19 Gifts That the Traveler in Your Life Actually Wants

Christmas is three weeks away and since Black Friday the holiday shopping season has been in full swing. What do you get the backpacker, nomad or travelista in your life? Here's my perfect presents for the person who just can't stay in one place.

1. Portable Charger

This has saved my (battery) life so many times from camping, to airports, and wandering around cities you can charge anything with a USB connection. It is small, lightweight and perfect for a carry-on. This item barely breaks the bank and often costs less than $20.

2. Backpack

When traveling a backpack is essential, however from sporting and hiking stores they can become quite expensive, and there's no need to pay +$100. This backpack holds 75L, comes in a variety of colors and is available from Amazon for less than $70.

3. GoPro

One of my most prized possessions is my GoPro, high quality pictures from such a small, compact camera. The GoPro syncs with the bluetooth of a phone so all pictures can be ready for instant sharing. Not to mention, GoPro is all-weather resistant, water proof and perfect for any person on-the-go.

4. Books

Books, books, books. Often when traveling there's no wifi, which is hard to get used to for a millennial. For packing purposes a kindle would be much more effective, if you can afford it, but I am just wholly against e-Readers. I need to feel the pages turn between my fingertips. Some of my favorites are Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, The Dinner by Herman Koch and any travel book from Lonely Planet.

5. Portable Speaker

Many people don't think to slip this item in their bag, but it is great for listening to music on the beach, camping, hiking or anywhere else. Bluetooth capabilities allows anyone to sync to the speaker and gives a clearer, louder listening experience.

6. OlloClip 4 in 1

A product that's high on my own Christmas list this year, the OlloClip 4 in 1 clips to any iPhone and transforms the camera for high quality pictures with a fisheye lens, wide-angle lens, 10x macro lens and 15x macro lens.

7. Travel Stub Diary

This Travel Stub Diary ($12 from Barnes and Noble) is the perfect gift for the backpacker in your life. When country-hopping it can be difficult to travel with souvenirs and often the best things to take home are the brochures, ticket stubs, and museum passes that are collected throughout a trip.

8. Notebook

I always keep a Moleskin notebook nearby when traveling and my use for it changes from trip to trip. Sometimes I write an extensive journal for each day, and sometimes I jot down notes of who I was with, new music I like, and what I ate. However, I would never travel without it and it's perfect to slip a few photographs from home into to keep while traveling. Don't forget a pen, especially good for filling out international customs forms!

9. Kammok Hammock

This hammock is so lightweight, folds up to about a 6-inch square and can easily fit into carry-on luggage. Whether it's a gift for someone headed to the jungle, the beach or the city a Kammok hammock can be assembled almost anywhere and is beyond comfortable for sleeping, reading or just plain hanging out.

10. S'well Bottle

Reusable water bottles aren't just great for the environment, they're great for travel. Most hostels will have clean drinking water available for free and it's great for filling up in the morning to take anywhere throughout the day. All reusable water bottles would make a great gift for someone on-the-go, my personal favorite is S'well bottles. These bottles will keep a drink cold for up to 24 hours or hot up to 12.

11. "How to Read the Menu" Books

Fairly self explanatory, but these pocket-guides teach "how to read the menu" in French, Italian and Spainish. When I travel I like to live like a local, eat like a local and order like a local and these books are the perfect guides.

12. Headphone Splitter

It may seem small and even an afterthought but headphone splitters can be an absolute lifesaver. Traveling by bus or train can get a bit boring, but inevitably someone will have a movie stored on their computer or iPad. A headphone splitter allows more than one person to enjoy the movie on public transportation, keeping boredom at bay.

13. Travel Wallet

I am obsessed with this travel wallet, not only is it incredibly cute but it is so practical. It has separate compartments for a passport, paper money, coins and tickets. Available at Bloomingdales from Happy Jackson for just $19.

14. Carry on Cocktail Kit

The Carry on Cocktail Kit is another adorable, thoughtful gift that can be purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond (shout out to 20% off coupons.) And come in a variety of options such as old fashioned, moscow mule and a champagne cocktail. Most international flights offer free alcohol and this dresses it up perfectly.

15. Cards Against Humanity

A bigger item but totally worth squeezing into a suitcase or backpack. An instant party starter for the hostel goer; the perfect icebreaker to get everyone laughing and acquainted.

16. Quick Dry Towel

Microfiber towels are the way forward. They dry almost instantly so are perfect for packing and using again and again. These towels are versatile for Southeast Asian beaches, Central American cenotes, European lakes or South American lagoons so wherever your traveller is off to next, this towel is the perfect addition to their bag!

17. Fold-away Raincoat

This raincoat similar to the Kammok Hammock also folds up incredibly small. No one likes to think about rain on their holidays, so this thoughtful gift is something that likely hasn't been slipped into anyones packing yet. However, when unexpectedly caught in the rain anyone would be very thankful for receiving this as a present.

18. Spotify Premium Membership

Music is essential for exploring new cities, and a Spotify premium membership allows people to create playlists "offline" and available to them at any time on any device; phone, tablet or laptop. It's perfect for airplanes, buses, trains and any in-between time without wifi. When on wifi or using data abroad you can search new music and add it to your offline collection.

19. CASH

While many people consider this a boring gift, it really is the best thing you can give to a traveler. People who travel often love adventure and their freedom and giving money let's someone save up for their next getaway, or gives them extra spending money for once they're there. Bonus if you give them the currency of where they're traveling to next!