40 COOL GIFTS FOR THAT TRAVELING FRIEND WHOSE GRID IS NOTHING BUT STUNNING VACATION PHOTOS
What are my credentials? I hit four new-to-me countries this year and plan my life around my next adventure. I also try to carry-on-only as much as possible, so I've tried out ALL sorts of travel gadgets, products, and more. In short, this COULD be a gift guide for someone shopping for me. Hiiiii, friends and family!
So, I'm going to hold your hand when I tell you that your travel-obsessed loved one already has their carry-on-only game perfected and don't even think about getting them a passport cover. Same goes for cheap luggage and toiletry kits! We can do better than that to celebrate where they've journeyed, help 'em plan their next adventure, or make their next long-haul a bit comfier. Trust me, because I've assembled here what I've been given, what I find useful myself, and what I'd love to receive to help better enable my favorite hobby!
1. We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay, a hilarious collection of travel-centric essays from writer Gary Janetti (uh, you may have heard of his work, like Family Guy, Will & Grace, and the absolute gem Vicious). But don't worry, this isn't about someone nearly (or ACTUALLY) dying in the wilderness or finding themselves through eating and praying. Though, they will probably cackle out loud at this on a plane.
Can you tell I'm a fan of Mr. Janetti and this book?! (Also of his other two books.) As soon as I heard this book existed, I pre-ordered it and polished it off pretty quickly while actually on a flight delay! Occasionally, people will rec a travel book that makes my eyes glaze over just from the "heartwarming" description. I'm not The Grinch, but you only live once, and I want to spend my time laughing and traveling as much as possible. Not sobbing. OK, this book is also occasionally touching — like the rest of his writing. After poring over it, I genuinely picked up some great travel tips and learned that The Orient Express doesn't quite live up to expectations. Noted! This would be an incredibly thoughtful gift for an avid traveler with a sense of humor and who comes back from each trip with some kind of wild and hilarious tale. And maybe just pick up a copy for yourself while you're at it.
Get it from Amazon or Bookshop (if you want to support indie bookstores) for $11.99+.
2. A US bucket list water bottle in case your recipient is aiming to step foot in every single state (and territory, if possible)! This comes with a waterproof sticker for each state they can plant onto said water bottle after visiting. Also, it'll be a bit more motivation for them to not leave their water bottle on a plane or train again. (Guilty as charged.)
3. A 1,000-piece National Parks puzzle if when they're at home plotting their next vacation, they like to unwind with a puzzle. What a delight!
Promising review: "My family has traveled to many of these national parks, so I was super excited to work the puzzle; however, when I finished it, I KNEW I wanted to glue and frame it. I love working puzzles, but had never framed one before. I put it in my sitting room, which also has a wall gallery of family pictures from our cross-country trips!" —heather smith
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
4. Or an extremely cute National Parks hat you can do a little extra scrolling on their social media to personalize by seeing where the last park is they visited and buy 'em the matching hat. Then you can ask, "So was Rocky Mountain National Park actually purple?" (It wasn't when I went.)
Promising review: "I love this hat. It’s sturdy, high quality, beautiful colors, and very comfortable. When my Rocky Mountain National Park hat gets worn out, I will be buying the other national parks." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $32.96 (also available in Olympic, Arches, Yosemite, Big Bend, and Grand Canyon national parks).
5. A Birdie personal safety alarm that'll be fine to take through security and carry around with them in a variety of places (unlike pepper spray or mace). It has a 130-decibel siren (which is the equivalent of a jet take-off) and flashing strobe lights they can start in case anyone starts acting funny to them. Also it's REALLY a gift for you because it'll give you both some extra peace of mind.
Promising review: "I moved to the city a few months ago and have since had some uncomfortable encounters with men. I didn't want to carry any type of self protection that could potentially get me kicked out of somewhere (like if they did a bag search at a museum or something and found my pepper spray), so I now carry my Birdie on my key chain all the time. I feel so much safer and comfortable walking on my own. This thing is LOUD and would definitely draw tons of attention. It doesn't come out super easily (I was worried about it accidentally going off in my purse), but is easy enough to use. I 100% recommend!!!" —Heidi Wilson
Get it from Amazon for $23.96+ (available in six colors).
Related: If You're Only Going To Check Out 10 Black Friday Deals On Amazon, It Should Be These
6. 100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas, a book chock-full of road trip ideas if they wanna get out and see more of North America through a windshield instead of staring at a quilt-like landscape from a plane and wondering if they're over Colorado or Utah. (Though it *is* pretty cool to see The Hoover Dam on the way to Vegas!)
I'm actually buying this for my dad for Christmas because he LOVES a road trip and loves a deep dive to plan a trip, even if it means flying to one state and ending in another before flying home. (Shout out to Aerial America for educating him about Carhenge, which we visited!)
Get it from Amazon for $12.80 or Bookshop (if you'd like to support a local indie store) for $23.29.
Also consider National Geographic's books 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas and 50 States, 5,000 Ideas.
7. An Airfly wireless transmitter that'll let them connect their AirPods (or other Bluetooth earbuds) to their airplane seat so they don't have to wait on the flight attendant to pass out wired earbuds to queue up You've Got Mail for the millionth time. It's the LAW that you've got to watch a Meg Ryan film if the plane has it in the library.
It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.
Promising review: "Just returned from a European vacation and this little device worked like a charm! The sound cancellation worked really well on that horribly long 14-hour flight and I could hear the movie perfectly. Just buy it, it's a must have (until airlines convert their stuff to Bluetooth, don't hold your breath)." —Just a Muggle Mom
Get it from Amazon for $54.99+ (available in four styles).
8. And a hands-free (rotating!) phone mount to help them watch what they want or take advantage of the movies available online for those budget airlines without TVs in the back of the seats. It'll work on the plane *or* while they wait to board. A three-hour flight without a seat TV should be illegal.
Promising review: "I used it on a round trip. It is has a powerful and sturdy clip that will attach to almost anything. I didn’t have to attempt to balance it on the food tray or strain my neck. It remained at eye level and never attempted to sway or fall. I’d buy it again. Also I’d consider it as a stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler. This is definitely a thumbs-up!" —Kara
Get it from Amazon for $9.78 (available in six colors).
9. A world scratch-off map they'll get giddy about scratching off after they return from a new-to-them country. My friend Courtney bought me one YEARS ago and that's literally me. It also just looks cool on my wall!
Unfortunately, the company that made my map seemingly no longer exists (though it's still going strong!). So I found one that's super close to mine!
Promising review: "I love my scratch-off map and look forward to revealing more of it every time I’m on my way home from a new place (46 states and 54 countries and counting!). I’ve bought this as a gift for a few people who also love it. The foil is a little messy when you scratch it off (like a lottery ticket), but it’s worth the small cleanup!" —jg
Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in two sizes and in a black or white background).
10. And a scratch-off US map they'll make a run for once they return home from their four-state road trip. I have an older version of this map on my wall and ADORE it. It's such a conversation starter when people come over, too!
Kristin Douglas Art is a Salt Lake, Utah–based small biz specializing in beautifully designed scratch-off maps, art, and more! Psst, if you love the idea of supporting a small biz but want a slightly different map, there are lots of options!
Get it from Kristin Douglas Art on Etsy for $26.25+ (available with or without a wooden magnetic frame).
11. A digital luggage scale will make sure they aren't slammed with an overweight luggage fee at the check-in counter, and have to start making sacrifices. It's super light and small. I own one and keep it in my personal item backpack's front for easy access.
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
I tested this digital luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok!
Promising review: "We used this on a six-flight trip across Europe and it made it easy to know that we repacked our bags according to the various weight limits. Some bags had a 10-kg limit and some had a 50-lb limit so it was convenient to switch back and forth between units (even though dividing by 2.2 isn't exactly rocket science)." —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $8.54+ (available in four colors and a two-pack).
12. A CarryAround foldable cup holder to help them REALLY make the most of an all-inclusive resort's beach drinks. And possibly make them some new resort friends?! Plus, it folds down flat for simple packing. (Could also be good for a sports outing!)
Check out a TikTok of the drink holder in action.
Promising review: "I bought this to use on a cruise. I had such an easy time carrying my drinks around. So many people asked where I purchased it from." —Jasmine
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in multipacks).
13. A quick-drying microfiber beach towel built to shake off sand and pack small in their suitcase. Remember that story about how they had to climb down a giant set of stairs to get to some remote beach and snuck out their hotel towel for said beach day? I can vouch that this is the *perfect* towel for your adventurous type cousin and it'll be way less hefty than that hotel towel.
Promising review: "Love this! I am a flight attendant and keep it in my suitcase for various uses, but it's an outstanding for beach or picnic blanket. It weighs nothing, beautiful, and great quality! My new go-to gift item." —Laurance F. Haun
Get it from Amazon for $29.49+ (available in 21 patterns).
14. Some "I'd Rather Be Traveling" socks they can wear around the house when they're having FOMO at home for New Year's after mulling over and then deciding against a trip to Costa Rica with friends.
Promising review: "Gave them to my sister as a bon voyage. She is heading to Ireland." —Barbar Jo Evans
Get them from Amazon for $9.59.
Related: 35 Things To Buy During Cyber Week That'll Make Your Home Look Straight Out Of A Magazine
15. An airplane seat back organizer that'll make the most of their space because those seat back pockets are NEVER as big as you need them to be. With this, they can actually store snacks, a water bottle, and so much more without having to get up and get stuff out of the overhead throughout a flight.
Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
My colleague Emma Lord owns and loves this: "I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"
Promising review: "Very useful, especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage to things like water bottles, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, and headphones. I didn't have to access my carry-on." —JJ
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
16. An AirTag-compatible cute keychain if they're forever losing their wallets or keys, or just have their backpack AirTag floating around loosey-goosey in a pocket.
17. A cute snack pouch with Stoney Clover Lane vibes (at an economy-seat price) that'll corral all their snacks in one place in their tote instead of pulling them at random out of their coat pockets. Everyone needs a snack friend!
Sage Nation is a small business specializing in quirky organizational pouches for travel and home use.
Promising review: "Lettering is spot on. Love the colors, and the clear bag makes it easy for kids to see what is available. Quality materials and construction." —Lisa Stanko
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
18. And some fun Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Hot Chocolate in case your pal always seems to have a packet of the (delish) Firecracker Popsicle flavor on hand. Put THIS in that snack bag!
FYI, depending on your situation, water may be enough to rehydrate you! Read more about electrolyte-enhanced drinks and hydration at Cleveland Clinic.
Psst — BuzzFeeder Tasia Bass mentioned that she likes to put these in coffee!!
Promising review: "Hydration Multiplier Hot Chocolate has a rich, chocolaty flavor with a hint of nutty cocoa sweetness. It’s cozy, smooth, and perfect for cold days when you just want something warm and comforting. Every sip feels soothing, satisfying, and seasonal!" —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $17.96.
19. And some Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets in case you've ever been around them when it's been "too long" (their definition) since they've had caffeine. They just need hot water for this! It does have 300 mg of caffeine per cup, so tell them to proceed accordingly.
Check out a TikTok of the Deathwish Instant Coffee in action.
Death Wish Coffee is a small business that specializes in coffee pods, grounds, whole beans, and more. I've tried basically all their flavors and love them. As someone who drinks a lot of coffee, I find it def adequate caffeine-wise! According to the Mayo Clinic, “up to 400 milligrams of caffeine appears to be safe for most healthy adults,” but you should talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Promising review: "So let me start by saying that this coffee is delicious and works if you’re someone like me who wants to stay awake. I work night shifts at a hospital, and in the mornings, when I get home, I’m quite tired and sleepy. I made myself a cup of coffee and waited for it to work. Now let me tell y’all!!! This coffee kept me awake for hours!! BOY, WAS I WOWED INDEED … best believe I went ahead and ordered three more boxes. This is now my to-go coffee if I need a BOOST!!!!!! If you like coffee and want to stay awake, then BUY THIS COFFEE!!! I’m happy I no longer have to take naps to get re-energized." —nancy
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $10.99.
20. A genius amber reading light they can clamp onto a physical book or their beloved Kindle. And *why* an amber light? It's 99.94% free of blue spectrum light so it'll be way less disruptive to a plane or train seatmate who's trying to conk out ASAP.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic light! I use it every evening to continue reading while my son sleeps, it does not wake him or impede my sleep after I’m ready to go to bed. Great product." —Brian Masters
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
21. A pair of cute rechargeable hand warmers to keep their hands nice and toasty while on the go. After all, how are they supposed to keep their eyes peeled for the start of The Northern Lights if they're distracted by their frozen hands?
I don't own *these* hand warmers, but used some other hand warmers from the brand while I sought out The Northern Lights in Iceland in February! They were a lifesaver.
My colleague Emma Lord swears by these: " I personally swear by this brand and have been using their hand warmers during frigid NYC winters for over six years now. When you keep them in your pockets and let your hands stay all toasty, you are 1000000% always the most comfortable human in the chill."
Check out a TikTok of the new Ocoopa hand warmers in action.
Promising review: "These hand warmers are adorable and compact, but they get surprisingly warm! Perfect size for carrying in a pocket or bag, and they heat up quickly. Love the design too!" —Blaire
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in seven styles).
Related: 36 Gifts So Fun And Cute That They’d Even Make Eeyore Smile
22. A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger that'll help your on-the-go sibling charge up their iPhone, Apple watch, and AirPods all at one time when they're working with a lone airline outlet. And then perhaps when they're working with a lone outlet in their hotel room.
You can also use it in a "pyramid" style, so you can prop up your phone and watch videos or Facetime while it's charging. Just use a MagSafe case (My colleague Maitland Quitmeyer loves the Smartish Gripmunk one!) so it stays in place!
Promising review: "These chargers are great. Space for phone, watch, and AirPods, or two phones. They work much better than some of the more expensive brands. You can tell when you put your phone down that it connects like a magnet to make sure your phone is properly placed for charging. It also folds up small for travel. Only wireless charger you will need." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in six colors).
23. A chic Aura picture frame can help them appreciate their pics at Ha Long Bay, at Christ the Redeemer in Rio, and at a winery in Napa, all for the least amount of effort possible. They simply upload their pics they want to display to a user-friendly app and said pics rotate out in the frame. Heck, they can park it on their desk at work as a reminder for why they're keeping this job.
Aura is a small business! BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga has one of these: "My husband and I have one of these in our home and have also gifted it to his grandparents and both of our parents. We're diehards for this digital frame, to say the least. Instead of sending everyone updated photos of the grandkids (my kids) directly, I was able to create one album that automatically updates on their frames. Everyone feels in the loop and is constantly commenting about how much they love being able to see the kids daily. You can also invite other people to upload their photos/videos to the Aura app — and there is unlimited storage on each frame!"
Promising review: "I had been looking for years for something just like this! Not only is this a very clear picture frame, but the app it use is exactly what I wanted for my parents. Somewhere that the whole family could leave pictures and notes to each other privately. It’s like a personal Instagram for only my family. The initial setup was rather difficult, but not a single issue after that. We have been using this frame and app for nearly one year, and it has worked flawlessly. I was worried about spending so much money on a digital frame and it not being what I wanted. But this is a true piece of quality and worth every penny." —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $159+ (available in eight colors).
24. A 2-in-1 nausea relief inhaler they'll even slip into a day bag or shorts pocket in case they start feeling a bit whoozy. Reviewers say it helps with random nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and just feeling quite a bit icky. Simply inhale it or rub it on the tip of your nose to enjoy the "I'm feeling better" benefits. What an excellent stocking stuffer!
Promising review: "Took this on my first cruise. Anytime that I started to feel woozy I’d reach for it. I’m sure the required act of deep breathing helped a lot — and breathing in the fragrance of the essential oil is very calming and effective. Worked for me! Wonderful!" —Willy&Lilly
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a pack of four).
25. A set of Minnie Mouse ear scrunchies that'll please the Disney Adult (or child) who already has every single thing Disney already and makes it to the parks several times a year. These won't hurt their heads like the regular ears, either!
Promising review: "I bought these at the last minute prior to a school trip to Disney. They came in a two-pack. I wore them EVERY DAY of the trip. They are so dang cute and durable. Standing in lines for the ride, almost EVERYONE asked me about them. They thought I bought them there, but surprisingly, NOT ONE shop at any of the Disney properties sold this. I sold one to someone in the line!" —Melissa Rae
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.89 (available in 13 styles).
26. Some waterproof playing cards so they can play all sorts of different games during downtime, or just on the beach while the waves are gently crashing nearby and they need to sit in the shade awhile.
Promising review: "This was an impulse buy and so glad I did it. Took them on vacation and they worked so well on the beach and sand. A must-have." —paul molacek
"Really fun and durable." —Kim Leverett
Get them from Amazon for $5.97.
27. A windproof Repel travel umbrella that you can make a point of telling them has a lifetime warranty! It's made with Teflon and fiberglass ribs, and will stay its umbrella shape in up to 85 MPH winds. So perhaps they can swap their wonky, half-broken umbrella in their go-to travel bag to this before they head to Edinburgh (trust me, they need a good umbrella).
Promising review: "What I love most about it is its durability. Even on extremely windy days, it has consistently held its own without flipping inside out, which is truly remarkable. The automatic open and close function works smoothly, and the handle is comfortable to grip, making for a pleasant user experience. And, of course, it keeps me perfectly dry. If you're looking for a sturdy and compact umbrella, I highly recommend this one! It's perfect for travel and a reliable companion for everyday use." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $20.39+ (available in 10 colors and multipacks).
28. A Baseus Picogo power bank to slap onto the back of their phone and still be able to use it! It's MagSafe and lightweight, so it'll be super easy to slip into a coat pocket or waist bag when they need some JUICE because somebody has to do a time-lapse video of riding a tram in Prague to send to the family group chat, and they're happy to be that somebody.
FYI, it can charge an iPhone 16 up to 55% in a mere 30 minutes.
Check out a TikTok of the Baseus power bank in action.
Promising review: "This power bank is exactly what I needed! It’s unbelievably slim — about the size of a card — yet packs enough power to give my iPhone a solid boost on the go. The MagSafe connection is strong and holds perfectly in place, and I love that it comes with a high-quality braided USB-C cable. Charging is quick, reliable, and the sleek alloy design makes it look premium. Value for money!" —Noor Singh
Get it from Amazon for $21.84 (available in four colors).
29. Waterproof travel binoculars so they can really make the most of whale watching or the views after hiking up to who-knows-how-high in some national park that looks like it's a painting. And while they're at home, reviewers say they're great for bird watching!
Promising review: "I’m not going to lie, I got these to spy on my neighbors. We live in an apartment complex, and I’m nosy. I also took them with us on a whale watching tour, and my husband and I have taken them on various nature-focused trips. The quality is excellent, and the weight isn’t too heavy. They’re extremely easy to use, and applying the strap was simple and made carrying them around easy. I’m definitely not a binocular expert, but honestly, for the price, I thought these were great." —Vanessa
Get them from Amazon for $36.98.
30. A square LED phone light that looked at their old ring light and said, "Hold my beer," because it won't leave that weird circle of light on their eyeballs. (I can't be the only person creeped out by that?!) They can clip it onto a phone, laptop, Kindle, or other device to help them light up the room (and screen) even more. BUT, they'll get lots of use out of it just on their travels!
Oh, and there are different brightness levels so they can adjust as needed depending on just how bright-eyed and bushy-tailed they wanna look.
Promising review: "This selfie light is amazing, 10/10! The lighting it provides is perfect, with different brightness levels and tones to suit any situation. Whether you’re taking photos, video calling, or recording content, this light significantly enhances image quality. I ordered it and my bestie loved it, so we ordered another one. absolutely love it." —sof
Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
31. A mini percussion massage gun in case they have a love affair with their full-size Theragun, but that would take up way too much suitcase space. With this, they can help ease their sore muscles after finishing Rome as a tourist in a single day. They did it all! There's no more to see!
Promising review: "I bought this massager for a three-week trip. It worked well. It is rechargeable, and it holds a good charge. It was powerful enough for both my girlfriend and me. It’s a little heavy, but that seems to be because it’s built well. I’m very happy with it and I would buy it again." —Fredb
Get it from Amazon for $41.99.
32. A foldable travel cushion to give their behind a gentler place to land without having to rearrange all their carry-on items to fit a full-size cushion. But reviewers also love carrying it around to make sitting in public comfier!
Promising review: "This portable seat cushion was a game changer on my last flight, which was a five-hour flight on hard plastic airplane seats. Placed this cushion on my airplane seat, and it helped relieve tension on my lower back. The cushion takes up a little space in my carry-on tote bag, but it was worth it!" —Cqdvc
Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in gray or brown).
Related: 44 Stocking Stuffers To Buy During Amazon's Black Friday Sale
33. An evidence bag–themed zipper pouch they'll especially love if they're a little overly confident in their sleuthing abilities *just* based on their podcast-listening history. BUT! What a fun place to store all their travel docs they can whip out at a moment's notice when the person at the hotel checkin counter is acting a little funny.
Promising review: "What a great gift for a crime/forensic LEO (unless they are sick of seeing them) or a TV show aficionado of crime. I am in the second category, as well as a crime fiction author. Not only does it hold items like a phone, wallet items, and change, you can use it for a Kindle separately." —Claire O'Sullivan
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three styles; also available in a "Classified" doc version).
34. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint for those nights when they could do with a foot massage after clocking, oh, 15,000 steps on charming cobblestone streets older than our country.
Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action.
My colleague Emma Lord loves these: "I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!"
Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation and they definitely felt good on our feet!" —KS2018
Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $10.77.
35. A fold-flat jewelry organizer if you've given up on a blocky jewelry organizer. (Same!) This design will let you easily slip your baubles into your personal item without hogging a bunch of space.
I have this in pink and am OBSESSED. I like to pack on the lighter side for trips (more room for souvenirs!) and make up for it with accessories and fun jewelry. It does make a difference! I find that with this, I can also slip some silk and satin scarves in here to use for my hair and change up my outfits even more.
Promising review: "What an adorable and efficient way to pack your jewelry! I have been hesitant even to bring jewelry on my last few vacations because it always got tangled. Love this! Bought one for my sister-in-law as well." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors/prints).
36. A soft-sided roll-up hair tools bag that'll help you corral all your tools, attachments, and cords in one dedicated spot. And as you can see, it's perfect for gathering all their Dyson Airwrap multistyler parts!
Promising review: "If you're looking for a soft-sided travel case for your Dyson Airstraight, this is absolutely perfect! It is the perfect length, and it has a cloth divider in the center to keep your plug separate from your device to prevent scratches while traveling. This is a really nice 'scuba' type material and has some pockets inside for hair ties or other hair accessories. Obviously, a hard-sided case would give more protection, but if you want something soft that can easily fit in a backpack or carry-on without taking up too much room, this is it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $27.95 (available in 11 colors).
37. A water bottle holder with a strap and storage for so much more because they're not really a daypack kinda person but require their emotional support Owala at all times. (Staying hydrated is important on vacation!)
Promising review: "Took this with me on a trip to Universal Studios and it was perfect! It held my 24-ounce Owala bottle as well as my phone, park card, and tickets, cash, and some keychains I bought while there! They also fit in the free lockers at Universal for anyone wondering! Super great quality! (Product is pictured on my left hip. I purchased the black color.)" —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $12.62+ (available in 14 colors).
38. A jokey candle in a scent of your choosing they can light when it's time to start poking around on flight deals to see where they wanna use their passport next.
Loomwicks is a New York–based small biz specializing in candles with all kinds of different celebratory or funny candle labels.
It's made from a 100% natural soy wax blend, vegan, and free from parabens, phthalates, plastics, synthetic dyes, and lead. And it has a 50+ hours burn time.
Promising review: "Perfect gift for a friend who loves to travel. The candle arrived quickly and was well wrapped. Great gift." —Nancy Crowley
Get it from Loomwicks on Etsy for $17.49 (available in six scents).
39. Lonely Planet Dream Trips of the World to grow their bucket list even longer and provide some detailed itineraries that'll really get the ball rolling on planning said trips. Kangaroo Island, here they come!
40. And a Shutterfly gift card they can use in a variety of ways to remind themselves of (one of) their trip(s) of a lifetime! I've made MANY photo books on the platform, and my friend MaryAnn has even gifted me gift cards, knowing I can use them toward the one for my latest trip!
Now, you can get as ~involved~ with making a photo book as you want. I'm hardcore about it, as a former yearbook staffer, and painstakingly arrange everything *just* so. But the website also lets you select which pictures you want in your book, a template, and auto-place them for you. Though there are LOTS of ways for your recipient to use their gift card. I just think that the photo books are especially neat. (I think I'm up to 8 of them now.)
Get it from Shutterfly for $10+ (available in a variety of amounts).
Still searching for the perfect gift? Check out:
* 54 Of The Best Gifts To Give In 2025
* 37 Gifts For The Person On Your List Who Says They "Don't Want Anything"
* 73 Of The Best Stocking Stuffers You Can Get Online
* 44 Food Gifts That’ll Be An Upgrade Over What They Can Get At The Grocery Store
* 35 Splurge-Worthy Gifts They're Sure To Treasure Forever
* 39 Next-Level Kid Gifts That Will Solidify Your Place As The Cool Parent
* 33 Of The Best Practical Gifts To Give This Year
* 37 Gifts For Couples Who've Been Together So Long That They've Run Out Of Gifts To Get Each Other
* 31 Unexpected Gifts That'll Put Santa To Shame
Plus gifts for gamers, dads, book lovers, your stressed-out friend, people who spend all day at their desks, and your Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange...or browse through all our gift guides here!
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?
BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
Elizabeth Lilly is a deputy editorial director with more than a decade of lifestyle journalism spanning a range of subjects under her (tool) belt that includes four and a half years at a home improvement magazine. So she has well-informed opinions on tubing mascara, but can also install a friend’s window AC unit before brunch. When she's not working, she's plotting her next trip (and how to pack carryon-only for it), catching the latest horror movie, picking up a stack of library books, or convincing friends to go see the latest museum exhibit.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.