• Travel

    I’ve Been to 10 Countries This Year—Here’s What to Gift the Traveler In Your Life

    fig_admin Posted on

    I got a shiny new passport at the top of this year (a not-so-free gift with purchase that came with making my married name official) and I’m proud to say it’s already got some wear and tear. In 2024, I tended to a beehive at the top of a mountain in New Zealand, explored the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, and downed a lifetime’s worth of fondue in Switzerland.

    And while I still haven’t found a solution for jet lag other than caffeine and a prayer, I have found some items that help streamline packing and make traveling in general a whole lot more comfortable. Behold, 11 items that I can personally attest will elevate your travel experience—or the travel experience of the jet-setter on your gifting list—and make any middle seat feel like first class.

    ‘Tis the season for gifting! Check out Allure’s holiday shopping hub for the latest and greatest gift recommendations!

    My Favorite Gifts for Travelers

    • Jenny Patinkin Brush Babies Mini Makeup Brush Set

      1/11

      Jenny Patinkin

      Brush Babies Mini Makeup Brush Set

      Makeup brushes are kind of a bummer to travel with: They get surprisingly heavy, and the bristles always manage to get bent or banged up. That’s why this kit is so genius. Inside one cute little pouch are six mini versions of some of my favorite full-size eye and cheek brushes.

    • Leatherology XL Train Case

      2/11

      Leatherology

      XL Train Case

      Have you ever wished for a smaller cosmetics case? Yeah, me neither. This one comes in multiple sizes, but the XL version is my favorite for long-haul trips because I can store all my skin and hair products upright, which saves space—and sanity.

    • Lorna Murray Tuscany Capri Hat

      3/11

      Lorna Murray

      Tuscany Capri Hat

      As a New Yorker, the only time I find myself in need of a wide-brimmed hat to wear while lounging by a pool is when I’m away from home—which is why I was forever in search of one that was easy to pack. The pleats in this one make it simple to fold and it gets so compact that I can tuck it into a tote when I’m not using it.

    • Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Receiver

      4/11

      Twelve South

      AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Receiver

      I’m pretty sure I’ve never gotten more “likes” than when I posted a photo of this Bluetooth-enabled device that allows you to watch an in-flight movie without using airline-issued wired headphones. Thanks to this little contraption, which can be synced with AirPods or wireless headphones, I no longer get tangled up in wires every time I get up to stretch my legs or use the bathroom.

    • Slip Petal Contour Sleep Mask

      5/11

      Slip

      Petal Contour Sleep Mask

      To maintain a somewhat regular sleep schedule when traveling, sometimes you have to squeeze in a snooze while the sun is still up. This sleep mask blocks out unwanted light and looks good doing it.

    • Eberjey Gisele Tencel Modal Long PJ Set

      6/11

      Eberjey

      Gisele Tencel Modal Long PJ Set

      Wear your pajamas to the airport. Just do it. You won’t regret it. No one will notice (especially if you wear a chic set like this one topped off with a cardigan or crewneck sweater) but even if they did, you’ll be so comfortable and fall asleep so easily on the plane, you’re not going to care.

    • La Bonne Brosse N.02 The Small Care & Detangling Hair Brush

      7/11

      La Bonne Brosse

      N.02 The Small Care & Detangling Hair Brush

      I’ve been known to use hotel shampoo and conditioner in a pinch, but I draw the line at those little plastic combs. This travel-size brush has both boar bristles (to help distribute natural oils) and nylon fibers (to detangle) and easily slips inside a protective pouch (available for purchase separately).

    • Ray-Ban Meta Headliner Smart Glasses

      8/11

      Ray-Ban

      Meta Headliner Smart Glasses

      These smart glasses are great for travel because the built-in Meta AI can translate menus, provide directions, or make local recommendations. And with a click of a button, you can take a photo or video of whatever’s right in front of you—so you’ll remember your trip exactly as you saw it.

    • Rael Miracle Patch Advanced Strength Retinol Spot Cover

      9/11

      Rael

      Miracle Patch Advanced Strength Retinol Spot Cover

      Getting a pimple on vacation can be a buzzkill. But these tiny patches—infused with retinol, niacinamide, and ceramides—discreetly draw out oil, reduce redness, and soothe irritation in a matter of hours. I wore one on my flight home from Seoul, and by the time I landed, my once-angry breakout was barely a blip on my radar.

    • Tower 28 Mini SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray with Hypochlorous Acid

      10/11

      Tower 28

      Mini SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray with Hypochlorous Acid

      There are lots of mists that can make your face feel temporarily hydrated, but few have as many skin benefits as this one: Thanks to anti-inflammatory hypochlorous acid, a spritz of this stuff reduces redness and soothes irritation. And as I once found out firsthand, it also helps take the sting out of sunburns.

    • Paravel Packing Cube Quad

      11/11

      Paravel

      Packing Cube Quad

      Just like having dividers in your drawers helps keep your socks in line, using packing cubes in your luggage helps keep your stuff in some semblance of order. If you’re the type who packs by outfit, you could put what you need for each day of your trip in a different soft-sided cube. As for me, I like to use one for each category of items, like t-shirts, undergarments, or shoes.

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