When it comes to gift giving, seasoned travelers are a discerning bunch.
They have tricks for everything from packing to earning travel points, and they’re usually pretty loyal to their favorite products and brands. That said, we’ve selected a few useful or rewarding items that are sure to surprise and delight the globetrotters on your list. Better yet, they’re all under $50.
1. Bluetooth Trackers
These devices are a must-have for anyone who checks luggage . Last year, Apple released its version, the AirTag ($29, apple.com/airtag), a tiny puck that syncs with the Find My app and has a wide range of accessories it snaps onto, from ultra-luxe Hermès luggage tags to cool, utilitarian carabiners. The Tile Sticker ($19.99, tile.com) is similarly sized and, as the name suggests, has an adhesive back that sticks to whatever you want to track, from remote controls to eyeglass cases.
It works with Android and Apple devices, as well as Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant. The Chipolo ONE ($25, chipolo.net) is another circular little wonder. It works with the Chipolo app to notify you when you’re out of range and have forgotten that item, and offers a variety of ringtones to help you find it.
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2. Wool Socks
Socks may seem like a boring gift, but wool ones aren’t. Why? Absorbency. Every traveler has had their shoes soaked through at some point — but now your feet will be dry. (Note to self: I have a whole wardrobe of wool socks: tuck-ins for loafers, ankle socks for running shoes, taller socks to wear with boots, etc.) Smartwool’s website lets you search by sock type and cushioning, but you can’t go wrong with the Smartwool No Show Socks ($16, smartwool.com).
The Patagonia Lightweight Merino Performance Crew Socks ($25, patagonia.com) have a cool design reminiscent of 1970s tube socks. Plus, all of the virgin wool Patagonia uses is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which covers the entire process from farm to fiber to help ensure that both the animals that supply it and the land they graze on are protected.
Farm to Feet creates socks made only from U.S. materials, and its fun designs include city names combined with nature-inspired prints (the Eureka features a live oak tree at the ankle; $23, farmtofeet.com). Choose from various cushioning types and zones, as well as circumferential compression to support your foot and minimize fatigue throughout the day.
3. Luxury Beauty Products in Travel Size
Since everyone is taking quality products from hotel rooms, why not give them a set to use when they visit accommodations that don’t offer them?
Malin+Goetz’s Best-Sellers Travel Set ($34, malinandgoetz.com) contains six of their popular vegan and sulfate-free formulas — shampoo, conditioner, face wash, face moisturizer, body moisturizer, and body wash — in 100 percent recyclable aluminum tubes and packaged in a biodegradable bag.
Aesop offers several gift sets, but only two are under $50. The best option, the Arrival Travel Set ($37, aesop.com), contains four products — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer — in Aesop’s iconic packaging and lovely fragrances. The Origins Best Skin Travel Set ($29, ulta.com) brings together five of their best-selling products — cleanser, mask, treatment lotion, serum, and moisturizer — in one sleek travel set.
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4. Sling Backpacks
All the cool kids wear fanny packs as shoulder bags, but our generation may be suffering from PTSD from fanny packs, and these are a fashionable alternative to the traditional backpack that can fit a lot more than you might think. Osprey’s Daylite Sling ($45, osprey.com) is designed to be worn over the left or right shoulder, has a front zippered pocket for small items, and an interior main compartment with organizer sleeves and a key clip.
Vans’ Warp Sling ($35, vans.com) comes equipped with a padded tablet compartment, a mesh back panel for comfort, and an elastic side water bottle pocket. Vera Bradley’s Mini Sling Backpack ($50, verabradley.com) can be worn crossbody or as a fanny pack and is available in a solid color and some of the brand’s signature prints.
Made from recycled PET bottles, it features a front exterior pocket, a back panel with a hidden zipper pocket, and a ring on the strap to hold keys.
5. Jewelry Storage Cases
Even if they don’t require safe storage or personal security, your accessories deserve better than just any old plastic bag. Quince offers a calfskin option ($40, onequince.com) that fits four necklaces, three pairs of earrings, and as many rings as you can fit on its strap.
Mele & Co.’s design has a pull-out tray and removable dividers, so you can customize storage and accommodate larger jewelry ($49, target.com). The Stackers version is set up to hold a five-section ring roll and a larger compartment with sections for storing bracelets or necklaces, with a removable divider ($30, containerstore.com).
Best Travel Gifts Under $50
