Gap Year travel type gifts for xmas stocking / presents

[iwantavuvezela]

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

Also Stanley do any excellent hot drink thermo cup. The smallest size is 0.35l I think. Ideal for making tea or coffee at hostel before heading out for day. Can use on buses/ trains etc without risk of spilling hot drink

A nice journal.

I took a silk sleeping bag liner travelling and it was great. Also a universal plug so you can handwash a few bits in a sink.

When my dd went travelling I bought her a leather passport holder, but it has pockets for tickets and other important papers. And her name scribed on the front. She said she found it so useful.

She also needed a bag for everyday, she was going to take a backpack but I got her Longchamp LP and also, it's been so well used. It folds up small when she isn't using it.

A small nail brush. Compeed. Not too much really as keeping it light, repacking every few days etc is the aim.
i remember ditching loads of stuff early on when travelling.

a pair of cheap flipflops for youth hostel showers

@tragichero I too have had to play charades to buy tampons, but in Thailand in a pharmacy with the male pharmacist! 😬

-luggage tags
-A refillable mini sunscreen and lipgloss combo that has a string and goes around your neck. I use mine for skiing and top it up each day.
-Head torch that charges from USB
-Battery power bank
-Eye mask and ear plugs

Small Packing cubes keep things organised in large rucksacks
travel size everything in small pouches / clear zip pencil cases

Don't bother with packing cubes, she won't bother after a week. Teach her to roll her clothes tightly, it works just as well.

Hammam towel, not microfibre. Microfibre just pushes the water around, but a hammam towel dries properly and dries itself quickly. And doesn't take up any more room.

Various adapters and chargers, obviously.

Kindle? You can download travel guides without having to carry books around.

Clear toiletry bag so no hassle at airports - www.amazon.co.uk/FIYUK-Toiletry-Cosmetic-Waterproof-Transparent/dp/B0CYGLHPWV/?th=1

Security lock for trains or dodgy hotel rooms - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N95FHVZ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B09N95FHVZ&pd_rd

As per various PPs;

Flipflops would probably be useful anyway, but particularly good for communal showers.

Silk sleeping bag liner.

Ear plugs and eye mask.

Mini tub of Sudocrem.

Probably won't need a torch if she has one on her phone.

Washing sheets, just stick one sheet in water and do your washing - www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Beckmann-Original-Laundry-Detergent/dp/B0B1HXXLLL/
Also, possibly a washing line - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X6M2FM6/
Folding clothes hangers? - www.amazon.co.uk/NICEDACK-Premium-Hangers-Portable-Folding/dp/B09MFK774X?th=1

Stuffable neck pillow? - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stuffable-Pillow-Multifunctional-Adjustable-Traveling/dp/B0CYWPGKSB

You don't say what/where she plans to go, but DD(1*) is a keen hiker and seems to spend a lot of time in tents and going in, around and up mountains.

First aid kit: incl antihistamines, Imodium and rehydration salts, First Defence cold spray

Petzl head torch (the Brini is very light and great for running, she also has a Tikka with a rechargable battery). Tiny maglight torches are probably a bit cheaper

Microfibre towels (head towel might be nice too) and sliders (for communal shower blocks)

Packing cubes? If planning much walking dry sacks are probably a better idea. Craghoppers do odour-control packing cubes BTW

Titanium plates and cutlery (there are some cheap brands on Amazon)

Water filter bottle. Katadyn seem to work well. There is also Lifestraw 9not tried).

She wee (practice first!) https://www.shewee.com/shewee-flexi-case.html

Not used in the end, but DD had this kit (access to showers, albeit cold ones, turned out not to be a problem) https://norinse.co.uk/product/pits-bits-festival-wash-kit/

Mobile phone waterproof case phones are a bit more robust, but useful for the beach/sailing etc: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5825871

Be careful with a pen knife; it is the sort of thing you need to remember to have in checked luggage or it will get confiscated.

Presumably she already has an account with Startling Bank (other banks are available, I just know this one works) so she doesn't pay commission on every transaction...

A pegless washing line (the twisty type) absolutely invaluable when we went travelling and they fold up tiny.

A universal rubber bath/sink plug.

Earplugs.

Waterproof passport holder

Yes! This is a good idea. I went backpacking for 9 months and took very lightweight clothes. I washed my clothes every evening and they were usually dry in the morning. I would recommend microfibre knickers - you can buy them in M&S. To this day, I always take them on holiday.

i agree with the lightweight towel suggestion above.

I would only take 1 packing cube. All the clothes should go in it. Take as little as possible so to is easier to carry.

Kindle with the relevant Lonely Planet guidebooks.

Swiss army knife as PPs have recommended - obviously this must go in the hold on tbe plane.

My travel friend had a an insulated cross body bottle-bag with a drawstring top so you could put a water bottle in it and drink without taking it out of the bag. I really really wanted one and could never find one. At hostels they would sometimes let her put it in the freezer overnight and it would stay cold for ages so although you can probably get high tech insulated bottles now I still think they wouldn't be as good as that bag from 30 years ago. You could put a plastic 2l bottle in it.

Seconding a few recommends:
Packing cubes - used these for many years
Universal adapter for all different regions
Power bank with built in cables
Micro fibre towels. I have had the dock and bay and loved them
Airtags for luggage
Good eye mask. One with good padding around the eyes
A small medical pack - pain killers plasters, antiseptic wipes, rehydration packs - I have never used the full ones with the needles etc

A really, really good power bank. DD had one which could give her something like five full charges which was great.

Be careful of buying to much cos she’s got to carry it. My daughter tends to travel light then pick other things up when she went. I’d definitely say make sure she has travel sick pill and anti histamines and blisters plasters for her first aid bag. A universal travel plug is a must ( as others have suggested).
a few knickers and socks they disappear when traveling.
maybe one of them cropped tops that are ment for the gym but the young girls wear them as bras or tops (comfy and easy to wash drys quick )

My DD is backpacking this year, she finds that she always takes too many clothes, so pack even lighter!

She wouldn't be without some soap leaves - like a little booklet of soap pages that dissolve in water for washing hands. Takes up no space, but a real hygiene saver.

Also she absolutely swears by having her own pillow case for hostels. She has a special one with a cute banana design on.

Never be without flip flops for hostel showers, she also swears by a decent plastic bag to take into shower to keep stuff dry - there are never enough hook/shelves or space in cubicles.

Airialo voucher for esims
packing cubes are great
Super small lightweight coat with a hood. Eg running jacket
A wicking t shirt like montane/tnf
teva sandals
air tags
scissors (I love my beautiful crane scissors)
plastic folding knife
Small foot file and nail brush for feet cleaning

Door wedge?

Thank you for posting this @iwantavuvezelaas my DS is travelling from February Thailand, Vietnam and Oz. Any tips specific to boys would also be much appreciated. I’ve been looking at sports boxers as he prefers Calvin Kleins but they take ages to dry..not sure I’ll convince him out of them though, lol.

@Neversaygoodbye - get him to spend a day walking around in a pair that didn't dry overnight - should be unpleasant enough to convince him. DN got her quickdry undies from Decathlon and says they were a lifesaver when working on summer camps in the Canadian wilderness.

@Neversaygoodbye - under armour tech t shirts are quick dry. Dh lives in them when we travel. They will on offer soon for Black Friday, and also Amazon often

@Londonmummy66@Caspianberg thanks for the tips.