When it comes to travel, bigger isn't always better. The most ingenious gifts often come in the lightest packages, making it easier to meet TSA liquid restrictions and new carry-on-bag limits while also freeing travelers to be spontaneous.
In that spirit, we've put together a shopping list of stocking stuffers fit for road warriors, stylish jet-setters, armchair explorers, and everyone in between -- starting at $5.
Read on for our favorite products worth their weight in a carry-on.
The craft cocktail trend takes to the sky—no bartender required—with a DIY old-fashioned kit from Brooklyn design firm W&P. The tin is small enough to slide into your carry-on, and it’s TSA/FAA approved. It comes outfitted with everything you might need to make a stiff drink (or two) at 30,000 feet: bitters, cane sugar, a linen coaster, and a muddler. Simply order a mini-bottle of bourbon and pretend you’re Don Draper for the duration of your flight. Additional recipes are coming soon ($25).
Photo: Joshua Williams
Designed to keep USB cables, earbud headphones, chargers, and other wires in check with a simple snap, these leather half-moon organizers are a must for tech-savvy travelers. The tacos come in a set of three; we won’t tell if you decide to gift two and toss one in your bag to keep tangles at bay ($28).
Photo: Flight 001
Founded in Vermont, Ursa Major features natural grooming products that cleanse and nourish skin without harsh chemicals and toxins. Test-drive the line with a TSA-friendly set of deluxe samples, including the brand’s cleanser, face balm, shaving cream, and single-use face wipes ($5).
Photo: Ursa Major of Vermont
Photojojo’s snap-on lenses come in fisheye, telephoto, polarizer, wide angle, and macro. Available for both iPhone and Android devices, the lenses will up your Instagram game ($20–$30).
Photo: Photojojo
Flip through this deck of cards for suggestions (“Ask the next person you meet where his/her favorite street is. Go there.”) to rediscover your city, one card at a time. Or pack them on your next trip as a way to get to know the locals ($13).
Photo: ModCloth
When you’re out for a jog or want to travel light, stash your valuables in a sleek, discreet FlipBelt. Designed to sit snug on the hips, these brightly colored waistbands can hold keys, phones, credit cards, and more with no bulk and no bounce ($29).
Photo: Samantha Bruce
Satisfy a sweet tooth with this set of four single-origin chocolate ganaches, decorated with festive scenes like New York’s Rockefeller Center skating rink and beautifully packaged in a bejeweled shopping-bag-like box ($23).
Photo courtesy of MarieBelle Chocolates
--By Caroline Hallemann
See all of the Best Stocking Stuffers for Travelers
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