Christmas Gifts Ideas for Camper Van Life

Van life has well and truly become part of our life and if anything I would like more adventures in the van!

Before we purchased our campervan we had spoken to others who had vans and we were warned they can be a labour of love. We are lucky (touch wood) not have had major issues to date (and long may that continue) but had the odd thing, but what I have found is that there are always things to buy – some you need and some you just want.

I wrote a blog post previously on essentials for van life that you can read here. It is Christmas shopping time for sure and if you have a campervan and looking for inspiration or looking for a gift for someone with a campervan then take a look at some suggestions below:

• Games – we always have some games on hand in the van and our favourites are normal playing cards of course but also Uno and Monopoly (much quicker than the board game Monopoly).
• Tripod fire pit from Aldi, £44.99 – this was an amazing find in store and it doubles as a fire pit and grill and packs away so slim and easy in a bag with handles. We very often light at night and have used to cook on also.
• Dry robes, from £140 – we both have Dry Robes and always have them in the camper van when we go away. They fold down relatively small and are useful for changing, after wild swimming, for toilet/shower runs on camp and for all year round.
• Physion Mini Massage Gun, £59.95 – when we are on adventures in the van we often take our bikes or go hiking and this massage gun is compact, easy to take with us and use after being out all day.
• Adventure journal, £25 – I don’t have this but have seen it online and looks like a great way to document adventures and memories.
• Grounded book, £16.99 – my son got this for me last year and it is such a good book all about how having a connection with nature can improve our mental and physical wellbeing.
• Camping and Campervan membership, from £45 – we are members (feels like a very grown up thing) and definitely has been worth it, giving access and information on campsites and discounts. We have found campsites where you have to be a member and all have been sites we would recommend.
• Brit Stops, £32 – not a membership as such but by signing up you get access to stay at certain stopovers (not campsites) and I have used this in a pub car park when doing the King Alfred’s Way bikepacking. You announce your arrival and have somewhere safe to stay – there is no charge but as I found we got a drink and food ahead of staying.
• Big Bobble Hats, £22 – always useful to have in the van for cold days and nights and to keep adventuring all year round. Use code FATGIRLFIT20 for a 20% discount.
• Camping Blanket, £77 – not something I have but will be going on my list.
• JBL mini speaker, £29.99 – we got this on one of our ferry crossings on our trip to Sweden in June and it is fab, small and compact, easy to carry/store, sounds great and can charge by USB.
• Jet Boil, £139 – I looked at this for a very long time and finally purchased at the start of the year and it is worth every penny. We have used for cooking and for drinks both when we are pitched and also on hikes – fab item!
• Ordnance Survey app, from £4.99 per month – my husband has this and we very often use when out and about, very handy!

Happy Camping!