Amanda Constantine |
When picking a gift, think about their travel habits — whether they’re always flying or glued to their phone. For frequent flyers, a luxurious silk eye mask can help them sleep comfortably on their next flight. This Good Housekeeping Seal holder is made with moisture-wicking material that’s gentle on skin and helps prevent hair creases while they sleep.
Traveling with tech often means packing a bunch of cords that somehow always end up tangled. This canvas and mesh carrying case — a popular choice on Amazon with over 16,000 five-star ratings! — solves that problem with five pockets to keep all their cords and essentials neatly organized.
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At just $10, this faux leather passport holder is a steal. It comes in nearly 30 colors, so you’re sure to find one they’ll love. With organized slots for a pen, credit cards, a passport and a boarding pass, plus a button snap closure to keep everything secure, it’s both stylish and practical.
For the tech enthusiast, a top-rated gadget is always a hit. This power bank from Baseus is compact enough to slip into a pocket or personal item, yet powerful enough to keep devices charged on the go. A favorite of our tech experts, it earned high marks in our tests for battery efficiency and can power almost any device while traveling, thanks to its wireless charging capability and built-in USB-C cable.
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This Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter plugs into the plane’s headphone jack and pairs with their wireless earbuds, allowing them to enjoy their favorite movies or music wire-free — an absolute must-have, according to several of our editors. With over 25 hours of battery life, it can even charge their phone mid-flight if they’re without a charger.
Lightweight yet super cozy, our Textiles Lab analysts love this half-zip sweatshirt from Spanx for travel days because it’s comfortable but still looks chic compared to other loungewear sets. If you’re feeling generous, consider gifting them the matching wide leg pants, too!
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With Vera Bradley’s lightweight hanging organizer, they’ll have plenty of space for all their favorite toiletries. Once at their destination, they can hang it on a towel hook, and the clear panels make it easy to see everything inside. Our testers were impressed by how much they could fit into this compact toiletry bag.
Air on planes can get pretty stuffy, but the Jisulife portable neck fan will keep things breezy. It may look like headphones, but it features 78 air vents and can run for 4 to 16 hours, depending on the speed setting.
“I quickly became obsessed with this neck fan,” says GH staffer Lauren Matthews. “It feels a little odd to wear at first, kind of like having headphones around your neck, but it’s truly life-changing.”
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A must-have for world travelers, this universal plug-in has over 26,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and comes with six interchangeable outlet attachments, making it compatible in nearly every country. It also features two USA outlets, a USB-C cable and two USB charging ports to power all their gadgets and travel gear.
Over-packers will appreciate a set of packing cubes for keeping everything organized and easy to find. This set from popular luggage brand Calpak is our Textile Lab’s top overall pick, thanks its sturdiness and mesh panels for breathability and easy visibility.
“These packing cubes helped me keep all my clothes organized when overpacking my carry-on,” said one GH tester who used these cubes on a two-week trip to Japan. “I appreciated that the sturdy material maintained its shape when I placed the cubes in my hotel drawers.”
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They’ll stay cozy throughout their travels with this plush blanket that doubles as a pillow when folded into its carrying case. Available in a dozen colors, it even comes with a clip for attaching to a backpack and a luggage strap for sliding over a suitcase handle.
This Amazon favorite is our best value pick for travel jewelry cases, thanks to its soft lining that prevents scratches and a built-in mirror for easy accessorizing on the go. It also features removable dividers and grooves for earrings, rings and necklaces, helping them keep everything organized and tangle-free.
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Paravel’s travel backpack folds down into its own pocket, making it ideal for day trips or excursions. This water-resistant bag has enough space for clothing, essentials and a 15-inch laptop. The brand’s duffel version is also great for bringing home souvenirs.
This filtered water bottle from LifeStraw removes contaminants for cleaner, better-tasting sips. Our kitchen gear experts have tested it everywhere — from airport taps to a waterfall in Mexico — without any issues. They also love its double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for hours.
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They can easily stream their favorite shows in-flight with this phone holder mount, which can attach to anything from a tray table to a luggage handle. It’s compatible with the latest iPhones and most Samsung devices, and it rotates 360º so they can watch from any angle. With over 14,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, reviewers say it’s “sturdy” and “easy to use” — plus, you can’t beat the price.
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There’s nothing worse than opening your suitcase to find wrinkled clothes. In our Cleaning Lab tests, Chi’s slim, portable garment steamer proved to be a game-changer. It’s compact enough to fit in small carry-ons and backpacks (about the size of a flat iron), but most importantly, we found that it works just as well as larger models.
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Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Compact First Aid Kit
Now 25% Off
While it may not be the most exciting gift, this first aid kit — packed with essentials like bandages, ointments, and a cold pack — is incredibly useful for any trip. Thousands of online reviewers call it a travel must-have, and it’s great to keep at home, too.
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No matter the destination, this lightweight, portable wireless speaker is easy to bring along. With a built-in clip to attach to a backpack, beach tote or belt loop, it’s super convenient. Plus, our tech experts rave about its impressive sound quality.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute‘s Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
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