Travel: 12 gifts to get for the trip enthusiast in your life
If you’ve tried flying with seven swans a-swimming and six geese a-laying during the holidays, you know how Grinch-like the airlines get by Day 7 of Christmas. And TSA? It turns downright frosty by the top of the second week. Limiting eight maids a-milking to just 3.4 ounces doesn’t make anyone happy — least of all the cows with swollen udders.
In an effort to bring sanity to the act of giving true loves gifts that travel better than two turtle doves and three French hens, we’ve rounded up some favorite on-the-go goods for a holiday shopping guide. It’s not the whole sleigh, but it’ll get your gift-giving gears in motion.
And to all the Scrooges out there, kindly curb your cynicism: Aside from receiving samples and trials for review, we receive no compensation from these companies. Our holiday wish is simple — to take the guesswork out of shopping for the travelers in your life. Or go ahead and gift yourself. Whoever these 12 portable picks are for, each is sure to shine under the Christmas tree, beside the menorah or wherever thoughtful presents are exchanged.
Don we now, our tray apparel: TripTrays makes placemat-sized table covers that are a first-class upgrade for passengers who don’t quite trust that planes are cleaned between flights. Once at cruising altitude, simply whip out your tray table and lay the 100% cotton, machine-washable mat on top. It’s a more sanitary and elegant way to eat and drink in the air, and what traveler in your life wouldn’t love a gift that does that? Plus, the non-skid backing helps keep devices in place during turbulence. Made in Sacramento, TripTrays (triptrays.com) come in 27 designs, each priced at $25.
Sleep in heavenly peace: The Manta Pro Sleep Mask won’t block airplane noise (that’s where Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 shine), but for visual serenity, it delivers a 100% blackout seal with zero pressure on eyelids or lashes. Even side sleepers will find it comfortable — ideal for those curled up in a window seat. The premium version runs $85, but the benefits are priceless for us in-flight insomniacs. If your holiday budget is tight, Manta (mantasleep.com) offers a $39 alternative that’s not quite as plush.
Walking in a tourist wonderland: GPS is a travel godsend, but VoiceMap (voicemap.me) goes further by acting as a professional tour guide with storytelling, literal step-by-step directions and friendly course correction if you stray. Just pop in your earbuds, tap start and let the app guide you on walks, bike rides, drives, even boat tours. With nearly 2,000 tours across 600 destinations, there’s something for every traveler. VoiceMap’s one walking tour in Knoxville, Tenn., had this visitor ambling through downtown for 75 minutes, stopping at such key historical sites as the 1790s home of territorial governor William Blount, who was a symbol of the city’s early political roots, along with the majestic, century-old Tennessee Theatre and the iconic Sunsphere tower. Gift vouchers range from $25 for three tours to $100 for 20.
Ow Christmas tree, ow Christmas tree: Owies aren’t fun anywhere, but they’re a real pain while on holiday. A well-stocked, up-to-date first-aid kit can be a lifesaver. KeepGoing First Aid (keepgoingfirstaid.com) offers a full line of travel-ready kits in multiple sizes and styles, including a collection for kids. Each compact pouch is water- and stain-resistant, and refillable when supplies run low or expire. The carry-on-friendly KeepGoing First Aid Go-Kit ($42) is a bestseller, packing 130 essentials into a creatively designed and tidy case.
O learn, all ye faithful: The ReadBright Take Home Backpack is a smart holiday gift for parents invested in early literacy — and for children eager to catch up or get ahead. Geared for kindergarten through second grade, each ReadBright (readbright.com) toolkit supports reading fluency with phonics-based books, practice drills and progress tracking. The Level 1 set sent for review is excellent (my first-grade teacher-wife agrees), focusing on short vowels, digraphs and blends — essential building blocks for young readers. Inside are 19 decodable books with colorful illustrations and engaging plots that reinforce phonics and high-frequency words. The stories follow a cumulative learning path to build confidence. Also included: a homework book with fluency cards and activity sheets, plus a progress chart that turns reading into a celebration. Kids can color, sticker and smiley-face their way through each book, tracking milestones and momentum. Priced from $50 to $100, depending on level, these travel-friendly kits give the gift of literacy long after the holidays.
Say “bah humbug” to passport panic: Just over half of Americans now hold valid passports — a sharp rise from 30% in 2008 thanks to increased international travel and the rise of passport expediting services. One standout is ItsEasy.com, whose mobile app made passport renewal refreshingly painless for this citizen who in the past had used a brick-and-mortar agency that charged half a grand for their services. With ItsEasy.com (itseasy.com), clear instructions simplified even the trickiest parts, like taking an acceptable photo at home and paying the correct fees. Went rush, too, with no hiccups. Fees start at $40, and while there’s no process to surprise someone else with this service, when dealing with bureaucracy, convenience is a gift you should give yourself.
Deck the halls and head: Sure, Santa’s got his signature red cap, but when he’s catching rays on his annual after-Christmas vacation in the Southern Hemisphere, he swaps it out for a handcrafted, high-performance hat with strong built-in sun protection. Hemlock Hat Company (hemlockhatco.com), based in Carlsbad, makes one that puts the “fun” in functional. Available in over 30 cool styles, the Hemlock UPF 50+ Lifeguard Straw Hat ($45) is lightweight, breathable and durable, and features a uniquely designed under-brim that shows off one’s personality and fashionably shields the face, ears and neck.
Dashing through the sew: For the traveler who appreciates the journey as much as the destination, on-the-go kits sold at Needlepoint.com (needlepoint.com) make thoughtful gifts that make even more gifts. The website’s stock of travel-related products include a Hawaii-inspired travel coaster that brings island vibes to your stitching. Another fine choice among the massive selection of designs for all skill levels and budgets is the collection of destination-themed luggage tags ($48). Just beware — in a classic situation of beauty and the beast, once attached, these colorful crafts are at the mercy of suitcase-sadistic baggage handlers.
Ho ho ho gyro: Playing Powerball has weak odds, but using Powerball is all about strength. And, yes, we’re talking about two very different things. The non-lottery Powerball (mydfx.com) is a gyro exerciser — a dynamic spinning handheld tool that after three to five minutes on an airplane, in a hotel or wherever, provides a solid workout geared to tone forearms and boost wrist endurance. They start at $35, but for splurging Santas, there’s the top-of-the-line DFX Powerball Iron Forearm Muscle Builder that costs $140. This model, engineered for athletes and advanced users, is capable of spinning up to 16,000 RPM, generating 50 to 60 pounds of dynamic gyroscopic resistance. The metallic protective case makes for an even more impressive gift.
Nutty and nice: When it comes to protein-packed pistachios, the only brand to crack this list is Nichols Farms, located in the San Joaquin Valley, which produces over 99% of U.S. pistachios. Let me shell out some reasons why they make great gifts. Nichols Farms (nicholsfarms.com) grows its pistachios sustainably and roasts them without oils — no added fat, just 6 grams of protein per serving. Their flavors let the nut shine, from such organic no-shell picks as habanero lime, rosemary garlic, hot honey and maple butter to nonorganic standouts that include jalapeño lime and garlic garden herbs. The cocoa cookie flavor? Think nutty Cocoa Puffs. Purists will appreciate the shelled and unshelled sea-salted classics. Gift sets start at $40.
Jingle all the whey: You don’t need to be as wise as the Magi to know that protein bars can be messy. If it’s not crumbs all over the place, it’s melted chocolate left on the wrapper and possibly your face. But they are smart to bring on a trip and make great stocking stuffers. CirC (circbites.com) offers a tasty and healthy solution: five poppable, protein-packed bites in a resealable tray, perfect for on-the-go lifestyles. Each tray of Protein Bites delivers 18 grams of whey protein for muscle and metabolism. The peanut butter-banana flavor is awesome. So is the chocolate mint from CirC’s Energy Bites line that contains 10 grams of balanced nutrition for sustained energy per serving. A giftable 12-pack costs around $40.
Comfort and joy: One of the quiet indignities of travel is surrendering your bathroom routine to unfamiliar plumbing and paper-thin toilet rolls. Enter Pristine Cleansing Sprays (pristinesprays.com), which is in the business business to relieve some of this discomfort with a spritz of grace. They make the travel-size Pristine Toilet Paper Spray (from $7) that turns ordinary bathroom tissue into a flushable wet wipe — scented or fragrance-free — offering a touch of your own abode in a foreign commode. Plant-based and TSA-friendly, this pocket-sized present restores dignity to the most basic necessity.