41 Gifts Our Favorite Women Travelers Want for the Holidays
This holiday season, we're coming together more than we were able to last year. Many of us are traveling to see family we haven't seen in years. Holiday get-togethers with friends are happening once again. And for all of those gatherings, you're going to need gifts.
Whether you're shopping for the friend who had to postpone her honeymoon, or perhaps the sister who lives abroad that you're finally re-uniting with, we've got something great to gift them, courtesy of some of our favorite female travelers. Food writer Priya Krishna and chef Mariana Velasquez have you covered on artisan chocolate and gorgeous bottles of organic wine. Instagram it-girls Babba Rivera and Stephanie Yeboah are ready with their favorite facial mist and retro sneakers. Holistic health coach Bianca Valle has a knitting kit anyone on your list will love, and you can trust writer Rebekah Peppler's book recommendation to land with everyone in your circle. These gifts come from all over the world, too, so in addition to things loved ones can use on the go—like expert traveler Jessica Nabongo's favorite compression socks—they'll be just as transportive for your girlfriend who is still staying close to home (video maven Mi-Anne Chan has a candle and Meyer lemon tree for that).
Read on for the 41 gifts our favorite women travelers are asking for, and gifting, this holiday season.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Gifts that taste like favorite places
Pasta Faella
Italy sits high on my list of places to visit next year. The cuisine is also one of my favorites, so until I make it there, I'll continue cooking with quality ingredients from the region. Enter Gustiamo, a Bronx-based importer bringing the best Italian foods to the U.S. Anything from their tomato section is phenomenal. The Faella pasta brand and the selection of pickled vegetables from Maida are personal favorites and would be great gifts for the at-home cook or host. —Shanika Hillocks, writer and wine marketer
Souleil "Le Rouge" wine
Whether it is a bottle or a case, wine is a go-to gift—especially when it is organic, French, delicious, and beautifully branded. A bottle of rouge paired with salt-crusted juicy roasted chicken is my idea of the perfect wintery meal. —Mariana Velasquez, author of the new cookbook Colombiana
Vanilla Fennel chocolate bar
I will be getting everyone Madhu Chocolate: beautifully designed, delicious chocolate bars inspired by Indian flavors, and made with high quality spices and cocoa. The Vanilla Fennel is one of my all time favorites, though my partner is partial to the masala chai. —Priya Krishna, food journalist and author of Indian-ish: Recipes and Antics from a Modern American Family
Mosquito Supper Club cookbook
This gift is purely for nostalgic purposes, with the hopes of recreating one of the best meals I have ever had. Melissa Martin, the author and chef, has a restaurant by the same name in New Orleans that celebrates the ingredients, flavors, and customs of her hometown in Cajun country. If you want to go the extra mile, pair this cookbook with tickets to one of Mosquito Supper Club’s communal seatings in New Orleans. I promise you won’t regret it—I still dream about the fried soft shell crab we ate. —Katalina Mayorga, founder of El Camino Travel and owner of The Casa Violeta
Diaspora Co. Spices
Diaspora Co. is changing what we think we know about spices from depth of flavor to origin. I finally got my hands on their single-origin spices and am convinced I'll never go back to store-bought turmeric, black pepper, or black mustard again. —S.H.
Taiwanese Tea Set
A hot cup of oolong tea especially during the winter brings immense comfort and is a huge part of my girlfriend's and my daily routine. My favorite tea room that sources loose leaf oolong tea is Té Company in the West Village. Being there transports me back to the time when my girlfriend and I backpacked through Asia, a highlight [of which was] drinking through the tea fields of Taiwan. Elena and Federico, the owners behind Té Company, did a fantastic job creating this hidden NYC cozy tea room. The [space] just turned five, and they created beautiful oolong tea sets for guests to enjoy at home. Also, they have these pineapple linzer cookies that are to die for. —Moonlynn Tsai, cofounder of Heart of Dinner
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Brightland Olive Oil Duo
Whenever I'm back in Los Angeles, I stock up on products to bring back to France. [I'm] often debating how many Big Boi jars of Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp and bottles of Brightland Olive Oil I can fit in my suitcase. —Rebekah Peppler, Paris-based writer and author of À Table
- Evan Sung
Stick With Me Sweets Bonbon Set
My friend Susanna Yoon, founder of Stick With Me Sweets, was the former head chocolatier of Per Se. She's incredible and one of a handful of BIPOC woman chocolatiers in America. Each of her bonbons are hand-painted and looks like a little painting. Whenever I get a book of her bonbons, no matter when, it feels like a holiday and cause for celebration! —M.T.
Gifts to wear on that 2022 trip
Off Grid sandal
Winter is around the corner, but I am already plotting a tropical escape and I want a pair of these technicolor espadrilles in my bag. Even better—they are designed and made in Puerto Rico with the purpose of contributing to the islands’ social transformation through manufacturing. —K.M.
Starfish print midi-dress
Voluminous sleeves and feminine silhouettes are what I'm all about. Kika Vargas's dreamy dresses are both sweet and edgy, and perfect for transitioning between radically different climates. Throw a trench coat on with sneakers, and arrive in Miami from wintery New York without missing a beat. —M.V.
Marathon Runner sneakers
I love a pair of sneakers that can be versatile—especially when I travel to places that involve a lot of hiking. The Axel Arigato Marathon Runner sneakers have a wonderfully 90's retro aesthetic, but are also incredibly comfortable for both long sightseeing walks around the city and short hikes. —Stephanie Yeboah, body image advocate and writer
Paula Mendoza x Cano Amazonas Choker
I am still obsessed with the Paula Mendoza x Cano collaboration that happened a few years back. Paula is a young amazing designer and Cano is one of the oldest and most respected jewelry companies in Colombia. Paula gave such a fresh and modern twist to some of their oldest designs. I own three pieces but slowly want to collect all from the three collections they've done together. If I were to choose one next, it would be this collar. The creative scene in Bogota, Colombia, is on fire right now and reminds me of what was happening in Mexico City eight to 10 years ago, where it really established itself as this international creative capital. This collar is a reflection of that energy. —K.M.
Busayo Bayo dress
This dress stopped me in my tracks. I love everything about it, from the bold print to the big sleeves to the sleek design. Busayo uses a traditional Yoruba textile dyeing technique called Adire that originated in Nigeria (where the founder, Busayo Olupona, grew up). They make the kind of vibrant, attention-grabbing clothing I want to be wearing all the time. —P.K.
Minor History “The Arc” crossbody
I was never really a bag person until my trip to Paris. Bags felt like an unnecessary add-on, but in Paris they were the whole show everywhere I turned. It's why I'm fixated with this crossbody by Minor History. I can wear the plainest-of-the-plain outfit and still manage to look pulled together with its defined structure. Maybe this one is a little gift for myself! —Laura Delarato, author and creative director
Vim&Vigr compression socks
I've been using Vim&Vigr compression socks for years now for flying and long road trips. I love them because they are fashionable and comfortable, yet effective. They help prevent blood clots and aid blood circulation in your legs when sitting or standing for long periods of time. —Jessica Nabongo, founder of The Catch Me If You Can and The Catch, and the first documented Black woman to visit every country in the world
Universal Standard Kate jumpsuit
Meet my favorite on-the-go jumpsuit—a perfect combination of utility, shape, sharpness, and comfort. As a plus-size traveler, I'm always looking for items that can be worn for a myriad of moments I encounter while I'm exploring a new city, and this is my favorite jumpsuit to gift others looking for the same serviceability. —L.D.
Gifts that make home feel like a vacation
Meyer lemon tree
Something inside me is convinced that getting an indoor Meyer lemon tree will make my Brooklyn apartment feel like Spain or California, or really anywhere else if I squint hard enough. Plus, if the tree actually bears fruit—I’ve read online that it could!—I can make all the preserved lemons I want. —Mi-Anne Chan, video director at Condé Nast Entertainment and freelance beauty writer
Rockers: The Making of Reggae’s Most Iconic Film
Most of my trips this year have been domestic, so I've rekindled travel to beloved [international] destinations in the form of books and film. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Jamaica knows how captivating the country is—it's by far one of my favorite destinations in the world. That said, I recently purchased this beautiful coffee table book, Rockers: The Making of Reggae’s Most Iconic Film (inspired by the film, “Rockers”). It makes a beautiful gift for the well-traveled cinema buff. —S.H.
Pod bowl
As I get ready to plan my holiday entertaining, I’m reaching for a large pod bowl by Fefo Studio to toss up grain salads and heaps of roasted sweet kabocha squash. This bowl is handmade in Brooklyn by an Argentine with a Uruguayan heart, and it transports me back to another life of Southern Cone summers on the beaches of Jose Ignacio. —M.V.
Evergreen candle
Candles are, generally speaking, cost-effective ways to feel transported to a different mental universe. This time of year I'm reaching for scents in the following categories: spa-like (your jasmines, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint), warm (say, coconut milk, orange blossom, sandalwood), and cabin-y (evergreen, lit embers, oak, moss). Mala's collection hits all of these notes. —M.C.
Atlas Colombia granite plates
[I want] a custom order of these pink granite plates from Atlas Colombia that take me back to the interior design and delicious meals at Elly's in Mexico City. These plates are the creation of Colombian industrial designer, Mariana Vieira, who is constantly reinterpreting popular tradition for a modern market while still supporting the work of various artisan communities throughout [her] country. —K.M.
Afrosurf The Book by Mami Wata
On top of my wishlist is Afrosurf, a visually stunning art book by the Mami Wata team. I am always looking for inspiration from niche cultures or movements, and this book is the first of its kind to comprehensively document and celebrate contemporary African surf culture. The book showcases Africa's unique history of wave riding from Morocco to Somalia, Senegal, Mozambique, South Africa, and beyond, which is influenced by a diverse and original expression of indigenous surf culture. —K.M.
Hasami porcelain mug
Ceramics are one of my favorite objects to place in the home—one can travel the world exclusively through pottery alone. This Japanese ceramic company, Hasami, makes clean, multifunctional, minimal designs. I love the quality of their products and how adding even one of their pieces to a table setting creates a mood of tranquility and stillness. Their neutral designs make a great addition to any cupboard. —Ryan Norville, founder of floral design brand Oat Cinnamon
Ginger Wells rug
Much time is spent indoors these days so I've clearly looked inward and embarked on a mission to turn my home into the cozy, colorful haven of my dreams. My kitchen is a sore spot. It's drab, dimly-lit, and dated. But imagine stepping onto this flat-weave rug to do the dishes. Then, closing your eyes and being transported to a quaint home on the coast with a kitchen-sink view of the sea. —M.C.
Indoor/outdoor grill
One of my fondest memories of growing up in Ghana was going to Makola market each Saturday and being inundated with the overwhelming, sweet aroma of grilled corn on the cob. I have been trying to emulate the recipe (and scent) for years and haven't gotten it quite right in my oven, so a portable grill that helps me replicate the snack and takes me back to my childhood would be a dream come true. —S.Y.
I Love Linen duvet cover
I've been investing in not only good quality sheets, but also beautiful linens that can be great mood-boosters and create almost a change of scenery in the home. Australian brand I Love Linen has the most gorgeous selection of lightly-dyed linen sheets and textiles. As we enter the winter, I think these will make the perfect gift for the cold, dark days we will be spending in our apartments. The Clay color duvet is one of my favorites. —R.N.
Bodha Smokeless Ritual Incense
While working from home, I've been utilizing scents to signal various parts of my day from meditation, to work, to turning down for the evening. I just discovered Bodha's Smokeless Ritual Incense in Ground and enjoy burning this to close the work day. The subtle, earthy aroma truly centers me and instantly turns my apartment into a peaceful oasis.—S.H.
Gifts that make us feel pampered
Mixed Emotions perfume
This is the only fragrance I've been wearing lately because it makes me feel like that classy-but-complicated lady you might brush up against at a European cafe and think, I wonder what her story is? On first spray it smells strongly of black currants but as it melts into your skin throughout the day it mellows out to a much more perplexing aroma—berry sweet but rounded with a charred woodiness that feels very I-have-a-house-just-outside-the-city. —M.C.
Snow scrub exfoliator
This is the most gentle exfoliator I have tried—it gets rid of all the dead skin cells without compromising naturally good oils and skin barriers in the process. My skin doesn’t feel raw or stripped after usage, but rather soft and refreshed. —Babba Rivera, founder of Ceremonia hair care
Glossier Futuredew serum
Let me direct you to a serum that also makes you look super glowy. I take this product everywhere with me—it’s a perfect addition to your carry-on, the ideal product to apply in the airport bathroom, the skin saver of the year. It's moisturizing without feeling greasy. —L.D.
Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence mist
I am a big fan of products with more than one function. This is a three-in-one product that can be used as a toner, to set makeup, or just as a refreshing spritz when your skin is in need of a drink. As someone who has dry-prone skin, it's so important to me to lock in moisture and keep my skin hydrated. —B.R.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion
During a road trip last July, I started using the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion and fell in love with the product. Typically, I don’t use sunscreen, but I love this formulation and that it doesn’t leave any streaks on my dark skin. It is light enough that on the hottest and sunniest of days, I use it as a face moisturizer. —J.N.
Sketch Paint palette
In all honesty, I have already gifted this palette to myself but I had to give it a shout out. It's a palette full of water-activated liners that is perfect for graphic eyeliner, funky shapes, or your standard cat eye. I spend a lot of time looking at modern art pieces to inform my makeup looks, and love that this palette helps me turn my own face into a little work of art from time to time. —M.C.
Gifts to carry on
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
As a librarian's kid, books have always been part of the holidays for me. Three that top my list this year are Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, Ripe Figs by Yasmin Khan, and Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón (which isn’t new—it was published in 2015—but, like everything Limón writes, is truly incredible). —R.P.
Knitting kit
Skall studio is a small emerging brand from Copenhagen. The gals who started it have the biggest hearts and best intentions. Supporting them through this kit is a small act with a big impact. —Bianca Valle, nutritionist and author of if nut now, when? zine
Tumi Lance backpack
Tumi has been a brand I’ve relied on for a long time; they produce incredibly stylish, sleek bags that are great quality. They’re the perfect travel bags, and, in hopes of more traveling in my future, I’ve put Tumi’s Lance backpack on my wishlist. —Hawa Hassan, author of In Bibi's Kitchen
Manfrotto Pro Light Reloader Air-50 carry-on
I love being able to capture beautiful images while traveling, but it's always been inconvenient to try and fit my full camera kit in my carry-on. I'm looking into a photographer's traveling bag, and Manfrotto is the leader in camera accessories. The Pro Light Reloader has enough space to store a professional DSLR camera body and up to four lenses, alongside other accessories. —S.Y.
