The holidays may look a little different this year but one thing will always stay the same - the search for the perfect gift for your friends and family. Here we share our favorite travel gifts for the globe trotters in your life - whether they are getting ready for their first post-lockdown trip or are still just dreaming of a getaway.
For the Unorganized Traveler - Bellroy Tech Kit
Keep all your tech smooth and sorted with this oversized tech organizer. And, since it's made from recycled, water-proof material and environmentally sourced leather, you can feel good about your gift, too. - Connie Lissner
To buy: http://www.bellroy.com $59
For Keeping your Mask At the Ready - Inspired Evanston Mask Ribbon (or Chain)
I love this ribbon (they also have chains) that allows me to have the mask “at the ready” no matter where I go! It’s perfect while sitting in restaurants when you need to have the mask on while talking to staff or when walking around the grounds of a hotel. - Beth Miles
To buy: https://www.inspiredevanston.com/ - $14
To Stay Organized on the Go - Nordace Packing Cubes
Stay healthy and hydrated while you travel with Nuun's fizzy, tasty electrolytes tablets. Easy to pack and a must You won’t believe how much you can fit into these awesome packing cubes. I fill one with a couple days of clothing and put it in my carry on just in case my checked bag doesn’t make it! They are also a great way to make more space in your luggage or separate dirty clothing. - Beth Miles
To buy: www.nordace.com $50
For The Active Traveler (or the One Who Needs a Little Extra Storage) - Patagonia Black Hole® Day Pack
Patagonia's Black Hole® bags are ultra-lightweight and perfect for the hiking trail, the local farmer's market, or to store all of those extra souvenirs you need to bring home from your travels - Kristen Cless
To buy: www.patagonia.com $79
For the Traveler Who Knows the Value of Staying Hydrated on the Go - Swell Water Bottle
Stay hydrated on the go with a Refillable 17 ounce Swell Water Bottle. Comes in different sizes and colors to fit any travel style. - Sue Gauna
To buy: www.swell.com from $35
For the Traveler Who Just Wants To Tune Out for Awhile...Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bose makes some of the very best noise cancelling earbuds and headphones on the market. These earbuds are equally good for tuning out the drone of an airplane when you are trying to watch a movie, as they are the noise from your neighbors as you try to get some work done. - Susanne King
To buy: www.bose.com $280
For the Traveler Who Loves a Good Surprise - A Trip Planned By Houlahan Travel!
Whisk your family, friends, or significant other away to a surprise destination. We can help you plan the trip! Here are just a few ideas for how to wrap that surprise:
- Buy a light weight suitcase (Away has suitcases for every type of trip from overnight bags to larger vacations), wrap it, and enclose a packing list, but do not tell them where they are going until you are at the airport.
- Find, frame and wrap a copy of the traditional Gaelic Blessing, "May the Road Rise Up to Meet You. May the Wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face...." and surprise the family on Christmas Morning with the gift of a bike trip.
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Wrap up a hardcover copy of the poem, The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. Tuck a map and a note of the driving destination.
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Surprise a child with a trip to Africa - gift a copy of the book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak with a note: "We're going to Botswana!"
Let us help plan your trip - call us at 847.868.4502 or email us at info@houlahantravel.com to get started!
For the Traveler Who Wants to Look Fresh - Bumble and Bumble Dry Shampoo
Works really well if you need to freshen up your “do” without having to wash/condition/blow dry etc. Easy to pack and a serious time saver! - Lisa Morrison
To buy: www.ulta.com $28
The Perfect Stocking Stuffer for the Traveler Who Wants to Travel Comfortably - Bombas Compression Socks
There's nothing worse than getting off a flight and feeling like your legs and feet are twice their size. Enter compression socks. Compression socks help keep the blood flowing on long flights and even while hiking, skiing and whenever you need to be on your feet all day. Bombas brand makes compression socks in styles for men and women and the best part is when you buy a pair, they donate a pair to someone experience homelessness making your gift even better.
To buy: www.bombas.com $18
For The Traveler Who Understands the Need to Pack Layers - Uniqlo's Ultra Light Down Vest
It doesn't matter where you are heading the weather always seems to change. Don't be caught shivering when the temp drops 20 degrees after the sun sets.This Ultra Light, compact, packable vest (available in several colors) is the perfect layer to bring along to every destination.
To buy: www.uniqlo.com - $38
For the Cocktail Lover - Behind the Bar: 50 Cocktail Recipes from the World's Most Iconic Hotels
The pandemic has brought out the cocktail aficionado in a lot of us. For those of us who are counting down the hours until we can sip a signature cocktail at a hotel bar in some far-flung destination, this book might help us pass the time. With over 50 cocktail recipes from iconic hotels around the world this book is the perfect gift (maybe paired with some hand-crafted syrups or bar tools?) for the cocktail lover on your list. - Connie Lissner
To buy: http://www.amazon.com $18
For The Traveler Who Prefers His or Her Own Tea - Infuse Peace Tea Thermos Infuser
Enjoy all your favorite beverages on the go. With this portable tea infuser tumbler, you can enjoy your favorite tea with a separate tea infuser, and even brew your own cold brew coffee or infused fruit water on the go. Designed with an airtight seal for optimal temperature retention.
To buy: www.amazon.com $35
For The Traveler Who Wants All the Essentials in One Place - Neely and Chloe No. 29 The Travel Wallet
No more digging through your bag for your money, credit cards or passport. Keep everything in one place with an oversized travel wallet that's big enough to hold it all but stylish enough to use as a clutch for a night out too. Comes in multiple colors and can even be monogrammed or blinged out if someone is into that - Connie Lissner
To buy: www.neelyandchloe.com starting at $178
For the Young Globetrotter on Your List - Travel Books
Encourage a love of travel in your youngest gift recipients with children's travel books. Pick a destination or two to explore or find a book to cover the whole world (The Lonely Planet Kids Travel Book above will take them on a tour of over 200 countries). AND if you really want to make it special, surprise them with a trip to planned trip to a destination and give a book for them to learn all about the place before you get there. Houlahan can help you plan wherever you want your young explorers to go! - Colleen Houlahan
To buy: http://www.amazon.com
To Protect Your Travels - Medical Transport Membership
Ready to travel but want to make sure you can get home if you are diagnosed with Covid? Two medical evacuation companies - Medjet and COVAC GLOBAL - are now offering membership based programs for evacuation and repatriation for members diagnosed with COVID-19 while traveling. Memberships available for individuals and families. The perfect gift for your global traveler.
To buy: contact us for details.
*Houlahan Travel does not receive any compensation for the products listed above. Houlahan Travel also makes no warranties, either express or implied, as to the products listed above.
