GIFTS FOR THE TRAVELER IN YOUR LIFE

If you have a traveler or digital nomad in your life, you already know how hard they are to shop for (sorry-not-sorry fam). We live out of backpacks, we hate unnecessary clutter, and only want things that genuinely make life on the road easier. Every time I bought something within the past year, I asked myself, "will this benefit my upcoming trip?"

As someone who spends a lot of time living out of a backpack and working from wherever I can find WiFi, I put together a list of gifts that are actually useful and travel friendly. Things I use and love for every trip.

Please note that none of these are affiliate links. I truly use all of these and they have either been purchased with my own money or gifted to me through friends or family.

Matador Soap Bags

One of my favourite small travel essentials. The Matador soap bags. These keep soap bars from getting mushy or melting in humid weather, and they dry quickly. Your traveler can put their wet soap bar in this little bag and it DRIES??? without getting any of their other toiletries wet??? Magic. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and perfect for anyone who showers in shared bathrooms or moves around a lot. I keep my body soap with my conditioner bar in one, and my shampoo bar in the other one (more on that below). Yes, I have two.

Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

Traditional bottles are bulky, leak, and never last long on the road. Shampoo and conditioner bars take up less space and last surprisingly long. Check your local low waste store for handmade options that are curated for different hair types. They usually smell amazing and are much better for the environment! I have a shampoo bar that was gifted to me from a friend, and a conditioner bar that was made locally to Salmon Arm, BC! The bars that you get will completely depend on your travelers hair type. I recommend getting them the bar before their travel day arrives and testing letting them test it on their hair before going traveling.

Bonus tip: I like to shampoo my hair twice with my shampoo bar. The double cleanse helps get get all the soap out so you don't get product build up.

If you can't a local store that sells shampoo bars, I haven't tried them but Lush sells some.

Heroclip Carabiner with Hook

Such a tiny thing but incredibly helpful. If your traveler has ever stayed in a hostel, where the shower has zero hooks, they know the struggle. A heroclip carabiner with a built in hook lets them hang their toiletry bag on the back of a door OR your backpack off the ground when they have nowhere else to put it. It takes up almost no space and makes a huge difference. I always travel with assorted carabiners, but this one is a must. I like to clip it to the outside of the backpack. That way, if I come across a bathroom with no hook, I can hang my backpack on the door and keep it off the floor!

I've even used it while camping to keep my headlamp in arms reach at the top of my tent!

Universal Charger

If your traveler goes abroad, a universal charger is essential. It saves them from buying overpriced adapters at airports and works in multiple countries. One small item that solves a very annoying problem. Try to find a universal charger that has multiple USB and USC ports as well so your traveler can save space by not needing to bring more adapters!

These can be found at your local luggage store, or shop online! Bonus points: Mine is pink!

Portable Battery Bank

Every traveler needs a backup power source. Just make sure the battery bank is under 100 watt hours because airlines and security may confiscate anything higher. A compact battery bank is perfect for long travel days, dead outlets, or navigating new cities with low phone battery. I don't go out to explore a city without a mostly full power bank.

Bonus present: A power bank isn't complete without some fun stickers! Mine is covered in stickers from my travels.

Along with the power bank, make sure that your traveler has a cord that fits their phone, if it doesn't come with one already. These can be found anywhere online or in a local department store!

Scrubba Bag and Laundry Strips

This combo is great for anyone traveling light or carrying only a backpack. The Scrubba bag lets you wash a few things in your hotel or hostel room. I find it works best for underwear, socks, and maybe a shirt or two. Laundry strips pack flat and make the whole process easier.

I don't go anywhere internationally without my scubba bag and some laundry strips. Do laundry anywhere! A hotel in Scotland, a hostel in The Philippines, camping in Canada, a sailboat in Mexico! The possibilities are endless.

The Scrubba bag doubles as a dry bag as well for your traveler that loves the beach! The laundry strips are concentrated laundry detergent in a strip form. There are different scents depending on your travelers preference. For a scrubba bag load, I generally use half of a strip.

Moft Lay Flat Laptop Stand

Most laptop stands are too bulky for travel. The Moft stand folds completely flat and slides into your travelers laptop case so it never takes up extra room. It gives your travelers computer the support they need for long work sessions without adding weight to their bag. I am on my second moft stand!

Moft offers a ton of different options of laptop stand. The one that I use is the "non adhesive laptop stand."

For the Aspiring Digital Nomad

If someone in your life dreams of working online or becoming a freelancer, consider gifting them the Becoming a Virtual Assistant course. It is a practical, beginner friendly roadmap for starting a VA business and creating a life that allows for travel and freedom.

If you want to gift this course forward to your favourite traveler, shoot me a message at carlyitaco@gmail.com!

Travelers do not need more stuff to carry. They need lightweight, practical items that make life easier. Everything on this list is something I have used, are currently using on my skipping winter, SE Asia trip, have loved, or seen make a real difference while traveling!!