Shopping for someone who is always on the move is one of my favorite kinds of gift giving. The best gifts for travelers are the ones they reach for on every trip, the pieces that make a long flight a little calmer or a hotel room feel like theirs. This year’s list is a mix of beautiful things, smart tech and a few experiences, plus one very personal pick.
Disclosure: I partner with Holafly, and some of the links below are partner or affiliate links. I only include things I would recommend to a friend.
1. My Book, Historic Maps of Boston
I have to start here. My book, Historic Maps of Boston: A History of America’s Walking City in Rare Maps, is out now from Reedy Press. It is a coffee-table book that tells the story of how Boston grew from a small colonial peninsula into the city it is today, all through the art of cartography. It is a large-format hardcover, which makes it a lovely gift for anyone who loves Boston, history or a well-styled coffee table.
If you want to pair it with an afternoon out, I put together a fall walking tour inspired by the book.
2. An eSIM That Takes Care of Data
This is the most practical thing on the list, and the one I use myself. A Holafly eSIM means landing with data already sorted, no hunting for a SIM shop and no surprise roaming bill. Holafly offers unlimited-data plans across more than 200 destinations, and you can share some data as a hotspot with whoever you are traveling with.
Use my code JQ LOUISE for 5% off.
3. A Carry-On Worth Keeping for Years
Luggage is one of those gifts for travelers that gets used constantly, so it is worth buying well.
- Rimowa Original Cabin: the aluminum classic. It dents and scuffs, and that is part of the charm.
- Away The Bigger Carry-On: a little more room for people who refuse to check a bag.
For more ideas, see my roundup of chic luggage brands.
4. A Cashmere Travel Wrap
Planes always seem to run cold. A soft wrap doubles as a blanket on board and a scarf on arrival. The Naadam Chetwyn Silk Cashmere Travel Wrap is the kind of piece that looks just as good over a coat in Paris as it does in seat 2A. Pick a neutral like camel, gray or navy so it goes with everything, and it will end up in their carry-on for years.
5. A Leather Passport Cover
A small luxury that gets handled on every single trip. Smythson’s Panama passport cover is slim, comes in a range of rich colors and is the kind of everyday object that feels special every time it comes out at passport control.
6. Tech That Makes Travel Calmer
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): noise canceling is the difference between arriving rested and arriving frazzled.
- Apple AirTag (2nd generation): Apple’s updated tracker, with longer range and a louder speaker. Tuck one into a checked bag for peace of mind.
- Anker Nano Universal Charger: one compact block with US, EU and UK plugs and several ports, so a laptop and phone can charge from one outlet.
- Monos Compressible Packing Cubes: not glamorous, but anyone who opens a suitcase to perfectly packed cubes will thank you.
7. A Hotel Gift Card
For the person who already has everything, give them a reason to go somewhere. Both Belmond and Four Seasons sell gift cards online that can go toward stays, dining or spa time. It is the kind of gift that turns into a memory rather than another thing on a shelf.
8. A Subscription for the Armchair Traveler
Not every gift has to fit in a suitcase. A good magazine is a monthly reminder of the trips ahead. For food, wine and travel inspiration, I am of course partial to Santé Magazine.
9. A Membership for the Boston Book Lover
For someone who loves Boston as much as books, consider a membership to the Boston Athenæum. Founded in 1807, it is one of the oldest independent libraries in the country, with a landmark building on Beacon Street filled with art and rare books. A membership is a gift they can use all winter, between trips. I share more of my favorite bookish stops in my guide to literary Boston.
How I Would Shop for Gifts for Travelers
My approach is simple. Choose one thing they will use every trip and one thing that feels a little indulgent. A passport cover with a packing set, or my book with a hotel gift card, covers both. Order early, especially for anything shipping from overseas, and tuck a handwritten note inside about where you hope they go next.
Looking for more ideas? See my luxury Christmas gift guide, my picks for wellness gifts and my foodie gift guide for New Englanders.
Shop the Edit
- Away The Bigger Carry-On in Tan, Revolve
- Smythson Panama Textured-Leather Passport Holder in Black, Net-a-Porter
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), Best Buy
- Apple AirTag (2nd Generation), Best Buy
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