Usually I do not make gift guides but this year has been busy with requests from all of you and you know I have ride or die products in my life that I have tested, love and swear by.
All that being said – I will put everything below into categories to make things easier to find.
All of these things that I use and love I purchased myself. I travel for work on average 2-3 times a month and need to streamline my life. So even if you don’t travel as a career, a lot of these items and gifts are great for any traveler.
Let’s get to it.
Nicki’s 2022 Gift Guide:
The Carry-On Only Items that changed the game:
Portable mini refillable perfume bottles – not only did these save me money from not having to buy a ton of a small sized perfumes (that are always more expensive because you are paying for a trial size) but they are reusable, come in a set of 4 and fit the carry-on only requirement for liquids.
Space Saver Bags – if you are flying carry-on only (or even if you aren’t), these bags allow you to pack so much more!! This was a favorite among a lot of you this year.
Mini Reef Safe Sunscreen – I spend most of my time in tropical destinations and swear by this reef safe sunscreen. I actually burn very easy and have to reapply often when in the sun and water. I usually can take 1-2 of these for a weekend in the water and be fine.
The Carry-On Suitcase that just makes sense – I have been very vocal about how much I LOVE my carry-on. I am very specific. For me personally, I have used probably 20 different suitcases in the last 10 years and this style works the best. It has to have 4 wheels so you can push and don’t hurt yourself dragging it, it only opens from the top and is soft sided, giving you more room to pack things in, plus it has outside pockets!
Laundry Detergent Sheets – if you are traveling for awhile with a carry-on only and plan to do laundry, these are cheap, super easy to pack and you won’t have to worry about finding laundry soap everywhere you go. Just take the sheets you need with you.
TSA Approved Toiletry Bags – these are perfect for carrying your liquids because you know already the bag is approved and you won’t go over when traveling in a carry-on. Just don’t go over the per item limit of 3.4 ounces.
Contact Lens Cases – this is one of my oldest travel hacks and best, in my opinion. You can put liquids in these instead of carrying full products, which not only frees up space in your carry on, but also keeps you under the liquid amounts. For me I usually put moisturizing, concealer, liquid foundation, eye cream, etc. Stuff that I do not need a lot of.
Mini Poo-Pourri – these are great if you are traveling with others and they fit easily in your purse or wherever you want it. You only need a few sprays and they work surprisingly well.
Portable Steamer – no matter how gently you pack, especially in a carry-on, things get wrinkled. This steamer is portable and works amazing. No more wrinkled clothes.
Travel Items I NEVER Left Home Without This Year
Just as a preface, most of the items above I always travel with .. 🙂
Portable Jewelry Case – I don’t travel with a lot of jewelry, but enough for my trip. This case is compact, it fit anywhere I put it and kept things in a nice order.
Flat Water Bottle – as someone who sits on planes a lot, this changed the game for me. For some reason, a lot of seatback pockets won’t hold an actual bottle of water – but this flat water bottle fit easily. Same as in my purse or bag I would be carrying.
Air Tag – if I check a suitcase, I do NOT leave the house without this inside of it. So much luggage was lost this year and I can easily track it from my phone.
Universal Travel Adapter – I have been using these for years and I find they are the best. I can charge everything I want and still have leftover USB or outlets. Also great if people are traveling with me and don’t bring more than a single adapter.
Battery operated carbon monoxide detector – what happened at Sandals this year and at an Airbnb in Mexico definitely rocked the travel industry. It is very unfortunate. As someone who has suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in 2005, I can tell you firsthand you have no idea that it is happening to you. I will not travel without this.
Make-Up Bag – I actually turned this into a medication bag. I have all the common medications and pain relievers that I know and use if/when I get sick or something happens. It just makes life easier when I am traveling and know I can access certain things immediately. This is also a great make-up bag as well.
Neck Pillow – if you are flying, especially a long flight, do not leave home without this!! They are cheap and won’t have your neck hurting. Plus you can sleep if you want to.
Door Stop Alarm – I travel solo a lot and these give me peace of mind. You place it right under the door and if someone outside tries to open the door, the alarm goes off.
Packing Cubes – these genius cubes changed the way I travel about eight years ago. I only use these when I am checking a suitcase and I have found they work great for longer trips, trips where you move a lot or cruising. Sometimes when I cruise. I don’t unpack everything and just leave certain things still in cubes in the closet shelves and it’s just so easy to get what I need.
When I am switching hotels more than once, I usually don’t fully unpack and just get the packing cubes out. It’s honestly so much easier.
Shockproof Carrying Case – this is always in my personal item and I carry my phone charger, a back-up power bank and the cords I need to go with those PLUS a USB plug for the plane.
Phone Power Bank – this is one of my top three favorite travel items, ever. I searched high and low and went through endless power banks until I found this one and it is amazing. I have been using it for over two years now and it works as great as the day I bought it.
Hydration Multiplier – I spend a lot of time on planes and in hot destinations. I have been using this in my water for a couple years now. I even use it when I am not flying.
Camera Equipment
These are the items I shoot most of my content on!
DJI Mini – this drone is the best drone I have ever owned and it is my third in six years. I love it because you can shoot both portrait and landscape videos and photos, which video is big for social media.
Canon EOS R5 – this is my primary camera I shoot images with and the output is unreal. This is an investment piece, but it is unbelievable. It also shoots 8K video.
GoPro Hero 10 – this is great for underwater footage or any type of photos or videos. The GoPro is a really dynamic camera. What I love about it is that I can easily download everything right to my phone in the app.
Dome for GoPro – this is what I use for the half overwater, half underwater photos and videos!
GoPro Handle Grip – I refuse to get into the water without this. You attach your GoPro to it and it will float to the surface if you drop it. But also, you have better control by holding this.
For the Beach Lover
Floating glasses – these glasses, which aren’t even glass, are amazing. Easy to pack and they float in the pool or any body of water OR you can stick them in the ground next to where you are sitting in the sand or grass.
Beach Towel Clips – I didn’t know these were a thing until this year and now I am obsessed. You can use them to clip your towel onto your chair, especially great in windy situations, like on a cruise. You also know someone isn’t going to snatch up your towel because you have it clipped in.
Waterproof Wet Bag – I always have this in my carry-on no matter where I go. I can use it for a wet swimsuit, wet clothes or even if I have cosmetics or something liquid I am trying to bring home and want to protect the other things in my bag.
Microfiber Hair Scrunchies – these are so great when you have been swimming, sweating, at the gym, etc. They pull the moisture from your hair, allowing it to dry faster. I use them when I get out of the shower if I am not blow drying my hair immediately.
After Sun Sheet Mask – One time in the Maldives I got sunburnt and I had this mask and used it and I swear it had healing powers because I was good to go the next day. I always have it on beach trips. They also make one for your chest or shoulders that is amazing too!
Reef Safe Sunscreen – I can’t stress enough, if you are in the ocean, please help to protect the marine life and corals. This sunscreen has been in my bag for years.
Sun Cool Down – If you burn or your skin is tender, this is a miracle worker.
Beauty Products I LOVE
After Sun Sheet Mask – One time in the Maldives I got sunburnt and I had this mask and used it and I swear it had healing powers because I was good to go the next day. I always have it on beach trips. They also make one for your chest or shoulders that is amazing too!
Portable mini refillable perfume bottles – not only did these save me money from not having to buy a ton of a small sized perfumes (that are always more expensive because you are paying for a trial size) but they are reusable, come in a set of 4 and fit the carry-on only requirement for liquids.
Makeup Sponge Holder – I love these because I do not want to get my makeup case dirty with products and they are breathable.
Makeup Removing Cloths – I love these because they are reusable and I can easily take them home and wash them.
Lotion – these mini lotions are elite in every way. My skin gets dry from flying and changing climates a lot and this lotion just saves the day. I love that you get 6 minis and it easy for carry-on only travel too.
Blowout Hair Dryer – my hair is out of control. I have never had beautiful wash and go hair – it requires a lot of maintenance since it is thick and wavy/frizzy. This tool is a blow dryer brush and gives me the perfect blowout.
Luggage
I am very particular about luggage. I have tried so many brands, many that are flimsy and break after a use or two and its exhausting finding something amazing.
These are my two ride or die suitcases right now:
Checked Luggage – this is a hard case, 4 wheel suitcase. When I check luggage, I always check a hard side suitcase because it will repel anything that spills outside. I have had soft sided suitcases come back with oil and weird stains on them.
Suitcase Protector – I see people constantly getting their suitcases wrapped at the airport. You don’t have to do that. Get this suitcase protector, which you can easily reuse and it will protect your luggage from scratches as well.
The Carry-On Suitcase that just makes sense – I have been very vocal about how much I LOVE my carry-on. I am very specific. For me personally, I have used probably 20 different suitcases in the last 10 years and this style works the best. It has to have 4 wheels so you can push and don’t hurt yourself dragging it, it only opens from the top and is soft sided, giving you more room to pack things in, plus it has outside pockets!
That is about it for travel – if you want to browse my favorite office, kitchen, books, ets – my Amazon Storefront has everything!
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