We’ve supplied links to our favorites through Amazon*. These are all items that you can find elsewhere on the internet or at your favorite local store, but all are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas if you have Amazon Prime.
1. Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones
If you’ve ever had the joy of experiencing noise canceling headphones on a long-haul flight, then you’ll know what all the fuss is about. Even if you’re not watching a movie or listening to music, the noise canceling feature will dramatically reduce the cabin noise to the point where you’ll easily dose off or at least give your brain a rest. WARNING: Once you use them, you’ll never be able to fly without them again!
I (Ellen), have personally used both brands that we recommend: Bose and Sony. Bose fans rave about them and believe they’re the best. I thought the Sony’s were comparable and couldn’t tell any notable difference.
2. iPad
A friend of mine turned me on to the the iPad idea a few years ago and I’ve brought it with me on trips ever since. I love that I can download a BUNCH of shows and movies from Netflix and watch them offline – no wifi necessary! Or, download your favorite games and/or puzzles and you’ve got entertainment for hours.
Another feature I realized the last time I traveled is that my text messages and emails are synced with my phone. Recently, my phone battery was critically low and I was concerned that it would die and I’d be unable to access my travel docs. I was immediately put at ease when I realized my fully charged iPad could save the day!
3. Packable Puffer Jacket – Women’s and Men’s
My sister turned me on to this amazing piece of clothing on our last trip together. I recently wore this jacket on a trip to Canada and was kept amazingly warm in snow and wind. It was absolutely worth its weight in gold. It comes with its own packable bag and condenses down to the size of a nerf football. I will NEVER take another trip without this beauty! It’s available in both men’s and women’s styles.
There is nothing worse than getting drenched in an unexpected downpour – especially when you’re out exploring and far from your hotel. That’s the joy of this tiny umbrella – it folds down to an amazing 6.8” and weighs only 8 oz. – about the weight of a russet potato! And it would make a fabulous stocking stuffer, too. There are cheaper ones out there, but Totes has a great reputation and has been around a long time.
5. Passport and Vaccine Card Holder
We recently gave these handy items as gifts to our Egypt & Jordan travelers – they LOVED them! No more digging around for your vaccination card or rummaging for your passport – here they are together in one convenient holder.
6. Hydrating Mist
We’ve given this Kiehl’s Cactus Flower &”Tibetan Ginseng” Hydrating Mist as gifts to our travelers in the past and always to rave reviews. Gabriel swears by this stuff! Kiehl’s has the reputation of making good, quality products and this is hydrating mist is no exception. This cooling mist is like an instant pick-me-up, refreshing and energizing skin with a blend of natural botanicals and essential oils. Perfect for long flights that wreak havoc on our skin. And if the Kiehl’s is a bit pricey for your budget, Gabriel also recommends Evian Spray – perfect in these small travel sizes.
7. Eye Mask
I have tried several eye masks and have found that they are either too tight, smash my eyelashes and smudge my makeup, or don’t block the light sufficiently. While I have not tried this exact brand of mask, I have one that I got from a friend and it looks identical and with identical features – I love it! The one in this Amazon link received an 8 out of 10 from The Points Guy team and by its description it sounds like it’s just like the one that I have. Heck, for just over $10 it’s definitely worth a try!
I should be receiving regular commissions from the makers of these ear plugs. I am an EXTREMELY light sleeper but am bothered so much by the feel of having something in my ear – makes my own breathing SO loud! However, these ear plugs are nothing short of miraculous! I recommend them to anyone who will listen (no pun intended). And because of the graduated design, you can adjust the level of quiet. I have “screwed” the ear plugs in as far as they would go (don’t worry, they’re made of silicone) and slept so soundly I had to be woken up because I couldn’t hear my alarm!
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