The Travel Gift Guide Edit
from experiences to on-the-go essentials... here are a few fun ideas for the travel lover in your life
I’ve never made a gift guide before, mostly because I’ve always believed that one of the best gifts you can give (or receive) is an experience. Concert tickets, a cooking class, a weekend getaway or a special outing you’ve planned… nine times out of ten, those are the things that end up feeling the most memorable and meaningful.
That said, there is something really fun about holding a tangible gift in your hands (and watching someone else unwrap one).
So consider this my take on a travel themed gift guide: stuff I’ve personally loved, things I’d actually give, and a few ideas that just feel good to receive.
Ornaments: Such a fun souvenir to collect and gift, our family tree is strictly travel ornaments at this point and I love it. Anthropologie has a new matchbook destination collection with a ton of places to choose from. Also check out this Pottery Barn set and this from Nordstrom.
Sleep Mask: For home or travel, it’s the little luxuries. I like this one and this one.
Luggage Tag: So many fun options like this one from Mark & Graham. Away also came out with collegiate branded ones and of course I have my eye on this Alabama one.
Phone Accessories: Phone straps don’t need to be an eye sore when traveling - I love this one and this one. Also a wallet for the back of the phone like this Apple attachable one or this case.
AirTag: An essential for any traveler + makes a great stocking stuffer
Card Games: I now never travel without a deck of cards and a game of sorts. A deck of cards is a really easy souvenir to bring home if you have recently traveled, or there are plenty of destination themed options on the market. In terms of games, Monopoly Deal is the current friends group favorite, as is this one.
Packing Cubes: not the most fun, but a travel essential nonethless - Calpak makes really cute ones
Coffee Beans: Such a fun souvenir/gift to bring back for someone from a trip you’ve recently taken. Christmas is still a month out, so you have time! Atlas Coffee Club also lets you gift an “around the world” subscription.
Wine: Nothing beats a bottle from a place you just visited. If that doesn’t work, pick up one from your local liquor store that matches a destination you know someone’s planning to visit or gift a subscription. Can always pair with a nice set of glasses like these or these.
Jewelry Case: For at home, I think this Heaven Mayhem box is so cute. For travel, this one and this one are great options.
Passport Holder: So many good options here (at every type of price point) and such a fun gift to personalize. I like this from Etsy and this from Mark & Graham. You can also hunt for designer ones like this LV one on secondhand sites pretty easily.
Journal: I love a travel journal - this one and this one from Papier are really cute.
Travel Sized Beauty Products/Sets: Great stocking stuffer and always practical. For skincare, I love the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Set, these reusable eye patches, the Rhode eye patches, and these Biodance collagen masks (face masks on the plane are IN okay). Olaplex also makes a great hair essentials set with minis of their best products. This red light wand from Solawave is easy to pack with your toiletries.
Travel Pillow: This TRTL one for the flight and this pillowcase to throw on the hotel bed upon arrival
Portable Sleep Machine: My Hatch changed my life as I cannot sleep in silence. I usually use an app on my phone when I travel but this Hatch for kids is the perfect portable size.
Toiletry Bag: I am under the firm belief that you can never own too many 1) bags 2) things with your name on it. I like this one from Etsy and this from Abbode. If you aren’t customizing, I use all Aloha bags and also like a hanging bag like this for trips.
Calpak Luka Duffle: You already know this is my most used travel item
Cookbooks: From a fun restaurant, favorite chef (Meredith Hayden) or city you have been to. If I could’ve carried this home from Portugal or this one from London, I would’ve.
Coffee Table Books: There are so many travel-esque coffee table books on the market and I honestly want them all. They also make really great engagement gifts if you know someone planning a destination wedding. The Assouline ones are a bit expensive but I love them. The Gray Malin books are a much better price point there just aren’t as many destination specific options to choose from. I wrote a whole guide about books for the travel lover if you want more inspo :))
Destination Puzzles: I love this brand (sold on Revolve) and they look cute on a shelf. This one from Tuckernuck is also fun and festive.
Kindle: I don’t leave for any trip without mine
Away Weekender Bag: perfect carry on accessory
Tote / Beach Bag: might seem basic, but they leave a lot of room for creativity and ability to add a personal touch (patches, embroidery, keychains, scarves, etc). I love the mini and medium Boat and Tote, this customizable one from Bauble Bar, and these inital ones from Alex Mill. I would add on a fun keychain from Etsy too.
Elevated Travel Lounge Wear: always fun to have a new set you can wear on a flight. I got my mom this (and this) cashmere set from Quince last year. Vuori also has my favorite joggers to fly in and I always layer with this (and you’ll still look good when you land). See more on the go essentials here.
Headphones: Noise cancelling headphones for a flight are such a game changer. I love my Airpods but my parents prefer the Bose over the ear ones. A personalized Airpod case like this is also a great gift.
Film Camera: Socal cameras has the best selection of tested and used film cameras. This + a few rolls of film is perfect for someone about to travel and feels a bit more elevated that your general disposable camera.
Travel Wrap: Much easier than bringing a blanket on your flight AND you can wear it when you reach your destination. My mom loves these Mersea ones. I’ve also been seeing triangle scarfs EVERYWHERE (like this Guest in Residence one that is currently sold out and this one from Free People) and think they make such a cute layer over a jacket and would pack super easily.
Away Luggage: the bigger carry-on and medium checked are the two must-haves IMO
Digital Camera: dream camera is a Canon PowershotG7 X or this Fujifilm one.
While gift cards tend to get a bad rap for being “impersonal,” I think they can actually be incredibly thoughtful with the right touch. Pair one with a handwritten note and a few fun “instructions” for how to use it—like “book a flight to visit me” or “dinner’s on me during your next trip”—and suddenly it feels personal and intentional.
To me, these types of gifts are a great way to encourage someone to treat themselves to an experience they might not otherwise splurge on.
Airline Lounge Access: Priority Pass Membership, American Airlines lounge day pass, etc
Spa Certificate: Great way to unwind before or after a trip. OR, even better, get one for the hotel they will be staying at if you know someone traveling over the holidays
Viator Gift Card: Pair with a bottle of wine and a note like “use this for a cooking class while you’re in Spain” or “let’s learn how to make pasta at home”, and it instantly becomes one of the most memorable gifts
Subscription Services: Travel magazines, wine & coffee clubs, etc
Hotel / Airline Gift Card: When in doubt, keep it simple.
You can find everything linked HERE on my ShopMy :)))