The Best Stocking Stuffers for Travelers

I’ve compiled a list of the best stocking stuffers for travelers! I try to travel light so I can avoid checked-bag fees and so that I do not have deal with a ton of stuff when I travel.

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The Best Stocking Stuffers for Travel

I know it can be tough to come up with good stocking stuffers that aren’t just more junk that take up space. That’s why I put together this list of my favorite travel items that make great stocking stuffers. Most of these items are useful for any kind of travel.

All of the items on this list take up little room in a suitcase or your carry-on. These travel items are great for most travelers — men, women, children, teens, or adults.

1. Rechargeable LED Headlamp

A rechargeable LED headlamp may seem like a surprising addition, but a headlamp comes in handy on airplanes for reading or doing handcrafts (I like to emroider when I travel).

A headlamp is also something to travel with if your plans involve doing anything at night (driving or hiking) or if you are going to a destination where power outages might be more likely.

🔦Click here to buy a rechargeable headlamp!

2. Packable Backpack

After using this packable backpack from Eddie Bauer on one trip, I immediately bought one for each member of my family for our next trip. We usually only carry one when we are out and about, but it depends on the trip.

I’ve used these bags to carry water and bug spray in Costa Rica, a towel and sunscreen in Mexico, and water and camera equipment in numerous destinations.

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable Backpack-Made from Ripstop Polyester, Maroon, 20L — Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable Backpack

A daybag is also great for destinations that charge for bags so you can carry souveniers or for places where the weather changes. You can carry your umbrella and rain poncho, or a jacket in this bag. I always travel with a packable daybag.

🎒Click here to buy a packable daypack!

3. Cell Phone Lanyard Strap

I wish I bought a cell phone lanyard strap sooner. I used this strap on a recent trip because I would not always have clothing with pockets and I wanted my phone accessible so I could easily take pictures.

You will always know where my phone was with this strap. I often set my phone on the table in restaurants, but I would not do this in places where pick-pockets are more common (like Barcelona, where I recently traveled).

Tech Candy The Hookup Universal Cell Phone Lanyard Strap — Cell Phone Lanyard Strap

You can wear the strap across your body, which I did. My daughter tended to wrap the strap around her wrist and carry her phone. We use these on every trip and other activities like when we go to concerts, sporting events, or festivals. Because this cell phone strap is so versatile, it is definetely one of the best stocking stuffers for travel!

📱Click here to buy a cell phone lanyard strap!

4. Disposable Rain Ponchos

We were so greatful to have our disposable rain ponchos on our trip to Barcelona. We arrived by plane and took the subway to our hotel. It was pouring on our arrival — there was rain coming into the subway station! We put these ponchos on over ourselves and our backpacks for our short walk to our hotel.

You will almost never need a disposable rain poncho, but you will be glad you have one when you do making it a great addition to a holiday stocking!

🌧Click here to buy disposable rain ponchos!

5. She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

Like the rain ponchos, you may never need to use your She’s Birdie personal safety alarm. These alarms are great because the emit a loud sound (think fire alarm loud) and flashes light.

She’s Birdie–The Original Personal Safety Alarm

You can carry a She’s Birdie everywhere because it is non-violent. The device will not be confiscated by TSA or security at a museum. She’s Birdie is one of the items I bring along for safety when I travel!

🚨Click here to buy She’s Birdie personal safety alarm!

6. Travel Blanket

I always bring along a travel blanket in my carry-on luggage. Sometimes planes and airports are cold. Sometimes it is hard to get the temperature right in your hotel room. A travel blanket can also be used as a towel in a pinch.

This travel blanket has straps that can fit over your suitcase handle and has a strap you could attach to the outside with a carabiner clip. I’ve always been able to fit it into my luggage.

✅Click here to buy a travel blanket!

7. Field Notes

I am a scrapbooker. I create scrapbooks or photobooks with journaling for every trip. I like to use these Field Notes journals to record our adventures each day.

I make notes about what we did, what we ate, where we went, and any stories about our adventures.

These notebooks are great because they are small (3.5 x 5.5 inches). They easily fit in hip pack or a pocket. I find it far easier to journal when we break for meals because we can catch up on the day while we wait for our food. Therefore, having a journal that you can easily carry with you during the day is important.

📓Click here to buy your Field Notes journals!

8. Sleep Mask

I use a sleep mask at home and when I’m away. If you don’t use a sleep mask at home, you may want one for travel. A sleep mask will help you sleep anywhere!

A sleep mask comes in handy on airplanes (or if you want to sleep in the aiport) and in hotels. On our trip to Iceland, the sun didn’t set until close to midnight. Our hotel had blackout curtains, but there was still a lot of light that came in through the bathroom window.

💤Click here to buy a sleep mask!

9. Travel Makeup Brushes

In my quest to reduce how much space my travel gear takes up, I invested in travel makeup brushes. I already reduce the number of make-up products I use on the road, but I still need some makeup brushes.

🪞Click here to buy travel makeup brushes!

10. Universal Power Adapter

This universal power adapter is one of my favorite travel purchases. I bought this adapter for a trip to Europe, but I bring it on all my trips because it also has USB-C and USB-A charging slots.

I also love that these adapters come in different colors so that each member of your family can have a different color. Everyone then knows which device is theirs and can be responsible for their own charging. This is an item for everyone’s stocking!

🔌Click here to buy an universal travel adapter!

11. Luggage Straps

I need to buy new luggage because the seams are close to busting. However, I’m not ready to buy new luggage. I bought luggage straps instead to help keep my bags secure during travel.

Hero Luggage Straps for Suitcases and Carry-On

I can cram more into a single suitcase and worry less about it busting in transit because the straps will hold it together.

🧳Click here to buy luggage straps!

12. Merino Neck Gaiter

A merino wool neck gaiter comes in handy for any cold-weather trip. It takes up little room and can be used like a scarf, pulled up over the face like a ski mask, or wrapped over the head as a hat.

Midweight Neck Gaiter - 100% Merino Wool — Midweight Neck Gaiter – 100% Merino Wool

🧣Click here to buy a merino wool neck gaiter!

13. Portable Slippers

I dislike walking around barefoot in my hotel room. Therefore, I travel with portable slippers. They take up little room and keep my feet protected in my hotel room.

🧦Click here to buy foldable travel slippers!

14. Travel Kit

The TSA allows you to fly with liquids up to 3 ounces per container. If you are like me, you have a bunch of 3 ounce containers. However, you likely do not need this much soap, shampoo, and so on.

I bought this Nalgene toiletry kit because it includes smaller bottles (1 ounce and 2 ounce). They take up less space in my toiletry bag and are sufficient for most trips.

You can always test out how much you need in advance. Fill up one of these smaller bottles and keep track of how many days you are able to go before you need to refill. For most people, you will likely be able to go a 7-10 days (or more) without refilling.

🧴Click here to buy a toiletry kit!

15. Microfiber Towel

I started packing a microfiber towel for a few reasons.

Nearly every hotel you stay at will have towels. However, they never have enough towels. The front desk can get very stingy handing out extra towels and if they do, they may come from housekeeping hours after you requested them.

These towels are also great for the beach or pool. Again, you may have access to towels for the beach or pool at your hotel — you might not.

Microfiber towels also dry quickly. I have also used them when I do sink laundry on a trip or you can use them to wipe up messes.

💦Click here to buy a microfiber towel!

Conclusion

The holidays are a great time to buy items needed for spring break or summer vacation. There is plenty of travel gear that will make your travel much smoother and makes great gifts for all the travelers in your life! I hope that you found something useful on my list of the best stocking stuffers for travelers.