My indulgent gift was buying a pastrami lover’s box from Katz Deli in NYC. It comes with free shipping! I don’t know if a food gift would appeal to your kid.
I also bought some hard to shop for folks Harry & David pears.
A unique gift I just bought was pufferhug scarf ( scarf with pockets) for my DIL, who gets cold easily.
Bought a new to me game for S, “A Little Wordy,” from the makers of Exploding Kittens. It’s 50% off for cyber Monday. Also bought Kill Dr Lucky, also on sale for cyber Monday.
Also bought us and S, “Where to go when” travel book.
Also bought lots of folks macadamia nut oil for cooking.
Lastly, bought several Wonderpax for shoulder and neck. They are a hot/cold gel pack that work via a chemical reaction when you flex the small metal disk in the liquid. It maintains u for. Heat for 1-2hours. To reset, boil in water for 10 minutes until it’s a clear liquid again. I bought them on ebay with shipping for a nice price, much cheaper than the manufacturer.
electronic hanging scale (for making sure luggage is acceptable weight)
universal adaptor
extra power cords for electronics
passport holder
good quality wool t-shirts (great for travel, Aviator and Smartwool have nice options)
good quality wool socks (Smartwool is good choice)
sleep mask for flights/train travel
Need is a strong word, but there are some helpful items.
Something from Pacsafe/Travelon or similar that he can use as a daypack when he’s traveling (or if he’s in a major city). Pickpocketing is real.
Luggage straps are helpful to identify his luggage (as compared to everyone else’s), and in case of emergency, it helps keep a suitcase closed. I remember taking a train into Penn Station when all of a sudden the (overstuffed) suitcase zipper popped open. Luggage strap kept the situation from being an utter disaster.
Having a money belt to be worn under clothing at all times can keep your trip on track. A phone charger and cords can also be very handy. Ex officio underwear is amazing at how well they launder and dry— it’s all S and DIL use.
Also compression packing cubes can be invaluable in organizing garments. I especially like the ones with a mesh panel so you can see what’s in them without opening.
AirTags? If he doesn’t already have them. Depending on how he is traveling…our kid uses an internal frame backpack instead of a suitcase. But that’s something he would need to try on himself for fit.
My international traveling kid has found a LOT of above mentioned things at REI…so maybe a gift card there.
A backpack style suitcase (to carryon vs check so look at the measurements and the airline requirements ), packing cubes, neck wallet, quick dry clothes, laundry detergent sheets. And an adapter plug.
I just discovered this item great for travel…can someone buy it for ME for Christmas?! Unisex, available in two colors (probably also on the Patagonia site)
A couple/three reuseable nylon grocery bags. The kind that roll up or pack into themselves. Super useful in so many situations (like at grocery stores with no bags).
A packable raincoat. Depends on where going (maybe just a couple of those plastic ponchos).
A first aid kit --can be very small–make it yourself–with ibuprofen/acetominophen/bandaids/Lomotil/antihistamine. OTC meds can be very expensive overseas.
By the makers of Wingspan is a new game (fresh off kickstarter) called The Fox Experiment. Not available until Dec. 8th. I’m not holding out hope to get it but my son asked for it.
A small sewing kit with tiny TSA approved scissors to cut thread can be very handy for travel. They sell for about $5 and can come with pre-threaded needles. It’s a good stocking stuffer. We still have a bunch of them that used to be handed out free at nicer hotels. I’ve mended things on several of my trips.
Anyone have recommendations for a carryon bag that can also accommodate a suit? S needs a suit bag. When he’s flying, he will be carrying both his carryon and laptop bags - so I think he needs a combo bag of some sort that will hold his suit…
I need to check with DH. When he traveled as a business traveler, he had a carryon bag that held his computer, and all the clothes he needed, and could accommodate a suit as well.
My H had something like this when he was younger and had to dress and travel for work. I can’t remember what brand he had but it wasn’t quite as nice as this one (and it was a long time ago!)
My Briggs & Riley 2 wheeled bag can accommodate a suit or any hanging garment as well as pack a lot of other items and fits in overhead bin of most airlines.
I always struggle with what to get H. But last Sunday there was a commercial for a pizza oven on during a football game and D and I had a mutual “AHA moment”. So she, SIL and S are buying the oven and I am buying the accessories (cover, stand, shelf and "pizza paddle).
My husband had this sort of a trifold bag for a couple of decades now. Originally bought to keep his shirts and dress pants neat and wrinkle free. It became our favorite piece of luggage!
(It holds three long dresses, a couple of short dresses, 3-4 aloha shirts, a couple of pairs of shorts, a packing cube with undies, a packing cube with swim suits, and a couple of pairs of flipflops. This is what we pack to go to Hawaii… and this is now our go to travel carryon! )
