Awesome Gift Ideas for Travelers (That They’ll Actually Use)

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Wondering what to buy for the traveler on your list? (Or maybe you need some ideas to put on your gift list this year.) We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite travel gear to help you get a jump start on your holiday shopping.

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1. Packing Cubes

I LOVEEE my packing cubes! I’ve been using them for several years now and have converted many friends (including Laurie2) into packing cube believers. They are great for keeping your suitcase organized or easy to pull out and put in the dresser at your hotel or resort. They look small but you’d be surprised by how much you can actually fit in them.

2. GoToob Travel Tubes

These travel tubes are great for down-sizing your toiletries. I have them in a few different sizes and use them for shampoo, conditioner, hair products, lotion, etc. They are made out of food-safe silicone and have wide openings, making them easy to fill and clean.

3. Portable Charger

When you’re traveling and on the go all day long the last thing you need is a dead phone. These Anker portable chargers are small but powerful. They take up very little space in your purse and charge your device quickly.

4. Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones

My husband bought me some Bose headphones for Christmas a few years ago and to be honest I almost returned them because I didn’t think I needed them. But I talked to a friend who assured me I would love them for traveling and she was not wrong. I really like wearing them on the plane because they cut out so much noise.

5. Collapsible Metal Straws

Lots of places are doing away with plastic straws and I’m all for it #savetheseaturtles but I don’t love the paper straws. I mean they’re cute and all, but they start to feel weird after a while. Laurie2 actually told me about these collapsible metal straws that are great to throw in your purse or attach to your backpack. They even have a tiny brush for cleaning – you know in case you get some mint leaves stuck in there from drinking your mojitos.

6. Reusable Water Bottles

Also good for the environment, these reusable water bottles are great for traveling. I like the Healthy Human metal water bottles. They come in several sizes and colors. They also keep your drinks cold (or hot) for a long time. Laurie2 likes this silicone collapsible water bottle.

7. Charging cord for Apple Watch and iPhone

We both like our Apple products and Laurie2 had this great charger on our last trip. It’s a 2-in-1 and can charge up your Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time.

8. Anker USB Charging Hub

I’ve had this charging hub for several years now and I use it every day and also bring it with me when I travel. It’s a great space saver for traveling and cuts down on fighting for outlets with your travel buddies. I actually need to upgrade to this charger because I bought a new iPad with the USB C connection and I’m hoping Santa brings me a new Macbook this year.

9. Portable Sound Machine

If you travel with me you will have to put up with my portable white noise machine. So far I’ve had no complaints. My husband thought I was crazy when I first bought one and now he loves it too.

10. Merino Wool Shirts

I discovered Merino wool shirts a few years ago and I love them – especially for traveling. I usually wear one when I’m flying because I’m sweaty. I sweat when I’m hot and I sweat when I’m cold (sorry TMI). The wool helps regulate my body temperature. They’re also naturally odor-resistant so you can wear them multiple times between washes. This is great for packing light. And if you need to wash them while traveling they are lightweight and fast-drying. Yes, they are more expensive but if properly taken care of they’ll last for a long time.

11. BaByliss Travel Hairdryer

I’ve had this travel hair dryer for several years and it works great. The handle folds in so it’s small but mighty at 1000 watts. Keep in mind – I do have short hair so if your hair is longer it may not be enough for you. It’s also dual voltage so it can be used for international travel.

12. Collapsible Hair Diffuser

I’ve got some wavy/curly hair so sometimes I like to diffuse it. This collapsible diffuser fits on the travel hairdryer listed above and I can even squeeze it onto my normal-sized hairdryer for home use.

13. Gorilla Pod Flexible Tripod

This little gadget works great for getting that perfect shot while on vacation. You can use it like a selfie stick or set it up for group shots. I’ve even used it to watch a movie on my phone while flying (pre iPad days).

14. Cooling Towels

These towels work great when you need to cool off. I borrowed one from a friend last year when we were at Walt Disney World and it was about 9 million degrees and super humid. It’s now been added to my Disney packing list.

15. Travelon Bags and Backpacks

Travelon purses and backpacks are my favorite for traveling (and I’m not going to confess to how many I have at the moment). The bags are slash-resistant and RFID blocking. They also have locking zippers and lock-down straps. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and hold up well. I even bought my son a Travelon sling bag and he’s used it on several trips. I also love this tech accessory organizer bag.

I could probably add about 20 more items to this list, but I’ll save them for another day. What is your must-have travel item? Let us know in the comments below.

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