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With the holiday season approaching, now is the perfect time to think about getting gifts for the special people in your life. If one of those people is a frequent traveler, you might have a hard time picking out a gift for them. In this guide, we will discuss the top 25 holiday gifts for travelers.
Table of Contents
Every traveler needs a good backpack. For those who like to travel light, the Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack is a perfect choice. This backpack is 18.5 x 9.5 x 12.5 inches, so not only is it small enough to be a carry-on item on a plane, but also budget airlines will consider it a personal item. Travelers can save a lot of money on airfare with this backpack.
This gift is great for budget travelers who prioritize practicality over luxury.
2. Scratch Off Map
Travelers love keeping track of the places they visit. That’s why getting a Scratch Off Map makes a great gift for them! In addition to a world map, this also comes with a map of the United States, where you can scratch off each state that you visit.
This was gifted to me a few years ago, and I always look forward to scratching off my next country!
3. Vacuum Seal Bags
These Travel Space Saver Bags are a game changer. Ever since I started traveling with these bags, I have been able to pack twice as many clothes as before! This also protects your clothes and keeps them all in one place. It came in handy when my sunscreen leaked in my backpack, because the bag protected my clothes.
This is a great gift for travelers because it allows you to pack more items in your luggage.
4. Travel-Sized Laptop
Many travelers, especially digital nomads, need to take a computer with them when they travel. I recommend getting the Samsung Chromebook. This laptop is small, light (only 2.5 lbs!), and reliable. While it may not handle the most resource-intensive tasks like high-end video editing or hardcore gaming, the Samsung Chromebook excels at what most travelers need – staying connected and productive while on the road.
This makes a great gift for travelers because it is affordable and a reliable way to stay connected.
5. Portable Charger
Having a portable charger is extremely helpful when traveling internationally. I recommend the Anker 321 Power Bank because it is very small and light. This charger, which you can also easily fit into your pocket, is useful on travel days, or while doing a tour or safari.
There’s nothing worse than not being able to take photos of an amazing experience due to a dead phone!
6. Travel Adapter
When I first arrived in Brazil, I quickly realized that I didn’t have the necessary plug adapter to charge my dying phone. The same thing happened when I went to Australia. There are 15 different plug socket types around the world! I recommend getting the Universal Travel Adapter so you won’t have to worry about having a similar experience.
This is a great gift for travelers who visit different regions of the world.
7. Eyemask
One of the most underrated travel items is a good sleep mask. This comes in handy during daytime flights, while in hotels without curtains, and while in hostels with roommates who turn on the lights late at night. While any eye mask is better than nothing, I recommend getting the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask. Travelers will appreciate the way it blocks out the light without putting pressure on their eyes.
8. Dry-Fit Shirts
People often overthink what clothes they should take for their trip. I have found that some of the best shirts to take are Dry-Fit Shirts. Not only are these lightweight and easy to pack, but they also dry very quickly. This is great for traveling in hot environments, as your shirt will quickly dry from sweat. In addition, they will dry more quickly when washing them.
9. Earplugs
You’ll be surprised how often earplugs will come in handy on international trips. Baby crying on the airplane? Accidentally booked a party hostel and can’t sleep? Your midnight bus from Kigali to Kampala is full of people arguing? Travelers will appreciate the peace and quiet that comes with drowning out all of the surrounding noise. I recommend getting Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, as they are very comfortable for sleeping.
10. Tide Sink Packs
Frequent travelers always strive to save money whenever they can. One way to do this is by keeping Tide Sink Packs with them. Not only will they be able to save money by doing their own laundry, but they will also not have to pack as many clothes when they travel.
This is a great gift for travelers who are gone for more than a couple of weeks at a time.
11. Waterproof Phone Case
Having a Waterproof Phone Case is one of the smartest things that a traveler can do. Your phone is the ultimate tool while traveling. It is necessary to communicate with friends and family back home, but also is needed to download maps, make payments, and capture important moments through photos and video. The last thing you want is to ruin your phone by dropping it into the lake/ocean/river you are trying to enjoy.
12. Padlock
An often overlooked travel gift is a padlock. Travelers, especially younger and budget travelers, often stay at hostels during their trips. I always recommend that travelers bring a padlock to secure their belongings in a locker when they aren’t around. I use a Master Lock because they are small, cut-resistant, and inexpensive.
13. Lifestraw
A Lifestraw Personal Water Filter is a great gift for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. This is especially while camping or visiting an area without access to clean water. It is very small and lightweight, so it can easily fit inside a personal item or carry-on bag.
14. Poncho
A good poncho is a great gift for travelers. Depending on where they are in the world, rain may be a common occurrence. In addition, if they do not have their own vehicle, they may be walking around everywhere.
The Hagan Pro Disposable Rain Poncho is a great gift because it will also fit over backpacks and keep them dry! While travelers may not care if they get wet, they definitely won’t want their luggage to get wet!
15. First Aid Travel Kit
Unfortunately, accidents do happen while traveling, and it’s best to be prepared. This First Aid Travel Kit features plenty of essential first aid items, such as gauze, antibiotic ointment, bandages, and pain medicine. It is also very compact and convenient for traveling.
Although nobody wants to have to use this gift, buying this for the traveler in your life will show them that you care about their well-being.
16. Travel Pillow
Some of the best destinations can only be seen after enduring long journeys. Long trips can be more bearable if they are comfortable, which is why I recommend the Wolf Essentials Neck Pillow as a travel gift. This pillow is easy to snap around a backpack or suitcase, making it very convenient for travelers.
17. Travel Bottles
When flying, travelers are not able to bring more than 3.4oz of liquids in their carry-on luggage. But, there is a way around this! I fill these 3.4oz Travel Bottles with my soap, shampoo, sunscreen, lotion, or whatever else I might need, and pack them in my personal item without any problem. This is a great gift for travelers who do not want to check in their luggage and plan to visit multiple destinations on their trip.
Tip: Make sure to tape the tops of the lids when you pack these travel bottles. Not only does this help to prevent leaks, but it also reminds you to close them in the first place!
18. Travel Cubes
I always bring a few Travel Cubes with me when I travel. While they do not save space like the Travel Space Saver Bags, they are useful for organizing your stuff. I usually have one that holds my toiletries, one that holds medicine or similar items, and one that holds laundry detergent, sunscreen, etc. These Travel Cubes make it much easier to find what you are looking for in your bag.
Note: The Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack that I recommended comes with three Travel Cubes.
19. Travel Hammock
Nothing beats relaxing in a hammock on the beach or in the woods. Travelers can enjoy the gift of a hammock both abroad and at home. I recommend the Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock, as this is very compact and lightweight. This is the perfect gift for outdoor enthusiasts!
20. Kindle Paperwhite
There is plenty of down time while traveling that provides the perfect opportunity to catch up on reading. Instead of bringing a bunch of physical books, I recommend getting the Kindle Paperwhite. This small tablet can hold hundreds of books, and can even be paired with Audible to have the books read to you via Bluetooth!
21. Reusable Travel Utensils
This gift is great for travelers who prepare their own food when they travel abroad. These Reusable Travel Utensils can help travelers to save money and reduce their environmental footprint while abroad. In addition, in some countries, it is not expected for restaurants to provide utensils for eating. This gift will ensure that travelers have a way to eat their food that is comfortable for them.
22. Travel Towel
Nothing is worse than arriving to a hostel and being told that renting a towel costs extra money. It is much more convenient for travelers to bring a towel with them. The Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is nice and compact, so it won’t be a burden to add to your luggage.
These towels are useful for showering, working out, going to the beach, and even wiping away sweat on a hot day.
23. Luggage Scale
It’s normal for travelers to buy souvenirs or other items while they are abroad. The only drawback to this is potentially risking having to pay extra fees for overweight baggage. Each airlines has their own weight limit for baggage, which is why it is great to have the Etekcity Luggage Scale to quickly weigh your luggage before going to the airport.
This is a great gift for travelers because it lets them redistribute their items or discard what they don’t need without having to stress out about it at the airport.
24. Passport Holder
Your passport is the most important item you have when traveling internationally. If it gets lost or damaged, the repercussions can be severe. It is worth getting a Passport Holder to protect it from damage. This passport holder also comes with a luggage tag to help easily identify your checked baggage.
25. Priority Pass Membership
One of the biggest game changers for me was getting a Priority Pass. This allows you to enter certain airline lounges around the world. I have eaten countless free meals, gotten showers, and even had nice places to sleep during long layovers.
Travelers will appreciate the improved airport experience they receive with this gift.
Any reason why you recommend that portable charger over other Anker products?
The main reason why I recommend the Anker 321 is because of its small size and reliability. It is perfect for charging your phone on a plane or during a long trip. Plus, the fact that you can fit it in your pocket makes it a great choice for reducing the amount of luggage you bring on a trip.