7 Holiday Gifts for New Travelers
The first time someone travels it can be stressful, so this holiday season gives the traveler in your life some awesome gifts that not only look great but also serve a purpose. This guide will get not only cover the traditional but also the obscure to ensure that that traveler in your life is able to survive travel mishaps and thrive.
An RFID Protection Wallet
A great investment is a travel RFID protected wallet. These wallets are not only cute (and come in an array of colors) but they also serve a very important purpose, protecting personal information to ensure that no one can “read” your personal information. In the world of scanners that can fit in your pocket to collect information, a good RFID blocking wallet will keep your identity, and your credit cards safe. There are a lot of options out there, but I really like this one which has a clip for a strap and keeps everything from cash to your passport protected. Because they come in so many styles and colors you can pick and choose what you think your new traveler would want!
External Battery Chargers
I cannot, cannot say this enough. You will at some point need an external battery charger. I prefer ones that are not cases, but I know others prefer the battery cases. If that’s something you think that your traveler will want opt for that. I prefer external chargers that I plug into my phone instead of the cases because I can carry several without sacrificing too much space (plus my phone charges faster!). My partner prefers a case citing the ease in which he can choose to use the case or not.
In terms of the usefulness, external packs allow you to spend less time charging indoors and more time exploring. I use my phone for everything from maps to translating to face timing family members so it’s essential that I have access to something that will keep my phone charged an available. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to FaceTime a family member while walking around to show them the country.
In terms of the usefulness, external packs allow you to spend less time charging indoors and more time exploring. I use my phone for everything from maps to translating to face timing family members so it’s essential that I have access to something that will keep my phone charged an available. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to FaceTime a family member while walking around to show them the country.
Packable Rain Coat
If your recipient likes to go to places that are typically rainy or stormy or just so happened to choose somewhere where it’s monsoon/typhoon season (me). These coats are not waterproof per se, but mine has held up to torrential downpours in Taiwan where I’ve stayed quite dry despite horrible conditions. The best part being I can pack it up into a small (dry!) package if I’m out and can dry it at home when I get back! Plus who doesn’t love something that can fit in your day bag when you’re walking around without sacrificing space!
Personal Keychain Alarms
The safety of the traveler in your life should be a top priority. Many countries ban violent methods of protection (mace, knives, brass knuckles) meaning that you may not be able to even bring these products into the country. Instead, I’ve found that personal alarms which are loud are perfect, reusable, and small enough to carry on you without accidentally triggering it. There are a lot of these on the market so finding one to fit the recipient’s tastes isn’t difficult, there are even alarms that look like cute key chains!
This is especially a must for any women traveling to foreign countries or within the USA where they may not be able to carry other forms of self-defense! This can also deter criminals from mugging you as these alarms are loud enough to draw attention, even at night!
This is especially a must for any women traveling to foreign countries or within the USA where they may not be able to carry other forms of self-defense! This can also deter criminals from mugging you as these alarms are loud enough to draw attention, even at night!
Day Bag Care Package
This is definitely a stocking stuffer that anyone can use. When you’re overseas or even in your home country these small items are definitely a life saver. I would suggest finding a cute carrying case so that you can keep things organized (not unlike a make-up brush carrier) that you can fill with the following: hand sanitizer, travel tissues, Pepto Bismol or loperamide (anti-diarrheal OTC), and a bottle of sunscreen SPF 50 or more. These items can all be packed in a carry-on.
As I’ve said in previous posts, hand sanitizer and travel tissues are my top 2 items to bring with me wherever I go. Often times, bathrooms in other countries or our own will forget to restock or not even stock soap or toilet paper. By bringing these items you’re preparing for the inevitable, a bare bathroom. You can sometimes find really cute tissue packs too!
I always carry loperamide or Pepto Bismol on me if I’m out and about. Food isn’t always prepared in the cleanest of settings and these can help prevent you from having a bad reaction to food. While they aren’t the most romantic of items they will come in handy when your traveler feels unwell.
Mini sunscreen bottles are very important in climates where there is a lot of sun or even cloudy days with high UV indexes. Show someone you truly care about them by caring about their health. Don’t forget, even if you have darker skin, it’s still important to use sunscreen to help prevent aging and exposure to UV rays!
As I’ve said in previous posts, hand sanitizer and travel tissues are my top 2 items to bring with me wherever I go. Often times, bathrooms in other countries or our own will forget to restock or not even stock soap or toilet paper. By bringing these items you’re preparing for the inevitable, a bare bathroom. You can sometimes find really cute tissue packs too!
I always carry loperamide or Pepto Bismol on me if I’m out and about. Food isn’t always prepared in the cleanest of settings and these can help prevent you from having a bad reaction to food. While they aren’t the most romantic of items they will come in handy when your traveler feels unwell.
Mini sunscreen bottles are very important in climates where there is a lot of sun or even cloudy days with high UV indexes. Show someone you truly care about them by caring about their health. Don’t forget, even if you have darker skin, it’s still important to use sunscreen to help prevent aging and exposure to UV rays!
Small, yet Versatile Microfiber Towels
I love having access to microfiber towels when traveling. Not only do they dry quickly they’re much smaller than regular bath towels, making them useful for staying in hostels or heading to the beach for the day. Most come with a bag or case so as to separate the item from clothes, which is great if you’re trying to keep things clean. These towels are a life saver and in places where large bath towels are few and far between a necessity.
I prefer the IKEA brand towels as they have a carrying case and come in two different sizes, great for tall and short people alike.
I prefer the IKEA brand towels as they have a carrying case and come in two different sizes, great for tall and short people alike.
A Great Camera Bag
If you travel with a decent camera as I do, you’ll want to protect it while having it accessible. I love using my camera bag because I can carry my laptop, phone chargers, on the go bag and packable rain coat and still have room for my wallet and other items. Try to find a bag that is not only decently priced but also has a locking feature for your valuables to avoid pickpockets. I suggest choosing a cross body bag or a backpack that is small enough to carry in front of you in a crowd. Alternatively, you can choose a camera carrying case that is removable from a day bag to add more versatility to the mix.
Hey there, those are some great travel tips! The wallet and camera bag will work out great for my next trip!
Great gift list…I know what I will be asking Santa for!
This is a great list of gifts for travelers! The wristlet is now on my shopping list!