We’ve received plenty of gifts over the years, but the travel-related ones that stand out are usually the practical things we end up using again and again.
One of the best examples is my Thule backpack. It was given to me for Christmas, and it has gone on every trip with us since. We’ve also received smaller travel gifts that turned out to be surprisingly useful, including travel atomizers and Angel’s nail grinder.
Those are the kinds of gifts we had in mind when putting this list together.
Instead of filling a gift guide with things that simply look travel-related, we chose items our family actually uses for road trips, cabin stays, vacation rentals, camping trips, and other getaways. Most are practical rather than extravagant, with just a couple of larger gift ideas at the end.
If you’re buying for a family that would rather plan their next trip than add another decorative item to the house, these are 25 travel gifts we think are genuinely useful.
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Practical Travel Gifts We Actually Use
1. Thule Backpack
This one has a little more meaning to us because our Thule backpack was originally a Christmas gift. It ended up being one of those gifts that immediately became part of our travel routine, and we’ve used it on every trip since.
A good backpack works for much more than hiking. We can use one for road-trip stops, sightseeing, day trips, or simply keeping the things we want nearby organized instead of buried with the rest of our luggage.
Thule Backpack (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4gqTU9G
2. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes may not look especially exciting wrapped under a tree, but they’re the kind of practical gift that makes sense as soon as someone starts packing for the next trip.
We use packing cubes to keep luggage more organized and make it easier to separate different types of clothing rather than repeatedly digging through an entire bag.
Packing Cubes (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4eSjKCd
3. Duffle Bag
A good duffle bag is useful for weekend getaways, cabin trips, camping weekends, and trips where bringing a full-size suitcase feels unnecessary.
We like travel gear that can work for different kinds of trips instead of having one very specific purpose, and a duffle fits that category well.
Duffle Bag (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4eriTbH
4. Thule Sling Bag
For outings where we don’t need a full backpack, a smaller sling bag gives us another option.
It’s especially useful when we want to carry a few essentials while sightseeing or exploring without taking a larger bag everywhere we go.
Thule Sling Bag (paid link):
https://amzn.to/440pkwt
5. Insulated Water Bottle
An insulated water bottle is one of the simplest gifts on this list, but it’s also one that can be used during almost every type of trip.
We bring drinks with us on the road, on outings, and while exploring destinations, so a reusable bottle is something that doesn’t have to wait for a special vacation to be useful.
Insulated Water Bottle (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4w2A9tU
6. Portable Power Bank
Phones do a lot of work when we travel. We use them for navigation, photos, reservations, attraction information, and plenty of other things throughout the day.
A portable power bank gives us another charging option when we’re away from the vehicle or don’t have a convenient outlet nearby.
Portable Power Bank (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4uKh8Lm
7. Multi-Port Surge Protector Power Strip
One thing that becomes obvious when a family travels together is just how many things eventually need an outlet.
A multi-port power strip can be useful in cabins, vacation rentals, hotel rooms, and other places where the available outlets aren’t necessarily where we need them.
Multi-Port Surge Protector Power Strip (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4hcPjbJ
8. Cable Organizer
Charging cords have an impressive ability to disappear exactly when we need them.
We use a cable organizer to keep charging cables and other small electronics together instead of scattering them throughout our bags.
It’s not an expensive or flashy gift, but that’s part of why it works so well as a practical travel gift.
Cable Organizer (paid link):
https://amzn.to/3TGmBpO
9. Laundry Bag
A separate laundry bag makes longer trips easier because clean and worn clothes don’t have to share the same space.
It also gives everything a designated place instead of creating a growing pile somewhere in the vacation rental or camper.
Laundry Bag (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4pZ2qiQ
10. Travel Lint Roller
Traveling with Angel means dog hair is simply part of life.
A travel lint roller takes up very little room and gives us an easy way to clean clothing or other surfaces during a trip. For families traveling with pets, this is one of those small gifts that can actually get used.
Travel Lint Roller (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4ypweZY
11. Laptop Lap Desk
A lap desk can be useful for families who work while traveling, bring a laptop to a vacation rental, or simply want a more comfortable place to use a computer away from home.
We use one, and it falls into the category of travel gear that can also be useful at home between trips.
Laptop Lap Desk (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4hhoJhM
12. Filtered Water Pitcher
We’ve found that some of the most useful vacation-rental items aren’t traditionally thought of as travel gear.
A filtered water pitcher can be helpful during longer stays when we want an easy source of drinking water without constantly relying on individual bottles.
Filtered Water Pitcher (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4xm7AIg
If you’re putting together a gift for someone who takes a lot of road trips, our Family Road Trip Packing Checklist: What We Always Check Before Leaving also shows how we approach packing before we leave home:
For cabin travelers, we also share our packing routine in How We Pack for a Week in a Cabin With Our Schnauzer:
Useful Road Trip and Getaway Gifts
13. Family First Aid Kit
A first aid kit isn’t the most exciting gift to open, but it’s one of the things we would rather have with us and not need than need and not have.
We keep first-aid supplies available when we travel, especially on road trips and camping trips where we may spend a lot of time away from home.
Family First Aid Kit (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4uFK5YV
14. Jump Starter
A jump starter makes a good gift for someone who spends a lot of time on the road because it serves a very different purpose from most travel accessories.
It’s something we consider practical emergency equipment rather than fun travel gear, but practical equipment can make some of the best gifts when it solves a problem someone might otherwise overlook.
Jump Starter (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4oGWFWC
15. Flashlight
We use flashlights while traveling, and they make sense for far more than camping.
They can be useful around a campsite, during an evening dog walk, when checking something around the vehicle, or simply as part of a roadside emergency kit.
Flashlight (paid link):
https://amzn.to/44zFZqM
16. Waterproof Picnic Blanket
A waterproof picnic blanket gives families an easy place to sit at parks, outdoor attractions, campgrounds, or other stops during a trip.
We like items that can move between different types of travel, and a blanket is easy to bring along without committing to a specific kind of vacation.
Waterproof Picnic Blanket (paid link):
https://amzn.to/44lS4j8
17. Camping Chair
Camping chairs are obviously useful at a campground, but we’ve found portable chairs can come in handy for other outdoor trips and activities too.
For a family that already enjoys camping or outdoor getaways, this is an easy gift to put to use.
Camping Chair (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4zq6jRN
18. JBL Speaker
A portable speaker is more of a comfort item than an essential, but we use ours during trips.
It works well at campgrounds and vacation rentals when we want music without relying on a television or carrying larger electronics.
JBL Speaker (paid link):
https://amzn.to/44jwsnt
19. Streaming Media Device
We enjoy being outdoors when we travel, but that doesn’t mean every evening has to be packed with activities.
A streaming media device can be useful during vacation-rental stays when we’re ready to relax at the end of the day. It’s also small enough that it doesn’t add much to what we pack.
Streaming Media Device (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4xGuhI7
A Few Travel Gifts for Families With Dogs
We didn’t want to turn this into an entirely dog-focused gift guide, but traveling with Angel is a major part of how our family travels. A few dog-specific gifts absolutely belong on the list.
20. Dog Travel Water Bottle
We use a dog travel water bottle for Angel because it gives us an easy way to offer her water when we’re away from her regular bowls.
It works for road-trip stops, walks, hikes, and outings where carrying a normal bowl isn’t convenient.
Dog Travel Water Bottle (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4eiaWFC
21. Collapsible Bowls
Collapsible bowls are another item we regularly use for Angel.
They pack much flatter than regular bowls, which makes them convenient when we’re trying to keep her travel gear organized without taking up unnecessary room.
Collapsible Bowls (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4oAfSJj
22. Dog Seat Belt
Angel’s safety in the vehicle is something we plan for just like the rest of our road-trip routine.
A dog seat belt is a practical gift for someone who travels with their dog and may be more useful than another toy or decorative pet accessory.
Dog Seat Belt (paid link):
https://amzn.to/3QSpu5R
23. Nail Grinder
Angel’s nail grinder is another travel-related item that was given to us as a gift.
Because we groom Angel at home and keep up with grooming around our travel schedule, it ended up being much more useful to us than a novelty dog gift would have been.
Nail Grinder (paid link):
https://amzn.to/3QnFf4G
For more of the gear we actually travel with for Angel, see Travel Accessories We Use for Our Miniature Schnauzer:
We also keep a separate dog emergency kit ready for trips. Our Pet Travel Emergency Kit Checklist: What We Keep Ready for Angel explains what we keep together:
And our Dog Travel Bag: What We Pack for Angel goes through the gear we keep organized specifically for her:
Two Bigger Travel Gifts
Most of the gifts on this list are intentionally practical and relatively easy to work into someone’s existing travel routine. But if you’re looking for a larger gift for someone who travels frequently, these are two that we use.
24. DJI Action 5
An action camera is a very different kind of gift from packing cubes or a water bottle, but it can be a fun choice for someone who enjoys documenting trips.
For families taking road trips, camping, hiking, or spending a lot of time outdoors, it gives them another way to capture their adventures without relying completely on a phone.
DJI Action 5 (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4gfp443
25. Ninja Woodfire Grill
The Ninja Woodfire Grill is one of the larger gifts on this list and makes the most sense for someone who already enjoys camping, RV trips, or outdoor cooking.
We use ours, but this is one of the gifts where we’d make sure the person actually has the space and travel style for it before buying. A useful travel gift should fit how someone travels rather than simply being something expensive.
Ninja Woodfire Grill (paid link):
https://amzn.to/4p281Vn
Travel-trailer owners may also find ideas in Travel Trailer Essentials We Wish We’d Bought Sooner:
What Makes a Good Travel Gift for Us
The travel gifts we remember most aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.
Our Thule backpack is a perfect example. It was a Christmas present and has traveled with us ever since. Smaller gifts can do the same thing. Travel atomizers became useful because they solved a simple packing problem, and Angel’s nail grinder fit into something we were already doing at home and before trips.
That’s usually what we look for in a practical travel gift: something that fits naturally into the way the person already travels.
A family that takes road trips may get more use out of a power bank, packing cubes, or first aid kit than another piece of luggage. Someone who rents cabins may appreciate a streaming device or filtered water pitcher. A family that camps may get years of use from a good chair or portable grill.
And for families like ours who rarely travel without their dog, sometimes the most useful gift is the one that makes traveling with the dog a little easier.
Final Thoughts
We’d rather receive one travel item we’ll use repeatedly than several things that end up sitting at home.
That’s why this list is built around products our family actually uses. Some are inexpensive organizational items. Others help us stay prepared on the road. A few make vacation rentals or camping trips more comfortable, and only a small part of the list is specifically for traveling with a dog.
If you’re shopping for a family that loves road trips and getaways, we hope these ideas help you find something that will still be going on trips with them long after the wrapping paper is gone.
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