Gift Guide for the Traveler
Gift ideas for a jetsetting friend or family member who prefers life on the move. Watch the video or peruse the list of featured items below!
*This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission from items purchased through the provided links.
AWAY Bigger Carry On - Great for 3 - 15 days, depending on the season and fits in almost all overhead bin compartments. It’s been with me on every international vacation in the last 4 years.
Cadence Travel Capsules - After spending a year with these little guys, I confidently stand by my original recommendation. People have strong thoughts about the price, but you can’t deny they’re sturdy and almost indestructible. They’re also leak proof which makes them trusty options for cleansers and moisturizers and for keeping medicine and small pieces of jewelry safe. It holds enough cleanser and moisturizer for a 10 day trip (for me!)
Clapak Mini Clear Cosmetics Case - You can see a full review on it here! The most asked question about this bag is whether or not it is TSA compliant. I’ve traveled with this bag more times than I can count and have never had to unpack or transfer the items to an airport provided 3-1-1 bag. This bag went through security with no issues in 4 other countries, too! Rest assured that transferring items to a different bag will be the exception more than the rule.
Herschel Dopp kit for Him - Bryan has been using this bag for years on both domestic and international adventures, and he has also never been asked to unpack it. The capacity is large, and the material is sturdy enough to be smooshed into packed suitcases without permanently altering its shape.
Makeup Brush Holder - This allows you to travel with your makeup brushes upright, prevents makeup from transferring to the rest of your makeup bag contents, and provides easy access your brushes with the flexible, fold down top. It’s under $10, too!
Travel Sized Skincare Set - If the capsules feel a little splurgy, consider gifting someone your favorite, travel sized skincare items instead. First Aid Beauty formulates most of their products for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin, which makes their brand a safe bet for gifting.
Personalized Bag - This would be fun to customize with your friend’s initials and gift alongside the travel sized skincare set and makeup brush holder. Cosmetics aside, pouches are useful for keeping you organized while on the road — this would be well loved!
Bose Headphones - Even though these headphones take up a lot of valuable backpack real estate, I don’t travel without them. They cancel out ambient plane noises and can be used hardwired with the seat back plane TV or via bluetooth. Worth the splurge.
AirPods Pros - Don’t want to manage bulky headphones on the road? These are the small footprint equivalent to the noise cancelling Bose headphones.
Kindle Paperwhite - The Kindle allows me to travel with hundreds of books at a time while taking up virtually no space in my bag. The adjustable backlit screen allows you to read in the dark without disturbing your neighbor, too. Keep it safe on the road and in your bag with this protective sleeve.
Calpak Kaya Laptop Bag - It’s stylish, well-organized, and has the perfect amount of capacity and laptop protection for a short work trips. It holds its shape and is easy to wipe down after shoving it under airplane seats!
Small Crossbody Purse - No one wants to waste one of their two carry-on bags on a tiny purse, so invest in a small purse that tucks nicely into your favorite travel backpack. Take it out once you get to your destination and leave your bulky backpack filled with your “suitcase overflow” in the hotel room.
Herschel Beanie - Perfect for winter travel destinations and bad hair days. I love the neutral colors that you can mix and match with your whole travel wardrobe, and the fact that they’re gender neutral makes it easy for my husband and me to share.
AirBnB Gift card - Any travel lover in your life would probably love to have part of their stay covered on their next adventure. Since AirBnB is in almost every city, this would be a sure bet regardless of where their next trip takes them.
Airline Gift card - Make this gift a bit more personal by choosing a gift card from your recipient’s most flown airline. Knowing someone’s airline loyalty is a modern day love language.
Casetify Phone Case - Gifting a customized, plane ticket phone case would be a fun way to commemorate a special trip or allow your friend or family member to rep their hometown while abroad.
The Blonde Abroad Lightroom Presets — Don’t underestimate the value of a well edited photo from one of your favorite trips. These presets for mobile images are the perfect way to enhance your trip photos for framing once you get home. I have both The Essentials and Bon Appetit packs.