YOU ARE NOT OUR MAIN PRIORITY!
I know. It’s a bummer. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I hate lying even more. So let me be straight up honest with you.
You’re not our main priority, but your recipient is.
Giving is not about you. It’s about the other, it’s about sharing, giving love, and creating bonds and beautiful moments with the recipient. So the only way we can recommend the best gifts for anyone is by making that other person our main priority.
Now, don’t leave us just yet. Because we do care about you too. You are our second main priority (I know, no one likes to be second, but I think in the case of gift giving it’s actually a good thing). Because in order to find the best gifts for your recipient, we need to help you become the best giver there is.
And we don’t just come up with random gifts from the top of our heads. (I know, some gifts are actually too funny and random that you might think that, but it’s not the case.)
We actually take our gift selection very seriously and below we’ve explained just how seriously we take it. We hope it helps you understand where the ideas come from and how they even made it to the list.
We Do
Study the recipient or topic extensively
1. Destination Gifts
If it’s about a destination, we dive deep:
- We Visit Ourselves: Yep, you read that right! We love traveling and exploring places firsthand. We want to feel the vibes, soak in the atmosphere, and understand what makes each destination unique. (Okay, and maybe we also just love to travel in general and like to use The Best Travel Gifts as our excuse to do so extensively).
- We Read Up: Our bookshelves are filled with travel guides and history books. We dig into the history, culture, customs, and traditions of the place to provide you with thoughtful, authentic gift suggestions.
- We Chat with Locals: One of the best ways to get the inside scoop is by talking to the people who call the destination home. We strike up conversations with locals to gain insights you won’t find in your average guidebook.
2. Hobby Gifts
When it comes to hobbies, foods, and drinks, we roll up our sleeves:
- We Try It Ourselves: Ever tried rock climbing, learning Spanish, or vodka? We give it a shot (literally, we’re drinking on the job to give you the best recommendations, what a life we live, hey) so we can understand the joys and challenges of various hobbies. It helps us recommend gifts that enthusiasts will genuinely appreciate. (And a big bonus, it also widens our horizons and gives us cool stories to share with friends).
- We Consult the Experts: We’re not experts in everything (who is?), so we chat with people who are. Whether it’s a pro climber, an experienced teacher, or a vodka connoisseur, we tap into their wisdom to find the best gear and gifts for hobbyists.
3. Recipient-Centric Gifts
For the perfect gift, we ask those who know best:
- We Speak with Traveling Moms, Dads, Business Travelers: We want to know what real experience. So, we reach out to moms, dads, and business travelers who’ve been on the road. Their feedback and experiences help us tailor gifts that hit the mark.
Realize that every situation and recipient is unique
1. Plethora of Ideas
- At Least 25 Ideas: We don’t just stop at one or two gift suggestions. Nope, we go the extra mile and brainstorm a minimum of 25 different ideas. Why? Because even if two people share the same hobby, they might have completely different tastes. We’re here to give you options, so you can pick the one that feels just right for your recipient and occasion.
2. Budget-Friendly Options
- Customized for Your Budget: We understand that your budget for your loved one might be different from what you’d spend on a second cousin. That’s why we provide gift ideas for a wide range of budgets. Whether you’re looking for something small and meaningful or a grand gesture, we’ve got you covered.
3. Tailored to Occasions
- Small Gestures, Big Statements: Some occasions call for a small gift that’s more about saying, “Thank you” or “I thought of you.” Other times, it’s all about making a grand impression. That’s why we include gifts in different price ranges. Whether it’s a token of appreciation or a lavish present, we’ve got options that fit the bill.
Scour through user reviews
We don’t believe in taking things at face value. That’s why we roll up our sleeves and dive deep into user reviews, so you can trust that the gifts we recommend are tried and true:
1. Authentic Recommendations
- No Cherry-Picking: Sure, brands could send us their best stuff for free, but we know you deserve more. That’s why we don’t rely solely on those samples. We trust our own experiences and the “wisdom of the people”, and read up on customer reviews.
2. Reaching Out to Customers
- Getting the Real Story: We’re not content with just what’s on the screen. We reach out to customers, to dig deeper and understand their experiences. Their stories, thoughts, and feedback help us create content that truly reflects what you’ll experience with the gift.
Get to Know the Products and Brands
At The Best Travel Gifts, we take a deep dive into the product line and brand history.
1. Sustainability
- Eco-Friendly Picks: We love our planet as much as you do, which is why we look for products with a sustainability focus. When a brand puts effort into being eco-friendly, it gets extra points in our book.
2. Fair Trade Practices
- Ethical Choices: Fair trade isn’t just a buzzword for us; it’s a principle. We’re always on the lookout for products that are ethically sourced and made, ensuring that the people behind them are treated fairly.
3. Horror Stories
- No Hidden Nightmares: We know you don’t want any nasty surprises. That’s why we actively search for horror stories about products or brands. We’re here to ensure your gift doesn’t turn into a horror story for the recipient.
Find the best deals
It’s not just about great gift ideas; it’s also about making your gift-buying experience convenient and cost-effective.
1. Best deals
- We’re not content with just showing you amazing gifts; we want to save you some coin too. We scour the internet for deals, discounts, and promotions. When we find them, you’ll be the first to know.
2. Different buying options
- We know that everyone has their favorite place to shop. That’s why we provide various buying options. Whether you prefer a well-known retailer, a niche shop, or an online marketplace, you’ll find your preferred choice.
Look into delivery options
We’re not only focused on helping you pick the perfect gift, but we also want to make sure it reaches your loved ones in a timely manner.
1. Keep our guides updated
- Availability Updates: We understand that the world is constantly changing, and availability can shift. We keep a close eye on the status of products to ensure that what we recommend is still accessible when you need it.
2. International Shipping
- Across the Globe: We know that your loved ones might not always be close by. That’s why we look for gift options that can be shipped both within the US and worldwide. And we’re not just about shipping; we’re all about fast shipping because we know waiting isn’t fun.
- Speed Matters: Whether you’re sending a gift to another state or halfway around the world, we consider shipping times and methods to get your gift to its destination as quickly as possible.
Take your feedback
We’re always eager to hear from you and make sure our gift choices align with your needs and desires.
1. Missing Something? Tell Us!
- Are any Gift Ideas Missing? Don’t hesitate to let us know if you think there are fantastic gift ideas that we’ve missed. We’re always eager to discover new gems and share them with our community.
- Tell Us Your Favorites: If you’ve found a gift you absolutely loved, share it with us! Your recommendations are like gold to us, and we want to hear about those special finds that brought joy to your loved ones.
2. Ongoing Improvements
- Analyzing Past Choices: When we update our gift selection, we dig into the data. We analyze which gifts were purchased and checked out by our readers in the past and which ones weren’t. This helps us ensure that our recommendations are always on point.
- Out with the Old, In with the New: When we spot opportunities for improvement, we’re quick to replace gifts with better options. Your feedback and our data-driven approach ensure our gift recommendations evolve and stay top-notch.
We Don’t
Things you will NEVER find on The Best Travel Gifts!
Limit Ourselves to Affiliate Offers
When you explore The Best Travel Gifts, know that our gift suggestions are genuine, prioritizing your gift-giving success over any financial gain. We’re here to help you find the perfect present, and that’s what truly matters to us.
- Gift Quality First: Our top priority is ensuring that you find the perfect gift that your recipient will adore. We don’t measure the greatness of a gift by whether it’s an affiliate offer; we measure it by the joy it brings.
- Keeping the Lights On: While we do appreciate the support we get from affiliate partnerships, our recommendations aren’t solely driven by these partnerships. We value the trust you place in us, and we’re committed to maintaining that trust by prioritizing the quality of the gifts we suggest.
Promote for Freebies or Cash if we don’t like a gift
- While some brands offer us good money to show off their products or talk about their new gadgets, we often have to turn these down. We think it’s our job to recommend the coolest products to you because we love great gifts more than making a quick buck.
Write About Anything Without Doing Our Homework.
- Every article we write goes through a careful research process, and we don’t give recommendations lightly. So, if you see it on our website, you can trust that it’s passed all the checks we’ve talked about, and you can count on the advice we’re giving.
Recommend Unregulated or Unsafe Products
- Well, no explanation needed really. However, every product, even the ones we check out and recommend, can sometimes end up getting recalled or having their usage guidelines updated. Our advice is to keep an eye out for any official notices from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about the gifts you buy. It’s also a good idea to sign up with the manufacturer for updates, so you’ll know right away if they recall something you’ve given to a friend.