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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Gap Year travel type gifts for xmas stocking / presents

67 replies

iwantavuvezela · 16/10/2025 12:43

DD is on her gap year and goes travelling / backpacking after Xmas - I thought I would buy her things that she really needs and useful for travelling - if anyone has great ideas, or things that your own young person might have used, or said was great for travelling would love to hear what they are.

for example I have got some extra deodorant bars for her reusable one and could get a few toiletries she could use. Thinking of working out which travel adaptors she would need - anyway if anyone has some nuggets please share.

TIA

OP posts:
BerfyTigot · 16/10/2025 12:52

I used a penknife a lot while travelling

Forgottenmyphone · 16/10/2025 13:07

Travel cutlery
GetYourGuide gift card
Travel pillow
Ear plugs
Microfibre towel
Power bank
Sleeping mask
Packing cubes

jocktamsonsbairn · 16/10/2025 14:01

Definitely second some of the above!
packing cubes for definite!
a decent but light lock for bag and one (with a chain or something ) to lock bag to the luggage rack on trains or to use on the luggage cases in hostels.

good power bank (but be careful with these when travelling to some countries as they don’t like them on flights). My DC both used solar chargers too.
waterproof pouch:bag for phone etc
air tag
usb port plug for the area they are travelling in
multi plug extension for UK plugs which plug into the appropriate socket for where she is going
multi international USB plug if she is going to several countries
A travel wash bag which folds/rolls up but can hang from bathroom hook
a good back pack which you can open like a suitcase
My dd loves her hammam towel which can double up as a blanket/pillow and dries quickly.

SmashingGemini · 16/10/2025 18:33

Definitely ear plugs - essential when staying in multi bedded hostels according to my son who has travelled extensively.

WontLetThoseRobotsDefeatMe · 16/10/2025 19:03

Penknife - I had a mini Swiss army keyring one, which was ideal
First aid kit - maybe an emergency first aid course (red cross often run them) so she knows what to do
Long charger leads
Journal with pouches so she can keep bits for a scrapbook diary if she's into that sort of thing
She wee (practice in the shower first) - excellent for long bus journeys with wilderness wee toilet stops
Torch that fits easily in a day bag
Bag for day to day stuff - she might prefer to come with you to choose it though
Entertainment that is not on your phone - sudoko / puzzle books / quiz book
Do Lonely Planet still publish books 'on a shoestring'? Mine is wonderfully battered and tattered, but it was a rite of passage
Purse - that holds notes / coins, really useful to buy stuff in the market etc. Where they might not take card - this might be quite area dependent
Loads of spare passport photos- I used them up on visas on arrival while travelling and had to get more

Making me feel very envious (and terrified that my own travels were 21 years ago.....)

Original poster
iwantavuvezela · 16/10/2025 19:17

some lovely ideas here, thanks everyone - quite a few now added to list.

OP posts:
Original poster
iwantavuvezela · 16/10/2025 19:18

any recommendations for lightweight packing cubes?

OP posts:
Londonmummy66 · 16/10/2025 19:20

Light sweat wicking undies socks and t shirts that will dry very quickly once washed. DN bought hers in decathlon I think.

Ophy83 · 16/10/2025 19:22

A life straw - it filters water making it much safer to drink

Ophy83 · 16/10/2025 19:22

A life straw - it filters water making it much safer to drink

Sheggsie · 16/10/2025 19:28

Air tags for backpacks
Waterproof phone holders great on lakes/at waterfalls (hang around your neck)
Travel wash for clothes (Stergene)
Portable clothes line (with pegs attached)
Hydration/electrolyte tablets (dodgy tums)

take photos of passports/tickets/visas in case of loss

Buy cheap SIM cards in each country

WonderingWanda · 16/10/2025 19:31

Compeed and blister powder.
If you buy a first aid kit make sure you stock it with dioralyte, immodium, pain relief, throat sweets, a decongestant Possibly a thrush treatment. Zovirax if she gets cold sores. Both of which I've struggled to source abroad.

SweetChilliGirl · 16/10/2025 19:40

Ophy83 · 16/10/2025 19:22

A life straw - it filters water making it much safer to drink

I opened this thread to say this.

Original poster
iwantavuvezela · 16/10/2025 20:35

wow, never heard of a life straw - great idea - also will make up a first aid kit, some great suggestions on here.

OP posts:
PurBal · 17/10/2025 18:58

Peak design packable tote bag. It’s great as a shopping or day bag and secure with a zip.
Packing cubes: I like Thule ones but can’t go wrong with Osprey. I like the Patagonia black hole cubes too but more rugged than lightweight.

Original poster
iwantavuvezela · 18/10/2025 19:59

@purbal thanks for those packing cube suggestions - both Osprey and Thule look great.

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AlleycatMarie · 18/10/2025 20:01

Sorry if already suggested but I found a torch useful.

tragichero · 18/10/2025 20:54

Like others have said, some kind of very lightweight, rechargeable torch or camping lantern.

A good pen knife.

A first aid kit is a great idea. I would include:

Ibuprofen or paracetamol with codeine, as it can't be bought in lots of countries and if the worst happens and she ends up having to cope with extreme pain from an injury or migraine, say, it really does cut through most pain until she can get proper help.

A little tub of Sudocreme, as it's antiseptic and has moisturising properties.

If she is sexually active and you have this kind of relationship, pop in some condoms.

And some tampons if she uses them. I found them impossible to buy in some villages in Eastern Europe when I was travelling there, which was gutting when I wanted to swim. In one village shop I remember a long conversation with the old lady who ran the shop and spoke no English - including some embarrassing gesturing on my part, and her friend from next door being called in to help interpret, and I ended up walking out with what proved to be wax strips, presumably because they thought i wanted them for intimate waxing!

You sound like a lovely, thoughtful mom. I hope your daughter has some brilliant adventures!

wednesday32 · 19/10/2025 01:56

itunes giftcard to download music/movies for long journeys,
decent neck pillow
£20 notes in each currency ie 20USD/20AUD/20NZD. This is super helpful when first arriving in a new country and you need a small
note for bus tickets and snacks etc
Travel sizes of her favourite shampoo/conditioner
I would also make a mini plane kit with toothbrush/toothpaste/lipbalm/facemask/mints/mouth spray/hand cream/face mask

ChocolateHazlenutButter · 19/10/2025 02:03

Some great suggestions here, including things I wish had existed when I went travelling!

Do you know where she’s going OP? Could you give her a voucher for something to do there? For example I got a voucher to use for the Sydney harbour bridge climb and by the time I got to Sydney I was a bit broke and probably wouldn’t have been able to afford it so it was great to have the voucher.

limegreenheart · 19/10/2025 04:53

Travelling long haul on a budget, I LOVED Papier d'Armenie. They come in tiny booklets that take up almost no room (can even slip them into a wallet or card holder) and you just rip off a perforated strip and burn to deodorise and lightly scent any smelly space. If filling a stocking, you could add a fancy matchbook/box or compact lighter if your DD wouldn't normally carry one.

Original poster
iwantavuvezela · 24/10/2025 12:49

found this website which lists some good items - was looking for a liner for DD to take, that you use in hotter climates to sleep in (and get around grubby hostel sheets etc). They have quite a few interesting travel item.
www.gapyeartravelstore.com

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