11 Worst Holiday Gifts for Travelers — and What to Surprise Them With Instead, From $18

Travelers are tough folks to give gifts to. By default, they probably value experiences over things and prefer to pack light when going on trips to optimize for ease of movement. But don’t worry because there are many useful travel gifts that you can surprise your favorite jet setter with that won’t end up returned or seldom used. 

In fact, I took a moment to consider common gifts for travelers (trust me, I’ve received them all) and how to make them better and more beneficial for the modern globetrotter, so that your well-intended present will make the carry-on cut.

Here are the 11 most common travel gifts to avoid buying this year and what to get instead that would be a welcome addition to a frequent traveler’s packing list.

Don’t Buy: a Passport Cover

Buy Instead: a Passport Cover With an AirTag Holder

This slim passport holder comes in six sleek colors and includes a pocket for an AirTag or other remote locator device, so you never panic about where your passport is again. I recently started using the Satechi passport holder that connects with the Find My app; I love the rechargeable battery that I don’t have to replace.

Don’t Buy: Anti-wrinkle Clothing

Buy Instead: a Portable Travel Steamer

Instead of buying them “wrinkle-free” fabric, get the traveler in your life a small, compact travel steamer. Wrinkle-free clothing sounds too good to be true, and in my experience — it is. It’s more important to pack fabrics that feel comfortable against your skin, not synthetic fabric blends that don’t breathe or wear well. This Jack & Rose Travel steamer and iron has over 500 five-star ratings at Amazon, with shoppers saying it’s easy to use and highly effective. But most important of all, it’s compatible with varying voltages, ranging from 100 to 240V, so it’s ready to be plugged in without a converter no matter where you’re headed. 

Don’t Buy: Matching Sets

Buy Instead: Versatile Mix-and-match Basics 

Some travelers love matching sets, but for me, they’re not practical enough to warrant bringing on a trip. I’d rather wear versatile mix-and-match basics on the plane that I can continue to style with other outfits once I’m at my destination. You’ll find me wearing ponte knit pants and a smart white button-down top — which I recommend gifting to a traveler instead of a set. I always pack this Ralph Lauren top that I can use as a layer, a beach cover-up, or a formal tucked-in shirt with a pair of trousers: it never goes out of style.

Don’t Buy: a Neck Pillow

Buy Instead: a Neck Pillow With Added Support

Gone are the days of the basic donut-shaped neck pillows. Neck pillows have been re-engineered to support your head so you can sleep well on a red-eye flight. Plus, the Ostrichpillow folds up and is packable, unlike the traditional counterparts you’re forced to wear around the airport because they won’t fit in your bag. It even won “best overall” in our editors’ testing of the best neck pillows. It’s made of memory foam and has added support to assist your posture so you don’t wake up hunched over. 

Don’t Buy: Socks

Buy Instead: Wool-blend Compression Socks

Socks are the ultimate giftable item. But instead of giving novelty socks this year, try a pair of compression socks to give your favorite frequent flier. These socks are made with a blend of natural Merino wool, so they’re soft, incredibly warm, and breathable. “Compression socks are all too often made of nylon or polyester or rayon, and I find synthetic fibers really difficult on my skin,” said one shopper, who wore these socks for business trips and gave them five stars.  “The wool makes them thicker and more comfortably padded. The compression also works well to keep my feet from swelling on planes or after long days of walking. If you’re going to go compression socks for more than one trip, definitely splurge on a bit of wool!” 

Don’t Buy: a Travel Journal

Buy Instead: a Personalized Reusable Journal Cover

Everyone has their own style of travel journaling, which is why I would suggest forgoing a specific travel journal pre-filled with prompts and templated pages; instead, opt for a reusable monogrammed cover, like this one that covers a Moleskine journal so they can switch it out with a new one when it’s filled up. This is a gift that a traveler could feasibly use for a lifetime.

Don’t Buy: a Toiletry Bag

Buy Instead: a Hanging Toiletry Bag With Clear Compartments

A hanging toiletry bag is great for camping or hotels with little counter space. The hanging feature reveals clear compartments, which help you see what you need at a glance instead of rifling around in your bag looking for the right product.

Don’t Buy: a Water Bottle

Buy Instead: a Collapsible Water Bottle

A great gift for travelers who are always short on carry-on space is this collapsible water bottle that stays small until it’s needed. Collapse it before you head into TSA, then expand and fill it with fresh water once you’re at your gate ahead of your flight. It’s also great on hikes and snow trips where a rigid water bottle is tough to carry.

Don’t Buy: a Regular Sleep Mask

Buy Instead: a Silk Sleep Mask With Contoured Eye Cups 

If you want to gift the traveler in your life a little in-flight upgrade, a silk sleep mask is it. The eye cups keep the uncomfortable pressure off your eyelids and eyelashes, and silk is easy on your skin and won’t leave deep wrinkles. Plus, the silk-covered elastic is also kinder on your hair.

Don’t Buy: a Beach Towel

Buy Instead: a Quick-dry Turkish Beach Towel

Terry-cloth towels are magnets for sand and take forever to dry. Consider a Turkish beach towel if you’re thinking of a gift for that beach-loving friend. It’s lightweight, easy to pack, and will dry quickly; plus, it won’t attract sand. Turkish beach towels can be used for more than just the beach too: use them as a picnic blanket, a sarong, or a travel blanket.

Don’t Buy: an Umbrella 

Buy Instead: a Windproof, UV-blocking Travel Umbrella

An umbrella is a practical gift, whether for trips or everyday use. Instead of the cheapest umbrella from the discount bin, upgrade your gift to a wind-proof premium umbrella that packs up small. This one is our top pick of the best travel umbrellas after we tested 18 different options.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.