How to Choose a Gift for a Traveler

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 17, 2023 References

Are you searching for a gift for your favorite traveler? There are many gift options that can make the life of a traveler easier, whether you are on a strict budget or have a more flexible budget. Comfortable, stylish, and packable clothing is a great choice for any traveler. You can also enhance someone’s travel experience with a gift of technology that travels well or the tools necessary for reading and writing while on the road or in the air.

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Gifting Great Travel Clothing

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Gift a great raincoat. Chances are the traveler in your life will want to be prepared for wet weather. Gifting a great raincoat can help them prepare for conditions that are less than desirable. When choosing a raincoat, opt for items that are lightweight and packable as opposed to bulky and space-consuming.^{[1]
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Consider quick-drying underwear. When you’re traveling you often find yourself in situations where you need some fresh underwear, stat. Whether your luggage has been lost, or you’re hauling around a backpack that can’t be weighted down with extra undies, quick-drying underwear are a lifesaver for those who need to wash them in the hotel sink and wear the next morning.^{[2]
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Give lightweight warmth. When you’re traveling, temperatures can change abruptly. You can board a plane in sandal-wearing weather, endure a freezing flight, and land in soggy rainstorm. Along the way a traveler needs a lightweight article of clothing that provides warmth and is packable at the same time. For women, try a lightweight wool or cashmere wrap. For men, a lightweight fleece will do the trick.^{[3]
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Gift a pair of lightweight wool socks. Socks constructed of wool are a budget-friendly option for a travel-hungry gift recipient. Wool sock dry quickly. They also are more resistant to odors, and can compress easily into your favorite traveler’s carry-on.^{[4]
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Method 2

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Giving the Gift of Technology

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Consider a lightweight laptop. Lugging around a heavy laptop on your world travels can be a drag. If the traveler in your life tends to travel with a laptop in tow, a lightweight laptop is a great way to lighten their load. Opt for models that have a slim design, a screen that’s less than 13.5 inches (35 centimeters), and weigh in at 3 pounds or less.^{[5]
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Gift a tablet. If the traveler in your life doesn’t need to lug a laptop around with them on their journeys, a tablet is a great gift that will allow them access at a portion of the weight. A tablet is a lot cheaper than a lightweight laptop, and can give your traveler the access they need. Opt for models that are compatible with travel-friendly keyboards to maximize benefits.^{[6]
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Give your traveler an e-reader. Reading is an important part of any traveler’s itinerary. Whether you are perusing a guidebook for suggestions on local restaurants, or passing time in an airport with a classic novel, having access to reading material is a must for any traveler. An e-reader will allow the traveler in your life to transport their favorite tales to faraway places for a fraction of the weight.^{[7]
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Gift a set of noise canceling headphones. Let’s face it. Air travel can be downright noisy. A screaming baby or a seatmate listening to lousy music a little too loudly can turn an uncomfortable plane ride into one that is nearly unbearable. Save the sanity of your favorite traveler by giving them a set of noise canceling headphones.^{[8]
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Consider a headphone splitter for traveling couples. If your favorite traveler tends to see the world with their significant other in tow, a headphone splitter will allow the couple to watch movies or listen to podcasts at the same time. This budget-friendly gift can be easily stuffed into a stocking or tied on top a larger present.

Method 3

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Giving the Gift of Reading and Writing

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Consider a magazine subscription. A budget-friendly gift for the traveler in your life is a subscription to a magazine that specializes topics that broaden geographic and cultural horizons. You can choose a magazine that specializes in travel, or go above and beyond with one that explores the worldwide geography and cultures.^{[9]
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Give your traveler a journal. If you have someone in your life that is constantly traveling, a journal is a great gift idea. Even if they aren’t a self-pronounced writer, the gift of a journal can inspire your favorite traveler to start taking note of their journeys. Opt for lightweight journals that can fit easily in a shoulder bag or backpack, allowing the traveler to quickly access the journal on bus, plane, or train.^{[10]
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Gift an e-book. If there is a traveler in your life that loves to read, an e-book is a great, weightless gift option for their next journey. Take your traveler’s reading preferences into account before purchasing an e-book. If in doubt, purchase a gift card that your favorite traveler can use to buy a book of their choosing on the device of your choice.^{[11]
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