Tis the season of your social media feeds filling up with ads on the latest trending gifts. But as we all know, most of those items end up being junk that never gets used. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding something unique or trendy– especially when it comes to travel gifts. But some of these gifts are completely unnecessary and could actually end up costing your beloved travel friend time and money in the long run. Choosing the perfect gift for someone who spends much of their time traveling requires thoughtfulness, practicality, and understanding of their needs. Before committing to the latest trending item, take a look at my list of the worst Christmas gift ideas for travelers, and what to get them instead!
To help you find great gifts, I’ve included alternatives for each of the items that I do not recommend. I also have another post dedicated to the best gifts for travelers, which you can read here.
I’ve bought everything on this list with my own money and only recommend things I’ve personally used and loved. However, this post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You won’t pay a higher price, and I never accept money for reviews.
Also, I don’t mean to be someone who completely skips over Thanksgiving in anticipation of Christmas. But did you know that one of the best times to get holiday deals is actually before Black Friday? Stores are currently trying to clear their shelves to make room for all that Black Friday inventory (which they probably sell to you at an inflated price). So as a smart shopper, now is the perfect time to get into the holiday spirit and start looking at deals!
Luggage Drink Holder
This is probably one of the worst Christmas gift ideas on this list. I honestly can’t figure out how this item became popular– I struggle to find even one positive about it. Most drink holders lack the stability to keep a beverage upright while attached to your bag. But even if you do happen to find a well-made drink holder, they don’t really work for full drinks, as they will spill as soon as you try to pull your suitcase. It’s just a mess waiting to happen and will make your airport experience way more uncomfortable than it needs to be.
Traveling light is key for most seasoned travelers, and a luggage drink holder just adds one more unnecessary item to manage. It’s another fad accessory that adds zero real value to the travel experience. Even if you do use it at the airport, that’s likely the only time you’ll use it on your trip. The thought might stem from the best intentions, but this is more of a novelty than a great gift for someone always on the go.
What to get instead: opt for a high-quality reusable water bottle that can be used at the airport and during a trip. This Life Straw water bottle is the best gift for your adventurous travel friend, who camps or does long hikes. Or for your friend who just doesn’t trust tap water. They’ll never have to worry about having not having clean water with one of these.
Clothing that Expresses Their Love of Travel
Clothing that loudly expresses a traveler’s love of travel, such as T-shirts with slogans like “Wanderluster” may seem like a nice gift, but they’re honestly very impractical. Travelers prioritize versatile, functional clothing that works across climates and cultures. Overly themed apparel rarely fits those criteria. It feels gimmicky and may not align with your travel friend’s style or needs. These often turn into an unwanted present that takes up precious luggage space. Or at best it becomes a great sleep shirt.
The same goes for other items that say something along the lines of “world traveler” on it, like a coffee cup or random household items.
What to get instead: If you really want to get them something to wear, consider hidden pocket clothing. For example, this hidden pocket scarf has served so many different purposes for me over many trips. I’m always glad I have it on me. It can be worn in different ways, so it’s like having multiple accessories in one. And it can hold simple things like your lip balm, a small amount of money, or even your wallet or passport.
Luggage
Unless you know exactly which piece of luggage is on your travel friend’s wish list, then I would skip on luggage as a holiday gift. Travelers, especially seasoned ones, take their luggage very seriously, and whatever they’re using is a pretty personal choice. I can even guarantee they have a collection of bags sitting in their closet that did not live up to their travel expectations. Everyone travels differently, so even the most top-rated luggage might not be the right one for them.
What to get instead: If you know what brand of luggage they use/ want to try, you could get them gift cards for that brand. Or consider getting them a belt bag. I feel like those are a staple in every traveler’s checklist. This way you still get them something useful, but you don’t have to spend as much money. Belt bags can also be used on a regular basis, so you’re getting them something practical for travel, and every day!
Luggage Scale
A luggage scale might seem like a practical gift, but I don’t think this is a great choice for most travelers. While the idea of avoiding overweight baggage fees is appealing, seasoned travelers rarely find standalone luggage scales necessary. Many modern suitcases already have built-in scales. These are just another rarely used item to pack and carry, taking up space without being used regularly. And, in my honest opinion, most people already know when their bag is overweight in the first place… you can feel it.
What to get instead: Instead of a luggage scale, opt for a power bank. They’re incredibly useful, especially for travelers who travel without a camera. When you give a power bank, know that you are giving a practical gift that your loved one will get a lot of use out of.
Passport Cover
This probably makes every traveler’s list of worst Christmas gift ideas. A passport cover might seem thoughtful, but for frequent travelers, it’s often a bad gift. They’re designed to protect passports, but most covers add unnecessary bulk, making it harder to fit into slim travel wallets or belt bags. Many countries also require passports to be scanned or removed during security checks, which makes these covers inconvenient. Also, passports are pretty durable on their own, so these covers serve more as decoration than utility. Ultimately, they don’t really provide much value and often end up unused, making it one of the worst Christmas gift ideas for frequent travelers.
What to get instead: Instead of a passport cover, consider gifting a high-quality travel organizer. These are way more practical and store not only passports but also boarding passes, vaccination cards, visa documentation, etc. They’re lightweight and functional, and so useful when you need a lot of documents for your trip. I think this is an awesome gift to receive as a frequent traveler because it’s something they may not think to get for themselves. Pair it with a thoughtful Christmas card and you’ve got the perfect gift!
Neck Pillow
A travel neck pillow might seem like a nice gift, but for seasoned travelers, it’s often a bad present. While they promise comfort, many neck pillows don’t actually provide that. They also often take up valuable space on already crowded carry-ons. Travelers who fly frequently often have specific comfort preferences and may find standard neck pillows uncomfortable for long-haul flights. I personally don’t use one at all. For frequent fliers, a neck pillow is just another unwanted present that they wouldn’t use regularly.
What to get instead: Consider giving experiential gifts like a lounge pass, if they don’t already have a priority pass. This is a thoughtful way to enhance their travel experience without adding physical baggage. Or you could give them an airline gift card, so they use it toward whatever they prefer!
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When choosing a gift for an avid traveler, it’s crucial to consider whether it will truly be useful or just become clutter—especially since friends and family members often struggle to pick practical items for the globetrotters in their lives. Hopefully, with this guide, this is the last year that you wonder what to get for your travel friend! I hope it helps you avoid some of the worst Christmas gift ideas that travelers dread getting and gives you some inspo to pick a great one! And for more travel inspo, make sure to check out my other blog posts!
