Adventure Gift Guide for Her (2018)

The last but not least installment of gift guides: the Adventure Gift Guide for Her (2018).  I loved writing these lists for him, for kids, and now for her.  Admittedly, I am a woman and an adult but I still want several of the items on both of the other lists. So make sure you check those out.  With some input from my more stylish friends and some of my personal favorites, here’s the adventure gift guide for her of 2018.

Disclaimer: Many of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you–I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Kevin Murphy Fresh Hair Dry Cleaning Spray

The Best Travel Size Dry Shampoo: $24

I’m lucky to be related to my favorite hair stylist in Texas, Alissa Sather, who works at SALON by Milk + Honey (voted the best hair salon in Austin, Texas).  My sister-in-law has spent her whole career in cosmetology and she was excited to suggest this dry shampoo to my readers.  It comes in a travel or normal size.  If you’re gifting to a girl who hasn’t tried dry shampoo yet, this one will get her hooked.  I was super late to the dry shampoo game, but after I bought my first cheap can (which is not bad, either) at Marshalls… my life was changed. Wonderful for women on-the-go.  A quality dry shampoo would make a great Christmas gift this year.

---

Rite in the Rain Journal

A Rainproof Travel Journal: $10

Ok, I know I included this on the adventure gift guide for him too, but journals know no gender!  And this product is simply amazing.  She can literally write in the rain, or spill her mimosa or coffee on it, and no harm done! There are several different options like the top spiral 3-pack (give two away and keep one for yourself!), or the side spiral notebook that comes with different page patterns.

---

Patagonia Hat

The Best Adventuring Cap: $29-60

I wear this hat almost everyday.  But I especially wear this hat when I travel, explore, or adventure.  I purchased my first Patagonia hat when visiting my good friend, Jessica, in Hawaii a couple years ago.  When I was visiting her on the island of Oahu and we took our two-year-old sons for a drive up to the North Shore.  We stopped at the Patagonia store in Haleiwa and picked up a couple caps.  Because we’re awesome.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Coincidentally, a couple years later, that same hat broke on our way back to Hawaii. The plastic size adjuster malfunctioned.  We stopped at that same Patagonia store and they replaced it on the spot.  (But don’t worry, you don’t need to travel all the way to Hawaii to get one… but you could). Since then, I lost that hat. But I just bought another one at REI. SO I’M GOOD.  Hopefully until my next Hawaii trip. 😉 My tip here: don’t buy this on Amazon.  It’s like $30 cheaper at REI.  You should expect to pay around $25 for one of these hats.  If you pay more, it’s not a good deal.

---

Tile Pro Series Classic

Find the Stuff She Loses: $60

This device, Tile Pro, is a great new gadget for helping her finds the stuff she loses.  She can attach to her keys or clutch.  The Tile works using Bluetooth technology to find nearby items.  However, if she thinks she lost something farther away, she can allow other Tile community members to help find it.  It’s practically geocaching! 

---

23AndMe DNA Test

Ancestry Personal Genetic Service: $69

Here’s why this 23AndMe DNA test made our Adventure Gift Guide for her: trip inspiration.  Let her learn more about her ancestral regions, and use it to spring board her to plan her next adventure.  She can even opt-in to find relatives.

Quick Story:

Last year I received a Facebook message from someone whose name I didn’t recognize. This stranger asked if we could talk by phone because he thought he may have some type of relation to my husband.  He considerately reached out to me to avoid revealing any type of family scandal.  (However, had there been a scandal, I definitely would have told my husband ha!) I responded to him immediately, saying: I think I may know what this is about! 

This stranger asked if we could talk by phone because he thought he may have some type of relation to my husband.

You see, my husband had a brother a few years older than him who had been given up for a closed adoption at birth.  No scandal involved.  We were aware of his existence but no one knew much else about him! We confirmed details by phone.  While at the Mall of America, I ran to meet John in Sea Life Aquarium to share the news. “I just got off the phone with your brother,” I said.  “Oh really?” John replied (assuming that it was his other brother, whom we both know)! “Not the brother you’re thinking of,” I stated. *Mind Blown* Jaw Dropped*

After I connected John to his brother, we learned that we live in the same area and the two long lost brothers were able to get together for coffee that day and exchange life stories.  What’s even more great is now we are close friends (family, I suppose) and hang out frequently with him and his family! 

The two long lost brothers were able to get together for coffee that day and exchange life stories!

So the point is…

Why is this relevant? Oh yeah! Because his brother used 23AndMe DNA testing to learn more about family health things and opted into the relative finder.  It connected him with a relative of my husband’s who shared our names with him.  After some Googling, he found us.

But just a warning… you might be surprised about what else you learn! 

---

Carry-On Suitcase

Kenneth Cole Rose Gold Carry-on: $70

It’s time for a luggage refresh.  Get her this new carry-on suitcase from Kenneth Cole in the chic Rose Gold color.  The suitcase has a hard shell and multi-directional wheels.

---

Designer Perfume

Versace Bright Crystal: $30

Give her the indulgence of a TSA-friendly designer perfume like this one from Versace.  A personal and intimate gift, she’ll be sure to think of who gave it to her each time she uses it.  The perfume has notes of pomegranate, peony, yuzu, magnolia, and lotus flower.

---

A New Book

A Few Good Options: $10-25

Give the gift of a new hard copy book.  There’s nothing like turning actual pages and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a book.  I’ve only got a few suggestions to share with you this year as, well, I don’t read much.  However, I’ve taken advantage of my Audible membership and love using that to listen to books while I travel. 

Everybody Always by Bob Goff was a refreshing read for me. This one had me laughing and crying in the first 30 minutes. Focused on what it means to love others without inhibition, Bob Goff encourages readers with the secret to living without fear.

Also, anything by Brené Brown.  Have you seen her Ted Talk? You know, the one on shame and vulnerability? I started with The Gifts of Imperfection and just kept going with Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and Dare to Lead. Can’t go wrong with any of these choices for her.

Or how about let someone–like Reese Witherspoon–suggest what to read.  She’s got a book club on Audible. How convenient! Sign up for Audible today and get two FREE audio books.

---

Patagonia Better Sweater Jacket

The Most Comfortable Fleece: $139

This fleece jacket is so warm and cozy.  Sometimes seen on Amazon, which is nice for their two day free shipping for Prime users.  But more often than not I suggest heading into a store for a clothing purchase, especially for women’s stuff, when sizes seem to vary so much by brand. REI carries this one for $139. 

---

I hope you found this list helpful.  Don’t miss the adventure gift guides I wrote for him and for kids.  Or for more great Christmas gift ideas for her, check out my friend Ana’s blog: Lemons and Luggage.  She’ll help you savor good things at home and abroad. If you liked these ideas, share it with someone!