Holiday Gift Guide 2023: Best Travel Gifts For Crafters

Picture this: Your first flight is delayed, and your connection time is cut in half. If you’re going to make your next flight, you’ll have to hurry. Thankfully, you packed light and only brought a carry-on. Many savvy frequent flyers know that checking luggage can often bring more stress and hassle than necessary—not only are missed connections a possibility with checked luggage, but also, bags sometimes get lost or damaged. Plus, who wants to wait for luggage to round the carousel at the airport baggage claim? Packing light is simply the quickest way to speed through the airport—either to start your vacation or to get home and in your own bed as soon as possible.

A new piece of luggage is a great gift for the traveler in your life. You may not know where and when they will set off in 2024, but a new suitcase will certainly help them get there.

As Cliff Clavin famously said in the series finale of the classic sitcom Cheers, the meaning of life just might be comfortable shoes. At least it certainly feels that way when you need relief from uncomfortable ones. Save the travelers in your life from footwear woes by giving them a gift that can provide comfort well into the new year: a new pair of travel shoes. Whether they like a little sparkle with everything they wear or are looking for practical sneakers, there’s something for everyone in this gift guide.

When shopping for travel and outdoor clothing, keep this golden rule in mind: An article of clothing, be it a shirt, pant, or jacket, must combine four important attributes to make it worthy of a spot in your suitcase or backpack: Versatility, packability, performance/function, and appearance.

Closets organized by seasons, labeled containers in the pantry, shoes laid out by style and color—we all have that friend or loved one who can’t help but organize every element of their life. If you happen to be shopping for such a person this holiday season, there’s no doubt that they’re just as tidy when they travel. Thankfully, there are plenty of accessories to help them maintain their propensity for orderliness while on the move. From a thoughtfully designed toiletry bag to premium TSA-approved containers, these are the best gifts for organized travelers.

Whether you’re traveling with just the phone in your pocket, a new mirrorless camera or 20 lbs. of lenses and accessories these are some great gifts to make your life easier and take better photos in 2024. From photographing Northern Lights in the Arctic or island hopping in the Maldives check out which of these you’ll want with you on your next adventure.

Skipping the buzz—and the calories – has gotten much more enjoyable. Even in the past six months, the non-alcoholic wine space has improved dramatically, with new offerings showing surprising complexity. My list this year includes a couple of debuts and some old favorites. I’ve noted how these beverages were made – some start with fermented grapes – actual wine—then use complex chemistry to remove the alcohol. These might hew closer to a traditional wine to many palates. Then there are beverages that use a mixture of teas, juices, spices or other elements to give the experience of wine – mouthfeel, complex nose and palate. These alternatives are generally not meant to emulate a particular varietal, but rather give the drinker a pleasing adult beverage to enjoy in situations where you’d normally drink wine. Here are this year’s top picks.

Japan is already primed and ready to be the hottest travel destination in 2024.

Compelling books on travel inspire readers to not only learn about destinations and cultures across the globe, but also, lock in that bucket list trip they’ve been dreaming about. As most travelers can attest, exploring a new locale keeps the brain sharp, curiosities peaked, and humanity intact. Much may be gleaned through reading the memoirs, poems, and true tales of adventurers; seeing beautiful photography; and following writers down the rabbit hole, through verdant valleys, and up and over mountain peaks.

Disney and travel just go together! Whether travelers love visiting the Disney theme parks, enjoy having an adventure on a private island during a trip with Disney Cruise Line, or long for a European river cruise from Adventures By Disney, they can experience the magic of Disney all over the world. While the Disney enthusiast in your life satiates their wanderlust, help them enjoy their journeys in style with these fun gifts. There’s something that’s sure to inspire joy for every kind of Disney traveler on your list.

For the boldest explorers, notable achievements in exploration include firsts in reaching the highest, deepest and furthest points on Earth. Locations such as the North Pole, South Pole, Mount Everest, the deepest point on earth, the Mariana trench and the surface of the moon. For those defined by their legacy of polar exploration, these are the best luxury gifts for polar explorers.

Pushing the limits of wilderness exploration can mean extreme weather conditions, hours or days spent outdoors, and lots of pulling and hauling, all to achieve an extraordinary experience. The products you wear, use and carry can be like superpowers that put impossible journeys within reach. Here are the best luxury gifts for exploring the great outdoors: