a look at the gear I’ve travelled with across my 4-years of full-time travel.
Table of Contents
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means that we receive a small amount but you still pay the same. The contribution helps to support the continued creation of these blogs – win, win! Nevertheless, I only recommend personal favourites that I’ve tried, tested or have first-hand knowledge of.
Buying a Present for a Digital Nomad?…
Travel Gift Cards
Understandably, there is a lot of pressure buying a gift for a person who doesn’t own many belongings or has anywhere to keep them. In fact, whatever they receive would have to be something worth carrying for them to consider even packing it in their luggage. Have you considered gifting them something digitally instead?
1. Priority Pass
Whether it’s their first adventure or they are travelling full-time, surely no sane human would pass up the opportunity to visit the Airport Lounge before their flight. Therefore, a Priority Pass would be the best gift if you are buying a present for a digital nomad or minimalist traveller. It doesn’t take up any precious space in their luggage (unless they’ve sneakily stocked up on too many free snacks) and the gift will enable them to travel more efficiently.
2. Travel Experience
If your travel friend has confined their belongings into a suitcase to hit the road full-time, then it’s probably fair to say that they appreciate experiences over ‘things’. Give the gift of just that; a present they’ll never forget. GetYourGuide is a resource of thousands of collated experiences around the world. A gift card for GetYourGuide would allow your travelling loved one to tailor their gift to their next destination. Plus, this present does not require the headache of packaging and postage as the monetary value can be sent via email or social media.
Travel Gifts (Under £20)
3. Laptop Stand
As a digital nomad, I was thrilled to receive a Ringke Laptop Stand as a gift myself. The minimal foldable design is a small but important prop that will improve your digital nomad’s ergonomic position. As a gift for a minimalist traveller, it recognises the many hours they spend on their laptop and the little space they have for any gift.
4. Collapsible Bottle
Space-saving is an everyday objective for minimalist travellers. That being said, there’s a lot of wasted space and weight in empty water bottles that will inevitably need to be refilled. The foldable Vapur Water Bottle is genius! They have various colours and sizes available; 0.5 litre or 1 litre.
5. Silicone Straws
Help your nomadic friend to be kinder to our planet with Silicone Drinking Straws. They have been designed with both the traveller and environment in mind. This pack includes ten trimmable straws, a cleaning brush and one carrying bag for easy transportation.
6. Portable Jewellery Case
I can’t be the only one who has no idea what to do with my jewellery when I’m travelling –surely? Avoid the tangled mess as you arrive at your next destination with an elegant but portable travel jewellery case.
7. Moleskin Notebook
Moleskine’s Travel Journal has been specifically designed to accommodate the scribbles, stories and notes of travellers who enjoy documenting their adventures.
8. Eye Mask
It would be hard not to chuck this lightweight mask in your backpack, even if it was just for emergencies. I know I do! This shaped, Memory Foam Mask allows the wearer to blink freely. It also protects eye makeup, so it’s perfect for blocking the harsh light and constant movement on any flight.
9. Bamboo Toothbrushes
As they’re 100% organic AND biodegradable, this set of Bamboo Toothbrushes is perfect for eco-conscious travellers. With the bamboo case, they’re also easy, clean and neat to store for travelling. This is a pack of 4 brushes with a spool of charcoal mint dental floss too.
10. Buff
Honestly, I’d be surprised if any outdoor enthusiast doesn’t already have a Buff! But… You can never have too many with the hundreds of colours, patterns and thicknesses that they have available for purchase. This would be a safe present for a digital nomad of any age or gender.
Travel Gifts (£20-100)
11. Matador Hip Pack
I love my Matador Bum Bag. And hey, they’re cool again so that’s alright! During its first few excursions in my backpack, the product was so small that I kept forgetting about it. After using the pack once, it was clear to see how versatile the product is. Now, I use it almost every day.
12. Apple AirTag
Apple AirTags help keep track of the items that matter most. In this case, it would most likely be your loved one’s entire belongings. With an AirTag, they can make sure that their luggage made it onto the flight. If not, they’ll know exactly where to look. Note: This gift would only suit travellers with iPhones.
14. Kindle eReader
It would be impossible for any digital nomad to carry the weight of a library without an eReader. Kindles are the perfect gift to enable digital nomads to keep as many books as they can possibly read whilst only carrying an extra 150-200g.
15. Travel Yoga Mat
The FLXBL Travel Yoga Mat is thin, light, foldable and conveniently machine washable. This can be used as both an anti-slip mat, and a towel with a quality luxurious feel. It’s everything your yogi friend could ask for whilst travelling from day to day.
16. Lightweight Towel
Matador’s Ultralight Travel Towel is lighter and more compact than most other travel towels on the market. Personally, I wouldn’t consider any others because this particular one is almost weightless. It also doesn’t have the odd texture of a microfibre towel that many travellers struggle to get used to.
Travel Gifts (£100+)
17. Filtered Water Bottle
The digital nomad you are looking to buy for would have to tolerate at least some weight with this gift. Although it would be for a worthwhile reason as the purifying technology eradicates harmful bacteria. This bottle also ‘self-cleans’ every 2 hours to keep the bottle fresh and odour-free. Genius! A cheaper alternative is Water-To-Go’s Filtered Bottle.
18. Action Camera
The Insta360 One RS is the only action camera that has a 360-degree and wide-angle lens that can interchange. This versatility with waterproof functionality ensures the camera is a perfect companion for any level of adventure traveller.
19. Wireless Headphones
Nothing would say ‘minimalist’ more than wireless headphones. Rid your travelling friend of the cable-untangling fuss with compact in-earphones that fit into any pocket. The Apple EarPods or Samsung Earphones are the safest bets, depending on whether they are an Apple or Android user.
20. Portable Wifi Hotspot
The Netgear Nighthawk is the crème de la crème, but it can be a pricey investment. Gift this item to any digital nomad who relies on a strong and reliable internet connection. See this guide for more information.
21. Drone
The DJI Mini 2 is the smallest of the most reputable brand for drones. Weighing less than 249g, this addition will transform how memories are captured without the worry of much additional weight in any backpack.
Hopefully, this guide has enlightened you on the perfect present for a digital nomad. I have no doubt that you will impress the minimalist traveller you know and love.
If any fellow digital nomad happens to have made their way to the bottom of this blog post, feel free to add something to the wish list in the comments below. The more-suited and mindful our gift-giving is, the less waste we inevitably create in this beautiful world that we so love to explore.
SEE: How I Became a Digital Nomad in 3 Months
Let’s go!
@katie.maree
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