We finally made it to the tropics and while we have most of what we need on the boat, there are some things that we believe make cruising life more livable/comfortable. I thought I’d share a few of these items in case you are searching for gift ideas for your female cruising friends. In addition, you might want to peruse the list from last year, Ten Sailing Christmas Ideas for Her!
- Cuisinart Bread Maker, Compact: When one of my friends said this bread machine would come in handy in the islands, I thought it would be a luxury, not necessarily a must have. However, having lived in the Caribbean for the last 8 months, this machine has come in extremely handy. Unless you are moored near a nice bakery, decent bread can be difficult to find because the grocery stores are frequently out of bread. I use the bread maker not only to make bread but also pizza dough which can be frozen for a later date. Pizza is a quick meal I can throw together at moment notice as I keep cooked sausage, sauce, and vegetables in the freezer most of the time. Oh, and you may want to know the electrical draw of this bread maker is very low. We can use it at anchor without turning on the generator.
- Vital Wheat Gluten: As a stocking stuffer for the bread machine (if you are not sensitive to gluten), you will find that this product allows whole wheat bread to rise better and have a nice texture. I could not find this in Grenada, so I ordered it from Amazon and brought it back from the States.
- Lunatec Odor-Free Dishcloths: Another great stocking stuffer are these delightful dishcloths. They have scrubbing ability and will dry between washes (when hung up) in even the most humid environments. These are a must have for me.
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker: There is much debate over this device and some prefer an air fryer/pressure cooker combo or a stovetop pressure cooker. I have no experience with an air fryer, but the reason I prefer the electric pressure cooker over the stovetop is that I do not have to use the propane stove allowing the saloon to stay cooler. I use the instant pot for all kinds of things such as pasta meals (no boiling water, steam, or heat from stove), one pot mash potatoes and meatloaf dinner, and chicken and rice, etc. I find this device very versatile and while it does take up some room on the boat, I believe the benefits outweigh this inconvenience:
- a. the reduction in saloon heat
- b. the little amount of electricity it uses
- c. the quickness of cooking meals
- d. the safeness of cooking underway
- e. the ease in cleaning up.
- Thus, this is one of my go-to galley appliances at least weekly if not more!
- Columbia’s Women’s Arcadia li Jacket: Having a lightweight rain jacket is essential in the tropical environment. Cruisers need a breathable, but waterproof jacket as it is too hot and humid for heavier jackets. I have been very happy with this jacket and find it invaluable during passages, hiking through the jungle or running daily errands. The jacket also fits well and looks attractive.
- Portable Neck Rechargeable Personal Hands-Free Fan: Ok don’t laugh! A friend of mine gave me one of these for my birthday and I am enjoying it so much! It is truly hot and humid here. When the wind is calm, this personal neck fan provides a nice breeze on my face and neck while hiking. The fan is rechargeable and does not need batteries. Check it out!
- Aqua Sphere Swim Goggles: A great way to stay in shape when living on a boat is swimming. I prefer these swim masks rather than the small swim goggles because I think they leak less, adhere to my face better and do not bother my eyes. These goggles allow me to swim with ease.
- Toadfish Non-Tipping Can Cooler for 12oz Can or Toadfish Anchor Non-Tipping Universal Cup Holder: We love these non-tipping holders. They will suction to a smooth surface even at a slight angle and firmly hold a can, a yeti cup or even a portable VHF radio. They are handy when you are outside in the cockpit underway. It is nice that you can order these from Amazon now.
Toadfish Can Holder - Rechargeable Portable Fans: These are a duplicate suggestion from last year, but I MUST mention them again because these fans are a saving grace as it’s not practical to run the AC all the time! We have several of them on our boat. They can be clipped in the bedroom, saloon, galley or even in the cockpit during cocktail hour. We love that they are rechargeable and will run for 8 hours on medium speed without having to be plugged in. If your female friend or wife does not have these handy fans on board, I would make at least one, and maybe more, a priority!
- Rechargeable Disco Wireless Sound Activated Party Light: Full disclosure, we haven’t used this yet to any degree, but a friend gave it to us, and I think it will be a nice addition to a boat happy hour along with our Toadfish holders and rechargeable fans. I do believe we will be the life of the dock or at the very least, quite a nuisance! Nevertheless, it looks fun!
We hope this list helps as you begin shopping for your female cruising partners and friends. If you have other recommendations for Christmas gifts, leave your ideas in the comment box below.
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use the links and make a purchase on Amazon, we will make a small commission, without any extra cost to you. We try to share purchases that we find beneficial in our cruising life in hopes they may be helpful to you too.)
We pray this holiday season finds each of you happy and healthy! Remember that while gifts are one way to show you care, there are many other significant ways to express your friendship and love! Happy Holidays!
Our days in Grenada are drawing to a close for this season. So stay tuned as we begin to wander our way up through the Caribbean Island chain. If you are not receiving emails regarding new posts, and wish to, complete the following form.
