A Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers
It's that time of year when you may be looking for the perfect gift for travelers in your life (or maybe even yourself). As someone who has tried a lot of products over my many years of traveling, I definitely have...opinions. So I thought I would share what items I recommend for the adventurers, explorers, and wanderers on your list this holiday season.
I've organized this guide by price point—from thoughtful finds under $25 to investment pieces over $100—to help you find something meaningful within your budget. These aren't just things I think are nice in theory—these are the products I actually use, pack repeatedly, and would genuinely recommend to a friend. Some solve annoying travel problems you didn't know had solutions, while others are simply tried-and-true essentials that have earned their permanent spot in my suitcase.
I hope this guide helps you find something special, for someone you love.
Under $25
These mesh zipper bags are great for organizing your bag. I use them everywhere - in my luggage, in my personal item, and even at home to organize my purse.
A scarf with hidden zipper pocket is the perfect item to keep your money and other important items close to you and out of the eyes of pickpockets.
Travel sporks are one of those things that you don’t realize you need until you do. I pack one with me on every trip.
Travel hangers are not only a great item for those who do laundry on the road, but are a great item to toss into your carry on even for short trip.
A digital luggage scale isn’t the most exciting gift, but in this day and age when airlines are become more and more strict on weight limits, it’s truly indispensable.
Matador’s FlatPak Soap Bar Case is one of my favorite travel items of all time. It keeps wet soap from getting the rest of your stuff messy, but also allows it to dry out. Magic!
A Heroclip is another item doesn’t seem essential until you start using one. It’s a carabiner that can turn into a hook. I always have at least one with me when I travel, and I’ve used it for everything from clipping something to my backpack to hanging up my purse in bathrooms where there’s no hook available.
Let me introduce you to my favorite luggage tag. The engraved tags from Little Dot Studio are one of my favorite things to gift people. One year I gave each member of my family a tag, and they all loved it. They’re just beautiful, simple, and sturdy. And honestly, what do you need from a luggage tag?
gifts $25-$50
Fitkicks Classics are what I slip into during long flights to keep my feet cozy, but also protect them from dirty plane floors.
If you’re trying to carry fewer liquids, the 100 Senses Ultimate Body Bar is your answer. It’s a multi-purpose bar that smells DIVINE, and it’s the perfect partner for the Matador soap bar bag I mentioned above. It will last for many adventures!
Speaking of charging things, this Minix power brick is another way I’m able to keep my packing small. Paired with a couple of convertible cords, I’m able to keep everything charged and working.
Travel pillows come in all shapes and forms, but the Trtl Travel Pillow is the only one that helps me get even a wink of sleep on long flights. I had one for ages that I lost somewhere in the Paris airport while going through security, and I immediately bought another.
I’ve said it before, but I think journaling is essential while traveling, and having the perfect pen makes the process even more enjoyable. The Wren pen by Tom’s Studio is tiny but mighty. I love how small and packable it is, how eco-friendly it is, and how it can be loaded up with any ink you wish. Plus, it writes like butter!
Speaking of sleep, the Manta sleep mask is what I reach for both while traveling and at home. It has comfy eye cups that allow eyes to breathe and also creates a blackout environment. I used to wake up with stabbing eye pain after using other masks, and Manta has solved it!
Having your own music to listen to while hanging out in your hotel room is a wonderful way to make your experience away from home more personal. This JBL travel speaker is small and has incredible sound for its size.
This Zojirushi water bottle is the perfect travel companion - it’s small, lightweight, leakproof, and insulated.
gifts $50-$100
It’s always smart to take an external power bank to charge on the go. The Nitecore Power bank is pricey compared to others, but worth the cost due to its compact size and light weight (it’s made from carbon fiber).
I love my ESR 3-in-1 charger. It lets me pack everything I need for charging my phone, watch, and iPods in one small form factor. It also takes up minimal space on your hotel nightstand (why are they so small sometimes???).
The AirFly Pro transmitter is a game-changer for in-air entertainment. It allows you to use your own wireless headphones while watching airline entertainment. No more getting tangled in cords when letting your seat mates out to use the restroom!
Workout bands are a great way to get in some resistance training while away from home. I like the ones from Undersun, but there are many different options to choose from.
Do you have a frequent traveler in your life? A hotel-style luggage rack could be the perfect gift! It keeps dirty luggage off of furniture (because seriously, where has it been?) and makes packing just a little more comfortable. It’s also great place for guests to set their luggage when they come to visit.
I no longer travel without Apple AirTags. I throw on in my suitcase, one in my personal item. It’s such a relief to be able to see where your bags are at any time.
Gifts $100+
I consider noise-cancelling headphones to be an essential travel item, and I adore my Bose Quietcomfort Headphones. Over ear are more comfortable (for me) for long flights, and the noise-cancelling is unmatched! iPods and other small form-factor headphones are also great for travel.
When I need more mobility or I’m going someplace a little more rugged, I grab my Cotopaxi Allpa backpack for packing. I love the fun colors, and the 28 liter is the perfect size for a minimalist packer like me. I also appreciate the interior organization.
However, when I’m looking to pack a more traditional suitcase, I reach for my Lojel Cubo. Rather than having a clamshell design, Lojel packs like a bucket. I love this form factor because I can open it like a tiny chest of drawers while traveling which keep everything organized, and it’s also easier to access items while on the move.
There’s the age-old argument between totes and backpacks as being the better personal item for travel, but weight being more evenly distributed and having my hands free makes backpacks the winner for me. The Day Owl Pro Backpack is usually what I carry as my personal item and it’s served me well!
Photography is really really important to me. Phones have gotten really good at taking high-quality photos, but as someone with a background in photography, I still prefer using a real camera. I’m in love with my Ricoh GRiiix because of how portable it is without sacrificing image quality.
Is your traveler also a big reader? Gifting an e-reader is the way to their heart. I recently switched over to the Kobo Libra Color reader from the Kindle, and it’s been a wonderful device to read on!
Walking around all day on a trip can really put a strain on your feet, so good shoes are a must. I’m a huge fan of Suav Shoes and Kizik Shoes. Suavs are light, breathable, comfortable and because they have knit uppers, they pack down small. Kizik’s unique “step into” system make them ideal for situations where you constantly need to take shoes on and off (Japan anyone?), have trouble bending over (I lived in these shoes during surgery recovery!) and they’re incredible comfortable too.
And the most obvious choice - an airline gift card! Just go directly to your airline of choice and purchase.
I hope this list gave you some ideas for a perfect gift for the travelers in your life! Or maybe it’s time to get yourself a little holiday gift too!
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hi there, I’m angi the founder of roam & gather. My mission is to curate joy-centered, small group journeys that are relaxed, intimate, and rooted in culture, community and slowness.
Roam & Gather is a small travel company offering soul-nourishing, curated travel experiences that help connect people with global communities, like-minded travelers and themselves.
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