Holiday Gift Guide

If you're doing some holiday shopping for the travel lovers in your life, I created a small gift guide with some favorite things - items I frequently use, as well as travel-inspired gifts. While holiday shopping can be overwhelming and excessive, I know it can also be fun and meaningful to exchange gifts with your loved ones.

If you’re looking to gift experiences, we’re offering gift cards that can be used for travel planning at two different levels:

$200 Travel Consultation Call: This is a wonderful option if you'd like to run any travel-related questions by our team to receive our feedback, tips, and recommendations, and might be a great fit as you are starting to conceptualize your trip.

$500 Travel Planning Services: For those looking to utilize our team in assistance planning an upcoming trip. Whether you want someone to plan your entire trip, or you just want help with specific requests.

TRAVEL BOOKS

Travel books are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. It’s the perfect way to escape to the countryside or the beach from the comfort of your own home when travel isn’t possible. It’s also a great conversation starter when you’re hosting and these are displayed. It’s fun to daydream with friends about future trips together while poring over these books and adding new destinations to our wishlists.

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR & ACCESSORIES

After all of my years traveling via planes, trains, and automobiles; I’ve become particular about the travel gear and accessories I use. They have to withstand a lot of miles and not fall apart after a few trips. I’ve found that investing in quality pieces means you’re spending less in the end. So while that trendy new bag might be appealing, I rely on these classics.

TRAVEL-INSPIRED GIFTS

To remind your giftees of their favorite destinations, travel-inspired gifts are a great idea. In addition to the travel books, you can find destination-focused gifts such as candles, totes, and attire. For Anglophiles, royal-favorite Fortnum & Mason ships to the US and Canada! From their extremely popular hampers and gift baskets to tea and biscuits; Fortum & Mason never disappoints.

STOCKING STUFFERS

These gifts are perfect for stocking stuffers. From a nice passport case to leather luggage tags and card cases, I find that these are travel items that people don’t tend to purchase for themselves as often. Travel-sized beauty items are also great choices and are perfect for those long-haul flights.

FOR THE GUYS

Don’t forget about travel gifts for the guys! Sometimes the guys in your life can be the hardest to buy gifts for. I’m lucky in that my husband loves to travel as much as I do so I know he’ll appreciate these items when we’re off to a new destination or when we’re at home in London.

Regardless of whether or not you’re in the market for any items on this travel-inspired gift guide, I hope your holiday season is filled with lots of  love, joy & happiness!

This post contains affiliate links that I may earn a small commission from, at no cost to you. 

Stocking Stuffers for Travel Lovers

Happy Thanksgiving! It feels a bit odd to not be watching the Macy's parade + endless episodes of FRIENDS with my family right now, but I'm also so thankful to be spending more time abroad. Haley + I already celebrated with some friends last weekend, which was so fun because we were actually the only two Americans.  I'm certain that eating turkey, mashed potatoes and other traditional fare with wonderful people from Milan, Dubai, Switzerland and all over England will be a Thanksgiving I always remember. Since we already had our big meal (and don't feel like cooking again) we thought today it would be fun to still do something festive, but also unique to London (because how many Thanksgivings will I get to spend here?) So tonight we're heading to Winter Wonderland, a popular Christmas festival that takes place in Hyde Park during the holidays. It looks incredibly fun and I'm so excited! 

While tomorrow will officially kick off the Christmas season in the states, we're clearly already full force in the holiday spirit here in London. I've loved seeing all the beautiful lights, drinking mulled wine and seeing all the festive window displays in the department stores. 

Regardless of when you started getting in the holiday spirit, I think it's safe to say we can all transition into that mindset now. This weekend is the most popular time to shop all year as we begin creeping up on Christmas. To help you with your holiday shopping, I'm going to be posting several blogs the next few days pertaining to travel gifts: what's the best luggage, ideas for both male and female travelers, etc. But in case you're still easing into this whole holiday shopping thing, let's start small: stocking stuffers that travelers will love. 

LEATHER POUCH: FASHIONABLE

A small leather pouch is a great gift for anyone, but especially a traveller. I have all sorts of these for various essentials: lip balm, credit cards, writing pens-- you name it. Fashionable is also one of my favorite brands because of their business model which strives to alleviate poverty by creating job opportunities for women both locally and globally. 

PASSPORT CASE: ASPINAL OF LONDON

A chic passport case is a fail-safe for any travel lover. I adore this Aspinal of London one that Haley got me (also the option of getting the matching currency belt!) but there are literally endless options to choose from (like here, here, here, here or here). 

TRAVEL TOOTHPASTE: MARVIS

Imported from Italy, this stylish toothpaste makes brushing your teeth so much more than routine. I was a bit skeptical at first because let's be honest- toothpaste imported from Italy seems a bit unnecessary. But Marvis is a simple pleasure that really is noticeably different than any ordinary toothpaste you'd pick up at the store (plus it looks much more chic in your travel bag!)

cord taco: fashionable

Another Fashionable product for the win! This simple item is sheer genius. We all know how obnoxious it is to have your headphones tangle inside your bag. This cord taco is the perfect solution to keep them nice + tidy in one place (and it's simple enough that you'll actually use it).

LUGGAGE TAG: CUYANA

A nice luggage tag is something you can have several of, because you need one for every travel piece. This chic + simple Cuyana one is my latest favorite, but there are endless options to choose from (also here, here, here and here). 

TRAVEL SIZE PARFUME: CHLOÉ

I don't need any unnecessary weight to add to my suitcase, so a full-size bottle of parfume is out of the question on my packing list. That's why I love this chic travel-size bottle by Chloé. Not only does it smell lovely, but it's TSA approved so you can even carry it on in your purse. 

FOLDABLE BALLET FLAT: YOSI SAMRA

A foldable pair of ballet flats is a must for any avid traveller. I've pulled these out of my carry on to save the day dozens of times: when I have to wear my heaviest (yet most uncomfortable) shoes on a flight to free up weight in my suitcase, when I'm wearing heels (for whatever reason) but have to do a bit of walking... the list goes on. 

CARRY ON COCKTAIL KIT

Flights can be long. Throw in some turbulence, and you’re really in need of a cocktail. I fell in love with W&P designs carry on cocktail kit to give as gifts, but also to actually use myself. This small tin fits easily in your purse and gives you everything you need to make 2 delicious cocktails at 30,000 feet. Not to mention, they're good conversation starters when someone good looking ends up in the seat next to you (hence the reason the kit makes 2 perhaps?)

EAR BUDS AND PORTABLE CHARGER SET: KATE SPADE

Headphones + portable chargers are something every traveler needs (I speak to the reasons why in my 10 Things Every Traveler Needs in Europe post) This chic gift set by Kate Spade is a one stop shop that covers both (another portable charger I love is here).

SOLD OUT BUT SIMILAR CHARGER HERE AND SIMILAR HEADPHONES HERE

CASHMERE SOCKS: J CREW

There's nothing better than cashmere socks on an airplane. This simple little luxury is a great stocking stuffer because I find it's rarely something people treat themselves to, but are so happy to receive as a gift! I love this festive print from J Crew for the holidays, but if you prefer a more traditional look, try these or these. 

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

It may not seem like the most exciting gift, but getting this travel essential means it's one less thing you have to purchase on your own. With five different plugs (including at USB port) this kit works for over 150 countries and is as simple as matching the colors. 

Final Thanksgiving thought: Gratitude is not an emotion or something we feel-- it's something that we do. So let's practice showing gratitude for all the ways we're blessed.  Wishing you and those you love a very Happy Thanksgiving no matter where you are! 

xx,

Whitney