25 CHRISTMAS GIFTS TRAVELERS ACTUALLY WANT
I’m going to let you in on a little secret - 90% of travel gifts are trash. But don’t worry, it’s not your fault. It’s all those fancy Travel & Leisure lists that lure us in with promises of the perfect gift. You know, the ones that include extravagant things like gold eye masks and french presses. Guys, unless your loved one is a Kardashian, they have limited space in their luggage.
But not every suggested item is so obviously extravagant. Some are sneaky. For example, almost every one of those lists mentions hair straighteners and blow dryers. While this may seem like a useful item, every hotel already has these available, and every hostel, well, if they’re staying in a hostel they definitely don’t have room in their bag for these. And for the love of all things travel, please stop giving them luggage tags and Lifestraws. Luggage tags aren’t necessary when they can use something as simple as a piece of colored string. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone actually use a Lifestraw. They either buy bottled water like a normal person, or if they’re a backpacker, they get a real water filter.
Why buy something they’ll never use or they don’t really need when you could put that money toward something they actually want? And with that, let’s get into it …
These are a must-have for new and seasoned travelers alike. And if your traveler hasn’t discovered these yet, they’ll thank you for the rest of time. Packing cubes not only help us keep our luggage organized, but it helps us pack a lot of stuff into a little space.
While it may seem like portable chargers are a luxury designed for travelers to play games on their phone all day, it’s actually a very important safety mechanism. Because being lost in the middle of a city or in a bad situation with a dead phone battery is something no traveler should have to go through. I’ve been there, and I’m never traveling without one again.
Hostels don’t always provide towels, and if they do, they usually cost money to rent. Not to mention, they’re pretty old and gross. These fast dry towels pack light, and they come in handy in a variety of situations whether it’s for a shower, a visit to the hot springs, or to use as a last-minute beach towel.
I cannot stress this enough - travelers can never have enough miniature items. This could be mini bottles for their moisturizer, makeup, sunscreen, conditioner, and so on. It could be a mini toothbrush, mini deodorant, mini dry shampoo. Anything mini is an automatic yes. And the best part? They make for perfect stocking stuffers.
Take it from someone who could’ve burnt down her hostel with a phone cord that went up in flames - get your traveler a converter. It’s not a sexy gift, but it’s necessary. Same goes for an adapter. While not quite as dire, it’s never fun trying to track one down in a foreign country with 5% battery.
Every traveler has an emotional support water bottle. In fact, it’s an easy way for locals to spot us. But we take it everywhere without shame because we know we’re saving the earth and saving money.
7. Toiletry Bag
If your traveler is on the fancier side, get them a cute toiletry bag that matches their style and personality with lots and lots of pockets. If your traveler is more on the “I haven’t showered in a week” side, you can still get them something that suits them, but just make sure it’s compact. Think in the realm of those free makeup bags you get with a purchase. All they need is something to throw all their stuff in real fast.
Not only will your traveler have peace of mind knowing that their laptop is safe, but sleeves make it way easier to slide your laptop in and out of your bag at security. Plus, there are tons of fun, stylish sleeves to make it their own.
While not every traveler is camera savvy (myself included), many of us do crave better photos of our travels, and a digital camera is the ticket. Some will see this as the best gift they could ever imagine and others will see it as something bulky they have to lug around, so make sure to ask your traveler first if this is something that might interest them. Bonus points if you also include a small camera bag.
10. E-Reader
Much of a traveler’s time is just spent sitting around waiting - on a plane, on a long bus ride, at a cafe. And sometimes the only way to pass that time is by reading. An e-reader is a lightweight and easy-to-carry solution for entertainment.
11. Suitcase
Young, new traveler? Chances are they bought their suitcase used for $5 at the Goodwill. Older, seasoned traveler? I’m willing to bet that they’ve had that same suitcase for ten years. A quality suitcase is something we all forget to ask for but could always use.
12. Travel Backpack
Get excited because this is your chance to shine. Forget everything I’ve said about minimalism, and get all the bells and whistles. Travel backpacks have really advanced over the years to include every possible thing a traveler could need from built-in USB ports and speakers to anti-theft and water resistance. And they have endless options of color and style.
13. Gift Cards
If you’re not sure what your traveler will like, a gift card is a safe bet that allows them to choose exactly what they want. Some great options are airline gift cards, AirBnB, and REI.
Flights, buses, hostel dorms - they can all get noisy right when you’re trying to read or get some rest. Noise-cancelling headphones are a great gift that they can use both when they’re traveling and in their day-to-day life.
15. Pass the Pigs
This fun, simple game is the perfect way for your traveler to pass the time and make some friends while they’re at it. Plus, it’s small and lightweight for easy carrying.
16. Activities at their Destination
If you’re willing to do a little research, this is a unique gift they’ll absolutely love. Pay for an activity that they want to do at their destination like a guided tour or a boat ride. This way, they’ll be thinking about you while they’re on their adventure. Or, you can treat them to a spa service while they’re there.
17. Tennis Shoes
Never underestimate the power of a good pair of tennis shoes. Travelers will often spend full days walking, so they need a pair that’s comfortable and durable. Bonus points if they’re versatile (simple black or white that they can dress up or down, waterproof, hiking tennis shoes, etc).
18. Sunglasses
Travelers’ sunglasses should be polarized and UV protected but durable enough to withstand day-to-day adventures.
19. Laundry Bag
Is it the coolest gift ever? No. Do they need it? Absolutely. Make it personal with a bag that has a unique design or color.
20. Journal
When we’re old and gray (or just want to reminisce in a couple years), we’ll turn to our journal to remind us of all the little moments and cool adventures. This is an amazing gift if you want to get them something they’ll hold onto forever. Keep it simple or get them one with prompts - your call.
21. Scratch-Off Map
Every traveler gets wide-eyed when they look at a map, wondering where they’ll go next and what they’ve yet to discover. A scratch-off map gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride. In short, it helps them to appreciate all they’ve already done.
Only 17% of the world’s population speaks English. That leaves a lot of areas where your traveler is not going to know the language. Help them get up to speed with a language app subscription like DuoLingo or Babbel.
Help your traveler get excited about their next trip with a book about travel.
24. Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a membership that gives you access to airport lounges all around the world for comfort, food, drinks, and more. And after 20 hours of travel, there is no gift that can top that.
25. Rain Jacket
This is a staple that travelers bring with them everywhere they go, so a nice one won’t go unappreciated. Up your game by giving them a fashionable one for those rainy city photos.
A lot goes into international travel, and it can be difficult to keep it all straight. If you’d like help preparing for your trip with a custom travel itinerary, easy booking, and all the documents you need in one place, contact me to join the Kelley Goes Rogue travel program.