DC going off on gap year - any present ideas?

[jocktamsonsbairn]

Starting in US then Australia, will be leaving next May. No definite plans as still putting all together. Main gift will be cash but any 'must have' things you can think of?
Other DC travelling too for 3 months uni holiday, so similar gifts for both.

I was backpacking one Christmas and my mum sent some presents out for me which were great. Two new vest tops which was such a luxury plus it meant I could throw out some of them over worn smelly things I had worn out, I think a pair of stud earrings so v small and lovely. And some lightweight travel size smellies for some luxury.

Oh just realised I already commented on this thread. 😂

A really good hat. Wide brim, tough, spf50+.

A sarong or Kikoy

does everything the Hitchhiker’s towel can do. Plus you can wear it.

power bank
travel plug and sink plug
sliders
sarong
sunglasses/cap or hat

I travelled for a year and took a backpack, it was easy to carry. I took half the stuff out I was going to take and that made it even easier to carry.

You've had great present suggestions so won't add.

But some advice which is easy to follow and may be invaluable.

You keep photocopies of passport, booked tickets, visas. Or email or these days whatsapp I guess.

And, the lifesaver for us when DD2 was backpacking in Asia and South America, you are joint bank account holder with them.

If bank card is lost or stolen the bank will only communicate with the account holder. When her bag was stolen in Peru, bank card, phone, passport, it meant I could get a new card to her by communicating from here.

Packing cubes
The plastic Birkenstocks for showering/beach
A voucher for a hotel chain - I had a one night gift in a Hilton and it was absolute heaven after a trek - just a chance to have a bath and a big bed and use a laundry service!

Micro fibre towels - very absorbent and dry really quickly BUT get the largest you can find cos they told up very small so don't take up much space in his bag 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 look in camping shops 🙂🙂🙂🙂

*fold

A door wedge can be very useful to ensure no-one can enter your room uninvited.

Not cheap but really useful if you are going to out of the way places

https://www.globalrescue.com

A good power bank.

A door wedge can be very useful to ensure no-one can enter your room uninvited.

I had this happen to me, they had got the wrong floor and after 10 minutes of trying the room key they managed to get in, it was a drink mistake and they quickly retreated - but the door wedge Maxwell have been useful

universal charger
passport holder
socks

I went backpacking over 10 years ago, I'd suggest a really good insurance package just in case, I never needed it but the number of people I met without insurance was astonishing. I had a backpack with wheels it was ££ it added to the weight of the bag massively and made it uncomfortable to carry, it didn't have a handle so you had to stoop to drag it. Get one without wheels but a decent one, one that has a zip that goes up the middle is very handy, rather than just a stuff top pocket, lots of pockets are handy too. A microfibre towel to save space is a good idea. Power bank for your phone (didn't need one when I went as my phone lasted days) but would be needed now. A second smaller rucksack to carry on their front for hand luggage. I think for oz/us you won't need things like silk sleeping bags, money belts and mosquito net (I did se Asia too). Mini first aid kit too. And a torch. Things like flip-flops they can buy themselves anywhere, I went through several pairs, it's not a useful gift. A padlock with a skinny arm and combination lock would be useful too, for the underbed lockers in hostels, I wouldn't put it on my bag, people will just cut your bag if they want to rob you. Ive just ended up listing useful things here, for a gift I'd go rucksack and insurance they are the most expensive things to buy.

People saying condoms this is a gift to their child don't be cringy, do you buy your kids condoms generally, just weird.

Oh yes universal charger that does everything, 2 even if they are taking more than just a phone (eg hair straighteners of they're a girl).

I also got a joint bank account with my mum for the trip, not sure how it works now but at the time the account allowed free cash withdrawls allover the world. My friend I travelled with did the same and she had her card stolen in the middle of nowhere in thailand this was pre banking on phones. As we were in the arse end of nowhere she didnt need to use her card for days so she didnt realise and they cleared her account of thousands. Thankfully her mum was on the account and could sort it for her, the bank put the money back too. I didn't keep all my money in the account I had the card for unlike my friend, I used to get my mum to move my money into the account for me (I didn't want to log into Internet banking in Internet cafes (pre having Internet on phones). My mum had full access like me so it was useful.

Thinking of the possibility of being hacked on public internet access, perhaps a subscription to a VPN like vypervpn might be worth considering

Great idea about joint bank account. I'll chat to him tonight! Thanks for all the tips!

do you have an American Express card?

Lots of perks with travelling if you have an American Express, airport lounges etc

dd took a couple of bank cards, from nationwide, lost them both!

a foldable hat is an excellent suggstion.

The ideas above cover everything but something I found really helpful was a sample of my Mum’s perfume and a family photograph. I had photos on my phone but that was something tangible and helped somehow when homesick!

Mosquito net
Travel washing line
Travel hammock

‘Stackers’ laundry bag. It hangs, has removable clear bag for airport security, and can be used to keep all essentials like cables and documents in one place also

pen and paper, with useful numbers, in case of loss of the all important phone