Gifts for Travellers: Useful Ideas for People Who Pack Often
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A useful gift for a traveller is one they will pack on every trip. Toiletry bags, cosmetic bags and small pouches fit that description: they keep liquids, makeup and small items organised in a suitcase or carry-on, and they are used again at home. The ideas below are grouped by how the person travels, and each one is made from plastic-free materials: FSC-certified cork, washable paper or eco canvas.
What makes a useful gift for a traveller
People who travel often tend to have strong views on luggage, so a suitcase or backpack is a hard gift to get right. The smaller items inside the bag are easier. A good travel gift is light, holds its shape when packed, closes securely and is easy to clean after a spill. It also helps if it works at home, on a bathroom shelf or in a handbag, so it is not left in a cupboard between trips.
Gift ideas by the way they travel
For the carry-on packer: a hanging toiletry bag
A hanging toiletry bag hooks onto a towel rail or door, so everything is visible without unpacking onto a small hotel bench. BEV is a hanging toiletry bag made from washable paper, with a hook, a zip closure and several internal compartments. It unfolds to show the contents and folds back into a compact shape for the suitcase.
BEV hanging toiletry bag · Hanging toiletry bags
For longer trips: a large toiletry bag
For someone who travels for a week or more, a large travel toiletry bag holds a full kit in one place. MERRY Large is made from FSC-certified washable paper, with a zip closure and a structured body, and comes in black or off-white. MARY is a toiletry bag in FSC-certified cork with a zip closure, a structured base and a water-resistant exterior.
MERRY Large · MARY cork toiletry bag · Toiletry bags
For couples who travel together: a his and hers set
The MERRY His & Hers set is two zip toiletry bags, one in black and one in off-white, so each person has their own bag in a shared suitcase or bathroom. It comes in medium and large and costs less than buying the two bags separately, which suits a wedding, anniversary or honeymoon gift.
For someone who packs by category: a cosmetic bag set
A set of three sizes lets a traveller keep makeup, skincare and small items apart. The ANNIE set is a small, medium and large cosmetic bag set in FSC-certified cork. The CARA set is the same idea in eco canvas, a plant-based fabric. The pieces can be used together in one suitcase or split between a carry-on and a handbag.
ANNIE cork cosmetic bag set · CARA canvas cosmetic bag set
For the handbag: a makeup purse with mirror
CONNIE pairs a small cork pouch with a matching compact mirror, sold as a set. It suits a handbag, a day bag or a backpack on a travel day, and it is used daily after the trip as well.
CONNIE pouch and mirror set · Purse mirrors
A small add-on: a purse mirror
IRENE is a round compact purse mirror in FSC-certified cork with a butterfly and floral cover. It folds flat on a hinge and is light enough for a pocket. It works as a small gift on its own or alongside a toiletry bag.
For someone who prefers a soft pouch: a fold-over cosmetic bag
ELSA is a washable paper cosmetic bag with a fold-over closure and a soft cotton interior. The large size carries toiletries, cosmetics and accessories, and the fold-over design packs flat when it is not full.
ELSA washable paper cosmetic bag
Gifts for someone going travelling
If the gift is for someone about to leave on a long trip, choose something they can use from the first day. A toiletry bag or a set of pouches can be packed straight into their luggage, and it takes up little extra room. Filling a toiletry bag with a few travel-size items they already use makes it ready to go.
Travel gifts for him and for her
Most of these pieces are not made for one person or another. MERRY, BEV and ANNIE Large have a plain shape and natural finishes that suit anyone, and MERRY in black is often chosen for men. The cosmetic bag sets and purse mirrors are often chosen as travel gifts for her, but they also work as pouches for cables, chargers and documents. See the For Him and For Her collections.
About the materials
Every piece is made without plastic, leather or synthetic leather-look coatings. Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak in Portugal and is light and water-resistant. Washable paper comes from Germany and is a plant-based material with a leather-like look. Eco canvas is a plant-based fabric. All three are vegan. See our materials.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for someone who enjoys travelling?
Something they will pack on every trip, such as a toiletry bag, a hanging toiletry bag or a set of cosmetic pouches. These keep a suitcase organised and are used at home between trips.
What is a good gift to give someone before they travel?
A toiletry bag or pouch set they can pack straight away. It adds little weight, and it can be filled with a few travel-size items before it is given.
Are these bags water-resistant?
The cork pieces have a water-resistant surface, and MERRY in washable paper is water-resistant. Spills can be wiped off. None of the bags is designed to be submerged.