As many of you know, we just recently got back from a fantastic trip to Jordan and Dubai! We travel at least 3-4 times a year on average, so we’ve come to figure out our favorite items when traveling. I thought what better timing than to put together a travel gift guide, for any of the travelers in your life! This gift guide features my top 11 items I can’t travel without and I think would make great gifts for anyone.

1. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater. Planes are notorious for drying out your skin and on our recent 15 hour flight to Dubai, that was definitely still the case. I love having this facial spray to quickly refresh on the plane without leaving my seat. Plus the scent is light and pleasant. Can double as a make-up setting spray! They sell mini travel sizes at Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie.
2. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF. Did I mention my skin dries out on the plane?? Having a great lip balm is key on long flights and I’ve tried several, but this one has to be my favorite. They have tinted ones as well, but I stick with the original clear one. Can find at Sephora. And if there are any VIB members – you can currently get up to $25 off $75 (depending on your status) purchases.
3. Porter Water Bottle from w&p. Hydration is SO important on all flights. I try to avoid any sugary drinks and stick to water. Rather than shelling out $5-10 on water bottles in the airport, I bring this bottle empty through security and find a water fountain to fill up before my flight. It’s also great when traveling, to always make sure you’ve got water with you. It’s lightweight and made of glass, not plastic! Plus currently on sale for 25% off on their website! Also sold at Sak’s but does not appear to be on sale there.
4. Skyline Pant from Athleta. They are almost sold out of these pants online right now, but if you can snag a pair, you should! These are my most comfortable pants ever. They can be dressed up or down, don’t wrinkle, have pockets, and are super lightweight and breathable. They are my ultimate travel pants. Ideal for a plane ride but also for adventuring once you reach your destination. I also have the skirt and shorts version on these, so great!
5. Everlane Packable Backpack. Backpacks are so much easier than large bulky purses or bags! I am obsessed with this one from Everlane. It even packs into its own front pocket! Plus, if you’ve never shopped with Everlane before, highly recommend the brand. They work with ethical factories, provide transparency about where your items are made and how and use only the highest quality materials!
6. Slip dress from Madewell. I’m all about items of clothing that don’t wrinkle easily and can be dressed up or down while traveling and this slip dress checks both of those items! Comfortable, can be worn with a turtleneck and sneakers for a casual look or heels and jewelry for a more elegant look. Versatile pieces are key for being able to pack light! Currently 25% off with code “goodcheer”.
7. L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. My hands are what dry out the fastest while traveling. So many lotions are so watery, they don’t penetrate my skin. I love this lotion because it moisturizes so well, but doesn’t leave my hands feeling greasy for hours. This can be found at some many retailers. Try Sephora or Amazon.
8. Foreo Luna Play. I was recommended this product by my facialist at Hiatus Spa here in Dallas. I use it every night and absolutely love it! It’s battery operated and small, so I took it along for the trip. I am loving traveling with it. It’s a great way to keep your skin looking in tip top shape while traveling. Especially when you’re spending all day out in the city exposed to dirt, pollution, and in my case tons of sand at Petra, and this little device helps to get your face squeaky clean. Only $39 on Amazon!
9. Frye Ivy Slip On Sneakers. I have a mild obsession with Frye shoes. I’m up to 4 pairs now. But these sneakers might be my favorite purchase. They were comfortable from the moment I put them on. No breaking them in. They pair well with so many outfits, you might be able to get away with only bringing one pair of shoes on your whole trip! Plus the are leather, so they do well in different climates and are easy to clean. I bought mine in a metallic gold color, which is no longer available, but these black ones will pair with so much too!
10. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones. Both Marcelo and I recently invested in noise cancelling headphones and man, I cannot believe how we travelled without them before. Never have to worry about screaming babies, loud talkers, or snorers again. These headphones literally cancel out all noise, allowing a tranquil and relaxing flight and hopefully some shut eye.
11. Packing Cubes. I’d heard SO much about these from frequent travelers but never really got it until I finally tried them for myself. These cubes help to reduce so much space in your luggage allowing you to reduce your baggage count. Or in our case, so we could bring back plenty of souvenirs in the same luggage we started with. I was able to pack all of my items for a 10 day trip to Dubai and Jordan including winter sweaters for Jordan and swim gear for Dubai in a medium check-in bag.

We hope this travel gift guide comes in handy for all those travelers on your shopping list. We’d love to hear what are some of your essential travel items?

Merry Christmas and happy shopping! If you need other gift ideas, be sure to check out our gift guide from last year or our kitchen essentials list which doubles as a great shopping list for the cooks on your list!