The Ultimate Holiday Gift List for People Who Love to Travel
I’m notoriously bad at coming up with gift ideas, so this year I put together a Christmas list packed with things travelers actually use—not just the cute-but-useless items that never leave the closet. Some of these make great “under-the-tree” gifts, others are perfect stocking stuffers you can tuck into a carry-on before your next trip.
Whether you’re shopping for a road-trip family, a study-abroad student, or someone who pounces on every flight deal, here are practical, smart ideas that make travel smoother and a lot more fun. Wishing you a fantastic holiday season and a new year filled with adventure!
Packing Cubes for Travel Essentials
European Travel Plug Adapter
8 Pack Silicone Luggage Tag
Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack
Portable Luggage Scale
Airplane Phone Holder
Travel Cable Organizer Pouch
Vacuum Compression Dirty Clothes Travel Bag
Luggage Travel Cup Holder Attachment
Amazon Basics 21” Hardside Carry-On
Bluetooth Adapter for Airplane
Silicone Bottle Covers
Compression Socks for Travel
Travel Blanket and Pillow
Neck Pillow for Traveling
Tide Stain Remover for Clothes
3 in 2 USB C Cable
Weekender Travel Medicine Kit
Manicure Set With Travel Case
The Ultimate Packable Jacket
My Favorite Carry On
10 Book Ideas for Under the Tree
Shoe Dog — Phil Knight
More than a business memoir—this is a global coming-of-age story. From backpacking the world to launching the first Nike shoes from the trunk of a car, Knight’s journey is fast-paced, emotional, and deeply human. You feel every risk, every dream.
Shantaram — Gregory David Roberts
A massive, unforgettable novel set in Mumbai’s streets, slums, and hidden corners. Raw, spiritual, dangerous, and full of heart. Few books pull you into a city like this one does.
A Walk in the Woods — Bill Bryson
Bryson’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail turns into one of the funniest and most immersive travel narratives ever written. You feel the discomfort of every mile and laugh on nearly every page.
Into Thin Air — Jon Krakauer
One of the most gripping nonfiction books ever written. Krakauer recounts the 1996 Mount Everest disaster with raw detail that puts you right on the mountain—feeling the cold, the altitude, the decisions, and the danger. Completely absorbing.
Endurance — Alfred Lansing
The unbelievable true account of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition. Ice, isolation, heroism, survival—this reads like a thriller, but it all happened. Completely absorbing.
The Alchemist — Paulo Coelho
A short, timeless classic that transports you across the desert with a young shepherd chasing a dream. Philosophical, magical, and endlessly re-readable. A must-gift for any traveler or seeker.
West with the Night — Beryl Markham
Stunning writing from one of the first female bush pilots in East Africa. Her adventures—and the way she tells them—pull you straight into early 20th-century Kenya and the skies above it. Hemingway called it “a book for the ages.”
The Lost City of Z — David Grann
Jungle exploration, ancient mysteries, and real-life danger. Grann’s search for legendary explorer Percy Fawcett feels like stepping into another world entirely—the Amazon as few have ever seen it.
The Beach — Alex Garland
A modern cult classic about seeking paradise off the map. Immersive, edgy, and atmospheric. You can practically feel the heat, the water, and the unease as paradise begins to crack.
Eat, Pray, Love — Elizabeth Gilbert
A journey of food, faith, heartbreak, and rediscovery across Italy, India, and Bali. Even if you’ve seen the movie, the book is far deeper and more intimate. It makes you want to book a trip—and reflect on your own path.
Travels with Charley — John Steinbeck
A gentle, wise, deeply human story of Steinbeck driving across America with his dog, Charley. Funny, observant, and full of heart. It’s a reminder of how travel reconnects us—to the land, to strangers, and to ourselves.
