Finding the right gifts for RVers can be a challenging feat during the holiday season. It’s tough to find presents that are both practical and relevant to full-time travel, outdoors, or RV living while still being small enough to be stored in a van or RV with ease.
Those who aren’t familiar with RV living or what it’s like to travel and live in an RV may be at a loss for what the best gifts for RVers are.
To lighten the load, I’ve come up with a list of ideas with 30 gifts for RVers. These gifts can be catered to the person and should be a hit no matter what type of RV they have. Without further adieu, here are the 30 best Christmas gifts for RVers and RV owners.
Things to consider before buying RV gifts
We love the holidays and all the fun, joy, and togetherness they can bring. But it’s very easy to get caught up in the materialism and wastefulness of the season.
To us, the holidays are about sharing time with loved ones, gratitude, love, and kindness. Gifts are one way to show this, but it’s not the only way.
We always recommend shared experiences (the gift of time or doing something together) over material gifts. This is especially true when it comes to gifts for RVers. More and more families are taking trips together instead of giving presents. We did this in the Christmas of 2022 and made memories that will last a lifetime.
If possible, consider giving the gift of an excursion, membership, or experience over an item. Chances are they will remember the time spent together a lot longer than the material item.
If you choose to give physical gifts this holiday. Please do so with intention, purpose, and value.
We vote with our dollar. It’s more important than ever to purchase products that support and align with your values and the betterment of our world. Cheap mass-produced gifts for RVers may be an easy purchase, but there is a massive amount of environmental harm, human impact, and waste that goes into producing it.
It’s always a great idea to shop small, shop local, and support businesses from minority-owned operators. But more importantly, consider the cost, effort, and impact the product has for being brought into this world.
Here are some additional ideas to help minimize your footprint this holiday season:
- Ways to reduce waste (like wrapping) this Christmas
- Ways you can assess a company’s ethics and environmental impact before buying
Also, keep in mind that space is extremely limited for most RVers. A lot of the gifts for RVers we share below can be awesome presents, but it depends on the person’s needs.
Try to chat with your friend or family member beforehand to see where their interests lie or what memberships or items they already have. It’s always better to get them something they need that will fit their space or preferences than spending your money on something that is great in theory but won’t be used.
With that being said, we know the joy that can come from giving or receiving a great gift. If you’re looking for the perfect gifts for RVers, we hope this gift guide will help you find the right item for your loved one.
Membership gifts for RVers
We love getting the gift of memberships as RVers. These annual fees can be extremely costly and are something we have to pay consistently. Not every RVer will use all of these memberships. It’s a good idea to find out what type of camping style they have or interests they have before buying.
However, we’d be happy to receive any of the memberships below as a Christmas gift!
Harvest Hosts
Harvest Hosts is an RV camping membership that allows RVs to camp overnight at close to 5,000 locations across North America. These aren’t you’re average camping spots, though. Harvest Host partners with local businesses like farms, museums, historical sites, vineyards, breweries, and golf courses to allow campers to park overnight.
We love staying at Harvest Hosts on long cross-country trips or as unique stays in between our major destinations.
Arvie
It can be extremely difficult to get reservations at campgrounds sometimes. This is especially true at popular national parks or state parks. Rather than waking up at midnight to score a spot at these hard-to-book campgrounds months in advance, you can use Arvie.
Arvie is a campground booking service that allows you to book at thousands of campgrounds across the country. If a campground is booked on the dates you want to stay, you can start a Sold Out Search (SOS). The system will scan for cancelations during your desired booking window and if a cancelation pops up, it will book your stay automatically.
The SOS has helped us get into some of the country’s most amazing and hard-to-book spots just weeks before arriving.
If we could only have one campground membership as RVers, Arvie would be it.
Gifts for National Parks lovers
One of the best parts of owning an RV is being able to visit the incredible National Parks across our country. The National Parks Guide Book was an RV gift we received before we hit the road. We’ve loved having it as we plan our trips to some of the top National Parks across the country.
We also received the National Parks Passport book as a gift one year. Each park has a special stamp that allows you to remember when you visited that park. This is one of our favorite RV gifts we’ve ever received. We love being able to look back at all the places we have visited over the years!
If you know the RVers like to visit National Parks frequently or have an epic National Park road trip coming up you could gift them an annual National Parks Pass. This Parks Pass allows them to get into any National Monument or National Park for free for one full year. The key is knowing that they will use it within the one-year time limit.
We have a blog post that shares who this pass is right for, because if they don’t go to enough parks the cost is not worth the fee.
Gifts for the RV chef
If your friend or family member loves cooking consider giving them something to use in their RV kitchen. Space may be small, but the flavors in their RV kitchen don’t have to be!
Savory Spice blends
Having the right spices and herbs in your RV kitchen cabinet means no campsite meal will be bland or boring. We love to stock up on spices when we’re home at our favorite spice shop, Savory Spice. Savory Spice originated in Denver, CO, and can now be found in several states across the country including our hometown of St. Petersburg, FL.
They have hundreds of different spices and spice blends to choose from. Some of our favorite spices are:
- Saigon Cinnamon
- Sweet Paprika
- Cambodian Curry
- St. Pete Snapper seasoning (great on fish)
- Black Garlic Salt
- Salmon Rub
- Shwarma Seasoning
Instapot
Aside from our cast iron pan, our Instapot is the appliance we use most in our RV. We love its versatility. We can make hard-boiled eggs in minutes, slow-cook soup, or pressure-cook things like rice and beans. We have the smallest-sized Instapot due to space constraints inside our RV. But it works perfectly for us as two people.
If you’re friends or family don’t already have an Instapot for their RV, this is a guaranteed hit as a gift this year.
Apron
Aprons are great gifts for RVers who enjoy cooking. We love the variety of sustainable aprons on MadeTrade, our favorite eco-conscious online store that has 8,500+ ethically made home and clothing products.
If you aren’t into aprons and want to see what else Made Trade has for RV chefs, check out their list of 100+ ethical gifts under $200 here.
Cast iron cookware
The majority of our cooking in the RV is done on cast iron. Not only is cast iron non-toxic and durable but it can be used for virtually any dish (indoors or out).
This cast iron without handles helps us store it better when we’re moving from place to place and takes up less space on our countertop, a win-win if you ask us.
Gifts for outdoor enthusiasts
Most RVers enjoy spending time in nature. Getting up close to some of our country’s most incredible natural sites is one of the biggest benefits of RVing. If you want to support their active outdoor lifestyle here are a few gift ideas for RVers who love spending time in nature.
Merino wool clothing
RVers often have limited space for clothing. You want your clothes to be comfortable, versatile, and easy to care for. Merino wool is as close to the perfect travel clothing as you can get.
Hypoallergenic, merino wool doesn’t retain odors like traditional clothing (like cotton or synthetic blends). It also is naturally cooling and warming, helping you stay cool in hot climates and warm in cold climates.
Merino wool clothing isn’t cheap, but the quality is worth it. We love Woolly’s merino wool clothing. Dennis has a ton of products from them from pullover sweaters, underwear, and shirts.
Camelback hiking backpack
Hiking can be a great way to get outside and spend time in nature while getting some exercise. Personally, it’s one of our favorite pastimes as we RV. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a free activity either.
There are loads of good gifts for RVers who enjoy hiking, but we recommend a hiking backpack as a solid gift idea. In our first year on the road as RVers, we bought a quality hiking backpack with a water bladder. Six years later this backpack is still going strong. It goes with us on every hike no matter how big or small and is a great way to stay hydrated and carry our things in comfort on the trail.
Binoculars
Dennis recently purchased a pair of Nikon binoculars on Amazon to take his nature gazing skills up a notch. It’s been a massive hit!
Now we can get up close and personal with animals far away from the comfort of our RV, club chairs, or hike. If you have a nature or bird lover in your family, binoculars are a great gift idea.
Eno hammock
Nothing says relaxation like swinging in a hammock under the trees. We love our Eno hammock and have used it in nearly every state and country we’ve visited.
It’s super lightweight and packable making it a perfect gift for RVers. Don’t forget to grab the straps with them so you can hang them!
Sunski sustainable sunglasses
Sunglasses are always a great gift, especially for outdoor enthusiasts who need to keep their eyes protected as they explore.
We love Sunski sustainable sunglasses. They make affordable men’s and women’s polarized sunglasses from recycled plastic collected in the ocean. They have a ton of great styles to choose from and their products don’t just look good but also good for the earth, too.
Hiking shoes
Hiking shoes are fantastic gifts for RVers who love to hike. Your friends or family members may already have a pair of hiking shoes. Of course, check with them to see if this is something they need. I know with the amount of miles we put on our hiking shoes we need a new pair every three to four years. Below are two of our favorite hiking shoes.
Altra is best known for its running shoes for Men and women. But they also have a line of hiking shoes. Their shoes are made to be all-weather, lightweight, and durable. Dennis has these for his hiking boots and really enjoys how breathable they are on the trail.
Vivo Barefoot shoes are designed to be as close to barefoot as possible while keeping your feet protected. They are a certified B Corp company and have a great system for repairing or refurbishing old Vivo shoes to keep them out of landfills.
Gifts to cozy the RV
Natural candles
Nothing cozies up a space more than a candle. I was a huge candle user before I learned about how bad traditional candles are for you. Most have toxic chemicals from their dyes and fragrances that have been linked to medical issues including cancer.
Thankfully, Made Trade has several natural candles made from non-toxic ingredients like soy and essential oils. Now, you can give the gift of cozy candles without harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These natural flower petal glass candles come in a variety of sizes and scents to choose from.
Outdoor mat
An outdoor mat isn’t just functional for RVing, it’s also a way to add style to your camping site. We love Fab Habitat’s rugs and outdoor mats because they are made from recycled plastic. They are also certified Fair Trade, meaning the products are made in a safe environment for its workers.
It doesn’t hurt that they are way cuter than the ones you can find at Walmart or other big box stores, too.
RV chairs
RV chairs can be a tricky item to shop for as an RV gift because they are an item your friend or family member may not necessarily need. The size of the RV will also determine what type of chairs or outdoor setup they can use. We have three outdoor chair options depending on if they have a lot of space (big RV at least 35 feet or more), a little space (25 to 35 foot RV), or little space (small Class C RV or van).
Zero gravity chairs are all the craze in the RV community. We started with zero gravity chairs in our massive fifth wheel because we had the space for them. However, after downsizing, we had to sell them.
Club chairs are great for a medium size RV. They are plush and comfy, and give you tons of support while you’re seated around a campfire. These chairs don’t get super compact but are what we have and we love them!
These canvas chairs are small, lightweight, and portable. Making them the perfect outdoor chair for small vans or RVs. We haven’t personally tried these, but they are cute, affordable, and have good reviews.
USA sticker map
One of the best gift ideas for RVers is a USA map. This fun interactive map allows you to add all of the states you’ve visited during your travels in an aesthetically appealing way.
This sticker map is a magnet so you can take it with you if you ever sell your RV. We learned this lesson the hard way. We lost both of our old sticker maps when we sold our RVs.
This one is a scratch-off map. We have heard mixed reviews about this. While visually appealing it can be difficult to get into all the nooks and crannies of each the borders for each state. But it is another great gift idea for RVers.
E-bikes
If you have a big budget and want to splurge on your gift this year, consider getting your loved on a Lectric E-bike. These e-bikes are perfect gifts for RVers because they fold up and are lightweight.
We can store these e-bikes in our RV bay even in our tiny class C RV. They’re great for exploring National Parks, and state parks, or getting from a campsite into the city without a car.
Inflatable kayak or paddleboard
We recently purchased an inflatable Bote paddleboard before heading to Baja California Mexico for winter. It was a spendy purchase ($200+ USD) but after having some of the most epic paddle adventures we can say it was well worth the money.
If you are looking for a higher-priced gift idea for RVers who enjoy getting out on the water, then this Bote Paddleboard is a great gift.
If you’re not sure a paddleboard is the right purchase, consider this inflatable kayak instead. We had this before in our fifth wheel and used it a few times before we had to sell it when we downsized.
Portable fire pit
We love boondocking, aka camping off-grid. There’s something so freeing about being deep in nature with little to no neighbors. However, boondocking often means we don’t have campground amenities like campfire rings. Most public lands require a designated camping ring to have fires. This portable fire pit allows you to make a fire safely anywhere you camp.
Gifts for him
Here are a few gift ideas for the man of the RV.
Hat
Dennis loves his hiking hat from REI. Given his fair skin, his hat keeps him protected when we’re outdoors exploring. They don’t sell this exact hat anymore (which stinks because it really is great), but this hat is what we’d buy again if he had to. We like that it has a flap to protect your neck, a downfall of the hat he has currently.
Ansell gloves
A super practical and helpful gift is these Ansell Winter Monkey Grip gloves. From dumping tanks, loading or chopping firewood, filling your gas tanks, or simply working on the RV, these gloves will keep your hands warm, protected, and dry.
Waterproof belt
One of Dennis’s latest purchases was the GRIP6 Work Belt. This belt is made from military-grade nylon and has interchangeable straps with a rust-free buckle. This sucker can go from land to water without worry and has been his go-to belt while we’re RVing.
Axe
An axe comes in handy when you RV. Dennis has used this axe countless times to help us chop wood for a campfire. After trying a few other brands, Dennis says this Estwing Special Edition Axe is the best axe for splitting wood with ease.
Gifts for her
Here are a few gift ideas for the woman of the RV.
Sustainable clothing
Most RVers don’t have a lot of space for clothing. I have a very small wardrobe made up of select pieces that I can rotate to mix and match. Clothing is always a solid pick for most ladies. Whether it’s outdoor clothing from REI (I love these hiking pants), a workout set from Girlfriend Collective, or super cute everyday wear, clothing can be great gifts for RVers.
The goal is comfortable, versatile, and trendy.
What most people don’t realize when shopping for Christmas gifts, is that women’s clothing (particularly fast fashion) is a HUGE contributor to environmental issues. Some crazy fast fashion facts for you:
- 87% of the 100 BILLION garments produced each year end up in a landfill.
- The apparel industry is responsible for 4% of annual global gas emissions.
- Fast fashion is one of the largest contributors to water pollution from dye run-off and heavy metals.
- I could list a LOT more, but I’ll spare you…
Rather than buying trendy fast fashion items from big box stores or mega online retailers this year consider making sustainable swaps. Here are a few of my favorite sustainable women’s clothing brands (many offer men’s clothing, too).
MadeTrade is a great sustainable store to buy new clothing. They have everything from dresses, tops, shoes, jewelry, pajamas, and so much more. Their materials are always the highest quality and everything is made ethically.
These knit shorts can be paired with a bralette or sweater and look so cozy.
Shopping second-hand is the most sustainable way to shop. ThredUp is the best online store for shipping secondhand.
They have a huge selection of major brand names like LuLu Lemon, Free the People, Athleta, Madewell, and hundreds more all for a fraction of the price!
75% of my clothes come from ThredUp and I always welcome a gift card here during the holidays.
You can get 45% off your first ThredUp order by clicking here.
Pact Apparel is another amazing sustainable company that has super cute and comfortable clothing. They offer women’s and men’s clothing as well as an expanding home furnishing line, too.
I got a ton of stuff from Pact Apparel for our trip to Spain this summer, and their clothing is well-made and versatile – perfect for RV living.
Andie swimsuits
If your friend or family member is looking for a new bathing suit look no further than Andie’s swimsuits. They have an amazing selection of bathing suits for all body types, but what I love most is their eco-line. Their sustainable swimsuits are made from recycled plastics.
Gift card ideas
I know gift cards aren’t the most exciting gift idea for RVers, but they are practical and allow the receiver to purchase what they want or need. If at all possible, try selecting e-gift cards for the method of delivery.
Some great companies to consider getting gift cards for RVers for are:
- E-trailer: Thousands of online products for every type of truck, trailer, or RV.
- Made Trade: Their online store allows you to shop from thousands of products for your home or self.
- Gas gift cards: RV’s and trailers go through gas like it’s nobody’s business. Help a traveler out by filling their tank.
- Amazon: There’s no denying Amazon’s selection and delivery speed are massively convenient, particularly for RVers. The fact that we can pick up items from a drop box in as little as two days is huge! We always try to source products in the most responsible, local, and sustainable manner but sometimes Amazon is the best option. An Amazon gift card is almost guaranteed to go to good use.
- REI: REI is a one-stop shop for all things outdoor. Specializing in activewear and products for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s a great gift card option for RVers.
I hope this holiday gift guide helps you get some fresh ideas for potential gifts for RVers and maybe gain a new perspective on gift-giving this holiday season.
Please let us know if you purchase any of these products for a loved one in the comments below and let us know if other eco-friendly and ethically conscious products are great for RV life to add to our list in the future.
Thanks for the great ideas. I have my eye on that fire pit.
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope it makes for a great gift this season ๐