Small gifts for friend to use on flight

[TwigTheWonderKid]

My lovely friend has been supporting me through my cancer treatment. She's off to visit her daughter in the US soon and I'd like to give her a small gift, or gifts, that she might find useful and spoiling on her flight.

Any suggestions?

New bottle bottle
Fancy lip salve
Voucher for Audible or Kindle book
Pre book a a departure lounge?

The departure lounge is a lovely idea. She is flying from Newcastle to Heathrow to pick up her flight to US so I am wondering how much time she'll have between flights.

Threads about stuff you need on flights always puzzle me as there's masses of stuff which is apparently essential but which I never even think about taking- even on long haul flights.

Maybe your friend is the sort of person who needs a cashmere sleep mask and a personalised water bottle or lip salve; on the other hand she might be me who thinks "uh? That's just more stuff to carry through the airport"

So far as a departure lounge unless she has massives of time to kill I think that's a waste of money. Paying for fast track security on the other hand is well worth it.

It's a lovely idea but if it were me I'd give her something more permanent that she could use/ wear when she's there and that you know she'd like.

It's really difficult- I know I only take my handbag and a book- everything else is checked in. The only thing I would get extra would be something out of duty free (make up, perfume) eso maybe a gift voucher?. I would like the departure lounge though!

A nice pashmina
feet hammock
neck pillow
hydrating facial spray

Because of my cancer treatments I've not been able to fly for a long time and just wondered if there are any tiny things (which won't cause her inconvenience) that other people have enjoyed.

Clearly everyone is different. I've known her for over 30 years so do have an idea of her general preferences and thought I would be able to pick some things she would like from things people have suggested.

But perhaps I shouldn't have asked.

This^

I think it’s a really thoughtful idea @TwigTheWonderKid
Id be thrilled if a friend did it for me.

Btw, I’d be really happy with a fancy pants water bottle with built in straw

I think it's a lovely idea. Treats on a long haul flight break up the boredom. Aesop do a nice roll on, Flight Therapy I think it's called

That is exactly the kind of thing she would absolutely love and it's only 10ml. Thank you!

I absolutely LOVE extras on long flights. I find having a herbal hand cream is helpful as skin dries out and frankly it is just relaxing if I’m trying to nap. And a 15ml tube of Boots cucumber gel, great value for refreshing tired eyes. Warm fluffy socks are also great so your feet can properly relax without getting cold.

I think this is such a lovely idea and you both seem like fab friends.

I love using this for longer flights. It's so refreshing and a real pick me up https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/disciple-balancing-mist-60050908?skuid=050908&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPCyBhD4ARIsAPaaRf0JO3KC8fAjlO6VMQGlSS9jWcloNLMNeSBuVqhOfKG9S-80qSBJd3MaAgPSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I would like a little set of luxury mini bits like hand cream, face serum, moisturiser etc.
I have also seen a cable organizer bag which might be handy.

You sound like a lovely friend!

One thing I’ve found really useful on long-haul flights is a mulberry silk eye mask (you can get them on Amazon for about £15) - they’re so soft and take up practically no room at all in your bag.

I would see if you can find out how long she has in Heathrow, as the lounge would be a nice idea. That said, if she's going to be there during a very busy time, the lounge could be as busy as the terminal.

I like the idea of a voucher for Kindle or Audible if she uses either.

How thoughtful of you, when traveling to USA I always have a pair of open back soft slippers in 2 sizes bigger with plastic sole. My feet really swell even with flight socks but they are so comfy to put on after taking your shoes off and bonus points to be able to just get up and walk to the toilet without having to keep putting shoes back on. If there's a cup that keeps drinks cold I would definitely get one of those, any drinks I bring on are always warm after an hour, the cabin crew get tired having to keep bringing ice and when you ask for water they walk around with the 2lt bottle and pour you the smallest amount in their little plastic cups . It would be lovely to have a big cold drink of water in one cup.

A silk eye mask.

Like @Wendysfriend I like taking slippers or flip flops on a plane - much more comfy than shoes. Or those butterfly twist shoes that you keep in your handbag - she could use those afterwards as well

aesop hydrating sprays are good and nice lip balm.

hope your cancer treatment is going well!

What a lovely idea 😊Personally I'd love anything that stops me drying out ! So lip balm, eye cream, hand cream or hydrating face mist. You call get all of these is cute little sizes 😍

Such a lovely idea!

I think a pashmina or hand cream could make great gifts.

I would love it if someone bought this for me:

Drowsy silk sleep mask

I’d go with fast track security if that’s a thing at Newcastle (it isn’t at Heathrow) and if her connection is 2 hours or more then definitely lounge access. If you know she doesn’t have them already then a silk eye mask and a mobile charging pack. Kindle voucher if she has one is also a great shout. I plan my carry on liquids to include all my essentials and really wouldn’t want anyone buying me random stuff like hand cream or lip balms but you know your friend best.

I love to take a little bottle of Jo Malone Madarin Basil cologne in my hand luggage as it's such a refreshing scent. I also always travel with a big cashmere wrappy scarf. Toast and Rise and Fall have good ones.

Muji sell folding travel slippers in a pouch which are really handy.

Beware of the Lounges at Heathrow- some are horrible! But they are often quieter than the main concourse.