I'm Always on a Plane, and These Are 20 Genius Travel Gifts I’d Be Happy to Receive

Including cozy socks and fun luggage from $18.

Leah Groth

December 12, 2024 at 4:00 a.m.·6 min read

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Several times a year I hop on a plane for work and pleasure trips with my two children; that means I’m packing at least three separate suitcases every time. Through trial and error, I have become somewhat of an expert when it comes to everything from dressing for a long day of planes, trains, and automobiles to essentials that will make getting to your final destination (and your time there) all the more seamless. If your loved ones have a trip in their future, a travel-inspired gift is a thoughtful gesture.

Apple AirTag

With the holidays quickly approaching, Amazon is the no-brainer, one-stop shop retailer I am relying on to ship gifts before December 25. Below, shop the best travel gifts I’m giving this season, from $18.

Best Gifts Overall

Editor’s Pick: Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray, $30
Best Stocking Stuffer: Apple AirTag, $24 (Originally $29)
For the Cold Hotel Room: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks, $18
Plane Essential: Lilysilk Silk Eye Mask Travel Set, $20
Toiletry Staple: Tocca Wonders Collection Hand Cream Set of 3, $30

You don’t have to spend more than $30 to check the “thoughtful” box. These smaller ticket items—including luxury hand cream, a lost luggage game-changer, and the coziest socks on the planet—make great smaller stand alone gifts or stocking stuffers.

Lilysilk Silk Eye Mask Travel Set

Best Fashion Gifts

Easy Airport Outfit: Pretty Garden 2-Piece Half Zip Track Suit, $51 (Originally $61)
For the Plane: Anrabess Knit Duster Coat, $45 (Originally $57)
3-in-1 Shawl, Scarf, and Blanket: Fishers Finery Cashmere Shawl Wrap, $159
Comfy Travel Shoes: Ugg Ultra Mini Platform Boot, $160
Cute Pajamas: Luvamia Fuzzy Fleece Knitted Loungewear Set, $50

Make getting dressed for a day of traveling all the more easier (and comfortable) for your recipient. From wrinkle-free loungewear to a multi-tasking cashmere shawl, these clothing and footwear finds are perfect for the frequent flier.

Pretty Garden 2-Piece Half Zip Track Suit

Eliminate the “what should I wear on the plane?” dilemma by gifting your frequent flyer a wrinkle-free loungewear set. The Pretty Garden 2-Piece Half Zip Track Suit, a half-zip sweatshirt and wide-leg pants, is an uber-popular Amazon set, primarily because it is both polished but comfy for hours on end. Plus, it comes in a bunch of color options.

Anrabess Knit Duster Coat

A friend of mine was wearing this Anrabess Knit Duster Coat and I was shocked when she told me she got it on Amazon. It’s the perfect just-warm-enough for the plane piece and looks way more expensive than it actually is. Available in 17 great colors, mostly essential neutrals, XS to XL.

Fishers Finery Cashmere Shawl Wrap

This Fishers Finery Cashmere Shawl Wrap triple tasks as a chic travel day accessory, scarf, and a mini travel blanket. Not to mention, cashmere always makes a great holiday gift.

Best Tech Gifts

Something I Never Travel Without: Oura Ring 4, $499
Must-Have for Kids: Apple iPad 10th Generation, $319 (Originally $349)
To Drown Out All the Noise: Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Headphones, $449

If you are looking to splurge, gadgets that make travel easier and more enjoyable are the gifts that keep on giving even long after a trip. From the latest activity tracking Oura Ring to a grounding breaking pair of Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Headphones, these higher ticket items will be greatly appreciated.

Oura Ring 4

Looking for the ultimate splurge gift for the luxury traveler? I have been wearing an Oura Ring since 2021 and never travel without it. The latest evolution, the Oura Ring 4, boasts up to eight days of battery life and measures 30 biometrics, including everything from sleep and heart health to tracking ovulation.

Apple iPad 10th Generation

Whether you are shopping for a parent, child, spouse (pretty much anyone), the Apple iPad 10th Generation is a crowd pleaser. Last year Santa brought my kids the older version, and I can honestly say that it’s the gift that keeps on giving—especially on a plane.

Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones are one of life’s simple luxuries, and I’m never quite as grateful for them as I am on an airplane. Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Headphones, available in black and white, were designed by Oscar-winning sound engineers, bringing theater quality sound (or no sound at all) to coach class.

Best Luggage Gifts

Luggage That Will Stand Out: United Colors of Benetton X Delsey Carry On Luggage, $112
For the Over-Packer: Rifle Paper Company Packing Cubes Set of 3, $43 (Originally $54)
My Go-To Travel Bag: Lo & Sons Catalina Weekender Bag, $225

Packing can be a drag. However, a fun new suitcase and colorful packing cubes help brighten up the experience—and make great gifts!

United Colors of Benetton X Delsey Carry On Luggage

The United Colors of Benetton X Delsey luggage collection sparks serious nostalgia. The bright colors (I’m loving the bubble gum pink) and iconic kelly green Benetton logo is an airport attention-grabber. For a reasonably priced gift, it looks much more expensive.

Rifle Paper Company Packing Cubes Set of 3

Packing cubes are essential for any overpacker like myself. I love this set of three Rifle Paper Company Packing Cubes plus a laundry bag, designed in one of its iconic floral prints, Garden Park.

Lo & Sons Catalina Weekender Bag

I have so many duffels and weekender bags, but the Lo & Sons Catalina Weekender Bag is always the first one I grab. The multi-tasking bag comes in nine color options and is thoughtfully designed with great features like a luggage sleeve—so you can slip it over your suitcase—and a bottom zipper compartment to stash shoes.

Best Beauty Gifts

For the Tropical Vacationer: Vacation Sun Belt Sampler Bag, $30
Dry Lips Must-Have: Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher, $42
A Little Bit of Everything: Osea Bestsellers Body Care Set, $52
For Perfect Hair Anywhere: T3 Aire360 Multi-Styling Blowout System, $255 (Originally $300)

No check-in bag, no problem! These skin and body care essentials are sized perfectly for carry-ons and meet all TSA requirements; they’ll keep your recipient gorgeous on the plane and throughout their trip.

Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher

My lips majorly dry out on airplanes. Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher, packed with peptides and hyaluronic acid, is the only product that keeps them soothed, hydrated, and glossy for hours on end.

Osea Bestsellers Bodycare Set

Osea Bestsellers Bodycare Set offers some of my favorite products from the seaweed-infused beauty line, including a body oil, body scrub, body butter, and body balm. It’s sure to give the hotel room lotion a run for its money—plus, the price point is perfect for a lot of the people on my list.

T3 Aire360 Multi-Styling Blowout System

Fun fact: Nobody likes using hotel hair dryers. Unfortunately, packing every single hair tool takes up a lot of suitcase space. The T3 Aire360 Multi-Styler is my saving grace—the multitasking small blowout system with curling attachments is perfectly sized for a carry-on.

Read the original article on InStyle

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