It’s time to ditch the socks and the box in a box in a box type of packaging that comes with gift buying. Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, or special occasions, too often we end up with presents that clutter homes rather than delight the recipients. Thankfully, there’s a better way: gifts that bring joy, adventure, and connection without adding mountains of packaging or unwanted stuff.
If your friends or family love campervans, road trips, and the outdoors, this guide is packed with quirky alternative gifts that will inspire smiles, creativity, and memorable experiences.
Give them a campervan adventure
Quirky gift voucher
Description: Give the gift of adventure with a Quirky Campers gift voucher! Perfect for van-lovers, it contributes towards hiring a unique campervan and hitting the road for an unforgettable journey.
Price: From £50
Buy Here: Quirky Campers
Gifts for Foodies
Food can make anywhere feel like home and you know what they say about the way to the heart right? Especially for those who love cooking on the go, in a campervan, or around a campfire. These gifts offer flavour, creativity, and a touch of sustainability.
Grow fruit and veg at home box
Description – Perfect for budding gardeners, this kit lets them grow fresh produce at home.
Price: £98.96 for four prepaid boxes, without optional saucers
Buy Here: Pot Gang
Bake With a Legend online baking voucher
Description – Guided by a former Great British Bake Off contestant, they’ll learn new baking skills in an online class via Zoom. Vouchers are valid for six months from purchase.
Price: From £35
Buy Here: Bake With a Legend
Portable spice kit
Description – A compact, portable spice kit that allows your loved one to add flavour to camping meals or picnic lunches.
Price: £35
Buy Here: The Nomads Kitchen
Gifts for Pet Owners
For animal lovers who travel, gifts that make life on the road easier for their pets are always appreciated. These ideas suit campervan adventurers and families on the go.
Home dog grooming kit
Description – Great for giving your four-legged friend a spruce up after a day exploring.
Price: £52.50
Buy Here: Bath Country Pets
Drying coat
Description – Keeps dogs warm and dry after walks in rain, snow, or puddles.
Price: From £18.99
Buy Here: Pets Love Scruffs
Pooch & Mutt Meaty Treats Taster Pack
Description: Three 120g bags of meaty treats to reward furry companions on camping trips.
Price: £10.49 for a one-off purchase
Buy Here: Pooch & Mutt
Gifts for Families
Family adventures create memories that last a lifetime. Whether it’s rainy days in a campervan or marshmallow roasts around a campfire, these gifts encourage creativity and togetherness.
Craft kits for the whole family
Description: Fun DIY projects suitable for campers, glamping, or home craft sessions. Selected past boxes are available as one-off gifts, subject to stock.
Price: £18.95 for a single-child past box; £22.95 for a sibling box
Buy Here: Mud & Bloom
Luxury S’mores Gift Set
Description: Marshmallows, biscuits and chocolate with a toaster and skewers for making s’mores at home. Follow the toaster’s safety instructions; not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Price: £26
Buy Here: Naked Marshmallow
Den kit
Description: Build forts and dens for imaginative play at home or outdoors where you have permission to set up.
Price: £60
Buy Here: The Den Kit Co
Flower subscription
Description: A regular surprise that brings colour and life to the home between campervan adventures.
Price: Classic and Pet-Friendly from £23 per delivery; Luxury from £31 per delivery (select how often and for how long you’d like flowers delivered)
Buy Here: Arena Flowers
Gifts for Eco-Conscious Travellers
For travellers who want to explore responsibly, these gifts combine practicality, sustainability, and adventure.
Bee revival kit
Description: The Bee Revival keyring offers a reusable bottle of energy-boosting syrup to help revive exhausted bees, supporting their vital role in pollination.
Price: From £12.99 for the standard Gold Edition
Buy Here: Bee Vive
Passenger Travel Wash Kit
Description: Travel-friendly wash kit for keeping toiletries together on campervan trips.
Price: £29.95
Buy Here: Passenger
Seedball Bee Mix tin
Description: A tin of 20 bee-friendly wildflower seed balls for adding colour and greenery to suitable pots or gardens at home.
Price: £7.50
Buy Here: Seedball
Gifts for Book Lovers
Books transport the reader on adventures even when the campervan is parked in a quiet glade. These gifts add a literary twist to the journey.
How To Convert A Campervan book
Description: Give the gift of inspiration with our practical guide to converting a campervan, available in hardback and Ebook.
Price: £24.95 hardback or £14.95 ebook
Buy Here: Quirky Campers
Book subscription
Description: Monthly surprises perfect for reading nooks in a campervan. Subscriptions renew automatically.
Price: From £19.99 for the one-book box
Buy Here: Tea Time Bookshop
Plantable bookmarks
Description: These Plantable Bookmarks (Pack of 5) are handmade in the UK from seed paper, featuring 20 types of native wildflowers. After use, plant them following the supplied instructions.
Price: £6.50 without tassels or £9 with tassels for a pack of five
Buy Here: A La KArt Creations
Gifts for nature lovers
These gifts are ideal for people who love wildlife, walking and exploring.
Adopt an animal gift
Description: Support wildlife while giving a meaningful gift to someone you love. From polar bears to donkeys, they are sure to love contributing to the wellbeing of their favourite animal. These symbolic adoptions support the charities’ wider work.
Price: WWF from £5 per month; The Donkey Sanctuary from £4 per month
Buy Here: WWF + The Donkey Sanctuary
OS Maps Premium gift card
Description: Perfect for hiking and exploring, it offers detailed, up-to-date maps for discovering new routes. This physical gift card gives 12 months of digital Premium access without automatic renewal and must be activated by 31 December 2027.
Price: £25.99 at the time of checking; usual price £35.99
Buy Here: 12 Month Gift Subscription
Gifts for Experience Seekers
For those who value adventure over possessions, these gifts provide memorable experiences for campers and explorers alike.
National Trust gift card
Description: Perfect for exploring historic sites, beautiful gardens, and stunning landscapes, it’s an ideal present for outdoor lovers and heritage enthusiasts.
Price: From £10
Buy Here: National Trust
Osprey Farpoint Fairview Travel Daypack
Description: Practical and designed for travel, this 15L daypack is a compact option for walks, road trips and days out.
Price: £80
Buy Here: Osprey
Super Duolingo gift subscription
Description: Fuel their travel dreams with a 12-month Super Duolingo gift subscription and help them learn a new language for their next adventure.
Price: £89.99 for 12 months
Buy Here: Duolingo
Final Thoughts
Alternative gifts don’t mean less thought or less joy. They show care, creativity, and a love for adventure. Whether it’s a virtual experience, a skill-building workshop, or a campervan adventure, these gifts create memories instead of clutter this Christmas.
Christmas gift FAQs
What are good gifts for campervan lovers under £20?
Plantable bookmarks are a thoughtful choice for someone who always packs a book, while a Seedball Bee Mix tin suits a nature lover with pots or a garden at home. Both cost less than £20 at the time of checking, before delivery.
Can you give a campervan holiday experience as a Christmas present?
Yes. Our campervan hire gift vouchers start at £50 and contribute towards a trip. The recipient can choose their own van and dates, so you don’t have to plan the whole holiday before giving the gift.
What are good last-minute gifts for someone who loves travelling?
An emailed gift voucher saves waiting for the post. Our campervan hire vouchers can be emailed straight to the recipient, either immediately or on a date you choose. Check the recipient’s email address and delivery date at checkout to keep the surprise under wraps.
