GIFT GUIDE
Gift ideas for the special “travel moms” in your life
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If the mom in your life is anything like me, she will be thrilled with a travel gift for her next adventure. This list of travel gifts for Mom is a round-up of my personal favorites; the travel essentials that I take on my own trips, and a few fun things on my own wishlist (just in case Nate and Charlie are reading 🙂
✨More Gift Guides: Holiday Gifts for Travelers, French-themed gifts.
Travel Gifts for Mom's Next Adventure
I’ve tried to include ideas for every budget, gifts from as little as $20, because you know that Mom will appreciate any gift — it’s the thought that counts.
Even better, many of these gifts, such as the Kindle E-reader, tote, and wool wrap are travel gifts that Mom will enjoy at home as well.
A Few Favorite Gifts Ideas for Mom
Travel Jewelry Box
For the mom who prefers to travel with just a few favorite pieces, this Leather Jewelry Travel Case by Quince makes a fantastic gift. Note the very small dimensions (4 x 4 x 1.4 inches). Available in black or nude. $40
A splurge… the Monica Vinader Travel Jewelry Case comes in pretty colors, is made of Italian leather, and a complimentary monogram make this a very special gift. $145
Luxe Cotton Travel Tote
Since I always travel with a water bottle I also bring a tote along on most trips. Valuables such as my phone and wallet are tucked safely in this crossbody bag. And any combination of my water bottle, jacket, scarf, sunscreen, hat, are in my tote. J’adore this denim one by Clare V., the “Maman Je T’aime”. L.A.-based Clare V. has a French flare and is one of my favorite brands for a special gift. It would be perfect for Mother’s Day! $65
If you like the denim tote I have with me in the above photo, it’s by A.P.C., the Laure Tote. A splurge! A.P.C. is one of my favorite French brands.
Gifts Ideas for Mom, Under $50
Tech for the Connected Travel Mom
The CalPak Tech Organizer keeps cables and cords coralled on your travels. This highly reviewed organizer comes in 10 plus colors and patterns. $42 Dagne Dover Arlo Neoprene Tech Organizer Another option, also highly reviewed. I love this brand! $50
I now always travel with Apple AirTags $24 (AirTag 4-pack $80). Why risk lost luggage when you can track it with a $20 AirTag? And I always take a portable charger to carry in my tote bag. With our phones used in many ways on travel days, our batteries tend to run down quickly.
Compression Socks for Travel
A couple of years ago when my doctor found out that I take long international flights, she strongly recommended that I buy a pair of compression socks. They stimulate circulation which keeps me comfortable, and can help prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis). There is a higher risk of this when you sit for long periods. (DISCLAIMER: Please discuss use of compression socks with your doctor.)
Convinced this was the perfect gift to myself, I purchased and tried four different brands. Bombas and Wellow were by two favorites. They are the softest (Wellow are made primarily from bamboo), the most comfortable, and the easiest to get on and off, thanks to 4-way stretch.
You might not think this is an exciting gift for Mom, but I can tell you that I adore them and think your travel mom will as well. I wore my Bombas socks on a recent 11-hour flight from Athens, Greece to Atlanta and was so comfy. I completely forgot I had them on.
Travel Neck Pillow
This is one on my list as I need a new pillow for travel. The Trtle Neck Pillow gets rave reviews from Lonely Planet etc., but I don’t own it. $45
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are among my favorite travel essentials if I will be making multiple stays on my vacation as I did on my trip to Africa when I changed safari lodges every couple of nights. Mine are similar to these ones from Quince. $60
Budget pick! And I just received a gifted 8-piece set from Well Traveled which I will be testing out on an upcoming trip to Canada. I love that they come with a case for storing, a laundry bag and the price is great! They also have a lifetime warranty. The only con to consider is these have a solid rather than netted top. So you can’t see contents without unzipping.
Eye Mask and Earplugs
The right products really make a difference when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep on your travels.
I absolutely love my MZOO mask, so much that I now wear it every night at home, as well as during travel. Padding on the surface around years eyes means it is slightly offset from your face making it really comfy.
For earplugs I recommend the Loop earplugs. I find them comfy enough and the sound filtering is great. They come in cute colors and a carrying case. I have heard the shape of these don’t work for everyone.
Subscription to AFAR Magazine
Reading AFAR Travel Magazine is one of my favorite ways to dream about travel. Afar focuses on ways that our travel can have a positive impact on the world and highlights some lesser-known destinations and wonderful photography. I love giving magazine subscriptions as gifts because they are enjoyed throughout the year. A single issue of AFAR is $6.99, and a one-year subscription (6 issues) is $14.
Sun Hats for Travel
fI would say that every mom needs a hat for travel. Shielding my skin from the sun is a priority for me (I’ve had basal cell carcinoma/skin cancer), but is something we should all do to prevent skin damage. My go-to for affordable travel hats is Tommy Bahama. One plus, they allow you to purchase online, and return in-store.
I took the Laguna Drover Hat on my safari trip to Africa (photo above) and it was perfect. I was somewhat shaded by the covered jeeps we sat in and because I was using a large camera, a smaller brim was more practical. Although it’s listed as a men’s hat the smaller of the two sizes (M/L) fit me perfectly.
My go to when I will spend a lot of time in the sun is a wide-brim hat. For a sailing trip in Greece, I chose a wide-brimmed straw fedora by Gigi Pip. The angled sides gave me extra sun protection. Here is a similar style.
Pro tip: for hats that aren’t considered “packable” (they don’t fold) I set them upside down in my luggage and then stuff soft items inside the crown and all around it. That way it takes up hardly any extra space. GiGi Pip straw hats are a bit of an investment, but they are made to keep up with our travel adventures — instead of a cheap hat that may lose its shape after one trip. I also love the Wide-Brim Ecuador Hat.
Gigi Pip PROMO CODES: Try FIRST15 or WELCOME10, if it’s your first purchase.
Wool Runners for Travel & Home
Allbirds wool runners are great for travel — the wool makes them water-resistant and washable and they are soft, comfy and lightweight. The insole is also wool so it is moisture-wicking, and odor-reducing, you can wear them with or without socks.
I’ve taken mine to France, Spain, Greece, Canada and beyond! They make a great travel gift that mom can enjoy at home and on her adventures. To quote Allbirds — “Light on our feet, light on the planet”.
Splurge Gifts for Mom
A Luxury Tote
Make Mom’s holiday with the gift of a luxury tote that she can use at home and on her travel adventures. I am pictured above with the Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote which I use as a personal item when I travel and to carry my books to a weekly French class. Trés chic! I have linked the current similar style. It also comes in a zip version.
If you prefer something that’s not leather, Rothy’s Washable Lightwight Tote is gorgeous! They comes in multiple patterns. They also have Zip Totes made specifically for travel (they slide over the handle of your luggage).
Claremont Camera Bag by Lo & Sons
I love the Claremont Camera Bag by Lo & Sons. It’s attractive, great quality and the crossbody style is ideal for carrying and for when you are actually taking photos. It padded interior safely stores a DSLR camera and it big enough to hold a small wallet and my phone (or an extra lens). It comes in three colours: tan (shown), black and a very pretty grey. Currently 40% off for Mother’s Day.
Kindle E-Reader
I’ve always taken physical books along on my travels but I am committed to traveling lighter, so recently got my first Kindle E-reader. The Kindle Paperwhite is now also waterproof. $130
In Hawaii, I relaxed in the pool and didn’t worry about small children splashing me.
And it’s so thin and lightweight, I didn’t even notice I was carrying it around. I also appreciate that the light can be adjusted to a warmer tone for reading before bed. Moms need our beauty sleep, especially when we travel.
Cozy Wrap for Travel
Probably my favorite item to travel with is a lightweight sweater wrap — it can be a blanket on the plane and keeps me warm on a cool evening. In cold weather. Some styles can be worn as a scarf. Thanks to its versatility, I think it’s the perfect gift for any mom who loves to travel.
I am neutral colors for year-round travel.
I love Athleta’s Pranayama Restore Wrap. It comes in 11 colors (I have it in brown shown above) and inclusive sizing. $89 This wrap is 97% TENCEL™ Modal, a fiber that is produced from sustainable forests of European beech trees.
For something extra luxe, consider cashmere. This affordable option from Quince, Mongolian Cashmere Wrap is $99 and comes in eight colors. This is a scarf-style wrap so doesn’t have arm holes. For more of a poncho style, also great for its flexibility, consider the J.Crew Cashmere-Wool Blend Poncho. $139 (Note that J. Crew often has sales of 30% off or more).
Waterproof Camera by GoPro
If your travel mom enjoys photography, active travel or beach holidays, a waterproof/adventure camera is a wonderful gift. I got my first one a few years ago, the GoPro Hero 9 Black, and while it was pricey, the quality of the photos and video is amazing. I also found it easy to use. (The photo above of my hubby on the surfboard was one of the first I took, as I was learning how to use it.)
Active Travel Moms
Exercise Bands
Some moms like to keep up their fitness routine on their travels and these travel gifts make it easy to do so.
I use resistance bands when I travel and love that the exercises can be done in a small space, such as a hotel room. This set of three Pro-Tec Athletics Resistance Bands are ideal for packing. They are small and light and come with a carry bag and instructions. $15
Jewelry from Threads Worldwide
Denver-based Threads Worldwide sells affordable jewelry made by women artisans from around the world. Each piece comes with a little card telling you where the item was made and by who: The silver hoops pictured above were made in India by Sofiya (also pictured). With every purchase, you are empowering a women to support herself and her family. For example, Sofiya’s work with Threads Worldwide has enabled her to add direct water access to her home.
I try to travel with minimal jewelry, but love having one or two special items to bring along for the evening. And jewelry is a perfect travel gift for mom; she will wear and enjoy it at home and away.
I hope these ideas have you excited to shop for your favorite travel lover — and maybe for yourself.
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