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15+ of the Best Gifts for Van Lifers (Under $100)

Shopping for someone who lives in a van can be hard – living in a van means limited space, so the things we do have need to be small, and they need to be things we’ll actually use! This guide is here to help – I’ll give you 15 of the best gifts for van lifers, whether they’re permanent vandwellers or part time travelers.

Head’s up: some of these links are affiliate links, so I get a commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you). But that’s great, because these are all things I love and use, and sharing them helps me keep making free guides for you!

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The Best Gifts for Van Lifers

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Best Gifts for Van Lifers Under $100

America the Beautiful Pass

The best gifts are experiences – and a pass to the national parks is one of the best gifts for van lifers! 

An America the Beautiful pass is good for an entire year, and gives them entrance to any national park in the country. Perfect for exploring in a van!

America the Beautiful Pass ($79.99)

Mini Projector

A mini projector is one of the absolute best gifts for van lifers! A TV takes up too much space, and too much electricity in a van, but sometimes you want something bigger than a phone screen. 

A small, rechargeable projector is a fun gift, and can be used outside to project onto the van! The Magnasonic Pocket Projector is a great one, and it comes with an HDMI cable, so don’t forget to get an adapter so they can use it with their phone.

Hammock

A hammock is one of the absolute best things ever – it’s perfect for relaxing outside, and great for van lifers! I even sleep in mine when it’s warm outside :). The ENO hammocks are great quality, and make a great gift.

ENO Double Nest Hammock ($74.99)

Kindle

For van lifers who like to read, a Kindle is the perfect gift! There often isn’t enough space in a van to have a bunch of physical books, and a Kindle is an easy, portable, lightweight way to read. This is honestly the best gift I’ve ever gotten :).

Best Gifts for Van Lifers Under $50

The Dyrt Pro

I’m all about giving (and getting) gifts that are experiences rather than things – because these don’t take up any room in my van! One of the best fits for van lifers is a subscription to The Dyrt – an app that allows you to find campsites, plan road trips, and more!

Headlamp

A headlamp is one of the best gifts for van lifers – especially those who like to hike! These are useful for late night bathroom trips, cooking at night, and for getting the camp fire going.

The Black Diamond Storm 400 Headlamp is a powerful one good for hikes, while a Petzl Tikka Headlamp is good for more casual outdoor activities.

Coffee Press

Living in a van means limited space – and this AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press is actually small enough to be a stocking stuffer! This means it’s the perfect gift for van lifers, because it’s lightweight, and allows them to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, in the van or on the trail.

For a budget option, the MSR Coffee Press Kit is another lightweight one!

Camp Chair

A camp chair is one of the best gifts for van lifers. Being able to sit outside is great, especially for sitting around the campfire.

The ALPS Mountaineering Roamer Chair is compact and comfy, and the Storic Fireside Chair has a handy table.

The Scrubba

The Scrubba is honestly a game changer – it’s a portable wash bag that makes doing laundry on the road easy! With a washboard inside, it’ll keep your stuff fresh between trips to the laundromat. There are different options available, from the Original Scrubba to a mini version, and more! You can buy it on Amazon, or directly from the Scrubba website.

Best Gifts for Van Lifers Under $25

Rechargeable Handwarmer

Sometimes, nights in the van get chilly! A rechargeable hand warmer is more eco friendly than the single use ones, and a great stocking stuffer for van dwellers.

The Zippo Heatbank is small and compact, and this one lasts up to 12 hours!

Cocktail Box

This one is a really unique, fun gift – a mini Cocktail Box small enough to fit in their back pocket. This little box includes ingredients for three different drinks, along with the (tiny) tools to make them! It’s a cute gift for van lifers, and makes a good stocking stuffer.

Cocktail Box Co. Cocktail Box ($22)

Mini Lantern

A mini lantern is one of the best gifts for van lifers. Having a small light is great for reading, or just hanging out outside after dark! The Black Diamond Moji Lantern is cute and small, and the Lander Cairn Mini Lantern is convenient for camping because it can hang from the ceiling.

Reusable Sandwich Bag

A reusable bag is a much more environmentally friendly way to pack leftovers or snacks! The Stasher Reusable Sandwich Bags make a great gift for van lifers.

Collapsible Tupperware

Collapsible Tupperware containers are incredible for van lifers – they take up so little space, are great for storing leftovers in the van, and also great for bringing snacks on hikes or outdoor adventures!

This one folds up super tiny, while this set of containers is cute, and functional!

Have Ideas for Van Life Gifts?

Share your ideas in the comments below, or tell me some gifts you’ve received that you love! 

Check out these posts for more gift ideas:

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