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The Koh Samui Guide
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Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition (Including Superb Ideas Under $15)

  • November 18, 2020
Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition (Including Superb Ideas Under $15)
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Most years, coming into the holiday season means offering advice for Koh Samui’s busiest time of year. Christmas party lists, New Years Eve suggestions – literally hundreds of ways to make merry. This year? It’ll be the holiday equivalent of “walking 20 miles backwards through the snow uphill” … or whatever torrid tale we’ll one day tell our grandchildren. In short, we’ll “have to make our own entertainment”. Below, find my best suggestions for doing just that – with as much tropical respite and hints at future travel as possible. Enjoy!

Note – every toiletry and beauty product below is 100% cruelty-free.

Links below include affiliates. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and may receive a small commission on any resulting purchases at no cost to the consumer.

Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition
  1. Gifts for Grown-Ups
  2. Gifts for Kids – Travel and Explore
  3. Games, Books and Things to Do (At Home Edition)
  4. Gifts Under $20 (£15)
  5. Gifts Under $15 (£11)
  6. 2020 Cards and Wrapping Paper: COVID Edition
  7. Sales, Deals and Discount Codes

Gifts for Grown-Ups

Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition (Including Superb Ideas Under $15)

01. Quarantine Christmas Ornament – How better to sum up this prize of a year?

02. Fluffy Slide Slippers – Normally, I’m recommending flip-flops. This year? Fuzzy slippers.

03. Coconut Rum – Add it your cereal and keep going, no judgment here.

04. Monstera (Swiss Cheese) Plant – A surprisingly beginner-friendly tropical house plant.

05. A Promised Land by Barack Obama – Reasons to celebrate? Barack! is! back!

06. Mermaid Tail Blanket – The best way to turn your sofa into a vacation.

07. Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones – Drown out your family…

08. Dry Erase Elephant – For any relative who loves elephants beyond belief.

09. LEGO Ship in a Bottle – Incredible! LEGO for grown-ups.

10. 2020 Review T-Shirt – Would you recommend it?

11. White Christmas Coconut Coffee – Grab the aforementioned rum and …

12. Gold-Foil Thailand Map – A detailed map of Thailand (or any country) in gold-foil, with your choice of frame. *Get FREE shipping & FREE returns on fine art prints with code SHIPFREE.

13. Baggage Claim Eye Masks – Take the 2020 off your face.

14. SPF 40 Unseen Sunscreen – My absolute favourite sunscreen … if you ever get to go outside.

15. The Body Shop Coconut Gift Set – If you’re saving the coconut rum until later, start with a coconutty shower.

16. Thailand: The Cookbook – An encyclopaedic start to greedy-people Thai cooking adventures.

17. Anti-Theft Travel Backpack – Wear it around the house for now, pretend you’re going places

18. Palm Tree Ugly Christmas Sweater – Utterly hideous, with ample flamingoes.

19. Tile All-Purpose Finder (4-Pack) – Attach four tiles to four things you love, and never lose them again

20. The Everything Travel Blanket – Highly squashable, wherever you deploy it

21. Pineapple and Coconut Gin – Run out of coconut rum? Switch to gin

22. Maenam Thai Cookbook – A new favourite Thai cookbook – just released this summer.

23. Palm Print Pajama Set – Tropical PJs for your 2020 Bridget Jones moments.

24. Portable Espresso Machine – You’re not going anywhere … but when you do … you’ll be so caffeinated.

25. Amazon Halo –Start your post-quarantine healthier habits with a new fitness tracker

26. Ray-Ban UV Sunglasses – One day they’ll block Thai UV light … for now they’ll hide your COVID hangover.

27. “Good Vibes Only” Sun Care Travel Kit – You’ll need it in 2021. Please need it in 2021.

28. Jewelry Travel Organiser – Use the top half for general storage (phone charger, scrunchies, etc) and the bottom half for cleverly jewellery organisation.

29. Portable Travel Hammock – This guy packs down into its own travel sack, ready to visit beaches as soon as humanly possible.

30. Lonely Planet Thailand (2021) – Pre-order a copy for its August 2021 release … then wait patiently for The Future Times.

31. butter LONDON Nail Lacquer – A deep blue colour … to match beachy dreams, not COVID moods.

32. BarkBox Subscription Box – Finally, delight your dog and every problem goes away. BarkBox does amazing things for shelter pups (and then there’s this).

Gifts for Kids – Travel and Explore

Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition (Including Superb Ideas Under $15)

01. Ocean Life Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 Pieces) – From Little Tunnies to Weedy Sea Dragons, this puzzle is perfect for ages 8+.

02. Shark Blanket – A whale shark “blanket tail” available in three sizes, from toddlers to adults

03. Little Passports Subscription Box – A monthly subscription box for “little passports” ages 6-10.

04. Portable Travel Bed – Perhaps more for parents … this roll-on case turns an economy plane seat into a child-size bed.

05. Stretchy Noodles – Great for busy hands

06. Elephant Slippers – Available in kids’ and adult sizes

07. Mermaid Tail Blanket – As with the shark blanket, available in three sizes

08. LEGO Suitcase – A mini LEGO kit with a small suitcase. A nice stocking stuffer for a quick activity.

09. Fort Building Kit – Build forts, boats, castles and more.

10. Family Treasure Hunt Game – Play indoors or outdoors. Ages 3-10.

11. Guess in 10 World Trivia – Ages 8+. Choose from world cities or countries versions of the game.

12. Everything & Everywhere – Ages 4-9.

13. Under The Sea Coloring Roll – Ten feet of under-the-sea colouring (ages 3+).

14. LEGO Airplane – Ages 7+

15. LEGO Travel Pouch – Use as a pencil pouch, travel case or to store a new LEGO kit.

16. Paper Flower Science Kit – Ages 7-10.

17. Wikki Stix Travel Set – Ages 3+.

18. Your World Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 Pieces) – Ages 8+

19. Elephants of Thailand – Available in a two-part series, in paperback and for Kindle.

20. Sparkling Play Sand – Includes 6 moulds and two pounds of sand. Ages 3+.

Games, Books and Things to Do (At Home Edition)

Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition (Including Superb Ideas Under $15)

01. Travel Trivia – 50 family world trivia questions, for ages 8+

02. Drawing Without Dignity – for grown-ups only … a much ruder, much funnier take on Pictionary

03. Phuket Jigsaw Puzzle (3,000 Pieces) – spend hours staring at Thailand … with this 3,000-piece puzzle

04. Atlas Obscura – “A wanderlust-whetting cabinet of curiosities on paper.”— New York Times

05. Unstable Unicorns Game – “a strategic card game that will destroy your friendships.” Play with 2-8 people, depending who’s currently in or out of your bubble.

06. Underwater Puppies – The only puppies you should buy for Christmas.

07. Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs – Food? Water? Sleep? Spontaneity? Rearrange and reorder whatever 2020’s done to you.

08. Inside3 Blind Maze (Level 3) – A novice-level puzzle ideal for patient people ages 12+

09. What Should I Do with My Life – Asking for a friend…

10. How to Traumatize Your Children – The reviews alone sell this book more than any other recommendation here.

11. Scribbles That Matter – Bullet-journal your way to 2021…

12. The Loser Game (Learn How to Fail Well) – Topical! Buy one for yourself and another for the Golfer-in-Chief.

13. What Do You Meme Game – Another game that’s grown-ups only. (“There are some things you just can’t unhear. Trust us.”)

14. Travel + Leisure Subscription – Plot your way out of your house, one issue at a time.

15. Confidence Prompt Cards – Been a while since you needed confidence? Or real clothes that weren’t yoga leggings? Start here and re-enter 2021 life with new sparkle.

16. Conversation Menus – Nine months of COVID and running out of stuff to talk about? Add one of these to dinner and see what you learn.

17. The Ultimate Game for Couples – Use as conversation starters, or play as dares.

18. Scratch Off World Map – Tim Robbins scratched his way out of Shawshank… you can scratch your way out of 2020.

19. Rainforest Coloring Book – Pure escapism. Just add Enya.

20. 100 Questions Conversation Toolkit – Think you know everything about your household? Think again.

Gifts Under $20 (£15)

01. Coconut Cremes – Stocking stuffers made with coconut milk

02. Thai Sweet Chili Banana Chips – Superb for anyone who likes spice

03. Salt and Sea Soy Candle – Sail away, as best as 2020 will allow

04. Flamingo Pool Float Tea Infuser – A more tropical way to brew your tea

05. Quick Dry Hair Towel/Beach Turban – A segue between the shower and the next messy bun

06. Seagrass “Belly” Basket – Ideal for storing blankets, dog toys, or a new plant (add a drip-tray within)

07. Dried Thai Mangoes – Chewy in the best kind of way

08. BYO Sriracha Keychain – The easiest (and least weird) way for a sriracha addict to bring their favourite sauce

09. CALM Bath Salts – How many pounds of these are required between now and January 20th?

10. Sand-Proof Quick-Dry Beach Towel – Available in watermelon and even ‘Songkran’ print

11. butter LONDON Nail Lacquer – Add some sparkle to a not-so-sparkly year

12. 100% Natural Lip Balm Set – Choose from a dozen flavour combos – with plenty of tropical choices

13. Collapsible Coffee Cup – Save the planet, one cup at a time

14. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World – This book is superb, and an ideal place to start a New Year digital detox.

15. Foldable Pocket Backpack – Over nine thousand reviews!

16. Pomelo Pine Soy/Beeswax Candle – Not quite Thai pomelo salad on the beach … but close?

17. Starry Night Sleep Mask – Block it all out. All of it.

18. Coconut Toiletries Gift Set – A sweet gift set of coconut water bath products in a cork pouch.

19. Fruit Infuser Water Bottle – An inevitable departure from the coconut rum and gin suggested earlier

20. Coconut Bowls – Blend something smoothie-bowl-shaped and add it to these. Bingo. Vacation mode.

Gifts Under $15 (£11)

Holiday Gift Guides: Quarantine Edition (Including Superb Ideas Under $15)
01. Adulted Really Good Ribbon – Need a prize? Yes, you do.

02. Wallet Ninja – Ruler, bottle opener, phone stand, screwdriver, fruit peeler, box cutter … this is very cool.

03. 2020 Christmas Ornament – Soooo wouldn’t recommend.

04. Coconut Milk Caramels – Dairy-free, with pure coconut milk.

05. Hidden Pocket Scrunchie – “Her hair is full of secrets”

06. Monstera Leaf Wax Seal – Seal cards, gift wrap or anything you find in your path

07. Butterfly Pea Flowers – Bake the bluest things you’ve ever imagined, infuse cocktails and more.

08. World Travel Laundry Bag – Use as a laundry bag or even a Santa sack.

09. Monstera Earrings – Just $8! Available in rose gold or silver.

10. Portable Reusable Drinking Straws – Telescopic straw adjusts to three lengths to fit any glass.

11. Dr Bronner’s Organic Magic Balm – The “Windex” of skin products – use on dry skin, sore muscles, pretty much anything

12. Phone & Tablet Holder – Supreeeemely useful foldable phone and tablet holder. Use on your coffee table today, and a plane table next year?

13. Tropical Santa Pop-Up Card – The only card I’ve seen where Santa’s drinking out of a pineapple.

14. Dragonfruit Loose Leaf Tea – Caffeine-free dragon fruit tea; bright pink.

15. “Corona Extra” Christmas Ornament – Combining COVID, Christmas and alcohol in the very best way.

16. Hand-Made Dragon Fruit Soap – Exactly how I like my soap: tropical, paraben- and SLS-free. (As with everything on this list it’s cruelty-free too).

17. Grow Your Own Avocado Tree – Get growing!

18. Tropical Face Mask – Mask up with palm prints.

19. “I’m Over It” Daily Sampler – Share your feelings for the day, choosing one of thirty-two “samplers” including “what fresh hell is this” and “let me Google that for you”.

20. Tropical Socks Set – Trot to your home office in style. It’ll be the dressiest thing you’ve got on.

2020 Cards and Wrapping Paper: COVID Edition


Get 20% off Minted holiday cards when you choose recycled paper; 15% off all holiday cards with code JOYFUL (through Tues, Nov 24).

01. Under the Sea Wrapping Paper – Customizable with names, family photos, unique messages and more

02. A Very COVID Christmas

03. I Need a Drink Or Like…

04. Christmas Dogs Wrapping Paper

05. It’s Been a Ruff Year

06. Tropical Jungle Wrapping Paper

07. Everything is Fine

08. Tropical Santa Wrapping Paper

09. All of the Above

10. Personalised Wrapping Paper – Customizable with names, family photos, unique messages and more

11. Keeping it Together

12. You Are Great at Petting Dogs

Sales, Deals and Discount Codes

  • Agoda – Get up to 17% off local and international travel deals
  • Amazon Kids+ – Get a 30-Day Free Trial of Amazon Kids+
  • Amazon Music – Get 3 months FREE with Amazon Music
  • Audible – Try Audible FREE for 30 days
  • Booking.com – Enjoy 15% or more off local stays through Jan 4, 2021
  • Flodesk – Get 50% off your Flodesk subscription
  • Minted – Enjoy 15% Off Your First Order (excluding art) with code MINTEDAFF15
  • Minted  – Get FREE shipping & FREE returns on fine art prints with code SHIPFREE
  • Rothy’s – Get $20 off your first Rothy’s order
  • Social Print Studio – Free $5 gift card – Get $5 OFF your first order
  • Society6 – Up to 40% off art prints, décor, mugs, totes, wrapping paper and more
  • Tailwind – Get a FREE month of Tailwind (a $15 credit)
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