Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
We originally bought these Kitsch Shampoo & Conditioner bars to use only for travel but quickly fell in love with them and now use them full time! They are color safe, cruelty free & vegan. Our favorite thing about the bars is that they are also eco-friendly. They come in recyclable packaging and there is no plastic involved! The other bonus – less liquids to worry about in your carry on. We recommend if you’re purchasing the bars to consider either a drying rack for your shower or little mesh bags to hang them with!
World Map & Pins
We have a large world map hanging in our apartment with pins of all the places we have traveled throughout the years. It’s an incredible visual representation of our favorite memories. We always look forward to coming home from a new place and adding a pin to our map. It’s a great way to bring travel into your home decor.
AirTag or Smart Tag
In this day and age of travel, airlines are losing baggage left and right. If the traveler in your life finds themselves checking a bag on trips this is a holiday gift MUST HAVE! It gives you peace of mind to track where your bag is. Worst case scenario when the airline can’t find where your bag is – you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly where it is! iPhone users will want to purchase the AirTag and Android users will want to purchase the Smart Tag. (Traveling with multiple people – you can get a 4-pack of AirTags for a discounted rate).
Portable Door Lock
A portable door lock can make any Airbnb or Hotel room more secure. This prevents even someone with a key from getting inside. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or a family – it’s nice to have the extra security blanket. We’ve personally used this on 3 trips now and it’s so reassuring going to bed at night knowing we have it on our door!
Sleep Mask
If you want to truly maximize sleep on a plane, an eye mask is a must! It has entirely changed the game for us when catching zzz’s on a trip. It especially came in handy when traveling to Iceland in the Summer – when the sun never set. This sleep mask is super affordable, comfortable and easy to store in a little pouch with a clip. It’s a great stocking stuffer for the traveler in your life!
Airtight Storage Bags & Pump
This gift idea is for the traveler in your life who only ever brings a carry-on! We recently invested in these and they have changed the game when packing for a long trip with a small bag. The portable pump is rechargeable and small enough to pack with you. The vacuum bags help shrink down even the bulkiest of clothes (example – we went to Scandinavia at the end of last Winter for 8 days and only brought a carry-on thanks to these)!
Under Eye Masks
Help beat the jet-lag (& bags under your eyes) after a long flight and invest in some eye masks! Any tired traveler will appreciate these. We typically bring 1-2 on every trip and often will wear them on the flight before landing! It’s a small way to feel pampered, even if you’re flying coach. We personally use the Grace & Stella brand but there are so many fantastic options out there.
Fuji Film Camera
This was actually a gift Mark gave me one year for our anniversary and I love it! We bring our Fuji Film Camera on every trip with a roll of film and try to capture 10 memories that will remind us of that destination. In a world where you can snap 100 photos in 30 seconds, it’s nice to have an unpolished & authentic moment on film. This gift is on the pricier side but any travel lover will be thrilled to receive something they can bring to capture their journeys.
Kindle
If the traveler in your life is also a reader, we recommend getting them a Kindle! Books are heavy to lug around on a trip so this lightweight option is an easy solution. I thought I was always a book girl until I met my Kindle. Now I can have multiple books for a trip without such a heavy backpack! We also recommend getting them a Kindle case so they can easily hold or prop up their Kindle while on the go.
Bluetooth Camera Remote
Every traveler has experienced a time when they’ve asked someone to take their photo and the picture came out terrible! This small but mighty gift can help alleviate that. We’ve used it on our adventures to snap photos of us without needing to ask someone. It works best if you have a tripod to use, but we’ve also had luck propping up our phone and just winging it! The remote connects via bluetooth to your phone and you can click the button to start a video or snap a photo up to 30 ft away.
Cross Body Bag
When I tell you that this cross body has changed the travel game for me – I’m not kidding. It’s very reasonably priced, comes in a variety of colors and fits a lot more than you would think (including your passport & cell phone). Since ordering it earlier this year, this bag has traveled to London, Paris, Stockholm, Helsinki, Los Angeles, Amalfi Coast & Panama City – and it’s still hanging in there! Honestly – this gift doesn’t even have to go to a traveler, I use it when commuting to work in Boston too.
Silicone Wedding Band
Is your partner adventurous? Are you traveling a lot? Mark and I almost never wear our actual wedding band & engagement ring while traveling (for safety reasons). Mark recently discovered these silicone wedding bands that he loves! They’re more durable than other brands (he tried a few before that broke after a few weeks). He’s able to be on the move without having to stress about losing or damaging his ring.
Travel Book
If you know that the traveler in your life has an upcoming trip somewhere – it would be really thoughtful to get them a book about where they’re going. Now I’m not talking about a guide book (while they are nice, the internet has made them less valuable) but something to do with the culture or food. Picture this: They’re traveling to Sicily and you buy them a Sicilian cookbook. Or they’re traveling to Finland and you buy them a book on the Finnish word Sisu. (The latter example we did for Mark’s Mom last year before our trip to Helsinki)! It’s always fun to learn more about where you’re visiting.
Cozy Socks
Ok so this one may feel a bit strange – like how does it relate to travel?! If the traveler in your life typically packs light, these socks are a game-changer. There’s usually no room for slippers in your suitcase – so I use these as a replacement. They’re my “around the hotel” socks to avoid touching any cold floors or outdated rugs. I love these because they are the softest socks I’ve ever worn and keep my feet nice and cozy. Truthfully – this could be a good gift for anyone!
Away Suitcase
Last but not least, I cannot write this Holiday Travel Gift Guide without mentioning our favorite suircase: Away. While they are on the pricier end, the quality is 100% there. I’ve had mine for over 5 years now and it’s been all around the world – survived the cobblestone streets of Europe, and it’s just as functional as ever. They have various carry-on size options, and we recommend using their comparison tool so you can find what works best for you. Use our referral code to save $20 off your first order!
For more of our favorite travel products, visit our Amazon Storefront. We hope you found this travel gift guide helpful – wishing you a safe & happy holiday season!
