Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
sammysoap in Kirkwood
If you have a traveler on your holiday list, then you might be struggling to come up with the perfect gift, especially if they value experiences over material goods. Here's a tip: They'll appreciate thoughtful items to help smooth or document their journeys—for instance, a portable phone charger, a travel jewelry organizer, quality carry-on luggage, or scratch-off maps to mark where they've been. And as they explore beyond the city, support local by considering these five gifts from St. Louis stores.
If the traveler on your shopping list only travels with a carry-on, then they have a limited amount of liquids they can take with them, which is why bar soap is such a great gift. It doesn’t take up coveted space needed for liquids, and you don’t have to worry about leakage. It’s a clean, easy alternative to body wash. Sammy Soap in Kirkwood offers a great selection of locally made soaps that are 100 percent natural. $7.50–$10.50, sammysoap, 123 W. Argonne.
Not only is buying bottled water expensive, but it’s also bad for the environment. Hydro Flask water bottles are slender in design, making them easy to carry, and they'll keep your beverage cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. $34.95, Alpine Shop, 440 N. Kirkwood.
A tote is the perfect carry-on bag for a working traveler. You can slip your computer, a magazine or two, and the essentials you need for your flight. I especially love this leather tote from Civil Alchemy for its sleek design and large size. $200, Civil Alchemy, 8154 Big Bend.
There are lots of journals marketed to the traveler, most have covers with images of maps or airplanes or some inspiring (and often cliche) travel quote. I think Moleskine makes the best travel journal. The hard cover means that it doesn’t get damaged in your luggage, and the elastic band ensures that it remains closed and the pages remain intact. $22.95, Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid.
Packing cubes are a must for every traveler. This set has three sizes that can be used for undergarments, shirts, and bulkier items. Not only do the cubes make your suitcase more organized, some sets now even have two compartments within an individual cube, so you can separate clean and dirty clothes. $45, Alpine Shop, 440 N. Kirkwood.
Kinfolk Travel: Slower Ways to See the World
Through stunning photos that span five continents, this book shares ways to travel slowly in order to create meaningful connections with the people and places you visit. $40, Available for order at Subterranean Books, 6271 Delmar.
If you have a hiker or an animal lover on your holiday list, a pair of binoculars can make their next excursion a little more up-close and personal. This pair of binoculars is waterproof and designed for easy packing. $95, Big Muddy Adventures, 4662 Washington.
Urban Matter has an extensive selection of toiletries, which can be great for travelers who only bring carry-on luggage and have to consolidate toiletries to 3.3-ounce bottles. Prices vary depending on the product. Urban Matter, 3179 S. Grand.
It’s important not to forget tiny travelers (and their parents). Honeycomb has a wide selection of toys that are easy to pack and guaranteed to keep littles ones entertained. Our favorites include the flower press toy and the U.S. map toy storage. Honeycomb, 1641 Tower Grove.
Eliminate plastic packaging and save space in your toiletry bag with soap bars. Dharma + Dwell in Webster Groves has a great variety of bars, including package-free deodorant and shave soap. Don’t forget to pick up the travel tin for easy transport. Dharma + Dwell, 8135 Big Bend.
