BLOG

travel

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers

November 18, 2023

Tips and Hacks, Travel

Each Christmas or birthday, either my brother or my mom will text asking for gift ideas. As someone who is obsessed with traveling the world, my typical go-to’s are travel-related items that make our travels easier, more luxurious or simply better. So, without further ado, here is our ultimate holiday gift guide for the adventurers on your list.

Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers

I’m all about convenience these days, so I’ll include links for quick and easy shopping. Some of these links may include affiliate links, which just means that we may get compensated if you decide to buy from from one of these sellers. If you do, thanks for supporting us!

Also, keep in mind that each item we list is either something we own, have owned and/or used, or actually want. Happy shopping!

30 Top Gift Suggestions For The Avid Traveler In Your Life

Top item on the Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers

#1 Portable Power Bank ($18)

The first item on our holiday gift guide for travelers is this Portable Power Bank.

You can ask Joe, I am notorious for always keeping my phone at “about to die” battery level. He buys these things in bulk. Ha!

This one, by Anker, is the one we use the most. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and it works perfectly. Highly recommend throwing one (or two) of these in everyone’s Christmas stocking this year!

Top christmas gift for travelers

#2 Tumi Overnight Tote ($195)

Of the several totes we own, this one is our all-time favorite. It’s worth every penny! It folds up so well, fits nicely into the included bag, or tucks perfectly into the smallest spaces. Plus, it holds a ton! It goes with us on every single trip.

#3 Briggs & Riley Spinner Carry-On ($629)

Stylish and lightweight luggage with a lifetime warranty?! Yes, please! Joe and I had a “luggage disaster” mid-trip in Beverly Hills (more on that another time), which is when we discovered Briggs & Riley. It was one of those moments where you refuse to by cheaply-made luggage ever again. Purchasing a whole travel set is definitely one of the best investments we’ve ever made. Now all of our luggage (except for a few of our totes) is matching Briggs & Riley, and it makes a world of difference—the ease with which they glide through terminal corridors, the craftsmanship and durability, the featherweight design… I could go on and on! Plus, they offer a lifetime guarantee! Check out more Briggs & Riley items.

#4 Apple Air Tags 4 Pack ($86)

Dealing with lost luggage is the absolute worst. If you share this feeling, your luggage is probably overflowing with costly new items you purchased for that amazing trip you’ve planned. The last thing on your mind is the possibility of your luggage going missing or being stolen, especially during the chaos of holiday travel.

That’s why we love Apple Air Tags 4 Pack. Simply toss these little guys into each of your bags and track their journey to (fingers crossed!) your final destination on the app. Including these in everyone’s Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers is a no-brainer this year.

#5 Luggage Strap ($9)

Stocking stuffer alert! These petite straps are an absolute game-changer and worth every penny! Imagine rushing through an airport with a loose tote bag precariously sitting on top of your rolling carry-on… all it takes is one uneven surface or a slight incline, and you quickly realize the value of these straps. Trust me, I know from experience.

#6 Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Headphones ($200+)

Airplanes and airports are filled with noises of all kinds, from screaming children to airport workers to the chatter of the countless people running to and from their gates. It’s chaos. And I love it! But, sometimes you want to tune out and listen to your fav podcast, book or musician. Whatever your preference, noise-cancelling headphones are a must for long travel days! While we don’t own these, I’m really hoping Santas has them on my list. 🙂

#7 Universal Travel Adapter ($59)

This is the best travel adapter we’ve found! Perfect for anyone visiting the UK, Continental Europe, Italy, Australia, Thailand, France, Russia, Iceland, Netherlands, Argentina and other countries around the world. Such a great gift for any travel lover on your list!

#8 Paraval Packing Cubes ($65)

Stylish, affordable and practical, the perfect item on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers. These Paraval Packing Cubes are the ideal gift for any traveler on your list this year. Joe and I each getting a set from Santa this year (monogrammed, of course)!

#9 Bum Bum Cream ($45)

If your travel obsessed friend or family member also happen to love the beach, or is planning a beach trip, then this may be the perfect gift for them! Imagine sun bathing on the beaches of Brazil, the tanned sun-kissed bodies of beautiful Brazilians all around you-you would have no other choice but to feel like a sun goddess. That’s exactly what this smells like. You will be transformed! I also have the Bum Bum Body Oil!

#10 The Best Hand Cream ($11)

Winter weather and air travel dry my skin out something awful. This is by the The Best Hand Cream I have come across. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for your travel loving (or winter loathing) friend or loved it!

#11 ANYTHING Rituals Skincare (from $8)

I discovered the Rituals brand while traveling through Europe and I became obsessed! The quality and scents are insane and the price point means you can try a few of their products at a time. That’s why anything from this brand is on my Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers.

My fav item: Foaming Shower Gel AMAZING!

#12 2 PK Cotton Sleep Mask ($15)

Aww, sleep… Some people can sleep anywhere. I wish I were one of those people. Instead I need it to be dark, so those long haul flights that go across time zones are not my friend. As a necessary evil for those of us that are travel obsessed, we must find simple solutions to help us cope. These cotton sleep masks are great for airplanes, airports and hotels where there is just too much light. We’re big fans of face masks! If you prefer silk or satin, this one is another go-to that we love.

#13 Leopard Tumbler ($29)

The Stanley Tumbler ($45) is all the rage, but I’m here to tell you that the Leopard Tumbler is truly where it’s at. To be honest, I don’t have a Stanley Tumbler, but I do have the Leopard Tumbler and my drinks stay cold forever, plus it’s super stylish. That’s why its #13 on my Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers list of awesome gifts for your travel loving friend or family member.

#14 Rebecca Minkoff Tote ($195)

This is not the exact tote that I have, but mine is a Rebecca Minkoff and I really love how she has classic, yet edgy, styles. I’ve had my Rebecca Minkoff Tote for a few years now and it has definitely taken a beating. I am notoriously rough on pretty much everything, and this bag looks practically new. For less than $200 it’s a total steal!

#15 Bum Bum Beach Travel Kit ($30)

All roads (aka gifts) lead back to the bum bum. ha! Can you tell I’m craving a beach trip and not looking forward to the looming chilly winter weather? Anyway, here we find at #15 on our list the Bum Bum Beach Travel Kit. Ideal for anyone craving sunshine and warm weather, but even better for those planning their spring break getaway. If they’re not familiar with the brand, they will thank you.

Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers Continues

#16 Glass Jar ($49) Another great option ($12)

This should actually be #1 on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers, as it’s our all-time favorite! It’s a MEMORY JAR!

To give an empty Glass Jar may seem like an odd gift, but the trick is to include a note explaining that this jar is to hold their travel memories. Joe and I started our travel jars the first year we met and now have one for each year of our relationship.

Use the jar to collect ticket stubs, maps, photos, and handwritten notes that include memorable details like who attended what and why you gathered. Date Night Idea: In the new year we pop open a bottle of Champagne and go through our far of memories.

#17 Hanging Toiletry Bag ($25)

This Hanging Toiletry Bag is perfect for anyone on your list that has a lot of products… It’s a must for our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers. Joe and I both love our products, it’s a real problem. But, one that we’re not willing to change. ha! This Hanging Toiletry Bag is one that I use to organize all of the cosmetics and accoutrements that keep us feeling fresh and ready for the next destination.

#18 Another Packing Cube Option ($20)

These Packing Cubes are such a steal at $20. We have this exact set and use them on every trip we take. I even use them to organize clothing items into seasons. All swimsuits and cover-ups in one ready for that impromptu beach trip…. (Santa, please take the hint). This is a great gift for anyone on your list but especially on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers.

#19 Spa Slippers ($29)

If you’ve ever stayed in a luxury hotel you know how great it is when they give you a set of slippers. This is one sure way to make sure your travels are a bit more luxurious, hence why these Spa Slippers are on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers. This is $29 for a set of 6 sets! Love these!

#20 Travel Steamer ($30)

I love gifts that are stylish and practical. The holidays (and our lives in general) are already filled with too much fluff, so practical gifts are where I’m at this year. This Travel Steamer is pretty, compact and stylish! The perfect addition to our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers and an item the recipient is sure to love. Plus, it’s under $40 so it a win-win.

#21 Travel Jars ($11)

These affordable travel jars are super cute and the perfect size for carry-on. While I do LOVE the Cadence space saving capsules, I have yet to justify the expense. Especially since Joe and I both love our products we would easily spend $400-500 on these capsules…. but if Cadence want’s to sponsor us, we’re in! ha! Anyway, on our mostly affordable Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers, we’re adding these Travel Jars, they’re similar to the ones I use.

#22 Language Translator Device ($389)

This item on our Ultimate Gift Guide for Travelers is for the serious traveler on your list. This very cool product helps anyone to easily communicate in whatever country they find themselves in. We don’t have one, but I can tell you of many instances this would have come in handy. We’re definitely adding it to our own holiday gift list.

#23 Travel Notebooks ($26)

Much like our travel memory jar, this is a fantastic gift for any traveler on your list this year. As we get older our memory tends to fade a bit, so we’re big fans of documenting as much as possible, plus I love the art of handwriting. I write down everything! So many sticky notes… ha! Anyway, this is a fun and affordable gift on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers.


#24 Travel Cup Holder ($16)

I love this Travel Cup Holder! Great for busy travel days at the airport when you need a coffee, but have limited space for all of your things. Have friends or family who travel for work? This could be the perfect item on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers.

#25 Apple Airpods Pro ($229)

Joe and I received our Apple Airpods Pro from my parents last year for Christmas and they have been the best gift! We use them at the gym, when traveling, when Joe is watching yet another show about cars, and whenever we want to tune out the rest of the world around us. Not the least expensive item on our holiday gift guide for your travelers, but a good one!

#26 Insoles ($9)

While not a sexy gift, these Insoles are always on our list of travel must-haves and would be perfect stocking stuffers for anyone on your list. Sounds crazy, but their feet and your wallet will thank you.

#27 Revlon One-Step Volumizer ($42)

There are so many options out there when it comes to a Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush combo tool. But this is the exact one I have and I love it, so very much! It’s not compact, but it’s so worth it. This is seriously the best $42 you’ll spend on yourself (hello ideal gift candidate), your favorite travel loving person, or frankly anyone with hair long enough to need this. Buy it!

#28 Redken Soft ($50)

Y’all my hair has been struggling. Admittedly we went from the US to Mexico, to Italy, to Morocco, to Portugal back to the US and then spent 6 months in the dry air of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Not to mention I went vegetarian in the middle of all of that! My skin and hair are still in recovery mode. That being said, I have discovered a few products that are game-changers and Redken Soft is one of those. Not I won’t travel without it!

#29 Brics Tote ($150)

Yes, another tote on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers. Ha! I just love organizing all of our things in stylish bags and this Brics Tote is a fantastic option that is both stylish and functional.

Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers: Travel Tech

#30 Tripit Pro ($49 annually)

Last but not least, the final item on our Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers is some travel tech. We’ve been using TripIt Pro for several years now and it’s worth so much more than the annual cost. While there is a free version (YAY!!) the paid Pro version is fantastic for any avid traveler who travels via airplane. The Pro version notifies you of gate changes and flight delays, plus so much more! Definitely worth checking out.

Well, there you have it. Our top 30 items that (just about) every traveler would love!

Let me know if you have any other suggestions that should be on our list, or if you too love one of these items. I’d love to hear form you!

Happy holidays and cheers to your next adventure!

Need an an amazing, award-winning, bilingual graphic designer? Check out Maystorm Studio
Searching for an interior designer obsessed with in-person guest experience? Check out Teal and Taupe
Ready to plan your lavish vacay, destination wedding or group getaway? Contact us, we can help! 

help us support more amazing travels!

Work with us

Share your comments, questions, thoughts, ideas, theories, hopes, dreams, opinions and travel experiences below. We're so excited you're here!

We'd Love to hear from you!

Don't Be Shy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *