1. A handy travel wallet complete with a RFID-blocking shield to stash and organize all their many important docs in one safe place. Also particularly great for having their ID readily available, so they're not *that* person in line at security.
2. Some itty bitty laundry soap sheets they'll need if they suddenly find themselves in a sitch where they've run out of clean undies, or spilled something on the *only* white tee they packed. All they have to do is simply add some water for some on-the-go handwashing.
3. An airplane phone mount to allow them to watch all their saved Netflix shows with comfort and ease mid-flight. And some reviewers are noting how it can be used in regular life, too — no plane ticket required.
4. A helpful "Pack this!" checklist that'll ensure they've got allllll the things they need for their trip — and some they may not have even thought of. The real nightmare before Christmas?Them realizing they forgot to pack their phone charger mid-bus ride.
5. A nifty travel pouch to secure their most prized possessions and keep them ~abreast~ (sorry, had to). This thing attaches to bras so their cash, credit cards, and copy of their passport are less vulnerable to pickpockets.
6. Or, if they need something more accessible, a belt that looks like a regular ol' accessory to keep jeans up and has a secret compartment that will fool any purse-snatcher. Good lookin' out!
7. OK, and one more, an ingenious (and adorable) hidden zipper scrunchie they can use to discreetly stash their cash, extra bobby pins, ChapStick, gym locker key...whatever they need to keep handy when they don't want to carry around extra weight.
8. An electronics pouch created to organize their most-used devices and the forest of tangled wires. Keeping everything in its place will not only ease the accessibility of their belongings, but also tame their disposition when they don't have to spend minutes (read: hours) unraveling cords.
9. Vacuum seal bags for a serious stocking stuffer any ~World Class Traveler~ would be jumping for joy over. These babies will save them a buttload of space in their suitcase so thick, bulky layers can be squished into a pancake...which means... the next time they go overseas, they'll have more space to bring you back gifts. Win-win!
10. A digital luggage scale that I, a consistent overpacker, would not have been able to travel without. Gift 'em this so they can save the inconvenience (and embarrassment) of paying overweight fees....
11. A heat-resistant silicone mat they'll think is genius when they don't have the time to wait for their hot hair tools to cool before their journey to the airport. They can simply wrap it up and toss it in their carry-on without fear of it burning a hole in their bag. (It can also be used to protect countertop surfaces, too! Perhaps something to mention on the gift tag?)
12. Tower 28's mini SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray for the anxious traveler whose complexion is a dead giveaway as to whether they're experiencing some mid-travel woes. This stuff packs a major (and figurative) punch for stressed-out skin with only three ingredients. Think: A gentle hypochlorous acid toner with H2O, plus sodium chloride to refresh and calm irritated skin and prevent future flare-ups — so they *and* their skin can breathe easy.
Tower 28 is an Asian woman-owned small clean beauty brand designed for sensitive skin. Their products are nontoxic, nonirritating, vegan, and cruelty-free, so you can rest easy when applying.
Promising review: "HOLY GRAIL!! I tried this spray for the first time about a year and a half ago. I had moved from a dry climate to a humid climate and my acne was out of control! I tried so many products before SOS. When I tell you my acne cleared up within a week…. SHEESH! I haven’t been without this spray since! I keep a mini with me at all times and for travel and recommend to all friends with skin concerns. Don’t walk, RUN to Sephora to get it!" —KuhKristen
Shipping info: Last day to order with standard shipping is Tuesday, Dec. 20. And last day for Flash 2-Day Shipping is Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Get it a 1 oz. bottle from Sephora for $12 (available in two sizes).
13. Silicone earplugs they'll consider a holiday miracle, because these work to relieve discomfort experienced on airplanes — whether that's a change in air pressure, or the sound of a screaming baby that just happens to be sitting directly next to them....
14. Some compression socks you'll be doing them a huge favor by getting for them, since these will comfortably keep their ankles and legs from ballooning mid-flight. Because let me tell you, having to squish swollen toes back into boots after some time in the air is no easy feet....
15. A TSA-approved toiletry bag that'll stash all their travel-sized liquids and ensure they're easily identifiable. No holding up security lines for them!
16. A genius and super practical car cupholder adapter built to extend the capabilities of the one they already have in their car — one that clearly wasn't designed to fit their motivational drinking bottle or Yeti coffee mugs (aka the necessities they'll be reaching for as they cross state lines).
Wine & Whiskey Co. is a Texas-based Etsy shop selling a wide range of adorable phone cases and T-shirts, plus genius car accessories (obvi).
Promising review: "Love it. Perfectly holds my 40-ounce Hydro Flask. No more rolling around the truck cab. Arrived quickly and works as described." —Jason J. Mease
Shipping info: This item ships for free! Deliveries can take up to 14 days to arrive — if you want it faster, you can upgrade your shipping at an extra cost.
Get it from Wine & Whiskey Co. on Etsy for $12.99 (also available in multipacks).
17. A 27-piece first aid kit, the gift that'll feel like finding a pot of gold at the bottom of their stocking. Useful, thoughtful, and something they'll be patting themselves on the back for packing since, I don't know why, but we seem to be more clumsy when we're away from home.
18. A collapsible, pocket-sized coffee cup if they, like me, cannot conceive of what a day of travel looks like without caffeine. This reusable gem is great if they need a pre-flight refill, and is perfect for when they arrive at their destination only to find that their hotel doesn't have clean mugs.
Stojo is a small biz founded by three New York dads who wanted a better way to get their convenient coffee fix without all the waste. Now they make stylish collapsible essentials in a variety of sizes and colors, including bottles and food storage containers!
My BuzzFeed Shopping colleague Danielle Healy has this and tells us: "This is one of the first zero-waste swaps I made and I've never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up — this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste. It's leakproof and, when you're all done, it collapses down teeny tiny and can be tossed back in your bag. Oh! And it comes with a straw, so all you iced coffee lovers can get in on the action, too."
Shipping info: Available on Amazon Prime with express shipping, non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).
Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in four sizes and in 24 colors).