Wracking your brain for the perfect stocking-fillers? We've got you covered.
These under $25 gift recommendations from Lonely Planet staffers are the products we turn to when we're on the road. From sentimental pieces like destination-themed scented candles to practical items like travel wallets and journals, these budget-friendly gifts are suitable for your roommate, colleague, best friend, and everyone in between.
1. Homesick Candles
Recommended by Ann Douglas Lott, Lonely Planet associate editor
Starting from $19
I always have a candle burning when I’m home, and Homesick candles are my go-to gift because each scent is personalized to the destination that inspired it – Tulum, Southern California, Virginia and Vancouver, to name a few. They evoke a nostalgia for the places I miss most.
2. Swiftwick National Parks Collection
Recommended by Sebastian Modak, Lonely Planet editor-at-large
$20
Okay, there’s something a little cliched about giving socks as a holiday gift, but that’s only because it works. Who doesn’t love a quality pair of socks? Swiftwick’s line combines high performance with very cool designs inspired by more than a dozen of North America’s National Parks. The socks’ moisture-wicking properties, breathability and comfort make them an easy go-to for anything active.
3. Vemingo RFID-blocking travel wallet
Recommended by Fionnuala McCarthy, Lonely Planet editorial director
$17
Travel wallets are probably not needed so much now, with a digital boarding pass and credit card all that's required to travel, but I’m old-school and always fearful of losing my phone or my battery dying, along with everything to do with our vacation. So I still bring a travel wallet on family holidays and carry everyones' passports, printed boarding cards, health insurance cards, and accommodation addresses.
This one is super-handy, slim but with lots of compartments, and it’s bright, so it can be found easily in your luggage. It's also great for keeping everything together in one place at home, ready for the next trip.
4. Supergoop! Play Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Recommended by Sasha Brady, Lonely Planet digital editor
From $10
This lightweight sunscreen never feels sticky and is packed with all the important stuff like strong protection from UVA, UVB and IRA rays. It's water- and sweat-resistant, making it ideal for hiking, jogging, or swimming — and for people who sweat like crazy through their faces (hello me!). It's ultra-hydrating and leaves your face and body with a non-greasy, matte finish. Best of all, it’s formulated to be reef safe and is a great option for sensitive skin because the ingredients are minimal.
5. The ABC Travel Green Book: Connecting the African Diaspora Globally
Recommended by Alicia Johnson, Lonely Planet digital editor
$25
This book is a necessary resource for finding Black-owned businesses the world over, from communities, restaurants and festivals to all the other Black-first places there are to explore.
6. Byta stainless-steel tumblers
Recommended by Anne Zalatoris, Lonely Planet lead account manager
$14.50
Byta's 16oz tumbler is the perfect size for water, coffee or even outdoor cocktails on the go — high quality, cute and sustainable, it fits perfectly in cup holders and keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. (Ice doesn't even melt!) Pair it with one of the brand's stainless steel straws, and customize it with your name or a phrase. (If you need something bigger, the 30oz version is great for hot yoga and hiking.)
7. Moleskine Cahiers journals
Recommended by Sarah Stocking, Lonely Planet editor
$22
These Moleskine notebooks have been my go-to journals for a lifetime of trips. The XL version is thin and lightweight, so I take a couple if it’s a very long trip, but I tend to find one works just about right no matter what. They also look great on my shelf, and I'm a sucker for the snazzy colors.
8. Jerry Q Art watercolor pocket set
Recommended by Sarah Stocking, Lonely Planet editor
$14
Elevate your journaling with a compact, travel-friendly paint set — this tin is the perfect size to stow away and add a little color to your writing. It also comes with a water brush, so you won't spill if painting in transit.
9. Welly adventure kits
Recommended by Sarah Stocking, Lonely Planet editor
From $8
These small first aid kits are amazing: they pack everything you might need into a tin so tiny it slides into any bag. I want one for my mom kit, one for my girls’ getaways, one for hiking – in short, I want them all.
Here's the thing about a first aid kit: you never know when you're going to need one, but when you do, you really do. My first time out backpacking in Thailand, my travel companion and I realized our packs were far too heavy and purged our giant first-aid kits immediately upon arrival. Don’t let this happen to you. (They’re also the perfect little stocking-stuffer.)
10. Baggu reusable bags
Recommended by Sarah Stocking, Lonely Planet editor
$14
These reusable bags have been a staple in my luggage since my New York City aunt introduced them to me 20-odd years ago – she would stash them in her handbag so she always had a shopping bag, just in case. My grandmother and I thought it was genius, and they've traveled with me ever since. Sure, there are other brands, but Baggu is the most reliable, plus they’re easy to clean and come in all kinds of sizes and colors. No more plastic shopping bags for me!
More gift guides for every type of traveler
