Unique Gift Ideas for Every Type of Traveler on Your List

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Caroline Morse Teel

Stumped on what to buy the jetsetters in your life for the holidays? Think about their travel style, as it can offer a clue as to what they’re hoping will be under the tree this year.

We’ve pulled together unique gift suggestions for all types of travelers, from techies to adventurers, so you can complete your shopping list and get back to the fun stuff (like holiday travel planning).

The Adventure Traveler

Man sitting on cliff edge alone enjoying aerial view backpacking lifestyle travel adventure outdoor vacations in Norway top of Reinebringen mountain. — *puzurin | Adobe Stock*puzurin | Adobe Stock

If you’re shopping for someone whose vacations always involve an adventure activity like a long hike or bike ride, gift them Helly Hansen’s Verglas Micro Shell Rain Jacket. This lightweight, weatherproof jacket packs down into its own pocket, so it will always be available for protection in case the weather changes.

The jacket is available in a women’s- and men’s-specific version and a variety of eye-catching colors. It features an adjustable hem and hood, so your gift recipient can customize the jacket to be the perfect fit.

The Urban Traveler

subway train in subway underground — *stp23 | Adobe Stock*stp23 | Adobe Stock

A pair of versatile boots is a great gift for someone who’s always jetting off to a new city. Danner’s Logger Moc 917 GTX (click here for the women’s version of the boot) is the ideal mix of urban style and outdoor function.

Made from a full-grain leather upper and lined with waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX, the Loggers can handle rain, snow, and sunny days—and they weigh just 26 ounces per pair, making them perfect for travel. With a refined design, these boots can work for casual or dressy occasions.

The Techie Traveler

Search for air travel information.,Air ticket booking for travel — *oselote | Adobe Stock*oselote | Adobe Stock

The Suunto 9 Peak Pro can track 95 different activities, from running to snorkeling, giving the tech-obsessed traveler plenty of data to work with on their next trip. The watch can even offer insightful training tools, such as recommendations around recovery time and sleep habits.

A lack of cell service won’t stop the Suunto—routes can be pre-loaded and followed (with turn-by-turn directions) using GPS. There’s even a back-to-start feature that can help you find your way back to your hotel (or wherever you started), which is a huge help for exploring an unfamiliar trail or city.

The Family Traveler

Family in a hike — *yanlev | Adobe Stock*yanlev | Adobe Stock

Everyone has a better time on a family trip when the kids are entertained. Amazon’s Kids Fire Tablet is the best way to keep children from melting down on a long road trip or flight. The tablet can be used to play games, read books, or stream videos, and it features lots of parental protections so kids won’t be able to stumble upon any inappropriate content.

The kids’ tablet is encased in a durable bumper that will survive accidental drops and tantrum throws.

The Luxury Traveler

Beautiful young woman in black dress with hat walking on Dubai Downtown. — *luengo_ua | Adobe Stock*luengo_ua | Adobe Stock

Nothing says luxury like cashmere—this fabric delivers a lot of warmth in a lightweight package and is perfect for travel since it won’t take up too much space in your suitcase—plus, it can go for many wears without being washed.

For women, Krimson Klover’s Chalet Cashmere Blend Hoodie is the perfect blend of coziness and style for long plane rides. Made from Merino wool and cashmere, this sweater is ultra-soft and comfortable.

For men, Nordstrom offers a very affordable Half Zip Pullover Sweater made from cotton and cashmere. This luxury gift is priced under $60 and won’t blow your entire holiday budget.

The Backpacker

Rear view of woman hiker with backpack on a hiking trip in nature, using binoculars. — *Halfpoint | Adobe Stock*Halfpoint | Adobe Stock

When carrying everything you own on your back, you want to ensure it all stays dry. Blunt’s Classic Umbrella is the perfect gift for budget travelers, as it’s an item they’d never splurge on themselves but will come in handy hundreds of times throughout their travels.

This travel-sized umbrella has a patented design that helps it to withstand winds (so no more dealing with an annoying flipped-out umbrella). It comes with an over-the-shoulder carry sleeve that can be easily attached to a bag or carried hands-free.

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