The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer Guide for Travelers

I know it can be tough to come up with good stocking stuffers that aren’t just more junk taking up space. That’s why I put together this guide of my favorite travel items that make great stocking stuffers. Most of these items are useful for any kind of travel and take up little room in a suitcase or carry-on. These travel items are great for most travelers — men, women, kids, teens, or adults.

The holidays are a great time to buy items needed for spring break, study abroad, or summer vacation. There is plenty of travel gear that will make your travel much smoother and make great gifts for all the travelers in your life!

Safety & Security Essentials

She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

Hopefully, your favorite traveler, may never need to use their She’s Birdie personal safety alarm. These alarms are great because they emit a loud sound (think fire alarm loud) and flash light. 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 a She’s Birdie personal safety alarm!

Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

I always travel with a portable carbon monoxide detector. In recent years, tourists have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize. While the odds of such a tragedy happening are low, a portable carbon monoxide detector helps me sleep easier when I travel. It takes up very little space and is easy to use.

✅Click here to buy a portable carbon monoxide detector!

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 your phone is 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). 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 definitely one of the best stocking stuffers for travel!

✅Click here to buy a cell phone lanyard strap!

Travel Door Lock

A portable door lock provides extra security in hotel rooms and vacation rentals for peace of mind while sleeping. I have traveled with my door lock, but I have not needed to use it as every place I stay felt secure. However, you never know what your accommodations may be like, so bringing along your own lock is a great idea!

✅Click here to buy a portable door lock!

Practical Travel Gear

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. A daybag is also great for destinations that charge for bags so you can carry souvenirs 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 backpack!

Hip Pack

I love my Fjällräven Kånken Hip Pack for travel. It is small but holds a ton! My iPhone fits along with other essentials for a day out. The hip pack has a hidden zipper in the back that is perfectly sized for your passport. There is an additional pocket on the front where I stash lip balm, a hair tie, and anything else I need quick and easy access to. They are durable and come in lots of fun colors.

✅Click here to buy my absolute favorite hip pack!

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. I can cram more into a single suitcase and worry less about it busting in transit because the straps will hold it together. Plus, the pop of color helps me quickly find my bags at baggage claim!

✅Click here to buy luggage straps!

Multi-Function Tool

I like to give a multi-function tool as a gift to the traveler in my life. Most of the time, you probably don’t need this tool, but it takes up very little space and comes in handy if you need to cut something, screw something, or open a bottle.

✅Click here to buy a multi-function tool!

Universal Power Adapter

This universal power adapter is one of my favorite travel purchases. I bring it on all of my travels because it is so versatile, making it great for domestic and international travel. 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 a universal travel adapter!

AirTags

If you are checking bags, they should be at baggage claim when you arrive. I’ve only had one trip where one of our bags got on a different plane. An AirTag helps give you peace of mind and can help you figure out where your bag is in the unfortunate event it gets on a different plane than you do.

✅Click here to buy AirTags!

Packing Cubes

Small packing cubes help organize clothing and maximize suitcase space, making it easier to find items without unpacking everything. I recommend the Gonex compression packing cubes because they come in multiple sizes and colors. I’ve bought two sets!

✅Click here to buy small packing cubes!

Cable Organizer

A compact cable organizer keeps charging cables, earbuds, and adapters in an easy to locate bag. My husband has a fancy cable organizer, but I use a simple clear pouch for my cords and chargers. I can see everything in it and it all stays contained.

✅Click here to buy a clear pouch for cables!

Comfort & Convenience Items

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 compact travel blanket!

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 airport) 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. We all were grateful for sleep masks on that trip!

✅Click here to buy a sleep mask!

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 portable slippers!

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.

✅Click here to buy a merino wool neck gaiter!

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 handicrafts (I like to do embroidery 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 for a rechargeable LED headlamp!

Amazon Kindle

Everyone probably already has an Amazon Kindle at this point, but in case the traveler in your life doesn’t, they will likely appreciate having one. They can now read whatever they want on their travels instead of dragging along bulky books.

✅Click here to buy an Amazon Kindle!

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 a 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 Field Notes for travel journaling!

Noise-Canceling Earbuds

Compact wireless earbuds with noise cancellation make flights more peaceful and help travelers sleep better in noisy environments. You can spend a fortune on earbuds, but I like the JLab earbuds just fine.

✅Click here to buy wireless earbuds!

Water Bottle Strap

The person you are shopping for probably already has a collection of amazing water bottles. Help them stay hydrated on their travels with a strap that makes it easier to keep their water with them by getting them a water bottle holder strap.

✅Click here to buy a water bottle strap!

Weather Protection & Personal Care

Disposable Rain Ponchos

We were so grateful 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 rarely 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!

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 the best microfiber towel!

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 can go before you need to refill. For most people, you will likely be able to go 7-10 days (or more) without refilling.

✅Click here to buy a more compact travel kit!

Travel Makeup Brushes

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

✅Click here to buy travel-sized make-up brushes!

Travel-Sized Products

Travel-sized versions of your favorite product are such a splurge, making these the best stocking stuffers. Consider adding sunscreen, thigh saver, or makeup for their stocking.

✅Click here to buy my favorite travel-sized sunscreen!

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I hope that you found something useful on my list of the best stocking stuffers for travelers!