So its time I fessed up: I’m behind on my blog posts. I wrote this particular post ages ago and revised it for this coming holiday season. As you know, we’re Airstream fans, so this list is part wishlist and part gift ideas for other Airstreamers. I wanted to keep things simple, useful, fun and yet reasonably priced.
National Park Foundation Wall Calendar – $11
From the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s National Parks, this calendar will give you a taste of wonder even when you are not on the road.
National Park Foundation Calendar
Airstream: America’s World Traveler – $29
This book chronicles the fascinating history of Airstream trailers through a decent mix of historical facts, personal stories, and fantasy photography. Born just as America emerged from the dark days of the Depression Era, the first Airstream for purchase slept four, carried its own water supply, was fitted with electric lights, and cost $1,200. Quite the distant beginnings considering that today’s Airstreams are considered luxury recreational vehicles. The book explains that and more.
Airstream America’s World Traveler
The Newbies Guide to Airstreaming (Kindle) – $10
When we bought our new Airstream we got a paperback version of “Newbies Guide to Airstreaming.” Its seen a bit of wear and tear during our travels, and still serves as a kind of cheat sheet or reference book for when we need to do light maintenance with our Airstream.
The Newbies Guide to Airstreaming
Audible Subscription – $15 per Month
One of the most valuable services we have is Audible. Without Audible, we’d be bored while driving long distances. We mostly focus on history lectures relevant to the location we’re traveling to. For example, when we toured Southern states like Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, the Virginias, and Carolinas, we listened to a lengthy lecture on the Civil War.
Audible – $15 a month
Airstream Decorations at Etsy – $30 or less
If you’re looking for cute things to decorate your Airstream, Etsy has it. Numerous plushy pillows, cute cups, tasteful tea towels, and cheerful ornaments to accent any Airstream design scheme. They even have a few Airstream-ish pet items.
Etsy Airstream Decorations
The (Nearly) Complete Guide to Airstream Maintenance – $28
A super handy book that I wish they had for the Kindle or as a PDF. Although it doesn’t contain specific details to parts pertaining to our Airstream, the book is still way better than our owner’s manual. Its also a fantastic companion to the Newbies Guide to Airstreaming.
The (Nearly) Complete Guide to Airstream Maintenance
Airstream Life Magazine Online Subscription – $20
To be honest, I mostly like Airstream Life Magazine for its Tech Tips. It does contain some great information on places to visit, product reviews, lifestyle tips, and other Airstream related things.
Airstream Magazine Online Only Edition
Airstream Key Blanks – $4 or less and Key Safe – $25
At some point, an Airstream owner will lock themselves out of their own Airstream. Why not lend them a helping hand before that happens and get them an extra key set. The blank keys are cheap, but you’ll need to take them to a professional locksmith to have them copied correctly. A simple key safe will house the keys securely, but it’s up to the Airstream owner to figure out where they want to hide them. Yes, I speak from experience!
Eagle Creek Pack-It Quick Trip Toiletry Organizer – $15
I’ve had mine for a little over two years and it’s withstood the stress of traveling across America with me. Its simple, great for light travel, and holds way more than I expected, and has a good profile for packing inside another larger bag.
Eagle Creek Toiletries Bag
Stainless Steel Wine Glasses – $25
I’m not a drinker, but many Airstreamers love a good wine while they are camping. I suggest getting them stainless steel wine glasses so they won’t break and yet look pretty stylish while hanging out under the awning. Even if you are a teetotaler, you can easily fake it with these beauties.
Stainless Steel Wine Glasses
Walbernize RV Super Seal – $18 and 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner for Awning – $20
Inevitably, an Airstream must be cleaned. I suggest getting the Airstream owner a bottle of Walbernize RV Super Seal and 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner. One bottle should cover most Airstream sizes and a small bottle of 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner should last a year for most stains. I suggest getting two of each if you have a 30-foot airstream or longer. Side note: The most important tip using the super seal is do not wax on a hot day — it won’t work.
Walbernize & 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner
Scratch off Map of USA – $27
I particularly like this one because it also contains landmarks and achievement medals in addition to states. It even comes with its own scratching tool so you won’t mar the poster paper. There are a few spelling errors, but you can make a lesson out if it, especially if you have kids.
USA Scratch Off Map
National Park Mysteries & Disappearances: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park – $15
Put aside the nature guidebooks, forget about the pretty leaves, and the relaxing streams as well as the miniature golf, the funnel cakes and all the other “tourist traps” and prepare for a wild ride on the dark side of the Great Smoky Mountains. From strange disappearances, grisly murders and bone-chilling paranormal hauntings and ghost sightings; this pristine paradise has a lot more to offer than just serene hiking trails or camping.
National Park Mysteries & Disappearances
USB Solar Lantern – $20
This solar lantern has 5 brightness settings and provides over 75 lumens on turbo mode. On low mode when fully charged, she’ll run up to 24 hours. Best part: no more scrounging around for extra batteries! Charge these handy waterproof guys either by sunlight or USB cord. A fantastic addition to first-aid kits and emergency kits. I keep two in our truck for just in case!
Solar Lanterns
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit – $27
I keep this easy-care first-aid system in my day hiking pack at all times. I know I’m supposed to know my kit inside and out, but I love it because it organizes first-aid supplies into in injury-specific pockets to eliminate guesswork and ensure you use the right treatment quickly. I’ve used it several times for minor cuts and scrapes. This first aid kit also has enough room for extra personal items like prescription meds or extra eye glasses.
Adventure Med First Aid Kit
Passport To Your National Parks Collector’s Edition – $29.99
Knowing Airstreamers, many of us love our national parks. When I first got my National Parks Passport I quickly discovered that the smaller book didn’t have enough spaces. I soon got the Passport To Your National Parks Collector’s Edition, which has stamp space for each National Park Unit and extra space should new ones be added.
Collectors Edition: Passport to National Parks
