Samantha Brown’s Favorite Gifts for Travelers

Can you believe it’s already Christmastime? Me neither!

I adore hunting for interesting and practical gifts– especially things that made life easier. Here are some great ideas for gifts that will enhance any journey and simplify travel routines.

Purse with portable charger

As a busy mom who travels for a living, I know a think or two about chaos. That’s why I adore this purse. Not only does this guy hold your cash, cards, ID and coins, it’s also a portable phone charger equipped with five different adapters (seriously, how many times could you have used this?). You can use it as a small purse, wristlet, cross-body bag or as a wallet, and the best part? It comes in a bunch of fabulous colors and textures, like stunning cross-weave, luxurious python or playful embossed crocodile.

Packing cubes/survival kit

Where have packing cubes been all my life?! Cubes keep your bags organized, help you designate what’s clean and what’s dirty, plus magically allow you to pack twice as much. This particular set comes with six cubes: a double-sided cube with one large pouch for clean clothes and another for laundry; a cross-body bag for keeping your personal items handy (complete with a hook– I’ll hang this on the seat in front of me and stuff it full of the things I need to access on the plane, like my phone, pens, mints, whatever!); 2 laundry stowaway bags lined in plastic– perfect for wet swim suits, shoes or really dirty clothes; a clear, durable pouch for toiletries that’s TSA-approved; and a mesh bag for delicates. It comes in all sorts of colors, so everyone in your family can pick their own signature shade to ensure their stuff stays together, even if you’re all packing in a larger suitcase.

 

Polaroid Zip Printer

Want to be the life of a holiday party or your next group trip? Bring one of these along and print the pics from your phone! Measuring 2.9 x 4.7 inches & weighing in at only 6.6 ounces, this stand-alone printer is totally portable and hooks up to your iOS or Android phone. As an added bonus, it doesn’t require an ink cartridge. Instead, you print your vibrant, colorful photos onto ZINK photo paper which activates unique color-forming molecules embedded in the paper’s layers. I don’t know how it works, and I don’t even care because it’s just cool! The resulting prints measure 2×3″, feature deep, vibrant colors, are completely smudge-proof, and sport a peel-back sticky paper for even more fun.

Contigo Leak-Proof, Insulated Travel Mug

I always like to travel with a dependable mug, and that it’s insulated and keeps my tea or coffee hot for 6 hours is a huge bonus! Contigo makes this leak-proof one, which takes the anxiety out of putting it in my bag when I’m on the go. Trust me, your favorite traveler will love this handy companion!

 

Mighty Leaf Tea Variety Pack

And speaking of tea on the go, rarely do I leave home without a few tea bags in my purse. A nice, herbal tea can transport me from middle-seat-in-coach-hell or a shady motel (hey, not all the travel I do is glamorous!) to a relaxing spa getaway. I say these Mighty Leaf teas paired with the aforementioned travel mug would be a great stocking stuffer for any frequent (or even not-so-frequent) flyer.

 

Turkish Towel

How many times have you wished you’d packed an extra layer? Or had something to cover up with while visiting a temple? Or a little something to spread out on the beach? Or found yourself desperately wishing for a physically buffer between you and a questionable bus seat? Enter the Turkish towel. I love traveling with these— they’re compact, incredibly versatile and a travel-lover’s jack-of-all-trades. Oh, and you can even use it as a towel!

Travel Candle

Whether you’re staying in a five-star hotel or a roadside motel boasting about free HBO (is that still a thing?), a small candle instantly ups the ambiance. I love lighting one of these in my room after a long shoot day. Voluspa is a favorite brand— they make me feel fancy wherever I am!

Kindle Paperwhite

There’s something transportive about reading a traditional book, but after years of lugging around the latest best-selling hardcovers, I got down with the eReader. It saves so much space, and every traveler can identify with that!

Fit Bit

Ah, the ol’ Fit Bit. Here’s why I love it: it encourages you to stay active on the road (you would not believe how many steps you get in the airport!), tracks your heart rates, alerts you to incoming calls. works as a calendar and clock (let’s be honest, it’s easy to forget what day it is when you’re traveling), plus you can set a silent alarm to buzz you at any time of day– to wake up in the morning, remind yourself to take medication, or call your mother.

Delicacies Jewelry

We all travel to eat, right? That’s why I love this simple, elegant jewelry from Delicacies. With over 20 ingredients to chose from, you’ll be sure to find one of your favorites. I wear my bracelet all the time and it’s a nice conversation starter. Find your ingredient.

More From Samantha Brown:

2014 Top Travel Gifts
2013 Top Travel Gifts
Travel Gear for Kids
6 Great Places to See Holiday Lights