55 Creative Gifts For Someone Going to Alaska
Are you in search of gifts for someone going to Alaska? Perhaps they are visiting in the summertime to visit Denali. Or maybe they are taking a ski trip to Alyeska. Maybe they are taking an Alaskan cruise.
Whatever the reason for their Alaskan visit, here are 55 ideas to help you find the perfect gift.
Short on time or need to order ASAP? Here are 3 top picks:
Cozy Sweater
What better way to start an Alaskan vacation than to already have your Alaska cozy sweater to layer with, keeping you warm and saving you time shopping in overpriced gift shops.
Alaska Trivia Book
“The Great Book of Alaska” will prepare the traveler to learn fun history and factoids to appreciate their trip even more.
Bug Repellent Patches
The joke is that mosquitoes are Alaska’s state bird, they’re that big lol! Keep them away with patches so you don’t smell like DEET all day.
Alaska-Themed Gifts for Someone Going to Alaska
1. Alaska Tours
Dog sled rides, scenic Denali flights, or Northern Lights tours are just some of the exciting excursions to be had in Alaska. Give the gift of an unforgettable memory!
–> Buy Viator Tours here! <–
2. Alaska Log Cabin
Gift a getaway to an authentic Alaska log cabin. Cozy up inside with hot chocolate, cook s’mores out by the firepit, and feel at one with subarctic nature.
3. Alaska Movies
It’s always fun to watch movies that take place in or are filmed where you will be traveling. Some Alaska themed movies are:
–> Buy Alaska Movies here! <–
4. Alaska Mug
Drinking your morning coffee out of an Alaskan mug will get you excited for the upcoming trip. Then, upon your return, it will bring back all the adventurous memories.
–> Buy Alaska Mugs here! <–
5. Alaska Puzzle
Have a puzzle lover? An Alaskan puzzle will keep them busy while counting down the days until the start of their trip.
–> Buy Alaska Puzzles here! <–
6. Alaska Homesick Candle
Everyone knows that smell is closely linked to memory. When you return home and begin missing the Last Frontier, an Alaska Homesick candle can help bring back all the wonderful memories that were made.
7. Alaska Ornament
Moose, bear, fish, mountains, northern lights…these represent Alaska in some way and can be found in cute ornament forms.
8. Alaskan Brewery Pint Glasses
Alaska Brewing Company beer is served in almost every bar and restaurant in Alaska. Beer lovers will appreciate having a pint with the logo of their new favorite beer.
9. Moose Stuffed Animal
What kid doesn’t like a stuffie? A plush moose will encourage them to get excited for the trip, become friends with it if brought on the trip, and then they can reminisce together about the fun times they had afterwards.
Practical Gifts for Someone Going to Alaska
10. Bug Repellent Patches
While the state bird is officially the Willow Ptarmigan, locals will argue it’s the mosquito. Bug patches are effective, not stinky and sticky, and easy to stow in a bag. Enjoy the great outdoors without the blood suckers enjoying you.
11. Bear Bell
Alaskans will often carry some sort of bear protection while hiking the Last Frontier. While a can of bear spray or a gun is the most popular option, a bear bell will alert non-friendly Poohs hiding in bushes of your presence.
–> Buy a Bear Bell here! <–
12. Water Bottle
It’s always important to stay hydrated, especially while hiking up mountainous terrain or even strolling through historic towns. A good water bottle, like a Stanley, will keep your water cold for a long time!
13. Luggage Set
More than likely, your giftee probably has an old set of luggage in their closet. Get them excited for packing with a brand new luggage set.
–> Buy a Luggage Set here! <–
14. Packing Cubes
If you haven’t heard, packing cubes are the only way to go to help keep your luggage organized and maximize space. Get a set with various sizes to accommodate any luggage.
–> Buy Packing Cubes here! <–
15. Makeup Bag
Speaking of organized, a cute new makeup bag is great not only for makeup, but for small accessories like toiletries or electronic cords.
–> Buy Makeup Bag here! <–
16. Travel Shoe Bag
Trails can get muddy in Alaska. A shoe bag will assist in transporting dirty shoes without soiling the rest of your luggage.
–> Buy Travel Shoe Bag here! <–
17. Moose Luggage Tag
Don’t let luggage get lost. A cute moose luggage tag will set bags apart from others on the luggage claim belt, cruise ships, or tour groups. It also carries contact info for returning to the owner.
–> Buy Moose Luggage Tag here! <–
18. Daypack
Whether taking a day hike around Independence Mine, an adventurous excursion dog sledding, or strolling through Skagway, a daypack is useful for hands-free carrying items like cameras, guidebooks, clothing layers, snacks and such.
–> Buy Daypack here! <–
Gadget Gifts for Someone Going to Alaska
19. GoPro Hero12
Capture epic video footage of snowboarding, cross country skiing, surfing the bore tide, hiking, or any other Alaskan adventures planned. Go Pros 12 is waterproof with long lasting battery.
–> Buy GoPro Hero12 here! <–
20. Binoculars
Sometimes the moose and bear are farther out in the distance than can be seen with naked eye. A pair of binoculars will bring the wildlife viewing right to your face.
–> Buy Binoculars here! <–
21. Monocular Telescope
Or, a monocular telescope for your smartphone will capture those distant animals for braggable photos or videos.
–> Buy a Monocular Telescope here! <–
22. Portable Battery Charger
With such a once-in-a-lifetime location to visit, photos and videos galore will be taken, thus using up much smartphone battery life. Take away that stress with a portable battery pack to charge on-the-go.
–> Buy Portable Battery Charger here! <–
23. Bone Conducting Headphones
The hip, new music gadget is bone conducting headphones. Sound vibrates through your cheekbones instead of your eardrums, thus saving your ears from earbud pain. Listen to music or podcasts without annoying your room neighbors.
–> Buy Bone Conducting Headphones here! <–
24. Fishing Tool Kit
Going on an Alaska fishing trip? A fishing tool kit will help keep necessary tools compact and all in one place.
–> Buy Fishing Tool Kit here! <–
Wearable Gifts for Someone Going to Alaska
25. Alaska Bear Sleep Mask
For some, the midnight sun does not allow for a restful night’s sleep. Sleep like a bear with an Alaska Bear Sleep Mask, making up for the lack of darkness in the sky to trick your body into thinking it’s night.
–> Buy Alaska Bear Sleep Mask here! <–
26. Traction Cleats
Traction cleats are great for outdoor enthusiasts planning on hiking over icy trails. They slip right on and off any kind of shoe and can pack easily in a backpack.
–> Buy Traction Cleats here! <–
27. Knit Hat
Whether visiting Alaska during the winter or the summer, a knit hat is always smart to have on hand. Temperatures fluctuate throughout the days and ocean breezes or mountain elevations will no doubt call for warm head coverings.
–> Buy Knit Hat here! <–
28. Smartwool Socks
Lightweight and moisture wicking, smartwool socks are a luxury item. They may be disappointed to receive socks as a gift, but once they wear them, they’ll come back and thank you!
–> Buy Smartwool Socks here! <–
29. Goodr Sunglasses
The Alaska sun burns all summer but is also incredibly reflective off the snow during the winter. Goodr has a variety of fun colors to choose from. Save retinas, wear sunglasses.
–> Buy Goodr Sunglasses here! <–
30. Sweater
It cannot be said enough for packing for Alaska: layers, layers, layers! A sweater will undoubtedly get much use on an Alaskan trip.
–> Buy Alaska Sweater here! <–
31. Scarf
Scarfs are multifunctional while traveling. They keep you warm in the wintery breezes, can be used as a blanket if a room is chillier than expected, and can function as a pillow if rolled up and leaned against an airplane wall.
–> Buy a Scarf here! <–
32. Gloves
Keep the digits warm with a pair of gloves. Be sure it has sensory fingertips so as not to slow you down taking pictures on your smartphone.
–> Buy Gloves here! <–
33. Rain Jacket
Weather is unpredictable in the 49th State and rain is most definitely inevitable. Your giftee will appreciate staying dry while on a wildlife cruise, hiking the foggy tundra, or watching an outdoor concert at the Alaska State Fair.
–> Buy a Rain Jacket here! <–
34. Alaska T-Shirt
Give them a head start on Alaska branded clothes with an Alaska t-shirt, so they can hit the ground running and not have to sift through gift shops for one themselves.
–> Buy Alaska T-Shirts here! <–
35. Deadliest Catch Hat
Since 2005, Discovery Channel’s show Deadliest Catch has been airing and takes place in the Alaskan Bering Sea. Fans of the show will be excited to visit the state where it’s filmed and maybe even visit the Time Bandit boat in Homer.
–> Buy Deadliest Catch Hat here! <–
36. Forget Me Not Earrings
The Alaska state flower is the Forget Me Not. She’ll never forget about a pair of earrings made with real flowers set in resin.
–> Buy Forget Me Not Earrings here! <–
Book Gifts for Someone Going to Alaska
37. The Milepost
Updated yearly, The Milepost book/magazine gives all-encompassing details of all there is to see while driving through Alaska (and Canada if driving up the Alcan Hwy). Very popular with RVers.
–> Buy The Milepost here! <–
38. Alaska History Book
Reading the history of where you are about to travel helps deepen an appreciation for the location. Get them an Alaska history book so they can understand the background of the 49th State.
–> Buy Alaska History Book here! <–
39. Alaska Trivia Book
For those who are better with factoids than full-on history stories, an Alaska trivia book is another way to gather information about the great state in short snippets.
40. Alaska Foraging Book
Alaska grows an abundance of edible and medicinal plants. For the herbalist in your life, they might get a kick out of learning all about Alaska foraging.
–> Buy an Alaska Foraging Book here! <–
41. Alaska Cookbook
Once they learn about foraging, they can make mouthwatering recipes with what they find (or buy from the store!) An Alaskan cookbook will be great to have once they’ve returned and want to make dishes that they tasted on the trip.
–> Buy an Alaska Cookbook here! <–
42. Alaska Bird Guide
An Alaska bird guide will help you identify all the birds that may be encountered on your Alaskan adventures.
–> Buy Alaska Bird Guide here! <–
43. Alaska Coloring Book
Kids, and kids at heart, will enjoy coloring pictures of Alaskan scenes, either to get them pumped before the trip or to entertain during down time on the trip.
–> Buy Alaska Coloring Book here! <–
44. Tundra Comics
Alaskan comic strip artist, Chad Carpenter, is well known within the state. His comics are good for a laugh and fun to read through.
–> Buy Tundra Comics here! <–
45. Alaska Puzzle Book
Keep kids entertained on the plane or in the hotel room with an Alaska puzzle book.
–> Buy an Alaska Puzzle Book here! <–
46. Alaska Photo Album
For old schoolers, printing up photos and keeping them in an album is still a thing. An Alaska themed photo book is perfect for saving their memories.
–> Buy an Alaska Photo Album here! <–
47. Alaska Travel Journal
Keeping a travel journal is always recommended. Photos help with reminiscing, but written words go beyond pictures in assisting with conjuring accurate memories. Plus it’s a mini-memoir of yourself.
–> Buy a Travel Journal here! <–
Food Gifts for Someone Going to Alaska
48. Alaska Smoked Salmon
If there’s one Alaskan food that stands out from the crowd, it’s smoked salmon; it’s what Alaskans make with their excess fish and eat throughout the year.
–> Buy Alaska Smoked Salmon here! <–
49. Alaska Meat Jerky
Try reindeer, caribou, or elk jerky. Not everyday you can eat these meats on-the-go!
–> Buy Alaska Meat Jerky here! <–
50. Ravens Brew Coffee
Roasted in Alaska and packaged in attractive bags, Ravens Brew Coffee is a great way to get someone warmed up for a trip to Alaska.
–> Buy Raven’s Brew Coffee here! <–
51. Tortuga Bourbon w/Birch Syrup
Tortuga Rum Cakes seem to be worldwide, always with a local flare. Birch syrup is a rare Alaskan syrup made from birch trees, there’s no way to describe it, you must taste it for yourself.
–> Buy Tortuga Rum Cake w/Birch Syrup here! <–
52. Travel Hot Toddy
While not Alaskan per se, hot toddies are a fantastic way to ward off the winter cold. This kit is travel friendly. (alcohol not included)
–> Buy Travel Hot Toddy here! <–
Gifts for Someone Going On an Alaska Cruise
53. Cruise Fund Jar
A cruise ain’t cheap and saving every penny counts. Encourage your giftee to save for their grand Alaska cruise with a cruise fund jar.
–> Buy Cruise Fund Jar here! <–
54. Motion Sickness Wristbands
Those who are sensitive to motion sickness will not want to be taking Dramamine everyday on their cruise. Pressure wrist bands are a noninvasive alternative, using acupressure techniques to help curb nausea. Besides big cruises, they could be used on flightseeing tours, wildlife cruises, or car drives.
–> Buy Motion Sickness Bands here! <–
55. Cruise Door Magnets
Set your cruise door apart from the hallway of hundreds of identical doors. With a dual purpose of being festive and helping to identify your own door quickly, get cruise door magnets to decorate your cabin door.
–> Buy Cruise Door Magnets here! <–
Epilogue
There are so many options for gifts for someone going to Alaska. Hopefully this list of 55 things gave you some ideas to help narrow those options down!
Do you have Alaska gift ideas not listed here? Shoot me an email and let me know what I forgot!
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