Best Gifts for Travelers for Christmas

Same idea but for the readers who prefer to listen.  You can gift 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. If you’ve never tried Audible before, you can sign up for the free trial to see if it’d be a good gift.  Try it free Here.

They are much smaller and more lightweight than my previous headphones and with the advanced noise-canceling technology, the comfortable ear pads, and great quality sound out there these make long-haul plane flights bearable.  You can control the volume and skip songs at the touch of a finger and they don’t cover your ears so they are easy to sleep with. If you travel on a plane anywhere these days you have to have a pair of these headphones. Plus with extended battery life these are a must-have.

One of our favorite sleep masks, this pure silk mask has been recommended by dermatologists and beauty experts for its crease-resistant properties. Silk doesn’t tug on the delicate skin around the eyes like cotton or other fabrics would, giving it an anti-aging reputation. Slip also makes silk pillowcases, which offer similar benefits to skin and promote soft, frizz-free hair.

COOLIFE’s stylishly simplistic luggage has become a favorite with travelers for its indestructible design, easy internal organization, and built-in TSA Lock. You can shop both carry-ons and checked luggage, or even an entire matching set. 

Herschel makes some of my favorite bags (check the next item too). I love the Retreat backpack because it can be used as a small daypack or for longer adventures. There’s also a Pro version that has a larger volume if you’re looking for use a backpack as your only bag. A large compartment, fleece-lined laptop sleeve, padded straps, and drawstring closure and magnetic straps, this is a great pack.  Add in a lifetime guarantee and it’s even better.

The Novel is a perfect weekender bag that features a functional side-access shoe compartment to keep your footwear separate and accessible.  The Novel duffel comes in 3 sizes to fit whatever kind of packer you are or whatever trip you’re going on.  

The Base Camp Duffel is a classic North Face selection.  I’ve used this bag on 6 continents.  It’s made it through some rugged airports, to the top of Kilimanjaro, and all over Europe.  It’s huge and can be used as either a duffel with a side strap or as a backpack for easier carrying.  

Luggage Tags are an inexpensive item that almost any travel could use.  While you can find luggage tags in almost any store, why not get a personalized one that looks a little more sophisticated than your average.  This one from Little Dot Studio is exactly that. 

Inspired by the natural resources of Iceland, Skyn’s products are 100 percent vegan and the packaging is recyclable. There are a ton of moisturizers and serums to choose from, but these eye, forehead, and smile line gel patches are the next best thing to a jet lag cure, and feature mineral-packed Icelandic glacial water and arctic cloudberry and cranberry seed oils to revive skin and reduce signs of aging or excessive red-eyes—making it the ultimate essential for post-trip pampering.

Think of this as the modern version of the pressed penny souvenir: The vegetable-tanned keychain can be customized with engraved tokens for every state, country, or continent visited. Plus, with every order, a meal is donated to a child in need.

For those who always prefer their own bed (and bedding), this wrinkle-averse organic cotton pillow and eye mask set has you covered. Pro tip: Opt for navy or gray so the sheets don’t get lost—and woefully left behind—in hotel or Airbnb bedding.

This trio of limited edition botanical soaps is inspired by national parks across the country and crafted in collaboration with the Parks Project, with five percent of every purchase supporting conservation works. The refreshing Acadia scent blends scotch pine and rock rose with exfoliating seaweed, while creamy Redwood is infused with juniper and fir needle lushness, and Zion mixes sage and sabino cedar—all of which put an especially fragrant spin on forest bathing. Bonus: The bars are wrapped in pretty printed paper that eliminates the need for gift wrap.

It’s no secret that cabin air and cold weather do a number on our skin. Combat dryness and a travel-weary complexion with a soothing spritz of this hydrating treatment mist during your next flight, or whenever you need a mid-day pick-me-up. 

Remember the days when you put a pin on a world map to mark where you’ve been? Now there’s something better. This has a gold foil layer that you can scratch off as you go and keep track of where you have been. Create your own wall art by showing off your travels and don’t worry about buying those pins to go with it. This is perfect for the person who is dreaming of traveling around the world.

For the creative traveler, this unconventional journal has far more to it than blank pages waiting to be filled. It’s beautifully illustrated from cover to cover and offers fun challenges and prompts that encourage users to explore the world in a more whimsical way.

The most satisfying way to get to know a place is through its food — and it doesn’t require leaving home, thanks to a new generation of artisanal subscription services. One of our favorites is Try The World, which curates a selection of snacks, ingredients, and beverages from a different country every month.

Airline baggage fees are getting out of control. They charge you for everything.  To ensure you don’t get hit with paying extra, use a portable digital luggage scale.  The portable option helps save you time looking for a scale or readjusting your bags at the counter.

Whether you’re reading a travelogue, flipping through a guidebook, learning about the world’s best road trips, or just looking at pictures of amazing scenery, books are a great way to get inspiration for your next trip or get a taste of wanderlust when you can’t travel at the moment.  My favorite guide books are Lonely Planet.  And I always love a Bill Bryson book.  The link below will take you to some other great options.

These Merrell merino wool socks feel great to the touch, featuring excellent absorbency and wicking properties thanks to the natural characteristics of merino wool.  They are highly recommended as everyday wear in the cold seasons but also make great travel socks because of their natural anti-bacterial and odor-resistant properties.  Plus they just feel so cozy.

Also look at our hygge gift guide for even more coziness.

Travel Pillows are perfect for long-haul flights, uncomfortable busses, and airport naps.  Every traveler could benefit from a good travel pillow to your comfort in transit and feel better and more well-rested when you arrive at your destination.  Trtl Pillows are the best on the market and seem to be on everyone’s must-have list this year.