Small Gifts, Big Adventures: Travel Stocking Stuffer Ideas that We Swear By!

Christmas is only one week away, and for the life of me, I have no idea how we are already halfway through December! I hope that you have all killed it this year and you have all of your presents purchased, wrapped, and sitting under the tree...BUT if you are anything like me, last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping is just a part of the tradition.

If you are still looking for those last minute stocking stuffers or filler presents, travel accessories can be a great option! Instead of filling your stockings with candy or trinkets that will break by New Year's, why not fill them with items that will help your loved ones (or you) explore the world?

I feel like some of the best travel accessories are the small ones. They aren't expensive, they aren't wish list items, and you would never think about buying them for yourself, but once you have them, you can't imagine traveling without them.

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My Travel Stocking Stuffer Recommendations!

Here are 10 items that I LOVE to use when I travel, that would make awesome stocking stuffers to fill up that extra space!

(Please note: I am sharing some of my personal favorites, but these aren't affiliate links. I am not getting money for any purchases you make, I just wanted to share some of my faves!)

#1 - A Travel Jewelry Case

I absolutely hate spending hours trying to untangle necklaces. I cannot even count the number of necklaces that I have just given up on when they have reached the level of being tangled beyond recognition. Travel jewelry cases are the perfect solution. They let you separate your pieces of jewelry to keep them safe, organized, and tangle-free! I am partial to this one from BAGSMART. At only $26.99, It is cute, functional, and doesn't take up too much room in my luggage, even if I am only bringing a carryon.

#2 - A mini travel umbrella

I got one of these for my mom's stocking last year, and it has been a game-changer for us. It is the perfect size to fit in our Disney World park bag or even a purse. Some destinations (looking at you, Thailand in the rainy season and Florida during Hurricane season) have very unexpected weather, and this is the perfect little accessory to bring along on your next trip.

Of course, I can't find the one that I got for my mom last Christmas online, but this one from Amazon looks similar, and at $16.99, the price is awesome. Full disclosure, though: Do not expect this umbrella to survive heavy winds. It is mini, mini, and doesn't have that kind of strength.

#3 - A luggage scale

Now listen, this is absolutely not a necessity for some, but for my anxious butt it is a travel accessory that I cannot live without. I have tried the standing on the scale tactic, the balancing the suitcase on the scale tactic, and even the measuring it with your heart tactic and they are all a no-go in my book. The only way that I am able to confidently show up to check my bag is by weighing it with my travel scale first. Better to rearrange at home then on the floor of the airport...if you haven't done it, trust me, it is not fun packing and repacking while surrounded by strangers at the departure doors.

I bought mine from Target, and it is fine, but by no means excellent. I am considering ordering another one for Christmas this year, though and I think I will go for this one from Travel Inspira. It is on sale right now for $9.99 with an original price of $12.99, and it has great reviews. I also love the fact that it is a strap that can wrap around the handle of your suitcase. My current scale is a hook, and getting it to balance is a pain in the butt.

#4 - A power adapter

Now, I am going to be so for real right now, but I am not a fan of the universal adapters. I understand the draw of them because they keep you from having to buy multiple, but from my experience, they do not work perfectly. I have had a few that don't hold the plugs well, so if I move even slightly while I am using it, the plug falls out. I have also had some friends who have purchased some that don't have the right outlets, even though they claim to be universal. Despite this, power adapters are a must! It sucks to get to a new country and realize you have no way of plugging in your phone because you have the wrong cord.

I generally prefer to buy adapters for each region that I travel to specifically, but this one from EPICKA has excellent reviews and would fill most, if not all, of your travel needs AND it is only $22.99. NOTE: This is just an adapter and not a power converter. This means you can't use it for larger items like hairdryers and curling irons, which generally operate using different wattages. I have absolutely watched people fry their items by using them in adapters like this with incorrect wattages. Wondering if your items will work? Comment below or shoot us an email on our contact page, and I will do my best to help you figure it out!

#5 - Silicone Toiletry Bottles

I used to use hard plastic bottles that I would shove into my Ziploc bag, but I found some silicone toiletry bottles at Five Below last year before my trip to Disney, and they were a game-changer. They make it so easy to get all of the product out, and they are much more leak-proof. I would absolutely recommend getting a set of them as they are the perfect way to store any toiletries when traveling.

Like I mentioned, I got mine at Five Below, but I found this set of 18 on Amazon that is currently on sale for $9.99. It has jars for skincare, spray bottles, a funnel for filling the bottles, and labels, which makes organization easy. It is a highly rated set, and I may need to go get one for myself along with my luggage scale, haha.

#6 - A cord organizer

Similar to the jewelry organizer, this is a must-have in my opinion, especially when you are travelling with more than one device. The pockets and sections make it easy to organize your cords and cables so they don't get lost, left behind, or tangled in transit.

I got one with a lemon design from TJ Maxx, but my mom purchased this BAGSMART one from Amazon. It is currently on sale for $9.99 with an original price of $14.99, and she can fit an unreasonable amount of cords in hers. Mine is for looks, and hers is for functionality. It feels like Mary Poppins' bag of cables with slots and pockets for everything.

#7 - A silk sleep mask

The silk is not technically a requirement, but 10/10 would recommend. I am not usually one for sleep masks because they make me feel claustrophobic at night, but when I travel, these are so nice to have. When you are on a long-haul flight or staying in a hotel room with other people or thin curtains, these are the perfect solution to sleeping issues. I mean, you simply must do what you have to do to be well rested and enjoy your vacation.

I have a few of these from BeeVines. They are affordable and comfortable, with a set of two sold for $8.99 from Amazon. I know these aren't for everyone, but if you are a light sleeper, it may not hurt to try them out on your next trip!

#8 - A passport holder

When you travel, a passport is one of your MOST important items. This means it deserves a perfect home. There are so many different types of passport holders out there. I had one that was more like a giant wallet that zips closed with multiple pockets, room for cards and cash, and a secure RFID blocking exterior. This one was great, but it was a bit too bulky for me. I now have a cute one that has a few slots for cards and items, but is about the same size as the passport itself. Both options are excellent and keep your passport safe from bending and the elements, but what is best for you will really depend on your needs and preferences.

Again, the perfect passport holder for you will depend on your personal needs and preferences, but this one from Eoehro looks amazing. It is only $9.99, and it comes in various colors with a map on the front. It has card slots, cash slots, RFID blocking, and even SIM card slots for international travel.

#9 - A portable power bank

Using Maps and taking photos all day can drain your phone battery more than anything else. This means that a portable power bank is your must-have travel buddy. There are many different sizes and powers of these power banks, so they are available in all kinds of price points. NOTE: It is important to remember that you can not pack these in your checked luggage. They must go in your carry-on bag.

Again, there are many power bank sizes and powers. The one I use currently was given to me at a K-Pop concert that I attended last year, but there are so many available at physical stores like Walmart or online stores. Anker has many highly rated options that you may want to check out! They are highly rated and constantly recommended.

#10 - Fun luggage tags

Now, you don't necessarily need to include all of your information on these tags if it makes you uncomfortable, but when you are waiting for your luggage at the carousel, there are sometimes multiple bags that look like yours. Bright colored tags that are personalized to your interests help you spot your bag quickly and easily.

I am not going to make a recommendation here as there are thousands of luggage tag options out there. I have a Charmander and an Eevee, but those wouldn't be perfect for everyone. Check Etsy for fun personalized options or Amazon for more generic choices! I am sure you will find the perfect luggage tags for the stocking of someone you love!

EXTRA - Sheet Masks

If you are headed on a long-haul flight, I cannot recommend sheet masks enough. Flights can really dry out your skin, and wearing a sheet mask for part of the flight can be an awesome way to keep your skin nice and moisturized. Plus, sometimes flights can feel stressful, and a sheet mask is the perfect way to relax.

There are so many sheet mask options, but I prefer ones from Korean skincare brands. This one from Biodance is excellent, and it really keeps your skin moisturized and gives you that glowy look, even after a long flight.

Hopefully, some of these recommendations were helpful for you, whether you choose to get them as stocking stuffers or just as a treat for yourself in the middle of July. If you want more personalized recommendations that would work better for you, feel free to comment below or reach out to me at britt@sandbtravels.com! I always love to talk about travel and my favorite travel products!!

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Now, it is time for our question of the week. This week we want to know:

What is the one travel gadget or accessory you literally never leave home without?

Let us know in the comments - we need ideas to keep expanding our gigantic travel wish lists!

Thanks for reading, and we will see you again next week!