10 Christmas Gift Ideas for the Traveler You Love

Do you have a traveler in your life that you still haven't holiday shopped for?

It can be tricky to know what to buy them if you don't regularly travel with them. That's why I've created this list of gift ideas that every traveler will LOVE. If you don't know, my husband Tyler and I live in Costa Rica with our two cats. We travel quite regularly, and these items are as necessary as toilet paper in our home!

Okay, that’s enough yapping from me. Here’s the list! (in no particular order):

#1. Passport & Passport Holder

If you have a traveler in your mix who's expressed their desire to go to Europe or South America, or anywhere else outside the US, consider gifting them the cost of their passport!

The cost of a new passport is $165 in the United States. You have to submit the application, a photo of yourself, and the payment and wait for approval. But, I've always thought this was the coolest gift idea.

You can print the application for a new or renewed passport here

Put these papers into an envelope, along with $165 and a nice pen, and wrap or seal with a bow. This is one of the best gifts you can give that keeps on giving! A Passport is good for 10 years, and traveling expands how we think forever. It's a win/win!

#2. Luggage Scale

If your traveler is a heavy packer, this little tool will be their new best friend! Most airlines have a limit of 50 pounds on each checked bag before a hefty fee is added. This scale will help your traveler make the most of their space. I would always recommend 2 or 3 pounds of wiggle room incase the airport scale is a bit different than yours.

We use our scale before every single trip, and it was CRITICAL in helping us move to Costa Rica.

#3. Shoe Bags

Did you know that people actually put their shoes in individual bags when they travel? Maybe I was sheltered.

Growing up, I was always leary of putting my shoes and clothes together, but I thought that's what everyone did!

Now, I have a set of these shoe bags and I feel so much better. I can put my shoes in any position now and not worry about my clothes getting dirty! The set I've linked on Amazon is a great, affordable option.

#4. Suitcase Cup Holder

Okay, this is probably self-explanatory.

I can't tell you how many long lines I have been stuck in line wishing I had a coffee or something to drink. I never go into an airport with these cups because I already have to carry so much: passports, wallets, boarding passes, phone, etc. (Anything that can take the things out of my hands securely and accessibly is a golden ticket gift).

If I had one of these - omg my traveling life would be changed forever.

#5. Laundry Bag

Another self-explanatory gift item.

When traveling, it can be difficult to keep your clean and dirty clothes separated.

Sometimes, it's because you're not sure if you'll wear that item again.

Other times, it's because you have nowhere to put your dirty socks after a day in the rain so you hang them in your bathroom for your whole hotel room to smell. 🤢

Not anymore! These laundry bags can be hung from a hook in hotel rooms and now give a home for dirty clothes! This also helps keep your clean clothes clean in the same suitcase!

#6. Removable Hooks

(excuse my less than average editing skills)

Okay this might be random, and even your traveler might give you a raised brow.

But, hear me out:

I have never been in a hotel where I didn't wish I had more hooks. It's amazing to me that hotels think you can take a shower without ONE single hook! Many toiletry bags and hair tools can hang by a hook, as well as towels of course.

If you're doing some sort of travel-themed gift, I would absolutely include these. You really cant go wrong. I mean, would you be upset if you got these as a gift?

Exactly.

Moving on:

#7. Travel Fan

Listen, the plane is either freezing, or hot as balls, okay?

These tiny handheld things are either lifesavers when it's hot, or small enough to be irrelevant when it's cooler.

You really can't go wrong.

Next.

#8. Nice Travel Pillow

Some people love them, some people hate them.

I've never met someone flying far distances that didn't prefer them (unless they were flying a class with their own pillows 😉)

This is a more obvious option for travel lovers, and yours might have a preference on what type of pillow, so maybe consider asking before purchasing!

#9. Memory Cards

This might be specific to people who take a lot of photos or videos.

However, chances are, if you know a traveler, they are using memory in some way.

Memory cards are critical for people who capture content regularly, or take a lot of photos and videos when they travel. Having extra memory storage is unexpectedly expensive and always one of the most valuable things we own as travelers.

#10. Waterproof Bag

This MVP sneaks in from the back! This waterproof bag has been more than a life saver on our trips. Especially in Costa Rica, traveling to unpredictable climates calls for rainy weather sometimes.

Chances are, your traveler won't hold back just because of some rain. This bag specifically has protected our phones, cameras, food and more with it's reliable outer protective layer. It's truly waterproof and works incredibly well.

Honorable Mentions

These mentions are to highlight some gift options for specific travelers, or gifts with contingencies. Not everyone is the right fit for these gifts, so it might be helpful or completely irrelevant.

CASH

Any traveler everywhere will tell you the absolute best resource they can have is cash, specifically USD. If there is any problem with their card, or an emergency, cash will be the most reliable resource they have. If you add a note with this cash, it will remove the *lazy* factor that can sometimes come with giving cash as a gift. Travelers everywhere will appreciate the gesture more than you know.

GIFT CARDS

Similar concept, different notes needing to be made. Giftcards can be incredibly resourceful and thoughtful, or they can be lazy and impersonal.

The best way to gift a gift card to a traveler is in the following scenarios:

• Specific Airline - your traveler always travels Delta and that's it? Perfect opportunity to be personal and thoughtful. Contribute to their next trip! Many travelers don't commit to an airline, so this idea might be useless for some. Know your traveler before you select this.

• Specific Luggage Brand - completely identical to the reasoning behind specific airline tickets. Some travelers are committed to certain brands of luggage, or might have their eyes on the Bucket List Family's new backpack 👀

• UBER/LYFT - one of the best gifts for a person who uses these companies, or someone who lives in an urban area and may benefit. This gift is not great for people who live in rural areas or don't use the service often.

• European Plug Adapter - if your traveler hops across the big blue ocean to Europe, one of these is so incredibly valuable. After experiencing arriving at a hotel to find my hair tools not working, I can promise this gift will come in handy at the most valuable moments.

Well, that's it folks! This is my best advice for shopping for travelers. We aren't always picky, but sometimes we are the pickiest, If you have any questions about a specific kind of person, let us know in the comments! Let's brainstorm together about what to get them.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄