Before my daughter was born, my husband and I were inveterate travelers. It’s not surprising: we both have the wanderlust in our blood. I grew up with an architect stepfather (who recently wrote a book about historic architecture) and an interior designer mother who flipped houses before it was cool: I lived in nearly forty different houses by the time I graduated college. My husband’s parents have been known to pick up and move cross-country whenever the mood strikes them. When he moved to Florida to be close to me early in our relationship they packed up and followed a few months later. With so many travel-savvy people in one family, we have the art of moving and vacationing down to an art. So here are some of the great gifts I bestow on my globetrotting family members to make their trips easier – and a little eco-friendlier:
Image source: Sync-blog.com
When you travel, especially with kids, you realize just how many gadgets meant to make life easier rely on batteries for use. Cameras, portable DVD players, mp3 players are just a few of the battery-powered gadgets that make travel easier and more fun. But eventually, batteries die. Disposable batteries are bad for the environment, but these revolutionary rechargeable can be rejuiced right from a USB port. Would it be ideal of your toddler could entertain herself in the backseat on a long car trip by checking out the scenery? Absolutely. But sometimes a kid just wants to watch Casablanca (hey, I am living proof that kids can be fans of old movies, too). You may feel a little guilty about letting your kid watch movies instead of watching trees go by en route the World’s Largest Ball of Yarn, but at least you won’t feel guilty about polluting the earth with toxic batteries. And you’ll be awfully happy to have something to keep your little ones entertained if your transmission fails and leaves you stranded.
Image source: Runka.com
This convenient bag has multifunctional capabilities, making it the perfect gift for the frequent jet-setter. Sling it over your shoulder for a day trek visiting museums, or turn it into a backpack for a lengthy nature hike. It’s roomy enough to fit plenty of items – guidebooks, magazines, snacks, travel documents – but sleek enough that it can slide smoothly under an airplane seat. Its multiple subcompartments also ensure that your belongings will be well-organized. Best of all, it’s made from hemp which is one of the world’s most eco-friendly crops (even if it’s also rather controversial).
Image source: Elegantor.com
Eco-Friendly Water-Powered Alarm Clock
I am one of those annoying travelers who have a perfectly-timed itinerary planned each day so I can make sure to soak in as many sights as I can while I’m on a vacation. So obviously, I want to make sure I have a trustworthy alarm clock so I don’t have to rely on a front-desk wake-up call. This dainty little timepiece is tiny enough that it travels very easily. Even better, it runs on clean energy power. Yep, this nifty little clock is powered by tap water! It’s a clever little gift for the time-sensitive traveler.
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