Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Essential Travel, Photography Gear & Stylish Clothing
As a passionate traveler and photographer, this is my favorite time of year to curate our annual holiday gift guide featuring top travel essentials. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales on the horizon, I've published this early so you can score unbeatable deals on these must-haves.
I've expanded this guide to include more clothing alongside travel and photography gear, reflecting how my own travel style has evolved. I've discovered stylish options that prioritize comfort without sacrificing fashion.
Clothing
Women's Obermeyer Jacket: For upcoming winter trips to chase the Northern Lights in Canada and Alaska, I've invested in premium cold-weather gear. This Obermeyer insulated jacket is a standout—not bulky like typical ski jackets, with a removable faux fur-trimmed hood and exceptional warmth. I chose this over the Obermeyer Tuscany for its longer torso coverage.
Women's Rain & Snow Boots: My cute basic rain boots from our Alaska packing list work well, but for snowy conditions, these Sorel boots (on sale!) keep feet toasty. They're versatile enough for daily wear—fingers crossed for San Diego rain.
FYI: Sorel boots run slightly small; opt for a half size up. Buy it here.
Sarongs: A staple from my top 25 travel tips: sarongs multitask as wraps, towels, curtains, or clothing in countless styles. They pack tiny and adapt from beach to evening (solid colors like black for nights out, vibrant for daytime).
Photography
DJI Phantom 3 Drone: Drones have advanced dramatically, making pro-level aerial shots accessible to beginners. The Phantom 3 offers superior stability, 2.7K HD video, and FPV viewing. Our big Black Friday splurge: normally $799, now $599 on Amazon.
For a budget-friendly alternative, the Parrot Bebop delivers 1080p HD video, 14MP camera, and auto-stability. Buy it here.
GoPro Hero 7 Black: Our trusted action and underwater camera, with a user-friendly LCD screen. Ultra-compact for travel. Buy it here.
Dome Port for GoPro: Essential for split over/underwater shots—the key to our viral Cook Islands photos. Buy it here.
Travel Gear
Padded Travel Camera Bag: After years of searching, the Lowepro Fastpack is perfection. Comfortable even fully loaded (20+ lbs), it fits a DSLR like my Sony a7II with 16-35mm lens, plus extras in the top compartment. Features a rain cover, tripod straps, and water bottle pocket. Buy it here.
Waterproof iPhone Case: Our Lifeproof cases have protected our phones for over two years through drops and submersion—unmatched reliability. Buy it here.
Packing Cubes: Indispensable for organization—durable, washable, multi-sized sets for easy suitcase access. Buy it here.
Collapsible Water Bottle: Ditch single-use plastics with the Hydrapak Stash: collapses to 3 inches, holds 1L, sturdy despite soft walls. Eco-friendly and cost-saving for airports. Buy it here.
