Good evening. Tonight we’ve got gifts for the road. Plus …
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| Bon Bon, Wildsam, Bass Pro Shops; illustration by Con McHugh for NYT Wirecutter |
Gifts that give impeccable road trip vibes — even if you’re going nowhere |
I’d argue nothing captures quintessential summer vibes quite like a road trip — the expansive vistas, the perfected playlist, the empty snack bags blowing through the car. On a good road trip, even truck-stop diners and cheapo souvenir shops get a romantic glow-up. There’s nothing like the open road to inspire a sense of freedom and possibility.
Which is all to say: It’s not too late to hit the gas, and these gifts could help set the tone for you and your passengers. For those of us staying closer to home this summer, I think these delights could still provide a little of that Thelma & Louise freedom (minus the police chase).
- First in order of importance are snacks, and yes, gas station grub is fair play. But have some good stuff stashed away, just in case. I might have just a weensy problem with these habit-forming Swedish gummies, which provide texture, flavor, and a way to pass the time. For something you need to work a little harder for, there’s classic English wine gums — firmer, chewier, and more subtly flavored. Crunch lovers should check out this limited-edition Americana chip sampler, stocked with flavors evoking our nation’s finest culinary achievements, like loaded cheese fries and jalapeño poppers.
- To gear up for a true cross-country experience, it’s hard to beat this cap, which became a must-have souvenir for World Cup attendees from around the world. If that’s not the mood, this American hero trucker hat might be. Finally, if you’re headed through the southern US, you will most likely get to know a certain regional chain — show your in-the-know status with a logo tee.
- For backseat napping (a tradition as ironclad as singalongs to “American Pie”), impromptu stargazing, or roadside picnics, this wearable outdoor blanket is key. I discovered it during a recent firepit session at a friend’s house in northern California, where we all fought over who got to snuggle into it.
- I love the romance of flipping through an old-school road atlas, which is handy to stash in the passenger’s seat pocket, even aspirationally. And this Route 66 field guide is delightful on the road, or, if you’re staying put like me, as inspo for next summer.
- And, lastly: entertainment. A good playlist is essential, and this collection of the best American songwriters compiled by our colleagues at The Times is a great place to start. And since there’s no place like the car for juicy conversation — just ask any parent — these conversation cards can help guide the gab fest. Gifts editor Hannah Morrill has used it with her prompt-adverse partner to great revelations. I’ve used them to much success with my college-age twins, to go deeper than the usual “how’s school?" “what are you up to?” conversations. These decade-specific Trivial Pursuit cards are also a lot of fun if you’re on an intergenerational sojourn.
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What to give: My 41-year-old bookish friend? |  |
I am tired of only giving him books and book shop vouchers. He recently became a father of a baby girl and loves food. I’m looking for something that combines all these aspects of his life. Is that impossible? — A.K.
From gifting expert Samantha Schoech:
Not only is it possible to find loads of good, non-book gifts for bibliophiles, it’s also a delight. Okay, maybe I’m biased because I write our guide to the best gifts for book lovers, and this is exactly in my wheelhouse.
Help him bond with his new baby with some fun kids’ books. You could get him a subscription from this famed children’s bookstore in California that has excellent taste and makes personalized picks (yes, even for infants).
This clock, which tells time using literary quotations, is sort of spendy, but I think it’s truly genius and a work of art in its own right. And it updates regularly, so the quotes don’t repeat.
If your friend is a loud and proud reader, you could help him shout his love of books to the world with this commanding beanie or, if he’s an oddball with a slanted sense of humor, this T-shirt.
Lastly, to nod to the food lover in him, you could do a themed gift around a favorite book. A trio of cozy Indian beverage mixes with an Indian cookbook, perhaps? Or maybe some modern marmalade with a classic English novel?
Have someone who’s impossible to shop for? Submit your question here.
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