Gift for a friend going travelling … what would you get?

[fuctinknackered]

Very good friend is going on a long holiday next year, and I’m planning on making her a ‘travel hamper.’

She’s flying UK to Aus so a long flight! I’m trying to think of luxuries and useful things she might not want to splash out on. I don’t know what she’ll be allowed to take on the plane though, I’ve never flown so I don’t know if this is allowed (liquids, etc).

I’ve so far thought -

Ear plugs
Mini mascara
Comfy socks
Snacks - I thought maybe posh popcorn (Joe and Seph’s), some posh chocolate, a couple of alcoholic drinks in a can like the ones you can get from M&S, any other nice sweets, ones to sook on when taking off
Hot choc/tea bags
Smints
Tissues, baby wipes
Moisturiser, hand cream
Hand gel
Body spray
Something small to remind her of home (probably a key ring!)
Hairband/bobbles
Eye mask

I’m not sure if she’ll be allowed any of that in her hand luggage, I guess if not she can use it in the hotel the night before or when travelling to airport… I don’t know? Does this sound a daft idea?

No daft but she maybe will already have ideas about certain products she'll want to take with her so you run the risk of duplication or waste. If she is into crystals, a lovely special one may be very meaningful to her. I had a beautiful piece of tigers eye given to me before a long voyage, I still treasure it.

I wouldn’t want any of that, sorry! It’s just stuff to cart around and she’ll already have her hand luggage sorted

Well meaning and you sound like a fab friend but not a good idea I don’t think. Some of those she’ll get for free in the plane amenity bag eg eye mask, ear plugs. The cocktails will be too big to go through security and there will be free booze on the plane anyway. And the other stuff is just valuable space in her carry on that she’ll probably want for her own stuff- she’ll be stopping over and a fresh change of clothes etc. If it were me I’d love you for the effort but probably not take any of it away with me. If you want to treat her for her travels then I would get her access to one of the pay per use airport lounges instead so she can relax in the airport and have some free food/drink before boarding.

You're lovely for thinking of it but please don't do this. I've been travelling and if someone had given me a lot of extra stuff to cart onto the plane I think I would have cried. Toiletries and alcohol especially, she either won't be able to have them in her hand luggage or it will be a massive pain to take them in addition to her own stuff. Food is also a no-no, you get enough on the plane and Australia limits what you can take in.
Get her the keyring, socks and some Aussie dollars so she can treat herself to a nice meal or something on you.

I bought a birthday gift for a friend that was about to go backpacking. A microfibre travel towel, a travel safety door lock thingy (not a wedge because I don't like the risk in a fire) and folding metal camping cutlery. The towel particularly was very appreciated and well used.

Your list is very thoughtful but to be honest if it were me I'd probably not take most of that, in effort to keep my hand luggage to a minimum.

I'm going to Oz next year and wouldn't want my friend to buy anything like this. Best gift for me would be a lift to the airport or collection after. Or, if she doesn't have access to a lounge, a ticket for that. Or maybe a colourful luggage strap with her name on it.

I don't think that many of things are necessary. She's not going to the middle of the Namibian desert. I actually dk if there is a desert in Namibia but..
Does she have a good backpack? Mossie net? I guess maybe walking boots and socks and that but she'd want to choose those.
Maybe money is the best gift if she's got the main things.

@BobbyBiscuits There's a whole lot of desert in Namibia 👍🏻

One, small thing!

Packing cubes, power bank, lounge pass is a good one!

Lounge pass or travel journal.

No food for Australia. It will need to be declared on arrival adding time and stress.

A biro and small notepad. Or a charging pack or a hand cream and chapstick, would be the biggest things I would consider.

Nice thought but just no

I’d find it really annoying and want to plan my own packing for such a big trip.

Fab thank you! A notebook it is then 😁, plus some dollars (I’d never thought of that). Brilliant, thanks x

Lounge pass is a genius idea. Give it to her in plenty of time so she can plan her travel to the airport accordingly! If she's winging it and arriving last minute then she won't get much/any use from it.

Agree with the other posters who say don't give her anything she needs to carry on.

Packing cubes also a good idea, if she doesn't already have them.

It's a really lovely thought, but when I went off travelling, I wouldn't have appreciated any of it. I was taking a backpack and every inch and ounce of space was precious. I spent a lot of time carefully planning what to take - I wouldn't have had the space for any of that sort of stuff, but I would have felt guilty leaving it behind.
Maybe something like some Australian dollars in an envelope marked "have a coffee on me" with a little note inside from you might be nice.

Lovely thought but too many 'bits and pieces' that she probably will not bring. What about a pair of Havaianas or a nice moisturiser/cleanser or a really good intense hand cream and lipbalm - all can be packed easily and actually used:)

@CheeseWisely thank you. Sorry, I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get flamed for dreadful geography! Haha x

One of those little hand-held battery fans - only cost about £2 but I wouldn't travel without one. Planes and airports and transit buses can all be unbearably stuffy and hot, especially in hot climates. Give one of those and maybe a spare battery. A little coolstick to rub on wrists and temples might go down well too.

The one thing I was so greatful for and used a lot while I did Australia was my portable neck fan from amazon about £20 that and a microfiber towel.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/

Have a look through here and see, after discussion, if your friend would like anything.

If it was me, I'd love a silk liner for sleeping bags. They fold down tiny and are a nice luxury
Or similar I just googled them they have shot up in price

Honestly just get a restaurant voucher for where she’s going. She’ll have all the necessary stuf, and you can buy everything you need wherever you travel!

How much do you want to spend? I do think that the things you suggest are lovely but she may not have room for them/be allowed them on the flight.

How about one of those ultra light travel wraps that fold up really small but give an extra layer? The best ones are cashmere (obviously) but you can get lovely much cheaper ones.