Looking for that perfect gift for the traveler in your life this holiday season? Skip the gift cards and wool socks and give your favorite jet setter something that they’ll actually use, and doesn’t break the bank!
‘But Stephanie. Many travelers value experiences over things. How do I find something thoughtful and practical for someone who essentially has all that they need?’
Easy. By finding products that increase the comfort and convenience of their travel, or help make their adventures more memorable.
Whether they’re a tiny traveler in training or an expert vagabond, there’s something on this list that’s sure to please. Ready to put a smile on your traveler’s face this holiday? Let’s get shopping, shall we?!
Note: Of the products below I have either personally used and stand behind, or they are on my holiday wish list (hint hint, Ryan).
Staying hydrated is key to feeling your best and avoiding illnesses while traveling. The S’well traveler fits perfectly into your hand and keeps your liquids cool for 24 hours or hot for up to 12. Say bye bye to plastic water bottles, and hello to your newest fashionable and eco-friendly travel companion.
Looking to disconnect from the distractions of social media, yet still stay connected while on vacation? Although this is the most expensive item on the list, it’s worth every penny.
The Apple Watch Series 5 allows your to send / receive calls and texts, or stream your favorite tunes whether you’re on top of a mountain or lounging on the beach. With the help of this watch you can also be assured that your fitness will not go by the wayside while on vacation. The activity rings will prompt you to sit less, move more, and even track your heart rate and rhythm. And if navigation isn’t your strong suit, the watch has a built-in compass and elevation feature! Need I say more?
Got a screaming baby or simply want to drift off in peace during your next long flight? Enter Beats Solo Pro. Their advanced noise-cancelling technology gives you the space to enjoy your favorite podcast or music, even in the noisiest of environments. And with voice capabilities, you can call your mom or skip ahead to the next song!
How many times have you been out and about gleefully taking pictures and videos with your phone, and then all of a sudden your 20% battery quickly turns to…dead? Not cool. But lucky for you, those days are over. With the INIU Portable Charger, you’ll never have to stress about losing power again. The INIU is lightweight, compact, fast-charging, and an essential for your next all-day adventure. It also has 2 USB ports so it can charge two devices simultaneously!
When you’re already pressed for time, fumbling around with shoes at the TSA checkpoint is not ideal. But not anymore. With Rothy’s slip-on sneakers they’re not only easy to put on / off, but they’re known for their ‘zero break-in period’. Maximum comfort, cute, AND they’re also made from 100% recycled plastic – a winner for sure in my book!
The days of checking bags are gone thanks to the Ogio Layover Bag. This airline-approved carry-on bag is durable, reliable, and with multiple internal and external compartments you’ll have plenty of room to pack all of your travel essentials. Pair with packing cubes listed above and you’ll be traveling lighter in a snap!
Going on a family hike with toddlers or young kids has never been easier. With the Piggyback Rider, your little ones can rest their tired legs or safely hop a lift as the terrain gets more challenging. This child standing carrier distributes most of the weight to your core, leaving your back pain-free. From the mountains to an amusement park and beyond, the Piggyback Rider allows families with small children to do and explore more….hands-free!
(For use in children 2+ and up to 50-lbs more.)
Running a blog, staying on top of social media, creating pins, reaching out to brands, traveling, and heck, life in general…it is BUSY! Don’t let disorganization be a reason for stress in the new decade. Passion Planner is more than just an awesome planner. It’s basically a life coach that fits in your purse!
This organizer helps you map out your future by breaking down your dreams into bite-sized, attainable steps. It also provides a space for reflection at the end of each month, what goals did you accomplish? What are you still working towards? Or what’s next? After all, ‘a dream without a plan is just a wish.’
Trying to fit everything into your suitcase AND keep it organized can be a real drag. But not this year. Help make your jetsetter’s packing a breeze with these space-saving packing cubes. Their clothes will stay organized, wrinkle-free, and fresh! (A laundry bag is also included to separate clean versus dirty clothes.) The reinforced X-design prevents clothes from shifting, allowing for an even more secure packing experience.
Let their bag standout from the crowd with these colorful, monogrammed luggage tags. The sliding leather cover keeps their personal information private and the tassel adds a fun, playful touch.
It can be a challenge to get kids to sleep in new environments, not to mention, hotel rooms can be quite noisy. Fear not! Quality sleep on vacation is possible. With the Rohm sound machine, soothing sounds of rushing air cancel out noises that could otherwise disturb your sleep. Its light and compact travel design allows you and your little ones to get the rest you need, even on vacation!
It may or may not be because we’re from Maine, but we love us some high-quality LL Bean gear. LL Bean stands behind its commitment to producing high-quality, long-lasting products and this toiletry bag is no exception. Not only does it stand the test of travel, it contains several mesh (and lined) pockets within the main compartment, as well as side pockets to quickly grab your essentials. And the best part? It’s water resistant! No more spills or leaks spreading throughout your entire bag.
Some people like to travel in style. I, on the other hand, like to travel in style AND comfort. This lightweight pullover is SO soft, it literally feels like you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket. It’s great for layering on flights, when traveling to and from different climates, or throwing on after a morning yoga session.
With over a dozen ways to wear the Vinyasa scarf, she’ll be traveling in comfort and style, no matter the climate or situation. This versatile scarf can function as a sweater, neck warmer, blanket, and so much more! Its lightweight and breathable fabric will keep her warm if chilly, but not too warm.
My favorite use? As nursing cover-up on airplanes.
Made from 100% silk, this weighted, aromatherapy eye pillow will help your traveler achieve the ultimate relaxation while away from home. The mask not only blocks light, but has stress-relieving properties that can be customized to your needs. You can fill it with both the lavender buds and flax seeds, or if lavender isn’t your thing, then simply fill with the flax seeds and adjust the weight according to your desire.
Give your skin a refreshing dose of radiance before debarking your next plane with this hydrating travel mist. This lightweight spray will give your skin an instant burst of radiance, helping you achieve a youthful, fresh-faced look.
Jet-lag got you feeling like a mom-zombie? With Rodan + Fields Bright Eye Complex you’ll be bright-eyed and bushy tailed despite the longest of travel days. Brightening plus hydrating, this miracle cream targets the thin, fragile under eye skin that can appear dark and puffy due to stress and fatigue. And with the clinical trials to prove it, your under eyes are guaranteed to appear more rested.
Music adds life to every scenario, so why not take your favorite tunes on the road? Don’t let the Dot fool you, although it is small, its sound is mighty. This 3rd generation compact smart speaker has an improved speaker quality for a richer and louder sound. Enjoy mellow beats to start the day or rock out with a pre-dinner dance party. Either way, your travels will be heightened with your go-to jams on demand.
For under $200, the GoPro Hero 7 is steal for any entry level photographer/videographer. The GoPro Hero 7 is tiny, durable, and 100% waterproof. And with its superior video stabilization technology you can create smooth, gimble-like videos. Use the voice command feature when your hands are occupied and you can also shoot in vertical orientation for optimal IG images! Take your photography to the next level (or underwater!) this holiday season – stunning images and videos await!
When you look back at your family vacation photos, how many actually contain the whole family? Probably not many. Not unless you’re continuously asking strangers to snap these special moments, or you have a tripod.
This holiday season gift your travel enthusiast a Manfrotto tripod so that they too can be included in this special memories. And don’t be intimidated, the Manfrotto Tripod is compact, easy to assemble/disassemble, and with its lightweight design it makes capturing stunning family photos a breeze.
Travel photographers take A LOT of pictures, and many shoot their images in RAW which takes up even more storage space. And for that you’ll want a fast, reliable external hard drive to avoid overloading up your laptop. With Seagate you can sleep easy knowing that all of your irreplaceable travel memories are stored safely while you’re on-the-go.
Nothing is worse than having a dirty camera lens and nothing to clean it with! Don’t let smudges affect your photo quality anymore and order yourself a handful of these cleaning kits. Not only will this kit keep your photos crisp and in focus, but the cleaning solution is streak-proof and actually leaves a ‘wax and shine’ finish to help prevent future smudges.
iCloud storage maxed out? Bring your photos to life and create a stunning photo-book to remember your most treasured adventures. Nothing is sweeter than re-living photos from past vacations; where you went, who you were with, and what amazing things you did! You can choose to style the book yourself, or leave it to their design team. Either way you’ll have the perfect keepsake to commemorate those moments that made you smile.
Spark wanderlust in the tiniest of travelers with this kids travel journal. This journal is jam-packed with fun activities that will help your young adventurer remember and re-live their travel experiences. Kids can create packing lists, document what happens along the way, paste in photos, store keepsakes, complete travel-related games and puzzles, and so much more!
Speaking of kids, they’ll go wild for the Fujifilm Instax. With the Instax your kids can document their own vacation memories without harming your precious DSLR. The new design comes in a variety of fun colors and also includes a selfie mirror so they can capture the perfect selfie throughout all of your travels.
So there you have it, the best travel gifts for 2019. I hope you found some fun and practical gift ideas (that they’ll actually use!) for the traveler in your life.
What are your favorite travel essentials? Do you own any of these items? If not, what’s on your wish list? Comment below, I’d love to hear what your asking for this year!
XO, Steph
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