12 Amazing Secret Santa Gifts for Travelers
Megan is a Senior Editor, SEO for SmarterTravel Media.
Megan started with SmarterTravel Media’s Airfarewatchdog way back in 2008, moved over to FamilyVacationCritic, and finally SmarterTravel in 2021. Originally from Massachusetts, she has lived in Nova Scotia, London, and New York City. She has spent nearly every summer (or at least part of it) on Prince Edward Island. She has started to go out of her comfort zone while traveling- most recently exploring caves and boogie boarding on a FlowRider.
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Anthropologie Luggage Tags
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Creative Design Charger
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Moleskin Travel Notebook
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Bombas Slippers
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Anker Earbuds
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ShedRain WindPro Mini Umbrella
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HoMedics SoundSpa Sound Machine
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Slip for Beauty Slipsilk Sleep Mask
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Bugatti Passport Holder and Luggage Tag
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Herschel Supply Co. Backpack
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Push Pin Travel Map
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Kodak Printomatic Instant Print Camera
Just when you thought you had crossed the final person off your gift list, the realization sets in: You still need to get that Secret Santa present. If the person you wound up with is an avid trip-taker, you're in luck. We rounded up a dozen fun and clever finds to impress the most well-traveled among us. And since Secret Santa groups can be made up of co-workers, neighbors, old friends, or extended families, we included a range of prices. So, whether you're supposed to spend $10 or $75, we've got you covered.
These vibrant luggage tags will make a bag stand out on the carousel. The printed luggage tags are made of polyester with small details of bling to really make them pop. Plus, they have a buckle closure to ensure easy, secure attachment to any suitcase.
When a family checks into a hotel, they hunt for sufficient outlets for everyone's devices. Even if there are enough, having mom's Kindle, dad's iPad, and the kids' phones left all over the room ups the odds one of them will be forgotten when it's time to check out. The Creative Design Charger station keeps six devices together at one outlet, with separate USB ports.
Filling an Instagram feed with vacation snaps is great, but there's nothing like jotting down one's first impressions, observations, and emotions as they unfold in a new destination. That thoughtful, sentimental traveler in your Secret Santa circle will smile upon unwrapping this travel notebook from Moleskin. It has 208 pages, including daily planning, packing lists, budgeting, and more.
For those who wish to avoid walking around barefoot in a hotel, these cozy popcorn-knit Bombas Slippers will come in handy. They have a soft bottom, meaning they weigh next to nothing, and fold up to fit in the smallest corner of a carry-on. Traction dots on the soles make slipping on unfamiliar bathroom floors in the middle of the night a non-issue. Available for women, men and kids.
Save your Secret Santa from having to buy headphones from the flight attendant with this Anker pair. Plus, even if they already have a set, everyone can use a backup, as they're easy to misplace. The snug in-ear style ensures they stay put while hustling through the airport. Fully charged, they give you 10 hours of playtime.
The trouble with most travel-size umbrellas is that they don't last very long -- often only until the first strong gust of wind comes along. That's why the ShedRain WindPro mini umbrella may be the genius Secret Santa gift you're looking for. The vented double canopy, fiberglass frame and ribs, and electrostatic steel shaft make this mini marvel a mega wind-blocker. Plus, the Teflon coating disperses water evenly for less dripping.
Whether your gift recipient is a light sleeper or someone who can doze off with the TV on, the HoMedics sound machine helps folks nod off easily. White-noise options include Zen, rain, ocean, campfire, and more (all can be timed for 15, 30, or 60 minutes). Compact and light, it even changes color for a super-soothing effect.
Not only will this sumptuous present serve the weary traveler well on planes, trains, and the passenger seat of automobiles, but it can really come in handy when a time-zone change makes catching Zs challenging. And this accessory is no cookie-cutter sleep mask. Soft and durable, it's made of long-fiber mulberry silk and nontoxic dyes.
Your globe-trotting giftee can go glam at airline check-in with this Bugatti Passport Holder and Luggage Tag. The sturdy yet soft cover is crafted of vegan leather, and has a slip pocket for a well-worn passport, as well as extra slots for credit cards and other important documents.
College-age nieces and nephews are perfect Secret Santa recipients of the Herschel Supply Co. backpack. Made from recycled plastic bottles, it's big enough to be a lightweight carry-on or road-trip tote, but compact enough with no added bulk. Bonus: it'll be a perfect commuter bag for that first job, too.
This map of the World on a corkboard begs for plotting future adventures as well as staking out bragging rights on places already conquered. Sized at 30 inches by 20 inches, it's perfect for hanging proudly. Where to next?
The immediate gratification that comes with instant cameras makes any trip more fun. The Zink photo paper used in the Kodak Printomatic camera is adhesive-backed, water- and tear-resistant, ensuring they make it home in perfect condition. Full-color or black-and-white prints are produced directly from the camera, but photos can be saved on the included MicroSD card, too. And since the camera can shoot a new photo while simultaneously printing the previous shot, not one silly mug will be missed.