Travel Christmas gifts: 37 of our UK editors’ favourite gift ideas for globetrotters in 2025

A lot of suitcases come across our desk at Condé Nast Traveller, but few have such a presence as those from Carl Friedrik’s Core collection. For a suitcase with real allure, this one’s hard to beat. It has leather trims, a streamlined body and ribbed finish plus all the Carl Friedrik hallmarks – quality build, brushed interior lining and strong polycarbonate shell. For this range, the brand’s original carry-on design has been tweaked, switching the clasp closure for a more classic zip, which overpackers may prefer. It’s also the brand’s lightest carry-on yet.

I’ve arrived at my destination countless times and resigned myself to unpicking tangled necklaces with my eyebrow tweezers – until now. Demi-fine jewellery brand Missoma’s jewellery roll has made a beautiful addition to my travel kit, crafted from buttery soft leather handmade in India, with ample room for all the pieces you’d need for a two-week-plus trip. There are dedicated sections for six pairs of earrings, five necklaces and as many rings as you can squeeze on, plus a separate zippered pocket for odds and ends. A suede cloth protects your items from scratches when it’s rolled up, and a free monogramming service makes it an especially lovely gift.

Anya Hindmarch’s in-flight travel bag is a game-changer when it comes to staying organised on the go. Designed with air travel in mind, the carry-on bag has an array of clever features including a sleeve designed to sit over the bag of a luggage trolley and a clear removable pouch to store liquids. We also love the numerous internal and external organisational pockets, each with its own embossed label covering all of the travel essentials like ‘passport’ ‘keys’ ‘glasses,’ ‘headphones’ and ‘water.’

I didn’t think I could sleep on flights until I got these Loop earplugs. They’re an absolute game-changer, helping me get an average of five hours’ kip on redeyes. This has the knock-on effect of enabling me to maximise enjoyment of the first day of the holiday, rather than stumbling around in a sleepy daze. What could be a better gift than that? The Switch models have variable noise-cancelling so you can hike it up for noisy plane cabins, then down for overstimulating environments where it’s still important to be aware of what’s what.

All of Elizabeth Scarlett’s luxe embroidered velvet pieces make wonderful gifts, but the open flat makeup bag is my pick for frequent travellers. There are a selection of gorgeous, personalisable designs, and the wide opening banishes the need for rummaging. It’s also surprisingly roomy – I can fit my whole kit in here, which is always a plus for overpackers.

Packing cubes are a game-changer for hand luggage aficionados, helping you squeeze more into your case in a way that’s pleasingly effective. This set of four gives you space to separate your clothes, underwear, electronics and toiletries, while the mesh windows ensure you can see what you need to grab at-a-glance.

Steamline’s vintage designs hark back to a more romantic age of travel – so this passport holder offers its owner a little piece of the golden age every time they fly. Fans of the brand will like that it matches its Navigator range of bags and suitcases, and it’s made from the same Italian chrome-free leather, handcrafted in small batches near Pisa. The best part? As well as giving your passport a smart new look, it also has eight card slots, making it as practical as it is pretty.

Not all totes are specifically designed for travel, but this one is. The selection of pockets makes staying organised a breeze, with compartments, pockets and attachments for your phone, water bottle, keys, laptop and more crafted into the design. You can wear this tote as a cross-body bag thanks to the removable strap, or pop it onto your trolley with the handy back sleeve. We’ve chosen this one as our best sustainable tote due to the fact that it’s made from recycled plastic, though you’d never know to look at it! The luxury finish looks effortlessly chic, too, in keeping with Beis’s signature minimal styling we know and love and comes in five different colours.

Family travel involves a lot of moving parts, but this document holder can make tackling getting through the airport a little easier, at least. It has dedicated spots for four passports, three cards and a slip for visas and boarding passes, plus a separate zipped pocket on the back for currency. It’s one of those purchases where, after you’ve used it, you’ll not know how you managed without.

Okay, yes – it’s a gift card. But no gift guide is complete without one option and, as far as stereotypical vouchers-as-presents go, this is a pretty good one to receive. With a feast of stunning properties available to book across the globe, from London to New York and beyond, the keys to a new Airbnb makes an ideal gift for a globetrotting loved one ready to tick off the next trip on their list.

Opening the infamous Tiffany blue box, tied with one of their festive red ribbons, is what Christmas morning dreams are made of. In 18k yellow gold and encrusted with diamonds, this Elsa Peretti® bone ring is a sensuously designed statement for any finger, or knuckle for an added punch. Plus, an easy gift to pack for any Christmas jet-setters.

Shearling slippers, but like you’ve never experienced before. These suede mules from Louis Vuitton’s ski capsule have the added benefit of being outside-world ready. The jack-of-all-trades shoe is a perfect present for anyone with a penchant for chilling out, pair them with cashmere socks for the ultimate winter warmer, whether fire side or piste adjacent.

The ultimate gift for the person who has everything? A 14cm tall cashmere bear key chain complete with matching Burberry poncho and bucket hat, of course. Bag charms aren’t going anywhere soon and were seen on the runways in New York and Milan. This one comes in many collectible iterations, in Burberry’s classic trench, a parka straight from their spring summer runway, and even a shiny knight’s armour. Attach to any bag for added jazz.

A classic evening bag reimagined for the modern woman, this black velvet versatile pouch has two detachable straps (one crystal encrusted) for multi-length options – cross body, top handle and clutch – and ample space inside a grosgrain lined interior for a smart phone and the necessities for an evening out. Slouchy in shape, it’s an easy squeeze into any suitcase. Designed by Aspinal brand ambassador Lady Amelia Spencer it embodies her effortless and enduring style.

Shopping in Selfridges at Christmas is a must, the decorations surpass all expectations and the Christmas shop is a wonderland for all ages. Making time to visit the Body Studio on the third floor is worth the climb, from Agent Provocateur negligees to Adanola’s oversized sweatshirts the midway sweetspot is held by luxury pyjama brand Eberjey. This machine washable silk set is exactly what you want to wake up to for a day of pure Christmas indulgence from start to finish.

Loro Piana’s newly opened Bond Street store is a lesson in luxury shopping. With an entire wall made of raw cashmere, this beige knit is the perfect souvenir. Unisex as well, whoever you are gifting, expect to share it. Cosy up on flights, in chalets or on the coffee run, Loro Piana is the final word in quiet luxury so you can’t go wrong.

Few beauty icons have stood the test of time quite like NARS The Multiple. Inspired by a shoot in the 90s and launched in 2001 by the legendary make-up artist François Nars, it was one of the first truly multi-use colour sticks on the market – now, almost 30 years later, it’s been reformulated and upgraded, but it’s still unrivalled in its ability to slip seamlessly into a travel bag. It’s absurdly practical – one stick replaces your blush, lipstick and eyeshadow. Because it’s solid, there’s no risk of leaks mid-flight or confiscation at airport security. It takes up minimal space, meaning more room for skincare minis or snacks and application doesn’t require a single brush or sponge – just fingertips.

From glass skin to intensive 10-step routines, Korean skincare has taken off in the past few years, via social media trends, all because of its incredible results. Rooted in Korea’s centuries-old beauty philosophies and propelled by cutting-edge skincare innovation, K-beauty – Korean beauty – blends skincare ritual with results in a way that feels both mindful and modern. Sulwhasoo’s First Activating serum has a feather-light milky texture designed to strengthen your skin barrier, boost circulation, and relieve dryness and dullness – something skin craves after a long-haul flight.

When it comes to cult pharmacy finds, we’ve long defaulted to Paris – where micellar waters, healing balms, and chic serums fill our suitcases. But look a little further east and you’ll discover a whole new untapped beauty frontier: Greece. From Athens’ buzzing pharmacies to the island apothecaries of Santorini, Naxos, Crete and Rhodes, Greek beauty brands are quietly building global cult status for those in the know. This eco-conscious, affordable olive oil soap bar has been created by Papoutsanis, Greece’s oldest soap maker. It’s a perfect stocking filler – eco-friendly, affordable, and authentic – you’d be hard-pressed to find a Greek home without at least one of the brand’s products.

Many of the hacks enthralling millions on TikTok and Instagram right now are directly inspired by centuries-old Middle Eastern beauty rituals. At the heart of the hammam ritual is the kessa glove, or Moroccan mitt – a textured exfoliator that, paired with black soap, sloughs away layers of dead skin, leaving skin baby-soft, improving circulation, and prepping the body for nourishing oils. Across North Africa and the Middle East, it’s part of a communal, cleansing tradition that goes beyond beauty: hammams are spaces of renewal, bonding, and ritual.

Solid perfumes offer a spill-proof alternative to traditional liquid scents, in a compact tub ideal for slipping into a handbag or pocket without fear of breakage or leakage. This petite version of the classic Miss Dior fragrance combines notes of rose, jasmine, and patchouli, which is perfect for both day and evening wear, with a lipstick-like design that adds a touch of whimsy to your beauty bag.

Malin+Goetz’s travel kit pulls together six of the brand’s best-sellers for hair, body and face in a security-friendly size, so you can sling it straight in your carry-on without fuss. All packaging is made from 100 per cent recyclable aluminium, banishing the lingering guilt associated with stocking up on single-use plastic minis.

Since its release in 2021, Apple’s Bluetooth AirTag has become a must-have for frequent travellers or anyone prone to misplacing their keys. Simply attach the small button-shaped AirTag to your suitcase and connect to your iPad or iPhone via Bluetooth. Once connected you can find your item via the built-in speaker when it’s nearby or via the Precision Finding function on the app when it’s further away.

It’s physically impossible to watch a film on a plane with those horribly naff headphones they dole out in economy – you need something that’s going to drown out the roar of the cabin. Bose makes the best noise-cancelling headphones we’ve tried and, while we really rate the over-ear headphones, the earbuds are far more tote-friendly for travel days.

I’ve long been a Pixel user and this feels a notable upgrade even from last year’s model – if you struggle to take a good photograph, your woes end here. This phone gives you helpful framing tips in real time, a punchy 50MP camera with impressive light adjustment features for night-time photography. I also like the video stabilisation, which works well to ensures crisp, clear action videos on the move. The instant object removable tool provides Photoshop-level adjustments within seconds – and the AI-tools make trip planning, translation and on-the-go organisation effortless. My Instagram feed has thanked me for the upgrade.

Kindle is the classic and arguably best e-reader, and it’s recently had an upgrade. This latest model is the lightest yet, with a 25 per cent brighter front light, glare-free display and a super-sensitive touch screen. It’s made using 75 per cent recycled plastics, 90 per cent recycled magnesium and even the packaging is made out of responsibly sourced wood fibre. A must-have item to accompany you on beach loungers, plane cabins, airport waiting rooms and trains alike.

If there’s one thing every group trip needs, it’s a portable speaker. Bang & Olufsen’s clean, crisp offerings are some of the most stylish on the market, and this slim Bluetooth number is small enough to slip into your underseat bag without compromising on punchy sound quality. For any group trips or villa rentals, or just for anyone who’s constantly plugged into their headphones, it’s sure to make a great addition to their collection of technical travel accessories.

This tiny gadget connects your headphones to the plane’s inflight entertainment system via Bluetooth, so you can watch films on the screen with your own – always superior – headphones. A small hack that makes a big difference on long, tedious journeys.

We got the Yoto mini before embracing a (very) longhaul flight, and teamed it with the corresponding colour-pop travel case and matching over-ear headphones. Its appeal has lasted a full year – for two two year olds that’s half a lifetime. The Julia Donaldson story cards are brilliant, and we chose a specific set that the children already knew and could follow along in the book, which brought a whole new dimension to well-loved classics.

This is a classic travel gift, and there’s a reason you see so many small humans scooting along the airport on them. Not only are they fun and obviously designed for children, but they’re also a practical choice for parents with armfuls of baggage, strollers to fold down and broods of offspring to herd. This is one of those presents that’s as much for you as it is for them.

Slotting one of these in every handbag, backpack and carryon I own might just have been my travel-related lifeline over the past year, and I’d recommend it to any parent I know. Mess free and minimal in terms of how much space it takes up, it’s great for keeping creative kids entertained in transit.

If you’re willing to succumb to the idea of screen time (and on a long flight, or even a short one, who are we to judge?) then the Amazon Fire is a great choice for tailored, age-appropriate entertainment. They’re designed to suit a range of ages and learning abilities, and have pre-programmed settings that mean you can rest assured the activities they select in are actually going to keep them engaged.

We all know staying hydrated on a flight is a non-negotiable, but try convincing children that they need to drink more water, simply just because they’re on a plane, and you might be met with resistance. Boldly coloured, child-sized Yeti bottles make a nice stocking filler – it’s worth a try!

I am yet to pass this to a baby, toddler, primary school child, or even adult, who can help themselves from testing every functionality of this multi-faceted sensory toy. It’s perhaps the best £10 I’ve spent on toys in two years, and it comes with us on every journey as well as to every restaurant booking, doctors appointment or walk to nursery.

Anyone keen to avoid defaulting to screen time for the duration of a flight will find solace in Yoto’s popular audio player. The Mini Adventurer bundle has everything you need to entertain kids aged 3-11. Collectable story cards and a variety of interactive games can be rotated to keep the content fresh. It encourages children to explore and experiment as if using adult technology, but it’s designed for smaller hands. You can use it as a speaker and alarm clock in the hotel room too.

Packing extra toys can feel like unnecessary weight in your hand luggage, so anything that does more than one job is a winner when it comes to travelling with kids. Busy boards are designed to keep babies and toddlers engaged for longer than four seconds thanks to their range of tangible activities. Anyone with more than one child under the age of four will feel the benefits two-fold, as the activities within its pages are designed to encourage the fine motor skills at various levels of development.

It’s rare to take a trip to the airport without spotting at least one of Trunki’s cheery suitcases in the waiting room. The designs are practical and fun, with a roomy 18 litre storage capacity for toys, clothes and games. As a bonus, the cases have a saddle seat and tow strap, allowing for easy tot transportation from check-in desk to gate.

This made-for-kids tablet could be the key to a peaceful flight, car journey, ferry ride and more. It comes with 1 year of Amazon Kids+ content so your little one can watch all the Peppa Pig they want, and has a sturdy kid-proof case (available in three different coloured) to protect it against the inevitable drops and bumps.

Giving the gift of a luxurious night in is a pleasure gladly received after the heady busyness that is the run up to Christmas. Seventy One Gin, conceived by legendary photographer Mert Alas, has released ‘The Culture, The Craft and The Beauty’ a gift set consisting of a pair of martini glasses, a 700ml bottle of the ‘liquid gold’ gin and a clothbound copy of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Doran Gray’ – the perfect recipe for an elevated evening.

A gift for the party loving frequent flier, a specific suitcase for the bottle you can’t travel without. But if one isn’t enough, Rimowa also offers a 12 bottle trunk. Suitable for almost any bottle it also conveniently keeps it cool and thus ready to drink, any time, any where.

There is little chicer than Simone Porte Jacquemus so no wonder Veuve Clicquot tapped him for a limited edition run of their esteemed La Grande Dame 2018. Both inspired by their love of the french sun the bottle is sheathed in white linen, which can be soaked in water to keep the bottle cool once opened.

The Fortnums Hamper is adored and enjoyed by all ages, from family to colleagues – there is a hamper for everyone. This season, be trendy and bring not a bottle of wine to thank hosts at dinner, but the ingredients for a fun and eminently drinkable cocktail. Fortnum’s Paloma gift box is a party in a parcel, and with only 360 bottles made exclusively for the store, its a special gift too.

Scotch whisky for the collectors, this special edition comes in an alps appropriate carry case, ready to be reused year after year. A collab with fashion forward ski apparel brand Perfect Moment, there’s no better way to serve it than in an Old Fashioned elegantly whisked in Smythson’s signature travel cocktail box.

This designer cocktail glass, part of Cordeilia de Castellane’s Dior Cristal collection, which includes crystal wine and whiskey glasses too, is hand engraved and an iconic addition to any party table. Fill with any of the luxury liquids in the gift guide and enjoy!