Packing for any kind of vacation can be potentially fretful, and traveling at the end of the year is its own brand of stress. But from And travel goods can make for some great gifts, either for someone you know going on a special trip or perhaps a little extra self-care for yourself.
Here is a packing list with some of the best brands to consider for assembling what you need to both enjoy winter travel this year, from sand to snow.
Abercrombie
When traveling during a busy time (or any time, really), comfort is key. Consider a go-to travel uniform that works year-round: Abercrombie’s “Traveler Jumpsuit” is simple, comfortable, and stretchy with adjustable wide straps with an elastic waist detail with exterior drawcords and pockets. And the monochrome style can be dressed up or down quickly when you have plans right after a plane lands.
Act + Acre
While many hotels usually keep rooms stocked with the basic amenities such as shampoo and conditioner, the quality on those always vary, and they’re not great for people with specific hair needs, such as hair thinning and hair loss. To maintain a treatment routine on the go, consider picking up a travel-size version before departure. Act + Acre’s trichologist-formulated collection was specifically made for those struggling with hair thinning, density, and hair loss. The shampoo, conditioner, and peptide treatment contain the brand’s patented Grow Complex, a combination of stem cells, peptides, and antioxidants that help the hair look thicker, denser, fuller, and healthier while working to support hair follicle health and reducing shedding.
Apple
Aside from a passport, few would argue that the next most important thing to have on you is your phone. Once again, the new iPhone 15 can seemingly do it all, from serving as your wallet to your HD camera to your boarding pass to your AI language translator, and it can even help out with the occasional phone call. While Apple itself doesn’t offer the flashiest of Black Friday deals, there are deals to be had for the iPhone. Carriers are a good place to start. T-Mobile, for instance, is offering a free (yes, free) iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 when trading in an eligible device on its Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plans. And for anyone who buys one iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, or iPhone 13 series device, you’re eligible for $700 off a second iPhone when you add a line on any plan.
Canary
Sometimes a crucial device you need for traveling is one you actually leave behind. Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, the Canary Pro Wi-Fi security camera offers HD picture of its surroundings with a 30-day video cloud history. Some of the safety alert features include motion alerts with video clips and activity zone masking. But it doesn’t detect just intruders; the Canary Pro also serves as a climate monitor with notifications on temperature, humidity, and air quality.
Clevr Blends
Clevr Blends’s instant superfood lattes are something of a cult favorite these days given the variety in flavors, the beneficial ingredients, and just how simple they are to make. (Travel tip: Pack some of the powder in a thermos or sealable plastic container for making lattes-on-the-go. All you need is water, or your favorite milk, if at hand, for a creamier texture.) The brand has its classic flavors, which you can pick up in a bestsellers kit, but for people who love fall but don’t want the pumpkin spice, Clevr Blends is introducing a new flavor: London Fog Superlatte. Packed with black tea, bergamot, organic ashwagandha, and lion’s mane extract, think of it as a cozy remedy for a rainy day in a glass—not to mention a way that bridges the divide between coffee and tea drinkers.
Clif Bar
Quite simply, you should never go anywhere without snacks. And some snacks are more fulfilling than others, and Clif Bar almost always hits the right mark of filling in the moment and easy to pack in virtually any bag or even pocket. The energy food maker just brought back its seasonal flavors—Spiced Pumpkin Pie and Peppermint White Chocolate—both of which are festive and can be enjoyed all season long.
Glasshouse Fragrances
Founded in Australia and also sold in the U.S. and New Zealand, Glasshouse Fragrances is ideal for people who love to travel as well as those who love to bring the vibes of their travels home with them. That is to say, all of the scents are named after and inspired by locations around the world, from Queenstown to Capri. And if you’re on the road, you can keep your vehicle fresh and fun with the super chic car diffuser, which attaches to the air vent and is designed to radiate fragrance into every corner of your vehicle for 30 days. The scent disk refills are recyclable and are available in four core scents: A Tahaa Affair, Lost in Amalfi, Kyoto in Bloom, and One Night in Rio.
Gordini
No longer just a boring gift for kids—many adults really appreciate being gifted with good socks. And you can never underestimate the importance of good, clean, and most importantly, dry socks. Based in Vermont, family run and independently owned, Gordini has been in the cold weather clothing space for more than 65 years. New this fall, Gordini is entering the sock category with the introduction of performance ski, winter boot, and hiking socks for men and women after the company invested in an Italian knitting technology that leverages structural layering to improve insulation, moisture transfer, and durability.
High Camp
No more sipping warm wine out of plastic cups or worrying about breaking the stemware: The Parkside Flask 750 provides a much more stylish way to simply toss a full wine bottle into a flask and go. Designed with traditional glassware in mind, the Parkside Flas 750 provides an at-home drinking experience, and the interiors are designed to guarantee that fine vintages will preserve their complexity throughout the entire sipping experience. This could be a good fit for any outdoor activity year-round, from camping to après-ski.
LensDirect
If you’re searching for a more useful but unique option for white elephant gifts or stocking stuffers, simplify your gift list with something everyone needs: an online gift card. And one of the best ways to gift a gift card is for a product you know that person needs but leaves it up to the receiver to customize how they see fit. Case in point: glasses. LensDirect offers prescription and non-prescription options in a multitude of styles and options (from sunglasses to blue light glasses) at budget-friendly price points (making it possible to actually stretch that gift card).
Monos
Monos, known for its meticulously crafted travel accessories and luggage, recently expanded its clothing line with a new, washed linen collection. Named in honor of The Algarve in Portugal, the line consists of three classic and unisex staples. The Algarve Collection is made from Oeko-Tex certified 100% washed linen, providing a soft hand feel and effortless drape. Inspired by The Algarve’s distinctive shoreline, the entire collection is available in four effortless colorways: white, black, cliff stone (beige), and dune grass (sage green).
Oui the People
First founded in 2017, Oui the People has grown to be a cult classic among skincare mavens. Staying hydrated during the winter includes your skin, which endures a lot this time of year, either from brutal cold temperatures or too much time in the sun, depending where you go. The brand’s new fall line was designed to ensure healthy, hydrated skin no matter how low the mercury drops. The travel-friendly sized Body Renewal Set includes the Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss in Orange Blossom, the Health Food Prebiotic Lotion, and Clean Slate Lactic Acid Body Wash.
Rose Anvil
Rose Anvil was founded in 2014 and specializes in creating durable but sophisticated leather goods including wallets, camera harnesses, and the brand new Lasso Link Camera Strap. The Lasso Link is an ideal accessory for lightweight cameras, offering a comfortable shooting experience. Its interconnected leather links are designed to contour and move naturally with the photographer, ensuring ease of movement and even weight distribution. Additionally, the adjustable feature allows you to easily add or remove links to achieve the perfect fit for your body.
Steamery
Scandinavian brand Steamery recently introduced the Cirrus X Handheld Steamer, a travel-friendly device that can refresh your clothing without the need for a washing machine. By washing less and steaming more, the brand says garments will go through less wear and tear allowing them to last a lifetime. Two years in the making, the new steamer has a lightweight and portable design (available in three colors) with a quick warmup time and steam output to quickly remove wrinkles.
Super Patch
For a boost of on-the-go wellness, Super Patch produces a variety of non-invasive patches that promise benefits from improved sleep and focus to reduced stress and pain. The technology inside each Super Patch has uniquely arranged ridges that resemble a QR code, and when these ridges touch the skin, cells transmit unique signals that interact with the body’s nervous system. Among the most popular patches include the REM Patch, designed to help the mind balance sleep patterns and signals allowing the body to rest, and the Defend Patch for an always needed extra boost of immunity aides when traveling among crowds and amid lower temperatures.
Therabody
Need some post-vacation recovery help? Therabody is well known for its powerful massage guns, including the travel-friendly Theragun Mini. The company recently expanded into skincare wellness with the recent debut of the TheraFace Mask, an FDA-cleared, LED light therapy mask touted to be clinically proven to reduce signs of aging, firm skin, and increase radiance. The mask’s 648 medical-grade Red, Red + Infrared, and Blue LED lights are meant to provide full-face coverage with added vibration therapy that Therabody has perfected and patented for improved relaxation.
WagWell
Whether it be travel or separation anxiety, pups can experience stress just like us. And while dogs usually get excited for treats, as they should, there are plenty of treats that help in keeping them calm. WagWell, a new wellness and lifestyle brand for pets, recently launched with a number of plant-based, sustainable supplements for dogs. The Calming supplement is a chicken-flavored whole hemp chew featuring a soothing herbal blend of magnolia bark and phellodendron bark to alleviate anxiety, and melatonin and chamomile to promote relaxation—all of which could be quite helpful in keeping your favorite travel companion as calm as can be.
