The holidays are officially here, which means it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your loved ones. Every year, we handpick a few top picks for the jet travelers and road warriors on your list. This year’s guide features 25 of our picks for travel tech, luggage, gear, and more. The TPG team tested and approved them all.
Without further ado, here are TPG’s 2025 holiday gift picks.
Osprey Farpoint 80L Travel Backpack
If Katie Genter (head writer and one of TPG’s most intrepid travelers) approves of the Osprey Farpoint 80L Travel Backpack, it definitely deserves a spot on this list. It’s lightweight, durable and transitions easily from the backcountry to the front cabin.
You can purchase the detachable backpack as your personal belongings while storing the backpack in the overhead bin or leave it at the hotel for a day of adventure.
Buy it: Osprey Farpoint 80L Travel Backpack, $176.25 (regularly $234.95)
Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
Yes, noise-canceling headphones are expensive, but TPG Hotels Editor-in-Chief Ellie Nan Storck is so happy she finally decided to invest in a pair of Bose QuietComfort headphones. She says it’s all in the name: quiet, comfortable.
“As someone who has trouble falling asleep on airplanes (something tells me I’m not unique in that sense), these are my lifesaver on crowded, long-haul flights,” she says. “I found them comfortable to wear for hours, and the noise-canceling components are simply unmatched.”
Will Clarke, director of business operations and partnerships at TPG, is a fan of the Sony WH-1000XM series of headphones. “I’ve been using the 3s for 5-6 years now and the battery life and sound quality are still great,” he said. “Noise reduction is supreme; [and that’s] Each new model only gets better. “
If you’re looking for something more compact, the third-generation Apple AirPods Pro are small in size but offer excellent sound quality. Plus, they have a cool new real-time translation feature, perfect for traveling to countries where you don’t speak the local language.
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Buy it: Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, $199 (originally $349)
purchase: Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones$428 (originally $459.99)
Buy it: Apple AirPods Pro 3, $219.99 (regularly $249)
Jmfone Universal Travel Adapter
Whether you’re traveling domestically or abroad, Jmfone’s universal travel adapter will meet all your charging needs. This global adapter includes four plugs and covers more than 200 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The adapter features four USB-A ports and an AC outlet to charge up to five devices simultaneously. It is compatible with iPhone, laptops, tablets, power banks and other devices. While it can charge a variety of items, it’s not a voltage converter and shouldn’t be used for high-voltage items, such as hair tools.
Buy it: Jmfone Universal Travel Adapter, $18.89 (regularly $21.89)
Travel pillow (actually very comfortable)
I (Tara) avoided travel pillows like the plague until I found the Trtl Travel Pillow. I just can’t bring myself to walk through an airport with a foam pillow hanging around my neck (not a very cute accessory in my opinion), but the Trtl Pillow is compact enough to easily fit in my carry-on bag until I need it.
RELATED: Tips and Strategies for Sleeping Better on a Plane
My gift guide co-author, Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews, swears by ostrich pillows, and now I’m eyeing one, too. Its asymmetrical, ergonomic design makes it comfortable in a variety of sleeping positions, and it’s made from memory foam and packs into a convenient carrying bag.
Medha Imam, TPG video producer and on-camera host, prefers the Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow. “I don’t have any more neck pain,” she said. It also packs into a carrying case and includes straps to secure it to the seat headrest, allowing you to keep your head upright while sleeping.
Buy it: Trtl Travel Pillow, $64.99
Buy it: Ostrichpillow Neck Pillow, $69
Buy it: Cabeau Evolution S3 Neck Pillow, $39.99
Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe charger
If you’re looking for a beautiful and functional charger to take with you, check out the Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Station.
Its portable size makes it easy to pack, and it can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously without leaving cords on your hotel nightstand.
Buy it: Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger, $71.99 (regularly $89.99)
How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly
that’s right, this Points Guy, Brian Kelly – our esteemed founder and principal, the man who built this site from the ground up – has finally written a book. It’s a hefty tome detailing all of his secret strategies for leveraging airline and credit card points and traveling like a true pro. Whether you’re new to the world of points and miles or a seasoned frequent flyer, this book is packed with helpful advice that will change the way you travel and save you money.
purchase: How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly, $16.79 (originally $30)
cell phone tripod
I (Lyndsey) bought myself one of these low-profile phone tripods earlier this year, mostly to make watching shows on planes easier. However, it’s also useful for making hands-free FaceTime calls and capturing content while traveling alone. It’s made from vegan leather, uses MagSafe technology to connect to my iPhone, and snaps on easily.
purchase: cell phone tripod$33.99 (originally $39.99)
Travel-friendly Christmas stockings
No one wants to wake up to a flat stocking on Christmas morning, so fill it with travel items your loved ones can actually use.
Katie is a big fan of Arm & Hammer Power Sheets, easy-to-pack laundry detergent tablets that dissolve in water so you can do your laundry on the go. She also carries Nuun electrolyte tablets with her so she can stay hydrated no matter where she is, especially after a long flight.
If you have someone on your shopping list who is a chronic overpacker, consider getting them a digital luggage scale. They can test the weight of their checked luggage before heading to the airport instead of being surprised when it’s overweight.
Whenever I (Tara) put together a bag of gifts for friends who love to travel, I always include a Gillette Venus travel razor. It’s smaller than a traditional shaver and comes in a convenient case that you can keep in your makeup bag so you’ll never forget to pack your shaver again.
For the solo female traveler in your life, the Saber Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm is small and lightweight, giving you added peace of mind in hotels and Airbnbs.
Buy it: Arm & Hammer Power Sheets Laundry Detergent (35 Count), $9.99 (regularly $10.49)
Buy it: Nuun Electrolyte Tablets (pack of four), $28.16 (regular price $29.96)
Buy it: Luxebell Digital Luggage Scale, $9.99
Buy it: Gillette Venus Travel Shaver, $8.40 (regularly $9.94)
Buy it: Saber Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm, $12.79
Youth to the People Travel Size Skincare Set
Life at home for me (Tara) and my three children is busy, to say the least. When I travel, I like to pretend I’m someone who has time for a multi-step skincare routine. That’s why I love this skin care set from Youth to the People. It comes with a face wash, exfoliator, serum, and moisturizer that leaves my skin feeling clean, smooth, and hydrated.
Buy it: Youth to the People Travel Size Skin Care Kit, $59
Fun, functional luggage
It’s always fun to have someone compliment your luggage at the airport, but that’s not the only reason to buy statement luggage. When a bunch of black suitcases roll down the luggage carousel, a colorful bag will stand out among the crowd.
Some new bags on the market include Herschel’s collaboration with Heinz (yes, the ketchup brand) and Away’s “Paw Patrol” line of children’s luggage and backpacks. If you want a nice looking suitcase and Luggage is easy to track if it’s lost, and the new July CaseSafe trackable luggage fits the bill, and also comes with an internal tracking system, a pop-up power bank and an impressive color lineup.
Buy it: Herschel x Heinz Luggage, starting at $280
Buy it: Away x “Paw Patrol” Kids’ Luggage, starting at $63
Buy it: July CaseSafe trackable luggage, starting at $325
Cadence capsule travel container
To clear away the clutter of small containers in her toiletry bag, TPG travel team writer Rachel Craft turned to Cadence’s leak-proof capsules. “I’ve always wanted to try these, so I asked for them as a gift this year,” she said. They come in a variety of TSA-approved sizes and are magnetic, making them easier to stay organized in your carry-on.
Buy it: Cadence Capsule Travel Containers, starting at $13.50
Free People Pippa Foldable Down Jacket
This packable jacket doubles as a travel pillow and is available in more than two dozen colors. “[It’s] Perfect for saving space when traveling in cold weather,” says Rachel.
purchase: Free People Pippa Foldable Down Jacket$198
Matador ReFraction 25L Foldable Duffel Bag
While I (Lyndsey) am a light traveler, I am also a big shopper when traveling. The collapsible duffel bag I currently use to bring all my souvenirs home folds up to the size of a large sweater and takes up too much room in my carry-on luggage. This book from one of my favorite travel brands, Matador, folds up and fits into its own pocket, taking up less space than a paperback.
purchase: Matador ReFraction 25L Foldable Duffel Bag$49.99
Insta360 Go 3S wearable camera
“Even though it’s expensive, I love my Insta360 Go 3S wearable camera,” said Andrea Rotondo, director of content operations at TPG. “It’s great for taking videos or hands-free photos while traveling (you can use your voice to activate it) – especially great if you’re doing something active like kayaking or biking.”
purchase: Insta360 Go 3S wearable camera$299.99 (originally $429.99)
Calpak Packing Cubes
Calpak’s five-piece packing cube set is a favorite of TPG Senior Editorial Director Summer Hull because it features some of the most durable and beautiful packing cubes on the market.
She loved the thick mesh and polyester material, which held up well on a variety of theme park, ski and cruise trips. The mesh is breathable and allows you to see what’s inside.
Buy it: Calpak Five-Piece Packing Cube Set, $68
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bottom line
We hope this list provides some gift ideas for the types of travelers on your list, and gives you peace of mind knowing that these products have been tested by TPG staff.
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