Travel GiftsAccessibilityCeliac DiseaseChronic PainSustainable FashionHumor
Gluten-Free Translation Cards
Jodi, the writer behind Legal Nomads, turned a bad experience in Japan into a global tool for celiac travelers. Her gluten-free cards now cover 15 languages, with Bahasa Indonesia, Croatian, Lithuanian, and Swedish on the way, and have sold over 12,000 copies. Each card goes through two translation passes, with at least one translator familiar with celiac disease, and includes local ingredient names and cross-contact warnings—not just a simple 'no gluten' phrase. Digital PDF versions are being added for printing, but the current PNG files work on phones.
Portable Red Light Device for Pain
For those managing chronic pain, the FlexBeam—a portable red light device from a Norwegian company, made in Chiang Mai—offers a non-heat option. Jodi, who has a spinal CSF leak, chose it because it doesn't get hot and avoids tissue damage risks associated with laser light. She uses the longest wavelength setting, which penetrates deeper and disrupts mast cells less, finding it reduces nerve pain and improves energy. The device includes Velcro bands for wrapping around a leg or spine and comes in a slim carrying case, though many users simply place it flat on the affected area.
Hands-Free Shoes and Boots
Kizik shoes use patented hands-free technology—step in, and step out by holding the base with your other foot. Jodi, who has a spinal CSF leak, was first told about them by a fellow patient and has worn them ever since. She notes the Lima model is most comfortable; her older Cairo model has been discontinued, and newer models have a higher heel drop that isn't as good for her condition. This season, Kizik adds winter boots and a Chelsea boot, and they ship to Canada and the USA. A $20 discount link is available.
Lightweight Chef's Knife
Nakano's classic chef's knife weighs just 6.5 oz (185g), making it usable for people with limited strength—Jodi, who can't handle heavy Global knives due to a spinal CSF leak, says even houseguests prefer it. The knife is sturdy enough for regular kitchen work, and Nakano offers a 30% discount with code JODI at checkout. The company also sells santoku and other sets, but this is the model Jodi uses and recommends.
Plantstraws
Designed by Sweden's Elin Fyhr, Plantstraws are brass tubes with cotton ropes that draw water from a jug into plant soil, preventing overwatering. This lets moisture-loving plants like swamp natives share a schedule with succulents. The straws add a decorative touch to any room. Shipping outside Europe is costly, though resellers exist—the only Canadian ones are in Alberta.
Trip Chaser Card Game
Created by Dalene and Pete Heck of Hecktic Travels, Trip Chaser is a beautifully designed card game where players buy, barter, and gamble their way to destinations. The harder a place is to reach from North America, the more points it's worth, so the game rewards travel savvy. It's sold out in Canada but can be backordered or purchased via Amazon US, where stock remains.
Hand-Drawn Food Maps
Legal Nomads' own food maps turn travel memories into wall art, with hand-drawn illustrations of regional eats. Available for Canada, Vietnam, Portugal, Thailand, Japan, Italy, and Mexico, these maps make a personalized gift for anyone who loves eating their way through a place. They ship worldwide, and Jodi notes they draw compliments whenever visitors see them.
Blackwing 602 Pencil
The New York Times called the Blackwing 602 the 'Rolls Royce' of pencils, and its history backs that up: John Steinbeck used one, and Chuck Jones drew Bugs Bunny with it. Discontinued in 1998, devotees once paid $40 a pencil when they could find them. A California company revived it in 2010, using California cedar and Japanese graphite, with the satisfying rectangular eraser intact. It's not cheap but far from $40, making it a gift for serious writers and doodlers.
Joytop Notebooks
When Jodi's friend Candace sent her a few Joytop notebooks, she found the line spacing and lightweight matte texture irresistible—so much so that she abandoned Moleskine. The size lets creativity spread across the page instead of cramping near the spine. Canadian readers can find them at Yuyu.ca, which ships internationally; Australians have Maconii.
Embroidered Heart Maps
Steve and Kendall, the cross-border couple behind Sadie and June, hand-embroider vintage map prints to mark places that matter. With 900 locations and counting, they offer single hearts or connected hearts for two places, plus custom maps. The business began after they met in Florida—she's from New Jersey, he's from Ottawa—and grew into a full-time endeavor when Steve learned to sew. Shipping covers Canada, the US, and Europe.
Birdstrips Art
Montreal-born illustrator Jess, whose Birdstrips has a huge Instagram following, creates whimsical prints that capture 'the existential distress of the flightless through the eyes of the flighted.' Her shop includes a vintage-style poster of 33 'rarely seen' gulls—including the elusive popsigull, peagull, and pierogigull—and a therapy 'before and after' print. Mugs and tees are also available, with worldwide shipping.
Effin Birds
Aaron Reynolds's Effin Birds illustrations pair birds with creative profanity, resonating with anyone who's had a rough year. Beyond prints, the shop offers clothing, mugs, pins, wax candles, a 2024 calendar, and a book that's currently on sale—including a French edition. The products ship worldwide, and the brand's no-apologies tone has made it a viral favorite.
Fowl Language Puzzle
For those who like their puzzles with a side of swearing, the Fowl Language 1000-piece puzzle from Uncommon Goods is a hands-on way to pass a winter afternoon. The bold colors match many a living-room decor, and the bird theme is a nod to the brand's irreverent humor. It ships to Canada, the US, and internationally.
Nessie Tea Guardian and Spaghetti Monster Strainer
The OTOTO Design team turns kitchen tools into whimsy. Nessie the tea guardian peeks from a cup rim while steeping loose tea, and the spaghetti monster strainer brings humor to pasta night. Jodi also owns the mushroom funnel—she calls herself a statistic and doesn't care. These items ship via Amazon in Canada and the US; OTOTO's own site only ships within the US.
Hummingbird Ring
Little Rooms, launched by designer Ester Delug in 2007, offers this hummingbird ring in 18K plated gold or sterling silver. The shop has expanded beyond jewelry to hair accessories and ear cuffs, but the ring's symmetry and joy remain a standout. It's a tasteful, whimsical gift for anyone who likes nature-inspired design.
Knitted Cacti
Kelsea began knitting cacti as Christmas gifts for her sister, who couldn't keep plants alive, and turned it into a family-run business. Her handcrafted cacti and succulents come in various sizes and colors, made with sustainable yarn, recycled stuffing, and upcycled packaging. The pots use cardboard to keep shipping weight down. Jodi bought a mini version and immediately regretted not going larger.
Pearl Jewelry from Tahiti
Kamoka, run by travel writer Celeste, farms Tahitian pearls in Ahe Atoll's lagoon with solar and wind power—a National Geographic study found their methods boosted local fish populations. The Mana Bracelet, at $99, is woven with kangaroo leather and designed for active wear without fragility. New offerings include blacklip oyster shell pieces and mother-of-pearl earrings, with many items one-of-a-kind.