Gift-Giving Guide for RVers

With cold fronts, frost and even snow in the forecast in recent weeks, it is a reminder that the holiday season is nearing. For many, it is also a reminder of holiday shopping and gift-giving.

If you are an RVer, this could be a time of dread since it could mean unneeded items coming into your home to make room for, but it doesn’t have to be! Of course, you can always tell people you don’t need or want anything, but there is always someone in our lives who’s love language is gift-giving, so it would be good to have a plan.

Thinking ahead and making a Gifting Wish List, or using the worksheet in our free printables page, can be a helpful way to prepare, and share, things that you’d like to receive, and cut back on things you don’t want or need. If you haven’t thought about it much, here are some ideas below for you, or share this blog with friends and family as a guide!

EXPERIENCES RVers are all about experiences when they visit different locations, but some of them can be out of the budget, especially for long-term or full time RVers that may be on a budget. RVers: make a list of places you plan to visit, what experiences you’d like to do there and the cost to help plan, or use our Travel Experience Wish List worksheet from our free printables page.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL OR SUBSCRIPTION Many RVers have memberships or subscriptions they use regularly in RV life, and they have either monthly or annual fees. Covering the cost of these can be a great gift! Some camping memberships include Good Sam, KOA, Thousand Trails, Escapees, Harvest Host and many others. There are also Campground Booking Apps to search for cancellations at hard to get campgrounds. And don’t forget those subscriptions to streaming services, gym memberships, shopping clubs, zoos, aquariums, gardens, or other places they may frequent.

CAMPING GIFT CERTIFICATES Many camping chains offer gift certificates that can be purchased, so gifting them with a stay to an RV park or resort, especially one nearby for a visit can make a great option. These can include chains like KOA, Margaritaville, RVC campgrounds, Sun Outdoors, and many others.

SERVICES GIFT CERTIFICATES There is always a need for some kind of service while traveling. This could be self care, such as massages, manicures, pedicures, hair care or skin care. This could also be things like fuel, parts for repairs or upgrades and routine maintenance. Gift cards to service locations can be helpful so you know that your gift is useful to your recipient. Some service locations, like Home Depot and Wal-Mart, also allow RVers to overnight in some locations, and it is expected to make a purchase in exchange, so it could be doing double duty!

FOOD GIFT CARDS Food is something everyone needs, so why not make it a giftable item? This could be gift cards for grocery chains in the are they will be traveling, but could also include restaurants they enjoy. Chains like Cracker Barrel allows RVers to park overnight in some locations, and it is expected to make a purchase in exchange, so this gift can also do double duty! If they travel with pets, gift cards to pet store chains or a delivery service they use can be a great option, too.

STORE GIFT CARDS Clothing and household items wear out or get outgrown, so a gift card to their favorite store for future purchase can be a great gift. Gaming and music gift cards (for example, iTunes) are a favorite for many and can be used for things that don’t take up much space. Perhaps they are traveling someplace and my need special clothing items for that back-country hike or rafting trip, and your gift card for a store or rental location in that area helps them get what they need and not have to haul it around. Amazon deliveries can be made to many locations, as well, so these can be great!

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Items frequently used in an RV can wear out quickly, especially if they are consumables. Consider RV friendly cleaning items (check with them on preference), laundry products, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates/bowls, plastic utensils, shampoos and soaps, and other toiletries. Bath & hand towels, wash cloths, dish towels and rags, throw blankets, rugs for indoor or outdoor use can be helpful since these can wear out from laundry rooms and frequent use due to low inventory. Outdoor items like a doormat, camping rug, chair, fire pit or table can be useful–but again, check with them first. If nothing else, think about pantry items like s’mores, sandwich items, snacks, and other staples they may use often.

CASH OR QUARTERS These are, without a doubt, some of the best things to give since they are versatile. Quarters get used often for laundry mats or game rooms and are always great to have on hand.

If you absolutely want to gift an item and not a gift card, checking with the recipient is a must. If they have a wish list or specific request, that really is the best thing for them! RVers are often purging items to cut down on weight and storage in their tiny spaces, and many practice the “one in, one out” rule, so you don’t want your gift to be a source of stress for them.

Whether you gift items or time this season, may it be meaningful and memorable!

Be sure to check out the Barnes On Move printables section for the helpful lists mentioned above, as well as other FREE resources for RV life.