For some, shopping for Christmas gifts is a breeze.
They count down to December, squirrelling away presents for everyone on their list, calm as their recipient turns wrapping paper into confetti, because they’re safe in the knowledge that they have, emphatically, unquestionably, nailed it.
Most of us cannot relate to such a person. While you may have a vague notion of some gift ideas, hitting the bullseye every single time might as well be an Olympic sport.
Have no fear - that’s what Standard Shopping is here for. We’ve been curating gift guides for years and can rustle up cracking gift suggestions for every name on your list.
The travel-obsessed are such folk. Flitting across time zones with an inbox brimming with trip confirmations and hotel bookings, it can be tough to pin down the perfect gift to make them beam with joy - but not impossible.
Myriad travel-tilted options could appeal, from clever sleep inventions that’ll make night journeys much more comfortable to ANC earbuds that block out the roar of jet engines, both essentials for any business traveller before an important meeting. We’ve scoped innovative tech that means you can skip cheap airline-supplied headphones once and for all, and luggage so luxe there’s no way you’d leave it to the whims of busy baggage handlers.
The guide below has selected items across a wide price range, so whether you’re on a budget or prepared to splash out, you’re bound to find something that suits.
If you’re shopping for someone who has done more round-the-world trips than old Saint Nick, we’ve curated the ultimate travel-themed gift guide all but guaranteed to knock their socks off.
As for you? Prepare to touch down in Smug City.
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Best cabin luggage, tried and tested: Top cabin bags to shop for your flight
Smythson Multi-Zip Case in Panama
Best for: laidback luxury
Slim and compact with playful contrast-coloured zips on either side, luxury stationery Smythson is on hand to help organise your trip with this cross-grain calf leather currency case. There are four compartments within to bring order to receipts, foreign currency, tickets and more, making a quick getaway a streamlined experience. There are seven other colours to choose from, but nothing says Smythson quite like the Lapis.
Buy now £285.00, Smythson
Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend
The Palissy Weekend is an ideal companion for your one or multi-night getaway. It has enough space for all the essentials and then some. Plus, its elegant finish makes it a chic travel companion that looks smart no matter the destination.
Buy now £745.00, Carl Friedrik
Anya Hindmarch In-Flight Travel Bag
Queen of stylish organisation, Anya Hindmarch, has obliterated travel stress with this inflight bag, armed to the handles with special pouches and pockets to keep the essentials so they never get lost. It's made from hard-wearing nylon to stand up to knocks and scrapes, with capra leather trims and gold-tone hardware bringing home the luxe details.
Buy now £695.00, Anya Hindmarch
Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Global Carry-On
Best for: Magicking up extra space
Could this be the perfect flight carry-on? I lived out of this mini Victorinox bag while travelling around the US for two weeks, and it served me admirably.
It's crafted from SORPLAS, a high-performance recycled polycarbonate, which means it’s both light and strong - precisely what you want when you're dashing past other travellers to catch the airport shuttle after landing. The four dual spinner wheels glided along with barely any pressure on the smooth tile of departures lounges and coped well on pavements and cobbled streets too.
The 39L capacity felt roomy enough to fit all my light summer clothing, plus the souvenirs I couldn't resist (safe in the knowledge that the integrated expansion system could create 20 per cent more room if required).
My favourite feature? The front pocket opening, which unzips to reveal the inner half of the main compartment. It meant I could get to toiletries and my powerbank without having to open up the entire bag, a challenging task when flying economy - Abha Shah
Buy now £450.00, Victorinox
Stubble & Co The Roll Top 20L
Best for: flexibility
If you’re headed on a short trip and only need two days' worth of clothes at best, a travel backpack may feel a better option. Carrying everything on your shoulders keeps your back health in check and your hands free for hailing cabs, holding maps and sipping coffee.
We were so impressed with Stubble & Co’s 20L roll top bag on a recent trip, which managed to fit a few jumpers, nightwear and a fresh outfit along with tech and toiletries with room to spare.
The main compartment has open and zipped pockets to stash small but important bits and pieces, while a separate padded space in the back can hold a 16-inch laptop, surrounding it with cushioning to keep the device safe from accidental knocks and bumps.
Oh, and it comes in an array of colours, including a lovely mint green.
Buy now £120.00, Stubble & Co
trtl Pillow Original
There is no comfortable way to sleep upright in planes: fact. Well, it was at least.
Enter trtl’s (turtle) game-changing neck pillow that turns this idea on its head. The design looks like a snood but comes with an internal brace to give your neck the support it needs as you try to catch crucial shut-eye on the journey, be it plane, road or rail.
We tried it on a 12-hour flight to Cape Town, and felt overjoyed to wake up to no neck cricks or back pain. It’s so good that our travel essentials list now reads: passport, ticket, trtl.
If you want to get a step ahead of jetlag and arrive feeling ready to hit the ground running, you need the trtl. Yes, it’s on the expensive side - but that’s what makes it such a great gift for a traveller.
Buy now £39.99, Trtl
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 299.99
The next generation of Bose’s iconic QuietComfort Ultra earbuds do it all and then some.
There are thoughtful upgrades that make wearing them more of a pleasure - wax guards over the ear tips, for instance, as well as a decreased sensitivity on the touch pads. The microphones are finally usable thanks to an AI-powered noise suppression system, which makes taking calls a possibility rather than a hassle. There’s wireless charging, which is a welcome improvement, and while personalisation options abound, it’s also easy to connect them to your phone within a minute and start listening, pretty much immediately.
In terms of sound, QuietComfort II’s are just as good, if not better, than their predecessors. The bass sounds punchy, and the higher notes clean and crisp. When paired with the truly world-beating noise cancellation technology (which succeeds not only in blocking out most sounds but adapting quickly to unexpected ones like sirens), what you have is an excellent all-rounder.
Buy now £299.95, Amazon
Twelve South AirFly Pro
Frequent fliers will love this travel gadget that can be plugged into in-flight entertainment systems and linked to in-ear headphones. The audio tool means you won't have to use grotty airline headphones and can enjoy crisp sound quality through your luxe set instead. It comes with a carry case and a black version is available too.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
Seenda Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
Perfect for working remotely or on the move, this tri-folding keyboard unfurls into a full-size design and comes complete with a touchpad mouse with the ability to right-hand and left-hand click.
The compact folded dimensions make it easy to slip into a weekend bag or backpack, and it pairs with any Bluetooth-supporting device, including iOS and Android handsets. It even comes with a collapsible phone stand to help you create a mini workstation when you’re away from home.
I have very few grumbles about this folding keyboard; it’s probably the most useful thing I’ve ever bought from Amazon. The touchpad mouse takes a little getting used to and it would be nice to see this keyboard in more colours, but these are minor irks.
Similarly, the two-hour charge time is a small price to pay for 150 days of battery life when on standby mode. In all, this folding keyboard is an excellent piece of tech that will raise productivity levels when you’re remote working in the truest sense - and all at a price you just can’t quibble with.
Buy now £28.86, Amazon
INIU Mini Power Bank
It may be teeny, but boy, can this 10,000mAh power bank pack a punch. From INIU and available in a selection of fun pastel and black colours, the fast-charging palm-sized device is a lifesaver for anyone guilty of draining their battery well before the nightly recharge.
Was: £38.99
Buy now £29.68, Amazon
AUNNO Universal Travel Adapter
Why shell out for an adapter in every continent when this little gadget will cover the whole world for you? The highly-rated design offers international plug points from America to Australia, and a couple of USB ports, so you should be able to charge your phone, earbuds and tablet with ease.
It can support fast charging too, and comes with an indicator light so you know when power is flowing (or if you should move to another socket).
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
Prezlock Fingerprint Padlock with Key Backup
When faced with hostel lockers, a padlock is the first line of defence between your stuff and roving thieves. Trouble is, if you lose the key, it'll cost you a heck of a lot more to liberate your things.
This smart padlock comes with a fingerprint scanner to biometrically secure your precious items, a feature that will come in handy should you misplace the included key.
Buy now £59.95, Amazon
Peep Club Heated Eye Wand LED+
With five modes, including light therapy and a warm compress that goes up to a toasty 45°C, Peep Club’s eye wand is an excellent tool for anyone suffering from dry eyes.
The heat should be applied to closed eyes along the lash line, gliding so slowly that it takes around 15 seconds to go from the inner corner to the outer eye. Done correctly, eyes feel hydrated and twinkly after a session, which should only be a few minutes in total.
It’s small enough to keep in your bag for fast relief from hot, tired eyes when you’re on the go or travelling and is USB-C rechargeable.
Buy now £85.00, Victoria Health
Drowsy Breakfast at Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Mask
Theatre at 35,000ft? That's exactly what sleep brand Drowsy is serving with its latest launch, modelled on the mask famously worn in the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
The teal design is party at the front and business at the back with fringing and sequins creating an appealing look on the exterior and eyelash-protecting 3D technology on the skin-facing side.
If you want to make every flight feel like you're flying First, this is a great way to go about it.
Buy now £79.00, Drowsy
SUMMER FRIDAYS Jet Lag Mask
This bad boy works as both a primer and an overnight mask, depending on how much you slather on. Either way, it leaves skin looking nourished and glowy, making you look far more rested than might be the reality.
It comes in a 28g tube and a larger 64g version, so pick the right size based on the length of your trip.
Buy now £26.00, Cult Beauty
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Professional Cleansing Mitts
I've learned the hard way that you're better off not wearing a scrap of makeup before boarding a long-haul flight. Attempting to take it off in the tiny plane loos is always a nightmare, and water splashed out of the sink onto the floor won't win you any friends with your seat neighbours.
If you don't like the idea of going bare-faced, or want to feel refreshed before landing, take Sarah Chapman's cleansing mitts on board.
From the celebrity facialist, they fit snugly over your fingers, allowing you to get right into the contours of your face. You can use them with just water to remove grime, or with a cleanser if you prefer - just don't forget to moisturise afterwards.
Buy now £20.00, Space NK
Patchology On The Fly Kit
The air inside a cabin is notoriously dry. Make like the A-listers and stick a mask on once you're at 35,000 feet. Patchology has put together this bundle to answer any airborne beauty woes, from undereye masks to lip patches.
Buy now £20.00, Space NK
This Works In Transit No Traces
These 100 per cent biodegradable makeup remover pads come drenched in rosewater and calming echium oil to cleanse your face quickly, easily and gently when you're on the go. Each pot contains 80 pads, enough to see you through long-haul trips and short breaks alike.
Use one pad for each side of the face, lightly pressing it down over the eyes to remove locked-on makeup.
Buy now £14.40, Amazon
