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Aug 30, 2023

20 Stocking Stuffers Travelers Will Love For $20 Or Less

The holidays are almost here. Do you need a gift for a traveler in your life? If

The holidays are almost here. Do you need a gift for a traveler in your life? If so, my elves and I have been clicking through Amazon's pages, looking for little treasures travelers will be delighted to receive and use over and over.

Many of our gems are great stocking stuffers that even non-travelers will like. I think the personalized tote bag would be ideal for a teacher. How about a monogrammed water bottle for the coach? The standout luggage tags will be appreciated by anyone carrying a pack, computer bag, or briefcase.

Check out this list; I bet you can do much of your holiday shopping in one session from the comfort of your PJs and slippers. Best of all, they are $20 or less!

These personalized straps are fantastic. Kevin and I use these on our bags, even on road trips. They make your bag easy to spot on the luggage carousel. With many look-alike bags on planes and trains, a personalized strap reduces the "Oops, this isn't my bag" mixups. They are made from a woven, stretchy fabric. White letters are woven into red or blue.

Pro Tip: Order these stocking stuffers at least 10 days before you need them. Each belt is made to order.

Picnic, shopping, carry-on, beach, or grocery market, everyone needs a tote when traveling. A personalized bag with a prominent initial will be treasured and used in many ways. Several styles can be monogrammed with an initial or name. They come in canvas and burlap styles and are well-made, including reinforced seams, handles, and bag bottoms.

This clever gadget offers comfort and easy ID of your bags. The six bright colors are easily identifiable on the proverbial carousel or overhead. They also add padding to luggage handles, making them easier to grip and easier on your hands. They are especially nice wrapped around a heavy bag's attached grips.

This water bottle has it all, plus your name. Your travelers will appreciate this monogrammed stainless steel water bottle. The 32-ounce double-walled bottle will keep beverages hot for 12 hours and cold for 24. It has a removable straw and a flip-top spout. It comes in a variety of gradient and solid colors. Twenty different fonts can be used for names.

How many times have you seen luggage precisely like yours when traveling? A unique luggage tag is one way of making the ordinary bag look different. Twenty-four bright and unusual patterns will make that black bag stand out in the crowd. My favorite feature is the stainless-steel loop lock. It makes it easy to attach and remove the tags for use on different luggage.

Who do you know that's taking a cruise after the holidays? Maybe it's you. Whether for your stocking or a friend's, the special-sized cruise ship bag tag holders are a cruiser's must-have. Because they seal at the top, the clear plastic tag holders keep your cruise ship-issued paper tags clean and dry. The braided stainless-steel attaching loop passes through a metal grommet and screws closed.

Men, women, boys, and girls will love this hanging toiletry bag. It has numerous zippered pockets with mesh fronts. The hanging bag keeps things within reach and organized in those small hotel bathrooms. When hung on the built-in hook, the rolled size of 5.5 x 11 inches becomes 26 x 11 inches. Load it up with shaving gear, cosmetics, jewelry, first aid items, baby needs, or toys; it is one of the most helpful travel gifts I know of.

They won't leak or be confiscated going through airport security. At 3 fluid ounces, they are TSA-compliant for carry-on toiletries. Made of food-grade silicone, the squeezable container controls the amount of liquid or cream dispensed — no sudden floods.

Can you be in love with a toothbrush? I admit it; I am. All my traveler friends are getting this foldable toothbrush. I’ve ordered several sets of two. It has the usual toothbrush features, including a tongue cleaner. With some unfolding, the handle becomes the case.

Whether grooming a beard or curling your lashes, a mirror can be handy when the bathroom is occupied, or the campsite doesn't come with a mirror. This stocking stuffer comes in four sizes, from 3.3 to 7 inches; all are lightweight and have a cover that converts to a stand. All are under $10.

Don't laugh until you’ve tried one. One hundred percent memory foam, this pillow gives you 360-degree support and can be a real neck-saver on a long flight. In addition, the chin support keeps your head from falling forward (something that always wakes me up). The pillow comes in 13 colors with a black carry bag.

The first thing Kevin and I do once in our plane seats is put on our "cabin slippers" for the remainder of the flight. While shopping on Amazon, I found these unisex rubber sole shoes that make perfect cabin slippers. The upper is made of stretchable, moisture-wicking mesh. The sole is lightweight rubber with a non-slip pattern for safety. The shoe's heel collar is elasticized to prevent slipping off your foot. They make good house shoes for any room when not being worn in an airplane cabin.

Anyone you know who travels with electronic devices will adore this stocking stuffer. The waterproof case can hold cables, chargers, power banks, phones, readers, batteries, et cetera. Available in 18 colors, there are folded and zippered styles with mesh pockets and pouches.

Whether you are a folder, a roller, or a stuffer, packing cubes are your best friend when traveling. Using them can keep things organized and keeps you from digging through a heap in your suitcase.

There are hundreds of sets of cubes on the market with prices ranging from too cheap-to-believe to ooh-wee-baby. I selected these bags because they come in various sizes and shapes — even a shoe bag. The bag hardware is lightweight but durable. I like the attached grip on the four largest bags. The see-through tops are helpful. The nylon fabric is washable. They come in sets of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. There are 17 solid colors and four patterns offered.

This handy device wasn't on anyone's radar a few years ago. You checked your bags and weren't concerned about weight. Today, even carry-ons have a weight limit on most airlines. So the compact digital scale can save you lots of money in overweight fees. It operates with the included battery and has a non-slip handle and loop for hanging a bag from the scale.

Compression bags are helpful, especially when traveling in more than one climate or with bulky items like ski clothes, down vests, or bedding. I use one for my dirty clothes; I’ve worn them, and I don't care if they get wrinkled. These bags come in sets of 8, 10, 12, 16, and 18. Each grouping has a variety of sizes.

We need luggage locks, and TSA sometimes needs to get into our bags. Drop a couple of these TSA-approved locks in your favorite travelers’ stockings. TSA has the secret to unlocking then relocking the Master Lock. I also like the combination as opposed to keys.

All international travelers need plug adaptors for their electronic gear. I recommend you have one plug adaptor for each electric device. So, load ’em up with this universal adaptor that can be used in plug types A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K.

Who wants to do laundry while traveling? No one, but even your swim trunks need a place to dry. This stretchy line with attached clothes pins takes up very little space or weight at 7 ounces. Stretch it to 12 feet and dry your travel laundry in style.

Let's face it, it is the easiest way to shop without starting the car, not to mention a selection of gifts for all interests and budgets.

Happy holidays, everyone. May your stocking be filled with plane tickets, train tickets, and hotel reservations!

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