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Hey friends—we’re two years into full-time Airstream life (and counting), and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that storage is sacred and every single thing we carry has to earn its square footage. So when we say these are the twelve gifts we actually use and constantly reach for, we mean it. These aren’t “cute RV gifts” that end up on Facebook Marketplace in March. These are the things that have made our life on the road easier, cozier, and way more fun.
Here are the twelve gifts that are currently living (and working overtime) in our 28-foot aluminum home we call Gemini.
1. Our Outland Portable Fire Pit
We’re obsessed with our Outland Fire Bowl. It’s out of the truck every almost every single night, and we can use it even when we’re in burn-ban territory. Zero smoke in our faces, packs down small, and Jim’s converted it to use the LP quick connect on the Airstream. If you prefer a traditional wood fire, we highly recommend the amazing Solo Stove. Campfire vibes without the laundry penalty—yes please.
Outland Propane Fire Pits: https://amzn.to/4p9PF3Y
Solo Stove: https://airstreamer.life/solostove
How to Convert a Fire Bowl to Quick Connect: https://youtu.be/EQ6PKNJa3pE
2. The Tire Inflator That Topped off ALL Of Our Tires on a Single Charge!
The Etenwolf Vortex S6 Tire Inflator has been a game changer for us. It’s self contained with a 19200 mAh battery, so no more popping the hood of the tow vehicle to connect the compressor to the battery. Just attach the fill hose to the tire stem valve, set the pressure, and tap the start button. It inflates the tire quickly and automatically stops when the desired pressure is reached. If your RVer doesn’t have one yet, you’ll be their hero.
Etenwolf Vortex S6: https://amzn.to/4oiCoVD
3. Candles That Make Our Tiny Home Smell Amazing (Without Overpowering It)
Sometimes our Airstream can get smelling, well, a little funky, so we like to burn candles to freshen the air. We have found two lightly scented candles that we’re obsessed with. The first is Annex handmade soy candles. These soy wax candles have dual wicks and are in beautiful handmade ceramic jars. Plus, the come with a free small bonus candle so you can sample another scent.
Second is the Pootes 16oz Scented Candle with up to 100+ hours burn time. This one is in an amber tinted glass jar with a screw-off lid. We love the Sage scent.
With a light and subtle scent, both of these candles are perfect for small spaced like an RV.
Annex handmade soy candles: https://amzn.to/4rkwbel
Pootes 16oz Scented Candles: https://amzn.to/3M4UKMs
4. Caprine Angora Socks from Red Falcon Ranch
We discovered these on our Crater To Caverns stop in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Michelle fell in love with them. They’re made from the mohair of their own angora goats—insanely soft, temperature-regulating, and tougher than they have any right to be. Michelle got The Cabin Sock in Dove Grey and she’s worn them almost daily and they still look brand new. Get two pairs; you’ll fight over them.
Caprine Socks: https://shopcaprine.com?sca_ref=9875707.R2p7SJPZUh
5. Beech Lane Leveling system (The Only Ones We’ll Ever Use Again)
We’ve tried every block under the sun. The Beech Lane curved levelers are stupid-simple, stay put on gravel, and we can level side-to-side in under two minutes. Paired with their Beech Lane Leveler in the rig, our leveling is super simple and we sleep perfectly flat every single night.
Beech Lane Levelers: https://amzn.to/3XnsTcA
Beech Lane Wireless RV Leveling System: https://amzn.to/4pAbDNl
6. Our Instant Pot (Yes, We Have One in a 28-Footer)
The 6-quart lives on the floor of the wardrobe when we’re driving, then earns its keep making chili, risotto, or whole chickens in 45 minutes flat. One-pot meals = fewer dishes = happy full-timers.
The 6qt Instant Pot We Use: https://amzn.to/4io0KvA
7. We LOVE our America the Beautiful Pass
Ours is the Senior Lifetime version (best $80 we ever spent at 62!). Wallace Stegner wasn’t kidding when he called our National Parks “America’s best idea.”
→ Gift the standard annual America the Beautiful Pass with our link below (it’s mail-order friendly!).
Note: The Senior Lifetime and Military Lifetime passes still have to be purchased in person at any National Park or Federal recreation site—worth the stop!
America The Beautiful Pass: https://airstreamer.life/ATB
8. Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome Memberships
We’ve slept at wineries in California, an alpaca farm in Nevada, and a kitten rescue/ sanctuary in Florida— all for the price of a “Hi, thanks for letting us stay!” Gifting a membership is like gifting a year of the coolest overnight spots.
Harvest Hosts: https://airstreamer.life/harvest
9. Our Giant USA Sticker Map
It’s mounted on the inside of our door. Every new state we camp in gets a shiny decal. Currently at 26 states and the looks we get from neighbors walking by are priceless. “You’ve been to NORTH DAKOTA?!”
USA Sticker Map: https://amzn.to/3XHytXD
10. Ransom Notes—The Game That Keeps on Giving
This ridiculous magnetic-word game has caused more laugh-till-you-cry moments around our picnic table than anything else we own. Games can make the very best camping memories—the kind you still quote years later. We liked it so much we bought a second set for our son and a third for our daughter. Now every family meet-up turns into an epic battle of the weirdest sentences. It’s small, indestructible, and guaranteed to make new campground friends in under five minutes.
Ransom Notes Game: https://amzn.to/487CA5d
11. Thermacell—Our Mosquito Force Field
We have three. The lantern equipped one is on the picnic table, The others clipped to us on hikes. Mosquitoes used to chase us inside by 6 p.m. in the South. Now we stay out until the stars come up. Life. Changing.
Thermacell Portable: https://amzn.to/48GoYOs
Thermacell Refills: https://app.rockporch.com/prdlink/4DPvkp66vE
12. Walkie Talkies (Because Yelling “Left! No, YOUR Left!” Gets Old)
We use them for backing into sites, hiking slot canyons, and when one of us runs to the camp store. Ten times better than cheap walkie-talkies—clear for miles and indestructible.
Good Walkie Talkies: https://app.rockporch.com/prdlink/FsjBJF2fyV
These twelve things have logged thousands of miles with us and still look (and work) like new. If you wrap up even one of them, you’ll officially be the favorite gift-giver in the campground.
Which one’s going on your wishlist (or your partner’s)? Tell us in the comments—We are always looking for an excuse to justify another Amazon or REI order. 😏
Safe travels & happy gifting!
And, We’ll see you down the road.