Last Updated: 11/21/2022

2022 Holiday Travel Gift Guide For Every Kind of Traveler

It’s been a minute since I’ve felt inspired to put together a travel gift guide.

But this holiday season, at long last, Travel feels possible . . . and promotable. With so much revenge travel happening these days, I’m sure many of us have more than a few people on our holiday shopping lists who would appreciate some travel related gifts.

This gift guide for travelers features all the items I use every single time I travel. These items have proven their worth time and time again. They might not be the cutest or most exciting, but gosh darn, they’re useful. If you’re looking for the gift that people will thank you for years after they received it because they use it so much, read on. I’ve got you covered with stocking stuffers, clothing, luggage, books, and other travel gift ideas for all budgets.

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission that helps me create this blog’s content. There’s no extra cost to you.

Pin this travel gift guide so you don’t forget that perfect gift idea!

In defense of the Amazon gift guide

I know, I know . . . we get inundated with gift guides this time of year.

But to be brutally honest, affiliate links are a huge way bloggers like me generate income. If you want to support small businesses, but don’t need anything from your local boutique shop, consider using the links in your favorite blogger’s gift guide this season.

I’m as big a proponent of shopping locally and supporting small businesses at Christmastime as the next person. But if you’re a traveler, chances are that you have limited use for most items in a typical downtown gift shop. There’s nothing wrong with tea towels, artisan candies, and clever greeting cards, but they’re probably not what someone who’s frequently away from home really wants. 

Feel free to prove me wrong though. If you’re packing scented candles in your carry-on to use during your travels, let me know in the comments below . . . I have questions . . . .

And now, without further ado, here’s my list of painfully practical travel gift ideas.

Travel Gift Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Reusable Silverware

Sheet Masks 

Wired Headphones

Silverware – I always keep a lightweight set of reusable plastic silverware in my purse. Maybe it’s a little extra, but I swear, I use this set every time I travel. You never know when you’re going to find yourself in a peanut butter spreading emergency. It also cuts down on the amount of one-time use only utensils in landfills if you grab a salad at the airport.

Sheet Masks – From the dry air on airplanes to intense UV rays, travel can be tough on your skin. That’s why I always like to have a couple sheet masks in my travel toiletry bag. These paper masks weigh next to nothing and they feel so lovely at the end of a long travel day. If, like me, you have sensitive skin and the tingling sensation these masks promise often feels more like burning, I’ve had good luck with the Yes to brand masks.

Wired Headphones – In an age when most people use wireless headphones and phones don’t even have headphone jacks, it’s hard to remember that if you need wired headphones to watch inflight entertainment. That’s why every traveler needs an inexpensive pair of wired headphones. Keep them with your travel gear so you don’t have to be the person asking the flight attendant for headphones.

More Travel Stocking Stuffers

Chico Reuseable Bags

Wool Socks

Zeiss Wipes

Chico Reuseable Shopping Bags – A friend gave me a Chico shopping bag when I lived in London and some 15 years later, that bag’s still going strong. It’s so handy to keep a couple of the bags in your purse. Not only are they good for the environment, they can also save you some $$ if you’re visiting a city with a plastic bag ordinance. They also work great as travel laundry bags!

Darn Tough Wool Socks –  Everyone deserves to have comfy feet, but it’s especially important when traveling. I’ve had especially good luck with all styles of Darn Tough socks. They may not last a lifetime, but they definitely have way more life in them than other popular wool sock brands.

Zeiss Lens Cleaning Wipes – Throw a handful of Zeiss Lens Wipes into your luggage to keep your cameras and glasses clean while you’re on the go. I’m always shoving my sunglasses and phone into random pockets during my trips. These wipes make sure I can actually see (and photograph) the vistas I’ve traveled thousands of miles to see.

Travel Sleep Kit Gift 

Goli Ashwa Gummies

Eye Mask

Ear Plugs

I strongly believe that to get the most out of your travels, you must get a good night’s sleep every night you’re away from home.  (Check out my travel sleep post for all my best travel sleep tips.) A little travel sleep kit makes an incredibly thoughtful and practical gift.

My favorite travel sleep aids to include in a sleep kit

Goli Ashwagandha Gummies – Not only do these vegan gummies taste good, they also really help you unwind. If you order directly from the Goli website, use the code “YellowBrick” to receive 10% off your first order!

Eye mask – If you’re not traveling with an eye mask, do you even travel?

Ear plugs – Mack’s ear plugs are the softest, most effective ear plugs I’ve used. Nothing gets me to sleep faster in an unfamiliar setting than blocking out some of the ambient noise. Don’t worry, you can still hear an alarm with these in!

For a quick gift, throw these sleep aids into a sweet little zippered pouch. You could also include some melatonin and lavender essential oil!

 Travel Essentials

Road Atlas

Adapter Kit

Power Bank

Road Atlas – Call me old school, but whenever I’m heading on a road trip, I always pack a physical road atlas. Rental cars don’t provide you with physical maps and when you’re in rural America, you never know when your cell service will cut out.

Plug Adapter Kit – If you’re traveling internationally, you’re gonna need an adapter for your chargers.

Power Bank – If you’re away from a power source for an extended period of time, like on a multi-day hiking trip, a power bank will keep all your devices juiced up for days on end. We’ve used a Goal Zero power bank for years and it works great for both outdoor and urban travel. The flashlight feature has proved handy as well.

Travel Clothing Gifts for Women

Cotopaxi Fleece

Kizik Sneakers

Vuori Joggers

Cotopaxi Fleece – I basically live in Cotopaxi clothing all year long. (I’m actually wearing a Cotopaxi fleece right now!) The full-zip Teca fleece is my favorite for air travel days – so nice and cozy on chilly airplanes! They’ve proven super durable; after two years, my first fleece is still going strong and my vest shows no signs of wear. I also really love their use of bright color.

Kizik Sneakers – If you don’t like fussing with your shoes after you’ve cleared TSA at the airport, you might need some slip-on Kizik sneakers in your life. I wore these for our entire New England trip, including on hikes. They kept me knee pain free, which is more than can be said of any other slip-on shoe I’ve worn traveling.  But full disclosure: Kizik sneakers aren’t perfect. They could use a little more traction. If you’re flat footed, you may want to add an insole insert for extra support and cushion.

Vuori Joggers – You might balk at the price tag, but Vuori joggers really are the softest, most luxurious joggers on the market. I’m not normally one to wear leisure wear when I travel, but these are stylish enough for me to make an exception. They also pack up to next to nothing so they’re very “carry-on” friendly.

Books For Readers Who Travel

People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry

Cloud Cuckoo Land – Anthony Doerr

World Travel – Anthony Boudarin