Travelers are living (and traveling) in unusual times. Here are some gift ideas to see them through.
The destination comes to you
A food tour that comes to you? And brings a sampling of local flavors with it? Yes, please. Global Tours Connect presents curated experiences ($39-$175) that ship directly to your door.
"These food tours in a box make wonderful gifts and are a fun way to 'visit' a destination from the comfort and safety of your home," said Midgi Moore, owner of Juneau Food Tours. Moore partnered with Lauren McCabe Herpich, founder and owner of Oakland, Calif.-based Local Food Adventures, to launch the first industry-forward collaborative online booking platform created by tour operators, for tour operators.
"If visiting Alaska is your dream, you can have wild Alaska salmon, reindeer sausage, kelp marmalade and other goodies," said Moore. "Each box is designed to reflect the food, history and flavors of its respective community.
"As leisure travel is slowly returning, sending a Food Tour in a Box is a great way to whet the appetite on where to visit next."
A Home for the Holidays box gives displaced Cincinnatians all the tastes they crave, with treats hand-selected from historic Findlay Market. New York City has the sweet tooth on your list covered with its cookie snack pack, featuring Italian-, Chinese- and NYC-themed sugar cookies. A Box of Sunshine transports gift recipients straight to West Palm Beach through coconut rum cake and other yummies.
Both individual boxes and subscriptions are available. Global Tours Connect is constantly updating its food tour destinations. Check the website to see the latest menu of offerings.
Jewelry marks favorite places
Even if it's not possible to return to a beloved beach, treasured romantic city or coveted mountain hideaway, an Isabelle Grace Jewelry coordinates charm necklace ($59) and coordinates open cuff ($65) can bring it home to the traveler on your list. Custom-crafted for the individual, these unique pieces can be inscribed with the coordinates of the gift recipient's favorite travel destination.
On the necklace, coordinates are etched onto a long tag charm that is paired with a compass charm and an aquamarine briolette. For the hand-formed adjustable cuff, coordinates and compass are stamped into it. Both pieces are thoughtful keepsakes evoking memories of the wearer's close-to-the-heart destination.
The necklace and cuff are available in silver or gold finish, with chains and other components of 14-karat gold fill and sterling silver. Chains come in 16-, 18- and 20-inch lengths. The cuff comes in two sizes: 6- and 7-inch.
Affordable extravagance
When the fashionista on your list starts traveling again, here is just the touch of glam she needs: the Ellis James makeup train case ($45.95; on sale for $29.95), a classically designed black beauty with luscious, quilted exterior trimmed in cream piping and thoughtful and functional organization within.
With 12 multi-sized brush compartments and tool slots, large interior zipper pocket and adjustable compartments via the magic of Velcro-brand fasteners, the padded case checks all the boxes for neatly sorting and separating cosmetics and grooming products. It has a wipe-clean interior and includes a matching removable zip pouch for on-the-go essentials.
This travel and organizer bag may be dual in purpose, but it is a beautiful addition to any vanity and luggage wardrobe. Best of all, it comes beautifully wrapped in tissue paper inside a gift box.
Portable escape room
Think of Hunt A Killer as an escape room delivered to your door, ushering you into a community of detectives for an immersive gaming experience that can be played at home or taken on a road trip to an atmospheric setting, like a remote cabin in the woods.
Each themed murder mystery (or season) comprises six episodes, and each episode is packed with clues that detectives need to decipher in order to eliminate suspects and move closer to solving the cold case. For instance, the 1930s-era theater mystery "Curtain Call" includes rehearsal notes, a hanky, forensic and autopsy reports, a playbill for the show "The Strange Duo" and a single cufflink, among other pieces of evidence.
The plot thickens as each new episode arrives and players work collaboratively to identify each suspect's motive, means and opportunity. There are a variety of games players can try, including all-in-one experiences (premium boxes) and multiple seasons of entertainment, such as the six-episode season of "Curtain Call" or new "Blair Witch" — a psychological thriller not for the faint of heart. Subscriptions start at $25 a month.
Disconnect from wires and distractions
For the travelers on your list braving air travel, House of Marley has two words: Liberate Air ($149.99). These sleek earbuds, made of bamboo and recycled plastic bottles, represent the company's first sustainably designed truly wireless earbuds.
Sweat- and water-resistant, the earbuds provide a full nine hours of playtime, increasing to 32 hours when charging in their case. The case is small and sleek but sturdy, the interior sporting a bamboo bed. Not only are the earbuds eco-friendly, but they're comfortable and offer a sound quality that is pitch-perfect. Travelers can tune into their favorite playlist, audio book or podcast.
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