Gifts for travel

[weatherisjustmist]

If you're a long haul traveller, what sort of gifts would be useful for someone travelling long haul?

DS and DIL are off on their travels for a few months after Christmas. I know they both have neck cushions and headphones already, I'm just trying to think of some useful gifts for Christmas.

Depends rather on their destination, but some things I've found useful on my extended travels were mosquito net, sleeping bag liner, universal travel plug, compression socks. Not forgetting good rucksack if they don't have one already, luggage tracker like AirTags, luggage labels

A decent rucksack if they don't already have them. I have the Osprey Farpoint 40 which is amazing as it opens out wide like a suit case.

Some good quality compressive packing cubes of various sizes. Again I have the Osprey cubes and have found them much better than some poor quality ones from Amazon that broke almost straight away.

A wash bag - MUJI used to do a style that had a hook that you could hang up which was convenient.

Depending on the weather some good quality sandals. I like the Birkenstock Arizonas however they can take a while to break in.

A first aid kit with all the essentials like paracetamol, ibuprofen, Imodium, DEET insect spray, bite cream, antiseptic, plasters, electrolytes for rehydration etc.

Solid shampoo, conditioner and nice bars of soap eliminating liquids. I also like toothpaste tabs and mouthwash tabs. You have to look into the toothpaste ones as not all contain fluoride which is fine for a weekend but not for longer.

Depends where they're going but a portable charger, travel games and a travel journal would be my thoughts

Are they off on a back packing type trip or hotels? Working abroad? Which area of the world/continent? If backpacking, they will want to travel as light as possible.
-Luggage labels
-If you don't know the exact luggage they need, offer a voucher to a certain shop, or even a hand written note '£100 towards any suitcase/backpack you'd like' etc
-Power pack
-Head torch
-Sarong (although cheap in certain countries)
-This jacket is lightweight and folds up into a small pocket, but is warm enough to wear in the winter. It also has a hidden hood! https://www.marksandspencer.com/feather-and-down-quilted-packaway-puffer-jacket/p/clp60683427?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r3c2
-Currency in the country/countries they are travelling

Power bank if they don't have one
Usb multi port thing. So only need one usb plug/adapter but can charge 3 or 4 devices at a time
Voucher for kindle store if they have kindles
Destination guide like lonely planet for wherever they are going
Sweets for the plane
Travel tissues and wet wipes
Anti bac hand gel
Collapsible travel mug or water bottle

I remember Michal Palin always takes a plug with him, ie a bath plug. Or at least I think it was him on a travel programme who said this.

Life straw for purifying any drink. They do water bottles as well

A head torch and those thin, quick drying towels. Also dollars.

Another idea:
-Offer to pay for a travel clinic visit and vaccines. Again, depending where they are going, most travel vaccines aren't covered by an NHS GP. Japanese encephalitis, Hep A, typhoid, pre-exposure rabies vaccines etc.

Plug adapters
earplugs
Dock and Bay Travel towel
Suitcase scales

Lounge access - handy for decent loos, food and drink, showers and just somewhere to not spend money if there's a long connection. A jar of marmite.... can never go wrong with marmite. A decent torch, a jar of vicks, rehydration salts, USB cables of different lengths.

Power bank with mag safe
Decent AirPods
Universal adapters
Thin towels
Teva sandals
Hand soap sheets
A spare padlock - code one not a key
Hydrocortisone cream and antihistamine and co-coronal
Packing cubes
Travel cup
Pack away rucksack

I love lounge access!

We have a Amex plat and highly recommend it

Dry shampoo
High quality skincare products
Camera bag (if they have a camera)
Travel mugs
Power banks
Smartphone ring light
Earplugs

Also not related to travelling as a process, but if they have posted or shared with you some of the pics they've taken, you can make a custom photo calendar with these pictures. Obviously they won't be carrying it around but it might be good item for their place.