14 gift ideas for the stylish traveler (an illustrated guide)

Happy Monday! Now that Thanksgiving is over, we can start to talk about Christmas, right? :)

Buying gifts for travel girls may be a little tough. We don’t tend to put too much value in stuff. And there’s always the chance that we may not be able to take certain things with us given our limited luggage space. And contrary to what some blogs say, we do not want any random items involving maps or travel quotes.

But don’t worry! I’m here to help with my holiday guide for the stylish traveler. As a full-time traveler myself, who better to tell you what we need and what will actually be useful for us on the road? I have scoured the internet for the cutest, yet very functional and even necessary, travel accessories. I also love that about half are from creative small businesses on Etsy.

And the best part? All of them, except for one, is under $50! 

(And also, in case D is reading this… ahem… *hint hint*…)

My holiday picks ($-$$):

1. Silk pug eye mask  | Seriously, how adorable is this eye mask?! Not only will an eye mask will help you sleep on planes, it will come in handy when hostels or airbnb’s don’t have heavy black-out curtains. Nothing is worse than sunlight blaring into your room at 5 am. ($25 | link)

2. Whale travel pillow | Another travel accessory that is just too cute for words! I always get the dreaded middle seat on long-haul flights and you just cannot sleep in that seat. How jealously I would stare at those with travel pillows sleeping comfortably. Carrying travel pillows has always seemed too bulky, but I love this! It’s a whale that unzips at the bottom and flips around and converts into a full-sized neck pillow! A hook at the top lets you attach to luggage. ($30 | link)

3. TwelveWays convertible dress | I think I need this. Usually convertible clothing are really baggy and ugly, but this one is totally cute! There are twelve ways to wear this single piece of clothing (shown here as a cute ruched shirt). From a long skirt in conservative countries to a little dress for nights out, this has got you covered. ($85 | link)

4. Travel journal | I think any traveler will appreciate a journal to write (or sketch!) their memories in. I love these beautiful leather ones by inBlue on Etsy because you can customize the cover with words of your choice and pick an image from a selection of 3000+. ($26 | link)

5. Lush shampoo bars | Shampoo has got to be one of the most annoying things to pack. These solid bars are easy to pack (no spills!) and are so dense that each one lasts as long as 2-3 bottles of shampoos! Lush is also known for being a highly ethical, green company using only fresh, organic ingredients. Bonus! ($10-13 | link)

6. Fox ears crochet ear warmer | Another accessory that is just too cute! I love anything foxy, and I’m dying over this crochet ear warmer I found on Etsy. Seriously, my illustration does it no justice; you must click on the link to see! Must have for cold weather! ($28 | link)

7. Travel makeup palette | More girly girls will appreciate a good quality, compact makeup palette. I know I don’t like looking like a frumpy backpacker. After much searching for the perfect one, I picked the Energy Noir Clay Palette by Tarte, one of my long favorite brands. This palette has the perfect neutral eyeshadow colors and an universally flattering blush and highlighter. Plus, Tarte is an ethical, all natural brand. ($38 | link)

8. Rollerball perfume | You can’t carry a full sized perfume bottle with you, but you can a rollerball! It helps to have some perfume handy for when you have a smelly flight neighbor or you don’t even need an excuse except for you just want to feel pretty. :) Obviously this one is based on preference, but the one pictured here is Marc Jacobs Daisy. ($15-40 | link)

9. Silk camera wrist strap | So much prettier and more stylish than the standard black straps! I love the silk and suede detail on this one. And of course, I had to include something from Stylish Travel Girl‘s own Etsy shop (for those who don’t know, I’m a sometimes contributor)! Silk neck straps are also available. ($30 | link)

10. Laptop cover | This is useful especially to bloggers because we’re always dragging our laptop to places, and if you’re like me, dropping it. I love all the laptop or iPad covers in this cute Etsy shop! You’ll have the hardest time deciding which color/pattern to get! ($51 | link)

11. THINX period panties | When Richelle mentioned these, I knew this had to go on the list. THINX panties are basically super comfortable period panties that are guaranteed to be leak proof, even without pads or tampons (and yes, they work). Okay, so I wouldn’t just free bleed into them, but I think they’d be perfect for those awkward days leading up to your period and to prevent leaks during. And the best part, a purchase will help girls in less developed nations get a supply of pads so that they can stay in school. A gift that keeps on giving. ($24-34 | link)

12. Travel wallet | Seriously, I need this in my life. I can’t count how many times I’ve run through an airport with my phone in one hand, passport in the other, boarding pass flying out. (There was even one time when I freaked out I lost my boarding pass as I was about to board.) This travel wallet from GracieDesigns on Etsy has compartments for your passport, ID, and boarding pass, and a zippered pouch for money, phone, and whatever else you need . ($28 | link)

13. Symphonized ear buds | D swears by these. These noise-canceling ear buds are crafted with real wood so they deliver a loud crisp sound, and also with nylon cord so they’re tangle-free. They come in a crazy amount of wood + cord color options! ($25 | link)

14. A kimono cardigan | I think this is a necessary travel piece. A lot of really hot countries have a conservative dress code, so you definitely don’t want to wear a jacket. A sheer kimono cardigan is trendy and will provide the required coverage without overheating. I don’t have a recommended one because most stores carry them or a simple internet search will yield dozens of results.

Other unique gift ideas for travelers ($$-$$$):

For the bookworm: a Kindle paperwhite and/or a Kindle Unlimited membership (I definitely get the worth out of mine!)

For the blogger: a blogging e-course or a custom WordPress theme

For the photog: a subscription to Adobe Lightroom

And for a complete list of over 100 ideas for the travelista, check out Stylish Travel Girl’s ultimate guide! I may have snagged a couple of ideas from there. ;)

Which of these caught your eye? What’s on your wishlist? Share any other perfect travel gift ideas in the comments!