With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I would share with you a few of our favourite things. These are mostly items we have tried and tested ourselves, which will make pawfect gifts for the caravanner/motorhomer or dog lover in your life!
Our All Time Favourites!
Portable Washing Machine
Convenient and money-saving!
We did forgo our washing machine for a boat, but regretted it and have gone back!
Saving an average of £5 per wash at a launderette, it paid for itself within weeks. And with spin dried landry drying so much more quickly, the washing machine was a no brainer.
The machine can take a superkingsized polycotton duvet cover. We can also save water by using a soap-free laundy ball which removes the need to rinse lightly soiled items – and allows you to allows you to re-use the water if it’s not too dirty.
PackTowl Luxe – Our Favourite Camping Towel
These Luxe PackTowls are just the best camping towels we’ve found. I’m not a fan of thin microfibre towels that feel like dish rags. These have a velvety texture, but fold up to a fraction of the size of a normal towel. Ours came with a zip pouch. They can be machine washed and tumble dried, although they dry naturally much more quickly than a cotton towel. They contain antimicrobial silver which stops them from going smelly. The face-cloth is useful for a rough dry-off after a shower, before using the larger towel, so that you don’t have large wet towels hanging around your living space.
Our Favourite Winter Accessories
We’re parked in the snow at 1800m for winter this year, and our stay has been made much more comfortable with these gadgets.
Temperature and Humidity Monitor
Water vapour from cooking, showering or just breathing causes condensation in cold temperatures, and can lead to moisture damage or black mould growth. We have found this ThermoPro humidity monitor invaluable to indicate when we have a problem and need to heat or ventilate. The smiley face lets you know whether your humidity levels are Comfort, Dry or Wet, and you can set the tempeature to Farenheit or Celsius, depending on how old fashioned you are!
We did buy a low-power dehumidifier, but it doesn’t work brilliantly, so I wouldn’t particularly recommend it. Dehumidifiers work on the same principle as refrigerators, so tend to be power hungry
Karcher Window Vac
I have to say I was sceptical when Mr. L decided to purchase a Karcher Window Vac, but it has been an absolute godsend for removing condensation from our windows and roof lights, plus you can use it to clear the shower. A highly recommended addition to your anti-condensation arsenal!
De’Longhi Compact Low Energy Ceramic Fan Heater
Our built-in heater kept tripping our 3 amp Continental EHU (electric hook up), yet this little piece of magic has kept us toasty in sub-zero temperatures – and has not tripped the EHU once!
It’s compact, lightweight (1.3kg) and rather nice looking. It out-performs another highly rated ceramic fan heater we bought to keep our motorhome garage condensation free.
During the cost of living crisis, I think this low energy heater would also be useful in the home.
It can also be used without heating as a fan in summer, which fulfils our need for multi-functionality in a small living space. Highly recommended!
Our Favourites For The Fur Babies
Eufy Security Panoramic Smart Indoor Wi-Fi Camera
If you want to keep an eye on things while you’re out and about, this low-cost security camera is brilliant in the home or motorhome!
You can even speak through it.
We aren’t technological geniuses but we found it easy to set up.
Follow these links to find my recommendations for:
To Keep The Kids Occupied
We don’t have kids, however some lovely products have come to my notice – and a love of books and keeping a diary certainly set me in good stead for my writing career!
It’s A Stray Dog’s Life – Award Winning Children’s Books
It’s no secret that we’re dog lovers, and these award-winning children’s books It’s a Stray Dog’s Life and It’s A Stray Dog’s Life 2 by Maximilian Sam captured our hearts!
Welcome To The World Of The Stray Dogs. Maximilian Sam has spent several years looking after stray dogs in Turkiye.
In these award-winning books he allows both children and adults to share the adventures of the stray dogs from the animal’s perspective. Whether it be Princess visiting the beauty parlour, Snowy rampaging through a restaurant, or Jasper exploring his new ‘forever’ home. The books are available from all good booksellers, both on and offline.
You can find out more about Max and the stray dogs at www.maximiliansam.com.
Kids’ (and Adults’!) Caravan, Motorhome, or Camping Journals
Keep a diary, and one day it might keep you…
Carol at Leisure logs has produced these beautiful, colourful journals, which appeal to adults and kids alike.
Choose from:
Caravan Journal 1st and 2nd Edition
And preserve those precous memories!
What’s on My Christmas List?
Personalised Enamel Mugs & Coffee Maker Set
I just love this personalised enamel mug set with an espresso maker.
We’ve found it much easier to buy nice ground coffee abroad, and an espresso maker is a lightweight compact route to great coffee in a camper!
Many people swear by an Aeropress for great coffee on the go. We didn’t get on with ours, but it was probably operator error, although it looks like they have now changed the design!
Mr. D’s NO POWER Thermal Slow Cooker
Mark – I still want one of these!
Mr D’s eco-friendly thermal cooker can save up to 80% on cooking costs and is ideal for the home, caravan, boat or just a day out. With just 10 minutes spent in the morning Mr D’s eco-friendly thermal cooker can produce a hot meal when you get home and it won’t be burnt even if you are a little late. It requires no power, and just uses residual heat, retained by insulation, to cook your food.
Jerry Can Mini Bar
I know, it’s bonkers but it’s way cool – and it so suits The Beast.
Although it is lockable, so it can keep small people out, and it’s a handy way to store your your glasses and protect them from breakage.
It’s available in various colours, to suit your decor.
Gifts That Give Back
We support Animal Charities in Albania and Dogs’ Trust. Donations, sponsorship, or volunteering can make a world of difference to these worthy causes.
But remember, “A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas.”™ – Please Don’t Give Pups as Pressies!
Check Out My Other Gift Guides!
- 32 Gifts for the Caravanner In Your Life
- 15 Best Travel Gifts That Are Also Kind To The Planet
- Or get inspired by other people’s travel stories…
Read My Books For Free with Kindle Unlimited.
FOLLOW THIS LINK to try Kindle Unlimited
Try a gift subscription. If you read more than 2 books a month, you will be winning!
And Out Now!!!
I am so proud that my story, Welcome to Kosovo has been selected for inclusion in Robert Fear’s newly released anthology, 50 Intriguing Personal Insights.
World Wide Walkies 
The towels sound like a brilliant idea, and the who wouldn’t want a jerry can bar!
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The towels are absolutely brilliant, we’ve been using ours for over a year now. And the bar… Well. I’m trying to stay off the naughty list!
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Great list…. The Karcher Vac is an absolute must and we love ours. The slow cooker is really tempting too this year!
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I honestly thought the Karcher was one of those things he’d use once then discard, but it’s fabulous.
I’ve just checked ou the Wonderbag recommended by Back Roads https://www.wonderbagworld.com/shop and that also looks great for slow cooking. I like that it supports comminities in South Africa.
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I’m always interested in lightweight and quick drying towels. Those Packtowls are interesting. At the moment I am a big fan of Dock and Bay towels. These feel soft and are nice to use but dry quickly and wash easily but I’ll keep your idea in my head for next time. And the No Cook Slow Cooker sounds brilliant for home or the ‘van, I have been wondering about getting one of those insulated fabric things to wrap your pan in to keep it cooking – the Wonderbag. You can make your own but I think if you buy one from here it subsidises one for someone in a poorer country.
https://www.wonderbagworld.com/
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I’ve been investigating towels for years – the PackTowls are the best I’ve found so far. I haven’t heard of the Dock and Bay ones, but they sound great.
And thank you for the Wonderbag – that sounds like a smashing innovation that achieves the same result without buying another product and if it subsidises someone, then all the better. I shall check it out now!
Thank you so much for sharing!
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I do like that window vacuum cleaner. That and the slow cooker would be great for my barge. Thanks you, Jackie!
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The Window Vac really surprised me. I really thought it would be relegated to the ‘things he buys, uses once, then chucks away because it’s useless’ pile, but it’s great!
I also liked the Wonderbag that Back on the Road recommendes as an alternative to the slow cooker. I really like the idea of not having to leave power on while you cook.
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The washing machine impresses me – saving on laundry costs and the wi-fi camera is going on my list, we are considering when we can safely leave Ada in the van and that would be great to keep an eye on things . That slow cooker also looks like a great idea.
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The washing machine is a game changer. Depending on where you are, there are even machines which wash and spin in the same drum, so are even more compact.
The camera gives us peace of mind. We also got a wireless temperature and humidity monitor, but that doesn’t seem to work as well as the camera. It’s probably operator error, as we’re a bit rubbish with tech, but the camera was really easy to set up.
The slow cooker is fab – you can leave it without worrying. I also liked Back Roads’ idea of the Wonderbag, which achieves the same effect with a pot you already have, and supports communities in Africa!
Thank you for reading and commenting. xx
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I am intrigued with the thermal slow cooker.
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It’s a great idea! I still want one.
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