Are you looking for unique and useful gifts for travelers on your holiday shopping list? It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Queue the Christmas Carols and merry mayhem!
It’s true. But, let’s be honest, shopping for everyone on your list can be a little overwhelming and fall short of making you feel jolly.
Do you struggle with gift-giving? I do. I want to get something special for each person on my shopping list. Something that they will truly love.
If you have someone on your list who loves to travel – even if that someone is YOU – you’re in luck. This year, I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas perfect for the traveler on your list. From cruiser to backpacker you’re sure to find unique & useful gifts for travelers on your list!
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Holiday gift ideas for the travel fan on your shopping list.
1. Passport Wallet
As you can see, we use this for our family travel wallet because as a mom, I am the keeper of all things. If you always have to be the responsible one in your travel party, pick up one of these RFID blocking family passport wallets. I have recommended this type of travel wallet to my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law. Are you sensing a trend? The “moms” always have to keep track of the important stuff!
If your gift recipient is traveling to Europe and worried about pickpockets – keep your valuables out of sight with this neck wallet.
Recommended: RFID Family passport holder (Amazon Link)
2. Away Luggage
Honestly, this is quite a splurge, but after going through several rounds of discount store luggage, I saved up and purchased luggage from AWAY. I couldn’t be happier. I have a large and larger carry-on with a built-in charger. To say that I love this luggage is an understatement. It is well-designed and presented.
Both sizes have TSA-approved locks with easy-to-follow instructions. The larger carry-on comes with a removable charger (you must remove it if you check your luggage), and all of the needed items to charge your device comes in a nice zipper pouch. Another thing I love about the charging capabilities is that it has 2 USB ports. So, even though my husband doesn’t have this bag, he doesn’t need to search for an outlet either! I have also used the charger on the go for long port days because it pops right out of the bag with a push of a button!
AWAY also offers a 100-day return policy and a lifetime warranty.
Recommended: AWAY Luggage.
3. International Travel Adapter
If travel plans take you or your loved ones to multiple worldwide destinations, consider an international travel adapter. This one adapter serves 160 countries! Renew that passport and get traveling.
If you just want to be able to charge USB devices, try this very inexpensive option. I’m grabbing this 3 pack option for my kids for our trip to Europe next summer.
Recommended: International Travel Adaptor (Amazon Link)
4. Resistance Bands
When traveling, it’s important to stay healthy. For those gift recipients who travel a lot, staying healthy on the road should be part of their travel routine. Resistance bands can be a great way to get in a little calorie burn anywhere! You could even use these little gems on the plane…just be careful not to bop your neighbor.
Recommended: Travel-Friendly Resistance Bands (Amazon Link)
5. Fitness Tracker
Another great gift idea for the traveler in your life is a fitness tracker such as a Fitbit or Apple Watch. I love my old series 3 Apple Watch. It’s waterproof so no worries about finding a safe place during that snorkeling adventure or cooling off at that resort pool. You can compare step counts with travel companions when you have a busy day of exploring. It’s so much easier to hit that 10,000-step goal when you are sitting behind a desk for 8 hours a day, isn’t it?
Recommended: Apple Watch Series 3 (Amazon link – Great Price on this older model)
6. Reusable, Insulated Water Bottle
A component of every healthy lifestyle is proper hydration; single-use plastic bottles should be a thing of the past! Invest in a Yeti water bottle with a chug/water bottle-style lid. It’s so easy to refill on the go, and the carrying handle makes it perfect for travel.
Recommended: Yeti Rambler (Amazon Link)
7. Sleep Mask
Rest is essential for good health, and sleeping can be difficult when you travel. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like having a flat eye mask pressed against my eyes. This contoured alternative is a great option!
Recommended: Contoured Eye Mask ( Amazon Link – several options to choose from)
8. Reusable Bag
Do you hate plastic grocery bags as much as I do? Every souvenir shop in the Caribbean seems to use the same thin plastic bag that just ends up in the ocean. 🙁
Check out these adorable, foldable, reusable bags you can toss in your day bag and use for souvenir purchases throughout your trip. This is a very useful gift for travelers.
Recommended: reusable bag (Amazon Link – So many great options!)
9. Packable Backpack
Need something a little bigger for all of those extra items? Try this compact duffel bag or my go-to excursion bag, the Oricsson lightweight, packable backpack or this one by Venture Pal. Plus they come in such great colors. We have one for each member of our family and use them as our day bags while out exploring.
Check out this post for tips for what to pack in your day bag.
Recommended: Oricsson Lightweight Packable Backpack (Amazon Link – Perfect for a full day of adventure)
10. Turkish Towel
This Turkish Towel by WETCAT is a great multi-use travel item. If you or the person on your holiday gift list wants to pack light, this will be a great addition to their carry-on-only gear. This towel is super soft and dries quickly. It can be used as a beach/bath towel, a wrap, a blanket or folded-up, and a pillow on the plane. I love multi-use travel items! If you want more carry-on-only tips, check out this post.
Recommended: WETCAT Turkish towel (Amazon Link – So many uses!)
Continuing on our list of 20 Useful Gifts for Travelers
11. Solar Power Bank
This item is up first on my techy list because it should also be considered an eco-friendly travel item! For the beach and cruise travelers out there, a solar power bank is a thoughtful and useful gift. I wouldn’t mind lounging at the beach while generating future power.
This power bank is also a flashlight. I love those dual-purpose travel items!
Recommended: Solar Power Bank (Amazon Link – Nearly a 5-star review!)
12. Cord Wranglers
I don’t know about you, but as a content creator, we travel with a lot of tech gear. We have dealt with unruly cords that get tangled and messy for years. These cord keepers are so handy! They help keep all sizes of cords neat and organized. And, with such a large pack you can even color coordinate or just choose your favorite.
Recommended: Wrap it, Self Gripping storage Straps Amazon Link – Multi-size 40 pack!)
13. Tech Organizer
13. Tech OrganizerWould you believe that until this year, I stored all of our charging cables, backup batteries, etc., in a multi-zipper pencil pouch from the back-to-school aisle? I did! This year, I thought it was time to invest in a proper tech accessories organizer, and I’m so glad I did.
This tech organizer keeps all of our earbuds, phone chargers, SD cards, and more nice and tidy. It even has room for an ipad mini in a padded area. Although, I usually swap it out and put our Go Pro gear in this area.
Recommended: BUBM Electronics Organizer (Amazon Link)
14. Reusable Bamboo Coffee Cup
If the Yeti is a little too expensive for your holiday budget, check out these bamboo reusable cups. They are perfect for coffee (even when purchasing from a coffee shop like Starbucks) or can be used for cold beverages. They come in a ton of fun designs and are lightweight!
Recommended: Bamboo Travel Coffee Cup (Amazon Link – aren’t the flamingos adorable?)
15. Make-up Brush Holder/Stand
I ordered this for our daughter, who is obsessed with makeup. Shh..don’t tell her! This brush holder is great for travel. It is big enough to hold all of the essentials. Sturdy enough to protect them. It’s compact enough to tuck in a carry-on bag! Plus, when you reach your destination, it becomes a stand-up container you can use throughout your cruise or land vacation. It is the perfect stocking stuffer for any traveler who wants to maintain their glam even on vacation.
Recommended: Makeup brush travel case (Amazon Link)
16. RFID Protection Crossbody Bag
I recently purchased this for our upcoming trip to Rome for our Mediterranean cruise. This Crossbody RFID anti-theft bag should be perfect for our days exploring Rome and the Greek Islands.
The crossbody design is comfortable to wear, and I love all of the pockets. It’s also a great price!
Recommended: Neatpack crossbody bag (Amazon Link)
17. Passion Planner
I know we live in a digital world, but nothing beats a fantastic planner. The Passion Planner is my absolute favorite planner; I’ve used it for the last 3 years. I just ordered mine for 2020…and it’s pink!
If you are an entrepreneur or have goals to achieve, this is the planner for you, too! It is compact but has space for everything and tons of blank pages for notes, lists, and trip planning! Grab 10% off your first purchase (link below).
Recommended: Passion Planner
18. Snorkel Gear by Seavenger
Last but certainly not least is Snorkel Gear from Seavenger. I love this company! Their products are of high quality, and their prices are so reasonable. What more could you want?! Pack this gear if you are headed out on a beach trip or on a cruise. They recently had a marketing email whose subject line was: Can I borrow your toothbrush? Right! You would never borrow someone’s toothbrush, so why would you “borrow” snorkel gear when you’re on a snorkel tour? YUCK!
I have found this gear to be super packable, and if I’m really tight on space, I at least bring my own mouthpiece! Check them out and use promo code FindingJillian for 10% off your order! You can see my full review from this year here.
Recommended: Seavenger Snorkel Gear
19. Guide Books
Rick Steves’ books are great resources, and he offers so many to choose from throughout Europe and some that feature cruise ports.
Recommended: Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports (Amazon Link)
20. Twistable Travel Pillow
I love this travel pillow! I used it as support for my lower back and leaned it up against a car/plane window. I’ve even used it stretched out so that hubby and I could share! It’s so versatile; this updated version has a convenient carry pouch and accessories.
Recommended: Memory foam twistable travel pillow (Amazon Link)
Bonuses! Because I just couldn’t stop at 20!
21. Subscription to Audible
Talk about packing light. The traveler on your list will enjoy hours of great biographies, murder mysteries, and even guidebooks without taking up any room in their suitcase.
Recommended: Annual Audible Gold subscription – (Amazon Link)
22. Portable Safe for Travel
Protect your valuables with this compact lockbox, which is perfect for a day at the beach or at a resort. Safely store your phone and other valuables while cooling off in the ocean or the pool.
Recommended: Portable Safe for Travel (Amazon Link)
There you have it! My 20+ unique gift ideas for the traveler on your holiday shopping list. Did you see an item you’ll add to your wish list? Let me know in the comments below.
