🎁 Welcome to the 13th annual Ultimate Holiday Travel Gift Guide. I’m so pumped about this year’s gift guide – as a certified No. 13 lover myself, I can say with confidence that Taylor Swift would totally appreciate the thoughtfulness packed into this list. Like her, I’m all about the details, the experiences worth remembering and the little joys that turn ordinary moments into magic.
From cozy travel gear to little extras that bring your adventures home, I’ve taken all year to curate this list of gifts that are thoughtful, practical and downright merry. And this year, I’ve made a real effort to spotlight more small businesses than ever before. The corporations don’t need our money half as much as the mom-and-pops who pour their hearts into every product, so join me in shopping mindfully as often as possible.
Welcome to our 13th annual traveler’s gift guide!
The best part? You can enjoy all the holiday vibes without getting snowed under by mall crowds. Cozy up by the fireplace, sip your cocoa and shop thoughtfully.
Take a peek at my list and find something for every type of traveler, from weekend warriors to globe-trotting nomads. Ho-ho-hop to it and happy gifting, friendos!
Gift Ideas For Travelers
Cadence Capsules
Founded by Steph Hon in 2020, Cadence capsules magnetic, customizable and sustainable mini-product containers. Each chic capsule holds a week or so worth of SPF, face cleanser, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, shampoo, toothpaste, vitamins or jewelry and are all made from ocean-bound plastic. I have been a Cadence fan for years and just added the magnetic parcels to my travel collection this year. Packing has never been more efficient!
Black Friday deals for Cadence products:
- 10% below $200
- 20% off $200+
- 25% off $300+
- 30% off + GWP Mini Parcel $500+
Flirting with Disaster, the best travel book in the world*
*According to me, the esteemed author. I’m just saying, if you can only buy one gift for your loved ones this year, why not make it the gift of adventure? If you love to travel or dream of chucking the 9-to-5 to see the world, this book will get you dreaming of the possibilities for your own life in 2026, while making you laugh along the way. Limited autographed copies available here. Available wherever you buy books in audio, Kindle and hardcover.
Tasty Souvenirs
I love bringing home local food items and giving them as gifts because they feel personal and practical at the same time. This year, I visited Traverse City, Michigan, for the first time and one of my favorite stops was Fustini’s. It instantly checked my favorite travel-souvenir box: something delicious I can actually use. Their infused olive oils and aged balsamics are so flavorful and balanced that choosing just one feels impossible. So I left with six bottles and I’m not even sorry. It’s the kind of gift that tells a story from your trip without adding clutter.
Good news if you don’t have time to swing by Traverse City before the holidays: Fustini’s ships!
Read: 3 Day Traverse City Itinerary
Viator Experience
Experiences make the kind of holiday gifts that don’t get returned or shoved in a closet. Viator has tours and activities all over the world, and chances are there’s something fun right in your own hometown. We kicked off the season with a Nights of Lights cruise in St. Augustine, and sailing past millions of twinkling bulbs set the tone for the whole month.
As much as I love unwrapping something pretty, it’s the shared moments that stick with me. A sunset sail, a food tour, snorkeling somewhere new… those are the gifts that turn into stories you actually tell later. If you’re aiming for memorable this year, an experience might be the easiest win on your list.
Flytographer Gift Card
Flytographer is our travel photo shoot of choice and a great way to celebrate a special occasion or the special occasion of going somewhere besides your own backyard! Flytographer gift cards also make amazing wedding shower gifts, too, especially if the honeymooners are going to one of Flytographer’s hundreds of locations. Read our Flytographer review here, then get $25 your first shoot by clicking here.
Trip Chaser Card Game
Trip Chaser is armchair travel for competitive people brought to you by two of my favorite traveling Canadians – the Hecks! Prove who’s the most travel-savvy by buying, bartering, and gambling your way to various destinations. It’s like real travel but without the suitcase, spending or stress. And it’s small enough to be the perfect stocking stuffer! Shop small and support my pals this year!
6-in-1 Hair Styling Tool
If there’s one thing I love more than booking a flight, it’s a gadget that saves me time before I even get to the airport. I bought this 6-in-1 Air Styling Brush for my birthday, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I may never sit in a blowout chair again. It dries my hair in just a few minutes and somehow leaves it smoother, bouncier and more “I woke up like this” than anything I’ve used before.
The set comes with everything: a hair dryer brush, oval brush, round brush, two automatic curlers that spin in both directions and a straightener. If you’re always on the go or want to look polished without spending half your morning fighting with your hair, this is the one tool I’d gift to literally anyone who travels or just likes to feel fabulous.
Loop Earplugs
Loop Earplugs have earned a permanent spot in my travel bag because they make chaotic environments way more manageable. Between airports, chatty passengers and rattly hotel HVAC systems, having adjustable noise control helps me stay calm and functional. The in-ear dial lets me switch between modes for conversations, loud events or those moments when I just need a quieter bubble. They’re comfortable enough for long wear, and the multiple ear tip sizes make it easy to find a good seal. Paired with my noise canceling headphones, they’re a small thing that makes a big difference on every trip.
Jodi’s Food Maps
Since you can’t bring all of Italy’s pasta, Mexico’s mezcal or Japan’s sashimi home, you can remember a tasty journey with unique, hand-drawn maps from Jodi of Legal Nomads. A super thoughtful gift for the enthusiastic food + travel lover in your life.
World Travel Scratch Off Poster
If you need a little visual motivation to keep the wanderlust burning, this World Bucket List Scratch Off Poster is such a fun way to track your greatest hits. Each destination is paired with a hand-drawn icon by Kristin Douglas with a soft watercolor wash hiding under the foil, so every scratch feels like revealing a tiny work of art. It’s basically a celebration each time you peel one back.
National Park Bucket List Water Bottle
Y’all know I’m obsessed with National Parks, right? If only I were as obsessed with staying hydrated.
Here’s a perfect gift for the national park lover in your life who might need a little encouragement to drink water every day.
Conair Fabric Steamer
If you’ve got a traveler, commuter or perpetually wrinkled friend on your list, this Conair Turbo Steam handheld steamer is a quiet hero. It heats up in about 40 seconds and delivers up to 20 minutes of steady steam, so you can smooth out clothes without wrestling with a full-size hotel iron that may or may not work.
Compression Socks
Travel friend Sherry Ott teamed up with VIM&VIGR to design these compression socks after her own scary experience with DVT, and I’ve been cheering her on ever since. I never travel without compression socks anymore. Long flights, road trips, days spent standing in line at theme parks – they’re a simple way to keep your legs feeling good and your circulation moving.
“In My Travel Era” Hoodie
If you’ve been known to mark your life in eras, this “In My Travel Era” hoodie hits just right. It’s soft and comfortable in that perfectly broken-in way that makes it ideal for airport mornings, long drives or those late-night moments when you’re deep into plotting your next getaway. Slip it on and you instantly feel like the main character of your own world tour.
It’s a fun nod for anyone who appreciates a little Easter egg energy without shouting it from the rooftops. Cozy enough for red-eye flights and cute enough for trip photos, it’s the kind of piece that quietly says you’re living your next great chapter on your own terms.
Gonex Rolling Duffle
I was long overdue for a luggage overhaul this year so I was thrilled to try out the Gonex rolling duffle. Made of water resistant PVC, it’s durable and at 70L, has more than enough space for trips. Highly recommend, especially if you’re hard on luggage like I am!
Also check out their compression packing cubes, a lifesaver when you’re moving locations mid-trip.
Apple AirTags
Whether you’re a traveler or a homebody, you can never have too many Apple AirTags. They’re handy on lost suitcases, dogs, car keys… I mean, the possibilities are endless.
If you don’t know what to get someone or you’re in a bind re: White Elephant or Secret Santa, an Apple AirTag is ALWAYS appreciated!
Candles
If there’s ever been a candle that speaks my love language, it’s this one. “The Calming Scent of Planning Another Trip” feels like it was poured straight from my brain into a jar. Between juggling flights, deadlines and whatever chaos the holidays bring, lighting it is basically a permission slip to daydream about my next escape. One whiff and I’m instantly scouring Google Maps like it’s a competitive sport.
Consider it aromatherapy for wanderlusters — the kind that pairs best with a fresh passport stamp and a cup of something warm.
GoPro Hero 13 | Creator Edition
I always include the GoPro on my holiday gift guide and for good reason – aside from my iPhone, it’s the one piece of camera gear that goes with me everywhere, from scuba diving in Bonaire to camping at Ginnie Springs. I just bought the new one for snorkeling with manta rays in Hawaii and it was perfection, even in the dark. Read more about my tips for scuba with a GoPro.
TIP: I’ve been a fan of Amazon’s Wish List feature for years because it ensures I get what I want, in the size and color I want. You can’t leave these things up to chance, you know? Now Amazon has a new feature – the Holiday Wish List. It takes all the guesswork out of holiday gifting, you can sort the list by family member and you have 90 days to return and exchange if needed. Could not be easier!
Create a Holiday Wish List for your whole family for free!
Prepster Emergency Backpack
Preppi’s Prepster bags are stocked with supplies to get you through an emergency – be it a wildfire, hurricane, tornado, or some as-yet-to-be discovered 911 situation. Each bag comes with a lifetime guarantee and solar/hand-crank charging station to keep your phone charged when the power goes out, food & water, space blanket, hygiene products, whistle, hand warmers, poncho, multi-tool, first aid kit and so much more. The way the world is, it would be crazy not to have at least one of these kits within arm’s reach!
Pet Weekender Bag
Stylish bag with all the essentials for a pet’s weekend away. What? Your pups don’t go on adventures? Our bunch is forever going back and forth between Orlando and Jacksonville, so they really need their own luggage for the trip. And if they ever did need to fly, this Pet Weekender Bag is airline approved and fits under the seat.
Life Straw Water Bottle
There’s really no reason to be wandering this planet in 2024 A.D. with a plain Jane water bottle. Not when you can have a Life Straw water bottle whose filtration system protects against 99.999999% of bacteria (including E. Coli and Salmonella), 99.999% of parasites (including Giardia), and 99.999% of micro plastics. It reduces chlorine, odors, organic chemical matter and improves taste, and the filter lasts for about 1,000 gallons.
RFID-Blocking Passport Holder
Lightweight and compact but still big enough to hold a passport, ID, vaccine cards and more. Comes in a ton of colors and holds coins, a key, a pen, a passport and more.
Monogrammed Travel Jewelry Case
I got a gorgeous travel jewelry case in a FabFitFun box last year, and I take it with me on every trip now. I don’t even bother unpacking it. Looks great on my dresser and drops right into my carry-on, and I love this monogrammed version. Perfect gift for the chic traveler.
Ancestry DNA Kit
The holidays are a great time to dig into what makes you YOU, and both Ancestry DNA and 23andMe have great sales at this time of year. Rick and I have used both Ancestry DNA and 23andMe and it has been helpful from a health perspective in particular!
EASY, LAST-MINUTE GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS
If you’re not seeing this until December 20th, well I’ve got ideas for you, too. You procrastinating son-of-a-gun. Just like my Dad at Walmart on Christmas Eve every year, here you are searching desperately for a gift that doesn’t look like you got it AT THE LAST MINUTE from the clearance bin. Am I guilting you? Maybe just a little bit. But let’s leave the past in the past and help you not look like a Grinch on the big day.
Here are our favorite gifts you can snag at any time. No torturous shopping and no shipping required!
Priority Pass
There’s just nothing better than lounge access when you’re traveling. Free wifi, cozy seats, food and drinks! Priority Pass membership gives you access to 1,400+ lounges in more than 600 cities across 148 countries, no matter what airline you’re on.
DEAL: 30% if you buy on Black Friday!
Medjet Membership
I would LOVE a Medjet renewal under my tree every year! If I get sick and have to be hospitalized while traveling, Medjet is who I count on to get me all the way home. Depending on the membership, Medjet handles global crisis response as well. Read my Medjet review here.
For details: MedjetAssist.com/Cyber
Audible Subscription
Audible has single handedly helped me to prevent the clutter that naturally comes with being a bibliophile. I love having a book always queued up on my phone so any time I have a moment, I can dive back into wherever I left off. Great gift for a busy traveler!
Past Travel Gift Guides for Even More Ideas
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021
That’s a wrap on my 2025 holiday travel gift guide. From all of us here at Angie Away, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and generally joyous season no matter what you celebrate. Thank you for another year of supporting us in doing what we love. We’ll see you in 2026!