Holiday Gift Guide 2014: For the New Homeowner

We have officially passed the sixth month mark since we purchased our home in Albuquerque! With that in mind, my final Holiday Gift Guide for 2014 is for the new homeowner.

1. Mushroom Farm
There is nothing more fun than watching things grow. Even with my severe lack of a green thumb, I was able to grow my own mushrooms at home!

Back to Roots Mushroom Farm, from $19.99, available on Amazon.com

2. Bamboo Bath Mat

This isn't your average bath mat. Going from a bath rug to this sturdy bamboo mat is like night and a day and adds a little luxury to your shower routine.

Toiletree Deluxe Bamboo Shower Floor and Bath Mat, from $39.95, available on Amazon.com

3. Handheld vacuum
We added a significant amount of square footage when we purchased our house. Lugging the old upright vacuum around for small jobs is a total pain. Handheld vacs are the way to go, especially now that we have a little furball running around.

Dyson DC34 Hand-held Vacuum, from $159, available on Amazon.com 

4. Grill Set

A house is not a home for some until there is a grill set up in the backyard. Make sure you can grill to your hearts' content with all of the necessary tools.

Cuisinart CGS-5014 14-Piece Deluxe Stainless-Steel Grill Set, from $34.29, available on Amazon.com

5. USB Wall Outlet

In our constant need to keep our devices powered up, these USB wall outlets lets you and your guests stay charged without having to search out unoccupied outlets.

15 Amp AC Decor Duplex Wall Outlet with Built-In USB Ports, from $28.99, available on HomeDepot.com

Disclosure: I received a Bamboo Bath Mat from Toiletree Products in exchange for a review. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: For the Runner

People always say that running is a good activity to get into because all you need is a pair of running shoes. Wrong! I have drawers full of running gear to prove this point wrong. Here are a few suggestions for presents to give to the runner in your life this year!

1. Headlamp
With the daylight hours getting shorter and shorter each week, running either in the early morning or evening when it is already dark outside is the only option for many of us during the winter season. Make sure your runner can be seen by purchasing them a headlamp.

Petzl Tikkina Headlamp, from $16.98, available on Amazon.com

2. Running Socks
When I first started out with running, I had no idea there were so many options for socks. I found Balega Hidden Comfort Running Socks to be a must-wear on runs 10 miles and over and a definite must on race days. The seamless toes make all the difference in the world!

Balega Hidden Comfort Running Socks, from $11.99, available on RoadRunnerSports.com

3. Yurbuds
I had major issues with my earbuds falling out while running when I used my everyday earbuds. Then I discovered Yurbuds, which has a line of sport earphones designed especially for women. We do have smaller ears afterall. They also feature "TwistLock" technology that prevents the earbuds from falling out. Voila, problem solved!

Yurbuds Inspire 300 Earbuds, $39.95, available on REI.com

4. Massage
Right before I run a race, I think that I'm going to need a massage. Right after I run a race, I want a massage. After weeks of training and then finally completing a race, nothing makes your muscles feel better than a long, relaxing massage. I myself prefer Swedish massages, but some runners swear by sports massages. Either way, I am sure your runner will appreciate a gift certificate for a massage of their choosing.

5. Race Entry Fee
Being an active racer can put a serious dent in your wallet. runDisney races, in particular, are out-of-control expensive. Why not gift your runner an entry fee to one of your local races or if you can swing it, entry to an iconic race.

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: For the Traveler

Welcome to Gift Guide Week here on WillWrite4Travel.com! This week I will be bringing you a series of themed gift guides starting with my 2014 Holiday Gift Guide for the traveler in your life.

1. Portable Charging Station
Some hotels still don't get it. Today's tech-savvy travelers come bearing cords! It is so annoying when you can't find enough outlets, can't reach them or the only available outlets are scattered around your hotel room. Portable charging stations ensure your devices have enough juice and keeps all of your cable organized.

AViiQ Portable Charging Station with Cable Management, from $60, available on Amazon.com
Photo by AViiQ

2. Next Issue Subscription
Need some reading material but hate lugging around half-read magazines? Next Issue gives you unlimited access to over 140 magazines right on your tablet or phone. Titles run the gamut from Ski to Vogue and from Inc. to Travel + Leisure.

 Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, NextIssue.com

3. Hard-Side Spinner Carry-on Suitcase
It took me long enough, but I finally found my match. My carry-on baggage match, that is. I knew that spinners make navigating through narrow spaces a breeze, but I did not realize until recently how much easier it is to pack a hard-side suitcase. For me, having the zipper in the middle of the body versus at the edge of one side makes a huge difference in terms of maximization of space.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner 20, $111.99, available on Amazon.com
Photo by Samsonite

4. Portable Humidifier
My skin has a habit of going crazy when I am in a new environment. This tiny portable humidifier allows your hotel room to have just the right amount of moisture to help keep your road-weary body from losing it.

Air-O-Swiss Portable Travel Humidifier, $39.99, available on Amazon.com
Photo by Air-O-Swiss

5. Packing Cubes
My family members are always amazed by how I can fit all of my belongings into a single carry-on suitcase. Packing cubes are the reason why I am a packing genius. They also allow me to keep my stinky clothes separate from my clean clothes when I am bouncing around from city to city.

Eagle Creek Pack-In Cube Set, $26.50, EagleCreek.com
Photo by Eagle Creek