travel gift diy

15 Insanely Creative DIY Travel Projects and Gifts to Make Right Now

• life at home / Travel Gear

How is your sanity these days? Jacob is going crazy with cabin fever. Me, however? I feel right at home (pun intended) with my puzzles, painting, and crafts. Today, we’re sharing our favorite DIY travel projects we’ve made and plan to make during our quarantine. 

This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure  for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: April 9, 2020

As you already know, no one can travel right now, so it’s the perfect time to get crafty for your future trips.

1. DIY Taco Cord

We had first seen a version of them sold at a store and thought how cute would they be if they looked like actual tacos. You may have seen similar ones around the web, but we were super proud that we were the first ones to be crafty enough to come up with this alternative. ;)

Materials You Need: Gold Leather (3.5 x 9.5 to make 3), Acrylic Felt (Green, Yellow, Brown, Red),  Snap Buttons + Attacher Kit , Fabric Scissors , Hot Glue Gun , Hammer , X-acto Knife , Pen

Instructions: How to Make the Cutest DIY Cord Tacos for Your Next Flight

2. Flat Iron or Curling Iron Holder

This is by far the easiest and cheapest tutorial. You can head to the nearest dollar store and pick up a potholder.

Materials You Need: Potholder, Needle and Thread

Instructions: Fold the potholder in half and sew the bottom and the sides. As a bonus, you can also decorate it as you like.

Pro Tip: Acrylic paint works as a great alternative to fabric paint. You can use a fabric medium to thin it out, but it worked perfectly fine on its own.

3. Travel Watercolor Set

Lately, I’ve been using youtube tutorials to teach myself how to watercolor. I’ve only been painting at home, but eventually, when we visit beautiful landscapes I would love to sit and paint. It’ll be a great way to be more present.

Materials You Need: Altoids Tin (the classic one), InstaMorph , Watercolors (this is a great beginner’s set I use)

Pro Tip:   This water brush pen pairs great with this DIY since you don’t have to carry a cup of water with you.

Instructions: How to Make a DIY Travel Watercolor Set

4. DIY Kindle Case or DIY iPad Case

This tutorial was for an iPad cover, but you can also measure your device and modify the tutorial as needed.

Materials You Need: Heavy Chipboard , Fabric (this one is travel inspired), One inch Elastic , Sewing Machine (or you can hand sew)

I also found these amazing handmade book covers on Etsy , and there’s a high chance I’m going to buy one. 

I’m trying to find a way if we can make a DIY version, which requires us to find vintage books that are roughly the same size as a kindle. We’ll be on the lookout once the quarantine is over.

5. Adventure Together Map Art

This is another one I saw on Etsy, which is such a great place to find DIY inspiration. You can do a paper cut out version or a digital version, but I think a digital version is too much of a copy rather than a DIY. What do you think?

Materials You Need: Map, Colored Cardstock , Glue , Scissors

I suggest you go thrifting for a map, or it won’t be cost-effective. We used our old Rand McNally.

6. DIY Scratch Map

We love scratch maps and already have two world scratch maps and a US scratch map in our home. I didn’t realize until recently that you can make your very own.

Materials You Need: World Map, Contact Paper, Acrylic Paint, Dishwashing Soap, Candle, Brush

You can find the instructions here .

7. Packing Cube

Packing cubes travel with us everywhere. Not only do they keep all your things organized, but with their compression, you can pack in so much more.

Materials You Need: Rip Stop Nylon (1/2 yard), Mesh Fabric (1/3 yard), Zipper 36″, Iron on Vinyl 

Find the instructions here or here .

Pro Tip:  Our biggest concern for this DIY would be how they hold up since we typically stuff them to the brim. These are the ones we currently use, and they are super sturdy.

8. Travel Neck Pillow

We never travel with neck pillows, because we like to pack light and they are bulky. Instead, we use a hack and stuff our puffy jacket into a pocket to use as a pillow. We do, however, know plenty of people who love traveling with neck pillows, and this  DIY Buckwheat Travel Pillow by SewDIY is perfect.

9. DIY Passport Holder

Passport covers don’t just make your passport look pretty. They protect it from wear and tear. Here’s a lovely DIY passport holder tutorial by Lovely Indeed.

10. DIY Luggage Tags

A luggage tag is a great way to let your luggage stand out. It’s also useful to keep your phone number in case the airline loses it, which has happened to us a few times. Here’s a beautiful DIY luggage tag tutorial to give your luggage some bling.

11. Jewelry Roll + Case

If you bring a lot of jewelry with you, this mini jewelry roll tutorial from Haberdashery Fun is a great way to keep them organized. It can also be used at home to store your essential jewelry too.

12. Sunglass Case

Sunglasses are an essential travel item. While I tend to toss them freely in a bag, I could give them more love and care. I think this cute  DIY sunglass case tutorial by DIYCandy  would do the trick.

13. Eyemask

14. sewing kit (ty).

Is this DIY travel project not purrrfect? (Sorry I had to). Of course, you can decorate it with something other than a kitty, but do you really want to lose then pun? You can find the DIY Sewing Kitty tutorial here . Photo courtesy of Sew4Home .

15. DIY Vintage Book Travel Tech Organizer

This DIY travel tech organizer will also have to wait until the quarantine is over so we can go thrifting and look for vintage books. 

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More DIY Travel Projects

If you’re extra crafty and have finished all the above projects, here are plenty more to work on:

• Bow Scrunchies
• Blanket Scarf
• Changing Pad (kids)
• Earring Case
• Pocket Travel Journal
• Scarf Camera Strap
• Slim Travel Wallet
• Snack Pouches
• Toothbrush Travel Wrap
• Tissue Holder
• Travel Bingo
• Travel Candle
• Vintage Postcard Travel Journal
• Washi Tape Handle Wraps

More DIY Travel Projects for the Home

• Chalkboard Globe
• Clipboard Instagram Photo Frame
• Painted Globe
• Paper Globe
• Passport Wall Art
• Travel Keepsake Box
• Travel Shadow Box
• Vintage Postcards Tray

MAP DIY PROJECTS

• Magnets ( one and two )
• Personalized Photo Map
• Picture Map
• Tile Coasters
• United Colors of Love World Map
• Wooden Travel Map

More Resources

• Beginners Sewing – The Basics
• Learn How to Sew by Hand: Six Basic Hand Stitches

Have you made any of these DIY travel projects? Which one would you fnd the most useful?

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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19 Gorgeous Travel-Inspired DIY Projects

Last Updated: March 31, 2021

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

When I’m not travelling, one of the things that keeps me sane is surrounding myself with travel inspiration in all forms, whether it’s obsessively reading blogs or adding worldly touches to my home decor ( like this stupidly adorable savings bank shaped like a suitcase ).

And so, in the spirit of treating roamsickness with more travel dreams (probably a terrible idea but idk I’m not a doctor), here’s a roundup of some of the most beautiful and wickedly awesome  travel-related DIY projects that I could scour on the interwebs. 

Pin these ideas for later:

1. Dazzling light-up world map

Through an absolutely genius use of Christmas lights, this beautiful map by Hazel and Ruby showcases where you’ve been in the world and is brilliantly customizable and simple to create. Bonus points for their lovely travel-themed display, and sweet globe collection.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/367958232030782233[/pin]

2. DIY Vintage Pushpin Map

This simple and tasteful way to showcase your wanderlust is absolutely perfect. I am in  love  with DIY Vintage Pushpin Map from Mountain Modern Life  because it’s minimalist enough to avoid tackiness, while still showing off your love of travel and all the places you’ve been. I can’t wait to put one of these up on my wall!

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/676454806509937500/[/pin]

3. Personalized photo map

This adorable photo map from Adventurista AZ is so cute, it almost makes me want to vomit!  Seriously, can you handle the nauseating sweetness? Admittedly, this is a genius idea that I wish I had come up with first, but this one’s no doubt going on my (ahem *secret*) travel-themed wedding Pinterest board

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/223983781455969170/[/pin]

4. Miniature map magnets

These mini map magnets from Surviving a Teacher’s Salary are not just adorable, but also rather classy (like a posh chihuahua having high tea). They can be made in just a few minutes, so they’re ideal for a quick and easy gift for that travel lover in your life.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/751678994045869073/[/pin]

5. … and more map magnets

For a simple and clean alternative, these other glass map magnets from The Happy Housie  are a brilliant way to subtly incorporate your wanderlust all around the house.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/267119821636926223/[/pin]

5. Travel Keepsake Boxes

Minimalist and simple, these keepsake boxes from Martha Stewart are a smart way to keep all those random knick knacks and ticket stubs organized from each trip! Plus they look absolutely smashing on a shelf.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/155866837091346391/[/pin]

6. Map keychain

A cute everyday reminder of a place you love! An easy tutorial can be found here on Sustain My Craft Habit.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/515873332317037559/[/pin]

7. Pocket travel journal

This crafty DIY travel journal from Simple as That is the perfect way to keep track of travel memories on the go. Plus you can easily make it your own through different photos, paper patterns and fonts. Need some inspiration? I’m obsessed with this beautiful travel-themed scrapbook paper from K&Company.  Imagine all these prints in a journal! *swoon*

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/287386019955091488/[/pin]

8. Travel-themed gallery wall

Surround yourself with precious travel memories by turning them into clean and gorgeous wall art. I love this example and tutorial from Live Laugh Rowe. 

If you want an instantly fancy look without all the work,  this gold foil Wanderlust print  is to die for… and  it even comes in silver.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/78320481009306053/[/pin]

9. Travel shadow boxes

An arsty way to put your best photos, memories, stubs and more on display! This tutorial from Kelly Purkey shows you how to do it. Although I think the 20 euros in the corner here would be better spent on waffles.

PRO TIP: I’ve found that shadow boxes are always pricier at craft stores than online. Amazon has loads of affordable options. Click here to check them out!

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/80361174576241225/[/pin]

10. Upcycled hand-painted globe

Such a great way to breathe new life into an outdated globe! Click here to see a tutorial from Houseologie on how it’s done. BTW if you’re like “but I don’t have a globe”, let me shun your excuses with this wide selection of globes for under $20 on Amazon . You’re welcome.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/519813981975508903/[/pin]

11. Map and travel shelf

A great way to jazz up any shelf, especially one that’s holding travel souvenirs. Here’s an easy how-to from Home Road.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/335940453455740232/[/pin]

12. Souvenir showcase jars

I love this creative method of putting photos and souvenirs on display, especially for beach vacations. Here’s how you make them.

The snazzy sealable mason jars are easy to find too! You can easily get them in any size on Amazon. Click here to see the options.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/314970567693876414/[/pin]

13. Wooden travel map

Another great way to keep track of your travels. I love the cozy, wooden look and the hand-painted lettering. Here’s how you can make your own. 

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/255579347582861131/[/pin]

14. Mason Jar Map Ornament

This gorgeous Christmas ornament idea is the perfect way to upcycle some maps and mason jars! Check out this easy to follow tutorial via Happy Mothering for a step by step on how to make them:

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/12173861479584616/[/pin]

15. Easy DIY Passport Holder

Looking to make your own passport holder to keep your most beloved possession nice and safe? It’s actually not that complicated. This tutorial comes with a free sewing pattern that you can easily customize to suit your needs!

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/206813807874893666/[/pin]

16. Suitcase table

To be honest, if I had this adorable coffee table in my house I would probably never leave. Here’s how you make your own.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/142918988154383089/[/pin]

17. Postcard Recipe Box Dividers

A wonderful way to make use of the postcards you collect! These beautiful postcard recipe box dividers are seriously adorable , and a perfect way to preserve your best travel memories.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/231583605822616465/[/pin]

18. Map heart art

Simple yet so cute. Would be a cool idea to showcase your favourite parts of the world. Here’s House of Mahalo’s tutorial showing how you can have your own in a few minutes.

All you need is a map, some glue, and a cheap white frame ( here’s a nice one off of Amazon ).

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/671880838148333573/[/pin]

19. Travel cord organizer

As someone who has spent probably hours over her lifetime untangling cords, this brilliant DIY is a must for those constantly on the go. Here’s a tutorial on how to make one of these organizers for yourself, courtesy of Create and Craft.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/216032113361961175/[/pin]

If you’re still with me (and not already reaching for that Mod Podge and glue gun), thanks for reading!

Let me know in the comments if I’ve missed any of your awesome DIY travel-related projects. I’m always on the hunt for more to add on my list!

Fishing for more travel decor inspiration?

Click here for  16 ridiculously beautiful travel prints from Etsy .

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

49 thoughts on “19 Gorgeous Travel-Inspired DIY Projects”

Ahhh I loved this post! These are such great ideas! My favourites are the personalised photo map and the travel keepsake boxes… How cute! Amazing ways to keep our travel memories alive 🙂 x

This is absolutely amazing ! I loved the one where you attach photos to the countries that you visited! I will definitely try it out!

Great stuff! My daughter’s party theme this year is travel (she’s 4 and has been traveling all over the world!), and I might use some of these ideas. Thanks for sharing!

What an awesome theme for a birthday party!! I hope you take plenty of photos and blog about it 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

This is awesome! I love the photo wall, I’ve been collecting postcards as o go so that when I finally settle for more than 6 months I can do that! Great post 🙂

Thanks, Lauren! Yes isn’t the photo wall gorgeous? I used to collect postcards too but these days I prefer to just take photos of my own that I really love. My plan is to one day print my favourites out, frame them and make a massive gallery wall. So many ideas!! 🙂

Omg stop as soon as I have a home again after this trip I’m doing ALL OF THESE. I’m so stoked! Loved this post!!

What a great post! These are some great craft ideas… Totally pinning for later 😉 Thank you!

I love the travel jars – I actually started doing something very similar myself but with smaller craft jars. When I was about to leave the UAE where I had been living and working for eight months, I took some of the sand from our beach and our volleyball pitch and kept a few teeny tiny shells. I also looked after our fish tanks and had a pet hermit crab: when he met his final end, I kept his claw (possibly slightly weird?!) and the operculum from one of our snails that the before mentioned hermit crab ate, and stuck them all in the jar. I also had some absolutely tiny glass bottles for using in jewellery craft, and I put sand and two miniscule shells in them, and gifted them to my team before I left 🙂

Wow what a thoughtful and beautiful goodbye gift!! Those sound really beautiful, and such a good way to make use of souvenirs that would otherwise sit and collect dust. I’m guilty of hoarding random bits wherever I go, so to make them into something decorative would at least make my hoarding habit productive haha.

oh wow! love these ideas:)

Happy to hear that, Tanja!! Hope you get to try a few out.

Love this post! Definitely pinning it on my board “After Travel”. 🙂 How cute is the map and travel shelf?! Will be doing that myself! Once. If I have time. Love the wooden travel map as well, and the gallery wall of course! So many great ideas, so little time. Thanks for this awesome collection of great travel related DIY ideas!

An ‘After Travel’ board is such a good idea!! I find that surrounding myself with travel memories/travel-inspired decor helps a lot with post-holiday blues… that and obsessive Pinteresting of course haha.

oh my god!!! those are so amazing! love all of them so much! now i’ll need a bigger home to fit all of them into my place 😀 I actually do have a travel diy project as well where i live. it is a string art map pinned on my wall!

Oooh I’ve seen some of those online. They’re cool as well!! My friend has a corkboard map with custom location pins. It’s really neat.

I love these! 4 5 and 6 are my favourites! #6 is such a great way to store all though travel bits and bobs! ❤

So hard to pick favourites! But yes those ones are great… and honestly so simple and genius. I have tons of random things I’ve collected over my travels so it’s always good to find ideas on how to put them to use (rather than have them collect dust).

I love the ideas and I’m gonna save some of those for our future apartment decoration! I wish we had tons of old suitcases so I could make a coffee table for every single room!

Hahah that was my thought too… “Dang where do I buy vintage suitcases in bulk?” Happy crafting!! 🙂

Nice and inspiring post! I really love the globe :-).

Thanks Kimberley! Happy you liked it 🙂

Loving the ideas! I started doing a travel scrapbook about all my past travels 🙂

Ahh I used to love scrapbooking! I have a massive collection of papers and stickers but haven’t really sat down to make anything in the past few years. I should definitely get back into it.

So I’ve read this just as I’m settling in for a full day of work… Now all I can think about is travel and how much I want all of these things in my life… I applaud you for your distraction worth and wanderlust inducing post! Now, which should I make first? ;-P

Choosing is too tough so I would go with… all of them 😉

I love all of these ideas!

Thanks for reading, Rachel! 🙂

Whoa!!! I can’t wait to have a home base so I can do some of these wonderful maps haha

Haha cool map decor is one of the very few things that makes a travel blogger actually want a home base 😛

You made such an awesome list! I am definitely going to try atleast some of these out. You actually gave me a healthy amount of ideas for home- decor!

So many great ideas. Need to do that suitcase table

Wow some fantastic ideas here. Thanks. I already put pins in my map of the world but I love the idea of the luggage labels with the photos. I was wondering how to attach photos to the places in a nice way. I have now found my way. Another which jumped out at me is the suitcase table. So beautiful. Thanks you so much for sharing these wonderful ideas.

Some fantastic ideas here Christina! I love the idea of the keepsake boxes. They would be wonderful to look through years later.

These ideas are all so perfect I just want to do them all! I think I’ll start with the Postcard Travel Journal 🙂

I only need to decide now what project to start first! Love your collection of ideas and have shared on my fb page for my travel loving readers also 🙂 Annette

Thanks for sharing, Annette! 🙂

So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome! Thanks for reading 🙂

These are so cute!! I have a map and postcard obsession.

Haha same here! hope you got a few good ideas for future projects 🙂

This blog is really cool. I have bookmarked it. Do you allow guest post on your site ? I can provide high quality posts for you. Let me know.

Just found you through Meg Cale who mentioned you on Facebook!

Love this post and all about reading your Start Here and other posts!

Love these ideas!!

I love these ideas! My husband has been collecting globes for decades (think about that – he’s pretty old) and I am going to use these ideas to give his office some pizzazz. Here’s my question: Where do you even get maps these days? Everything is on the internet, even though I love maps. If you have suggestions, I would love to know. Thanks. Jean Ann

Hey Jean, that is awesome! He must have such a huge collection by now. RE: The maps – depending on what kind of maps you’re looking for, you can easily buy them online. Amazon would be a good bet I think!

Hey Christina your blogs are awesome! I can see you have 74k shares of this post on pinterest! Congrats!! Can you guide me on how you do such amazing work on pinterest?

Hey Sankalp, I actually run a social media blog with another amazing blogger (who is a Pinterest specialist). Check it out for loads of tips: https://slayingsocial.com/

Wow, these DIY projects are really beautiful. DIY projects are attracting me. So, I’m waiting for your upcoming DIY posts. Thank you for sharing this post.

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Homemade Travel Gifts

If you’re like me, you may not like the idea of mindless swapping of useless gifts at Christmastime. I prefer to give something practical, even if it’s socks. Socks are a great gift! But maybe that’s because my feet are cold right now. Better than a deeply practical gift is one that is practical and thoughtful. If it can also be homemade, then–only then–do we reach true gift greatness. The homemade practical thoughtful gift. So today I’m thinking of the most practical things I would like to receive, homemade travel gifts.

If you’ve got a traveler on your list, it’s easy to think of lots of great gift ideas, which I’ve written about here . The main tactic I suggest is bringing an element of comfort and personalization to the traveler in your life. Travel can be hard on a person and receiving a homemade travel gift can brighten an otherwise gloomy hotel room, flight or train ride. Adding a homemade dimension may not come to you easily, but I have some ideas to get you started. Many of these homemade travel gifts are really fast to put together and would be good last-minute projects or projects for kids to make for a traveling parent.

Personalized Pillow Case- As you may know already, I like to travel with my own pillow. I was finding that it was easy to lose pillows in the flurry of packing up, so I started putting bright pillowcases on to remind me not to leave it yet again. I started writing my name on the pillowcase in Sharpie, then decided to let my kids draw on it too. And voila! The best travel gift for a parent was born. My kids have made a couple of these for me, and sleeping with a pillow covered in their drawings is what I need most sometimes. All it takes is a pillowcase and fabric markers . Sharpies work too.

I like to get the pillow covers with a zipper on one end, and then I use it as my laundry sack on laundry day. If they don’t have one already, add a nice down pillow to the gift. Don’t get a pillow that is very expensive, you want low fill so that it packs well. Also be extra careful to avoid feather pillows, those are horribly pokey and heavy too. This is the one  that I carry in my bag.If the traveler in your life doesn’t bring a pillow, you can make them a pillowcase anyhow to use as a zippered laundry sack. If you’re not into drawing, you can use photo transfer paper in your printer to make iron-on images.

Custom T-Shirt- Speaking of iron-on images, remember back in the 70’s and early 80’s when going to the Iron-On T-Shirt shop at the mall was all the rage? I remember how exciting it was to personalize my own shirt, I can even recall that burning plastic smell as they put the shirt in the big iron machine! Or maybe that was just MY childhood. Anyhow, you can live or relive this experience in your own home, and make a fun Christmas present at the same time. Using the iron-on photo transfer paper mentioned above, you can print out family or travel photos and make a cool t-shirt or personalized pajama shirt for your traveler. Just print, cut out the images, arrange on a blank t-shirt and iron. This is also a great way to transfer art onto cloth, just take a picture and print.

Personalized Luggage Tags- This is a simple project for even the most inexperienced crafter. You can buy these nifty self-laminating luggage tags , they are very easy to use. Find a great photo, kid’s art or even flower petals, and arrange them on one side, with an address label or business card on the other and then seal the label. Easy-peasy. I’d suggest you use really bright colors on this so that it will stand out at the luggage carousel. Glitter anyone?

Handmade Tablet Cover- If the traveler on your list carries a tablet, which they should, help them protect their tablet on the road. The normal covering isn’t enough, as I have found out the hard way. It’s nice to have a pocket to slip your tablet in to keep it dirt-free. Making one is pretty simple, even those with few skills can do it. Your first option is to use felt, which is available at most craft stores. Find out the dimensions of the tablet, then cut a piece of felt that is twice the size plus 2 inches.

For example, if you have a tablet that is 6 inches by 8 inches, you’d cut a rectangle 14 by 18 inches. Fold it into an envelope shape and stitch up the sides, then add a fastener at the opening, like a button or velcro. You can embellish it with travel patches or felt shapes if you wish. This would be a great project for a crafty kid that can do a little sewing.Knitters can also use their skills for the same task. Knit a rectangle to the dimensions you calculate as above, then stitch the sides and add a button. My best girlfriend made me one for my Kindle in a cozy dyed yarn, my favorite kind for knitting or gifting, Manos del Uruguay . It’s like socks for your electronics! Socks! Knitters can also make lovely homemade socks as gifts. Yeah, my feet are still cold.

“Box of Awesome” Emergency Kit- Over the years I have cultivated a little emergency kit for my purse that I like to call the Box of Awesome. It can fix most minor travel emergencies, and a few major ones. I wrote about it a while ago, which you can read  HERE , and I encourage you to steal this idea. The basic idea is to buy a simple first aid kit, I like the little one from Johnson and Johnson , and then add extras to it that will solve small problems. I carry tiny scissors , safety pins, glasses screwdriver and screws , tiny tubes of Crazy Glue , moleskin , a little tube with medicines, twist ties, dental floss, excellent tweezers and a sewing kit, just to name a few. THIS little sewing kit comes with the scissors and pins, I’ve also just used the little sewing kit from the toiletries basket in hotel rooms. You can come up with your own additions, personalized to the traveler. A lot of this stuff you may already have in your house. This is a great gift, as I think every traveler should have something like it. I’ve made them for my car and purse at home, and I should probably make them for my kids’ backpacks too. Gifts for everyone! If you’re not feeling like assembling one yourself, ricksteves.com sells something similar.

”Bling” a Bag- If you’re giving a new travel bag to a friend, give it a more broken-in feeling by adding some travel patches. You can get them just about anywhere, even your hometown.

If you want a more exotic look but forgot to buy travel patches on your last trip, never fear, the Internet has got you covered.  This one  is on my list for my bag. Sorry, the cool Rick Steves Tours patches are not for sale, you have to come on a tour with me!

Photo Water Bottle- Most people like to bring a water bottle with them to refill as they go, which is a great thing to have in Europe, especially since there are plenty of public water fountains. Water bottles all seem to look alike, but you can make a unique one with family photos, one that is less likely to be lost or stolen. The ones you can have made at Walmart Photo are a good deal. You’ll need to order this ahead of time. Don’t have time to order ahead? You can also make this yourself, using pictures or your own collage with a personalized  water bottle kit . 

Travel Memory Ornaments- I’ve always wondered what to do with those ticket stubs, bus tickets and odd-n-ends I bring home in my bag. They are too pretty to toss, but I’m not a scrapbooker. I’ve found these fun clear plastic ornaments at the craft store with removable tops or halves that come apart.

You can cut your scraps to fit the shape of the ornament, then roll and insert into the globe, done in 5 minutes. Add glitter if you are that sort of person. You could do a whole set of them with map fragments and ticket stubs for a travel-themed Christmas tree, or give them as gifts. Geez, now that I’m thinking of it, wouldn’t it be super cool to make a paper chain out of maps from your travels? I am totally going to do that next year, after I raid the TI in Rome and load up on maps!

Bookmarks- I do love my tablet, but I’ll always love paper books more and usually travel with one. If you find me reading somewhere in Europe, I’ve normally got a business card  stuffed hastily in my book as an impromptu bookmark. But that got me thinking, why not use fun museum or bus tickets, maps or brochures and make a proper bookmark? For this, you’ll need clear Contact Paper, available here or at somewhere like Target. Cut two pieces about 2 inches by 6 inches. Peel back the paper and stick your scraps on, leaving a border of at least 1/4 inch. Peel off the other piece and carefully lay it on top, matching sides, then seal. Trim the edges and you’re done.Now that you’ve got a bookmark, what else can you give that favorite traveller of yours? Why, books of course! Stay tuned, I’ll be loading you up with book suggestions for Christmas gifts…or maybe just for yourself.Happy crafting everyone. Let me know if you come up with some other cool, homemade travel gifts ideas and I’ll add them to the list.  

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Recommended for you, an introduction to the history of sardinia italy.

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Great ideas- I’ll have to get busy…. um more busy. Thanks for your hand made print- I received it in the mail the other day- a perfect one as Venice is on my bucket list- I’ll have to frame and hang it where I can see it and dream of a future trip, its not IF I get there, but a matter of when. Thanks for keeping the dream alive.

I love the idea of making travel Christmas ornaments! Our Christmas tree is a mish mash of ornaments gathered on travels! They would be even more memorable made with tickets or pictures!

Yeah, I thought of this the other day and I think I’m going to decorate my whole tree like that!

Wow!! I’m not remotely crafty…but have waaaay too many nifty ticket stubs, will be looking for contact paper and clear ornament balls! Great ideas, thank-you!!

I like using ticket stubs featuring beautiful art, places, sights, buildings with peel and stick magnet paper. Very easy to cut to whatever size needed and voila, Monet’s garden is featured on my refrigerator.

I’m interested in buying a travel pillow. The one linked here is $53.99, but the one that you mentioned in September was $20. Could you clarify please?

Hi Kathy, The one I’ve linked to is the one I have, but I paid around $20 for it on sale. You want the cheapest one that is still down and not feather, which is a tricky combination to find, but is possible. Check out Bed Bath and Beyond or Macy’s on a sale day, or check back at the Amazon link, their prices fluctuate wildly. I expect the prices to drop in January during white sales.

YES! As soon as you said the smell from putting the t-shirt into that big hot pressing machine to apply the decal I could SMELL it too! I also prefer gifts that are utilitarian – in fact last year my family got me some dressy girly purses and I returned them in exchange for flash drives to back up my travel photos 🙂

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60 Useful Road Trip Gifts and Basket Ideas for Travelers in 2023

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: March 2, 2023

Planning a road trip or know someone who is traveling soon? For travelers that are heading out soon, how about you surprise them with some road trip gifts — perhaps you’ll even make them a road trip gift basket! As someone who has taken dozens of roadtrips, these are some of the best road trip gifts you can pack.

These ideas are also perfect for auction gift baskets – this road trip basket below is one I made for our class school auction!

In this article:

Best Road Trip Gifts Ideas

As someone who has taken a LOT of road trips, here are 60 of my favorite road trip gift ideas! This list has a mix of road trip gifts including road trip essentials, road trip gadgets, games for road trips, unique gifts, and even some ideas for family road trip gifts!

Affiliate links are included in this post so I may earn a small commission if you purchase with my link.

Road Trip Essentials

These items are essentials that will help make a road trip more comfortable, safe, and clean. They make great road trip gifts as they're practical gifts and most have a low price. Many of these can be added to a road trip gift basket to fill in space.

Rand McNally 2022 Large Scale Road Atlas

While we all rely on google maps on our phones these days, there's always a chance you'll lose your coverage while driving. A road atlas helps you navigate to where you need to go if you lose signal for some reason. Rand McNally makes great road atlases, this one is spiral bound with large-scale maps but they also make a traditional staple-bound atlas. A road atlas is one of the best road trip gifts.

If you're staying in one particular state or region, you might consider a paper map for that state that you can just store in your glove compartment versus a whole atlas.

Also, keep in mind that digital maps will probably tell you the best way to go to save time or mileage, but it might not be the most scenic way to go. A road atlas can help you look for scenic drives and routes.

While traveling in the car there's nothing worse than getting something on your hands and not being able to wash them. Wet wipes are a great item to pack as they can be used to wipe up spills and messes -- not just for kids! I recommend buying biodegradable eco-friendly wipes.

Hand Sanitizer

Of course over the past couple of years having hand sanitizer handy has been a big part of traveling. But our family has been packing hand sanitizer on road trips for a while. The 8 oz Purell pump bottles fit well in our van cup holders and is easily accessible for all. It's great for using after stops, after fueling up, and before eating.

Paper Towels

Going along with the keeping things clean theme, a roll of paper towels is a great item to pack for a road trip. These come in handy in a variety of situations, cleaning up messes, wrapping up wet or dirty items, or even cleaning up spills in the car.

Facial Tissues (Kleenex)

Having some facial tissues, aka kleenex on hand is helpful since there's a good chance someone will need to blow their nose at some point. These can also come in handy if you need to use an outhouse or "green latrine" while on the road. These travel packs work well for the car but I know some brands make canister-style facial tissues that are supposed to fit in cup holders, too.

Car Trash Bag

While you can certainly use a plastic shopping bag for this purpose, a car garbage bag can make a great road trip gift. This is the one we use and I love that it has an elastic neck which makes it easy to push trash in, plus it has a rolled velcro bottom that you can simply unroll to empty out the garbage when you get to a large garbage can. Great (cheap) gift for road trip travelers!

5 Organization Tips for Road Trips

Here are some tips for keeping your car clean and organized during a road trip -- which will help everyone enjoy the trip more!

Roadside Emergency Kit

A roadside emergency gift is an excellent road trip gift idea -- especially for teen drivers! You never know when you'll have an issue on the road and one of these items might just help you avoid a serious issue or inconvenience.

5 Steps to Prep Your Car for a Road Trip

And don't forget to make sure your car is road-ready and any car maintenance is up to date. You'll also want to make sure your spare tire is in good condition and ready if you get a flat tire.

Car Battery Booster Pack

While the roadside emergency kit above comes with jumper cables, that relies on having another car available to give you a jump. When you're on the road, a car battery booster pack is a good idea since you can jump your car without relying on the help of strangers.

First Aid Kit

While you should make sure you're covered for serious medical concerns and can access a hospital, minor scrapes can be fixed with a travel first aid kit. Remember some ibuprofen/acetaminophen, stomach chews (Pepto Bismol), allergy pills, and bug bite cream. We've used them all on road trips.

Helpful Tips for What to Pack in a Travel First Aid Kit

If you're traveling as a family, here are some helpful tips for what we pack in our travel first aid kit - many items are useful for traveling with kids!

Odor Eliminator Spray & Air Freshener

Let's face it, long stretches in a car with one or more people are going to lead to some stink. Pack along a bottle of air freshener / odor eliminator to help manage smells while on the road. This is an item that many don't think about packing and so makes a great road trip gift!

Reusable Insulated Water Bottle

Water bottles are great for road trips as they help you stay hydrated and can save you money from buying drinks at every stop. Insulated bottles can also be used for coffee in the morning and water later in the day.

I like to have a bottle that has a flip/slider lid and a straw option as those are the easiest for using while driving in my opinion (versus a screw cap bottle). Just make sure to get a bottle that will fit in most cup holders (like these Simple Modern ones)!

A reuseable water bottle is one of the best travel gifts!

If you're planning a long drive with multiple rest stops along the way, it can be useful to have a simple day bag that you can grab if you leave the car for a hike or even to run into a store. A sling bag like this can even hold smaller tablets and books, plus it has a pocket for a water bottle or umbrella.

Facial Wipes

For long, multi-day road trips, facial wipes can come in handy, especially in the summer. These work for men and women and can be useful in helping you feel refreshed and

Being in the car for a long time can lead to some dry lips, so having some lip balm on hand

There's nothing worse than dry eyes, especially when you're driving! Having some eye drops packed in the car can be a real lifesaver on a long road trip.

Dental Floss Picks

Since eating in the car or on the go is pretty standard for road trips, having some dental floss picks packed can help keep your mouth feeling clean after meals. I also try to buy biodegradable ones so I'm not adding plastic to the landfills.

Another comfort item for road trips is lotion. We like to use a pump bottle, but you can also use a travel-size tube,

Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

These microfiber cloths are especially handy for cleaning eyeglasses and sunglasses. But they can also be used for cleaning mirrors or windows or even the screens of DVD players, phones, and tablets.

Polarized Sunglasses

Driving in bright sunlight can be overwhelming and even dangerous. I have eyes that are sensitive to sunlight and a pair of polarized sunglasses is a huge help for driving during the day. Even people who don't normally drive with sunglasses can find these useful on the open road!

Slip-On Shoes

While these aren't necessarily a road trip gift you can gift someone you don't know well, slip-on shoes are definitely a road trip essential. You'll be making stops often and wearing shoes that tie will slow you down and become an annoyance for taking on and off when you're not driving. Of course, if you're a solo driver, you can wear whatever shoes you want since you won't be taking them off while in the car.

Travel Pillow

If you're going to be a passenger on a long road trip, you'll want to pack a travel pillow. Pillows like this one can be useful for traveling and make great gifts for a road trip passenger.

5 Reviews for the Best Travel Pillow

Check out my reviews for these different travel pillows.

Travel Blanket

Another road trip cozy item is a small travel blanket. This is useful for passengers if one person wants to keep the car at a cooler temp than others prefer. I also think being cozy makes it easier to fall asleep. This blanket also makes a great filling item for a road trip gift basket.

Travel Towel

If you're making stops along water and beaches, a travel towel can come in handy. We've stopped at roadside beach pull-outs and have always appreciated having a towel to dry off our legs and feet after taking a little walk in the waves.

Picnic & Outdoor Blanket

Planning some picnics or beach stops along the way? One of these fold-up picnic blankets is one of the best gifts for road trippers who like to enjoy nature along the way.

Reliefband Anti-Nausea Wristband

Keep in mind if anyone suffers from motion sickness while traveling. If so, be sure to pack some items to help with that. You can use medicine like Bonine, essential oils, ginger candies, or a Reliefband tech bracelet that uses electricity to help combat motion sickness.

Car Road Trip Accessories & Gadgets

For techy travelers, many of these road trip accessories and gadgets will seem like essential items! I'm making them their own category as they do offer some convenience and will certainly help plugged-in travelers stay connected while on the open road.

Car Power Inverter USB Charger

So many of us have electronics that will need to be kept charged during a long road trip. This power inverter also allows you to charge larger electronics like a laptop, in addition to having multiple USB ports for everyone to be able to charge their device. Great gift for a road trip with friends or family!

Portable Cooler Refrigerator

For road trippers that want to save money and eat on the road, a portable refrigerator that hooks to a car 12V outlet works great. It keeps food and drinks cool to enjoy later on the trip. This one comes with an AC plug too, so you can bring it in to plug in your hotel room.

We all know that driving can be dangerous, and these days proving who is at fault during an accident can come down to who has proof. A dash cam like this can help you prove what happened if something does go wrong while you're on a trip. (note, some US states do not allow you to mount dashcams to windshields, only dashboards)

If you're an Alexa-loving road tripper, consider "teching out" your car with one of these Echo Auto devices. You'll be able to go hands-free to play music, listen to audiobooks, and even play Alexa games.

Kindle Paperwhite

For travelers who love to read, having a Kindle can be a great gift idea. And for road trips, the glare-free Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for in the car. You can even get them with a trial for Kindle Unlimited which is a great service for avid readers!

Car Charger Phone Vent Mount

We love having this car mount in all our cars and I love that it charges my phone, too. Fits most phones and vents.

Handsfree Bluetooth FM Transmitter

If you or your friends have an older car, they might want one of these Bluetooth transmitters that let them connect their phones to their car through an FM radio station. Great for allowing you stream your favorite playlists and audiobooks from your phone to your car sound system.

If you like to keep your car clean while traveling, having a car vacuum on hand can be useful. This one plugs into a 12V outlet in the car and can help keep crumbs and dirt at bay. Make a great road trip gift!

Portable HEPA Air Purifier/Deodorizer

Since most road trips involve fast food and eating in the car, it's no surprise that your car can start to stink. This car gadget works to clean, purify, and deodorize the air. No more coming out to a car that smells like french fries from the day before!

Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

This handy road trip accessory gadget helps you check your tire pressure. It's always a good idea to drive with proper inflation and know if you might have a leak so you can get it fixed quickly!

Car Trunk Organizer

Here's another handy organization item that makes a great gift for road trips! Help your best friend keep things in order with a hanging trunk organizer. This one is great for vans and SUVs, but you can get sedan-sized organizers that work well for cars.

Car Window Shade

If you're buying a road trip gift for a group or someone who is traveling as a group, these car window shades can be useful. Often they're used by families for babies, but they work well for any passengers that don't want the sun beating down on them while they watch movies or sleep.

Cleaning Gel for Car

Here's another fun road trip accessory that makes for an affordable gift. This cleaning gel (aka slime) will seep into tight crevices and pick up rogue crumbs that a vacuum just can't quite reach.

Family Road Trip Gift Basket Ideas

Here are some great family road trip gift ideas that are perfect if you're shopping for someone who will be road-tripping with kids! These road trip gift basket items will keep the kids entertained and comfortable on the open road.

Road Trip Travel Games Gift Box

Here's a fun set of road trip games and activities for kids and it's already packaged together, making it ideal for adding to a family road trip gift basket!

Kids Travel Tray with Dry Erase Board

This travel tray can be a lifesaver for traveling families. Kids will have a surface to help them draw and eat, plus handy storage pockets for keeping their toys and activities from falling in between the seats!

Backseat Car Organizer with iPad Holder

If the kids are planning to watch some movies or shows on a tablet during the road trip, having a hanging pocket or mount can come in handy. This seat organizer serves that purpose as well as offering pockets for storing away other items.

Car Seat Organizer with Cup Holders

If you don't like the backseat mounted organizers, these organizers can sit in the middle seat next to kids to give them easy access to toys and snacks. Plus this one has cup holders!

Car Seat Headrest Pillows

One of the best ways kids can stay happy on a road trip is by sleeping, whether you're talking toddlers or teens. This neat road trip headrest gadget creates a cushioned rest for kids or adults to lean against which supports their heads.

Printable Road Trip Games for Kids - License Plate, Bingo, I Spy...

Check out my post with free printable road trip activities!

Shotgun! The Hilarious Family Card Game for Road Trips

Here's a fun road trip game perfect for grade school and teen-aged kids. Adults can even play along. This game is sure to bring laughs and great family memories!

Hidden Pictures Book Set

These are classics and I remember loving them when I was a kid. This pack of hidden picture books will keep kids entertained in the car and give parents a bit of peace and quiet while they search. :)

Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Print off this fun road trip scavenger hunt.

These are fun sensory toys for kids, letting them use their imagination to craft and build. They're fairly mess-free although you likely don't want to leave them in the hot sun as they're coated in wax to allow molding.

Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free

The Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free art sets are perfect for traveling kids. The markers only work on the special paper, so no worries about marker messes on your car, and no stress about melting crayons!

Kids Travel Bag Activities to Pack for Vacation

Here are some fun travel activities kids can bring on the road.

Road Trip Activities and Travel Journal

This fun book is packed full of road trip games and activities for traveling kids. Great gift for kids who are writing.

LCD Writing Tablet for Kids

This brings back some memories of etch-a-sketch for me! Kids can draw whatever they want and then at the push of a button the screen is clear and ready for a new design. The name-brand version of this toy is Boogie Board in case you want to avoid the "knock-off" versions.

Dramamine Motion Sickness for Kids

If you're buying a road trip gift for a family who hasn't traveled much with their kids, adding these kids' motion sickness tablets could be a lifesaver.

Road Trip Gift Cards & Memberships

Another great idea for road trip gifts is to give travel lovers gift cards or memberships that will be useful on the road.

Roadtrippers Plus

One of my favorite tools I used on a recent road trip was Roadtrippers. It's a road trip planning app that helps you find great spots to see and things to do along your route. It even includes reviews and photos from fellow travelers. It's a perfect road trip gift!

National Parks Pass

If the road trip will be heading past national parks in the US, giving the gift of a National Parks Pass ($80) can be a great idea. Plus, there are even ways people can get a parks pass for free!

Audible Membership

Audiobooks are great to listen to on road trips, and a gifted membership to Audible will help road trippers stay entertained and maybe even learn something new while on the road.

AAA Membership

AAA is the leader in roadside assistance memberships, so a membership for their service can make a great gift. Many hotels also offer a AAA discount on hotel rooms which could help a traveler save money!

Gas Gift Cards

Buying a gift card for gas can be a bit tricky as you might not know what gas stations will be popular on the road trip route. However it's a fun gift idea with a definite road trip theme, so even a small amount to a local area gas station can get used.

Road Trip Snacks

Lastly, there’s nothing quite like snacks to help make a road trip great! Read my full list of road trip snacks , but these are a few of my favorites that make great gifts for a road trip gift basket!

• Fruit Leathers/Snacks
• Granola Bars
• Rice Krispie Treats
• Animal Crackers

I hope this list has been helpful. Many of these road trip gifts are a great way to prepare travel lovers for their upcoming trip while also providing useful gifts that they might not have thought of! Let me know if you have any other gift ideas I didn’t list.

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25 DIY Travel Projects to Make for Your Next Trip

Travel allows us to see and experience places foreign to us, giving us new insights and enhanced cultural awareness. Wanderlust is a widespread epidemic.

Whether you’re jet-setting, hitting the road, or anything in between, planning for the trials and tribulations of travel is crucial for an easygoing experience.

Are you headed on a trip soon? Here are some uber useful DIYs to set you off on the right foot.

Soothing Lavender Lotion

Dehydration is a major side effect of travel, especially in airplanes. Lotion makes battling dry skin an easy win, and this DIY version has the added relaxation benefits and soothing scent of lavender essential oils . DIY Whipped Lavender Lotion  from  Abra’s Kitchen

DIY Waterproof Camera Float

You can eliminate the risk of a lost waterproof camera with an easy-to-make camera float made from a few simple supplies. You can cut the foam pool noodle down smaller for a more compact version. Waterproof Camera Float  from  Instructables

Floating Key Chain

Losing keys on a getaway is a quick way to ruin your trip. A big keychain will help you keep track of them. Plus, this DIY keychain uses cork to help it float for easy recovery in aquatic accidents. Wine Cork Keychain  from  Handimania

Personalized Passport Cover

Passports are a must for international travel. They can often be difficult to find when rummaging through your pack in the customs line, but this handy leather cover will make it easy to spot. Use leather punches to personalize it with your favorite travel quote. DIY Embossed Leather Passport Cover  from  Hungry Heart

Homemade Aloe Vera Gel

Do you tan, burn, or a combination of both? If sunburn is an issue, aloe vera is a must-have. It’s soothing feel and medicinal properties make it the perfect remedy for a suntan gone wrong. Soothing Sunburn Cure  from  Gardenista

DIY Sleep Mask

With this DIY, you’ll never have to fret about jet lag again. Keep sunlight out and sweet dreams in with this easy sewing project . Tired Mama Sleep Mask  from  Wine and Glue

Trendy Sunglasses Case

Sunglasses can easily get scratched or broken in a crowded beach bag. Your favorite pair deserves protection and this tutorial is here to help. Trendy DIY Sunglasses Case  from  DIY Candy

Travel Journal

Keep track of all the little details of your journey with a travel journal . You can read them later to reminisce on a trip well spent. Pick out a fun notebook and use these ideas to fill it with memories. Ideas for Your Travel Journal  from  A Pair and a Spare DIY

DIY Neck Pillow

Long flights, train rides, and road trips are not your body’s friend. They often lead to an unwelcome amount of aches and pains. Consider taking a travel pillow for neck support on your next adventure. Instead of shelling out dough for one at the airport, try this DIY one ahead of time. Buckwheat Travel Pillow  from  Sew DIY

Sunscreen Lip Balm

SPF is imperative to healthy skin and should be a staple in everyone’s skincare routine. Travel often means long days outdoors, making SPF even more important. And yes, your lips can burn just like your skin. They need SPF care, too! Natural Healing Lip Balm With SPF  from  Sunkissed Kate

Labeled Laundry Bag

If you’ve ever lived out of a suitcase, you know how quickly your clothes become disarrayed. This DIY laundry bag will help you on a mission to organize. DIY Travel Laundry Bag  from  Revamperate

Travel First Aid Kit

Anything can happen on a trip, including accidents. This handy kit fits easily in your travel bag and will arm you with the tools you need to face mishaps. Creating a Travel First Aid Kit  from  Life of Libby

Lettered Water Bottle

Hydration, hydration, hydration–we can’t say it enough. Drinking water is important in daily life, and crucial during travel. Trips typically involve lots of walking and time outdoors, two activities your body needs water for. These cute hand-lettered bottles will make hydration on-the-go a breeze. (Almost) Hand Lettered Swell Water Bottles  from  The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood

Reusable Snack Pouch

Keeping snacks handy will save you money, time, and frustration–trust us. Sew these beauties and fill them with your favorite munchies to get you through the day. Fruit Snack Pouches  from  A Kailo Chic Life

Compact Toiletry Kit

This space-saving DIY will up your packing game. No more loose toiletries in your bag! DIY Washcloth Travel Kit  from  Tip Hero

Bow Scrunchie

Traveling can be harsh on your hair. You won’t have to waste any of your precious time fixing it up after you make this bow scrunchie. Make Your Own Scrunchies  from  Hey Wanderer

DIY Cord Organizer

Organization is a travel lifesaver. Instead of rummaging through your bag to find the specific cord or device you need, make this stylish leather cord wallet to keep things in the right place. DIY Travel Cord Organizer  from  Mr. Kate

Comfy Camera Strap

Pics or it didn’t happen. But seriously, an exciting trip is nothing without proper documentation. What better way to photograph your adventure comfortably (and fashionably) than with this DIY scarf camera strap? Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial  from  Paper Thoughts

Travel Watercolor Palette

The therapeutic nature of painting is almost necessary on painstakingly long trips. If you have an old Altoids tin, you can make this watercolor kit and practice art anywhere. DIY Altoids Watercolor Travel Palette  from  Nerelle

Kids' Busy Board

Kids and travel don’t always mix well. These “busy board” ideas are sure to keep little ones occupied for hours. DIY Travel Busy Board for Kids  from  Mommy Testers

DIY Blanket Scarf

We love a multi-tasking item for travel. They save valuable luggage space and function just how you need it. This scarf can be worn for warmth on chilly flights or as a fashion-forward accessory and even used as a picnic blanket . DIY Flannel Blanket Scarf  from  Homedit

Travel Wallet

Traveling light makes trips so much easier. The concept applies to everything, even your wallet. You don’t need to buy a new slim travel wallet, you can customize your own for a few bucks with this tutorial! Two Dollar Travel Wallet  from  Instructables

Washi Tape Luggage Handle Wraps

Identifying your luggage as it rolls by on the baggage claim carousel just got a whole lot easier. Use your favorite colorful washi tape to personalize your suitcase handles and easily spot your bag. DIY Luggage Handle Wraps  from  Blitsy

Travel Tissue Holder

Experiencing new places often comes with extra allergies, or (knock on wood) a cold. Come prepared with a handmade tissue holder. Rick Rack Travel Tissue Holder  from  The Cottage Mama

Stylish Bookmark

Travel is practically synonymous with reading. It’s the perfect relaxing activity on beach bum days or long plane rides. Make this fun tassel bookmark to keep your spot.

DIY Chunky Tassel Bookmarks  from  Homeyohmy

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DIY Gifts That Travelers Will Love

by Courtney Constable

Buying gifts for a friend you know very well is always an enjoyable process because you can concentrate on their favourite hobby and buy them something meaningful that they’ll really use. As a DIY enthusiast, however, buying gifts for those friends is even more fun because you can actually make them something they’ll love instead! For instance, your best friend might love nothing more than traveling the world and experiencing exciting new places.

Check out these 15 DIY gifts that you can make your traveler friend .

1. Patchwork travel neck pillow

The Cottage Mama

knows how often avid travelers catch up on sleep while sitting up on airplanes, trains, and in cars, so they created a tutorial to help you gift your friend perhaps the greatest travel gift of all: a comfy neck pillow for napping!

2. DIY sleeping mask

Nothing will go as well with the travel pillow you’re making your wanderlust-filled friend as well as a matching sleep mask! Their afternoon transportation naps will be even  more relaxing. Find out how to make them at  Nifty Thrifty Things .

3. Travel wallet and luggage tag

Help your friend keep all of their documents in order and all of their bags labeled properly with this matching passport case and luggage tag set. Thirty Handmade Days shows you how to make each one in a few simple steps.

4. Reversible journal cover

Many enthusiastic travelers keep a journal or log of their adventures as they go. If you know that your friend does this, follow Kiri Note ‘s lead and buy them a brand new blank notebook, then hand make them a DIY custom cover for it!

5. Travel notebook with a keepsake pocket

Perhaps you’d rather make your friend an entire travel notebook from scratch? Simple as That is ready to help you with it, and also to show you extra awesome features like a keepsake pouch for event tickets and small trinkets they pick up along the way!

6. Toiletries bag with a handle

One of the hardest parts of packing and traveling is making sure you have all of your bathroom necessities, but without packing too much or weighing your whole bag down. Help your friend contain their things by making them a little bathroom bag with a practical handle, like this one by Purl Soho !

7. Hot hair tools cozy

Have you ever styled your hair and then suddenly realized you were running late, but you had to wait for your hot hair tools to cool before you put them in your suitcase, just to make sure they don’t burn your clothes? You can help your traveling friend avoid that problem by following Sew 4 Home ‘s steps to sew them these awesome little hot tool cozies! Pop the straightener or curling iron in and put it safely into the suitcase immediately.

8. Mini cosmetics bag

Not many travelers carry large amounts of makeup with them, so a cute little bag with a zipper is probably all they need for cosmetics. Try sewing them this one by  The Later Afternoon in their favourite pattern or colour!

9. Lined travel laundry bag

Depending on how long your friend is on the road for and where they’re going, the might have to go very long intervals without laundry! This DIY bag by Bee in My Bonnet will help them keep their dirty clothes separate so that at least they’re organized when they do finally make their way to a washing machine.

10. Fabric jewelry pouch

ECAB Online shows you how to make a lovely little lined jewelry pouch for your friend to store their finer pieces in. This way, their valuables will be safe bumping around among the other things  in their suitcase.

11. DIY travel sewing kit

Especially if you’re experienced with sewing and traveling yourself, you’ll know just how handy a small, simple sewing kit can be in just about any minor emergency! Lots of Pink Here has a quick, enjoyable pattern for you to follow.

12. Soft laptop cozy

With all that bag carrying, seat changing, and hotel unpacking, your friends electronics might be a little worse for wear by the time they return… unless you make them an awesome laptop cause like this ultra soft one from Design Sponge , of course!

13. Quilted  camera case

Just like the laptop case, a cozy quilted camera case is the kind of gift that your traveling friend will basically never stop benefiting from. Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom understands how precious travel pictures are, so their tutorial is a useful one!

14. DIY map wreath

Perhaps you’d rather make your friend a “welcome home” gift because they already have everything they need on the road? This decorative wreath, featured on 1 Pure Heart , is made from maps and will tip off your friend’s guests about their biggest passion as soon as they walk through the door!

15. DIY map bracelets

This adorable map bracelet by Happy Hour Projects is creative but might also become very meaningful; it’ll remind your friend of you when you’re apart!

Do you know someone with a close friend or family member who travels far and wide? Now you have plenty of DIY gift ideas for your globetrotting buddy!

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EASY DIY Travel gift box

• May 26, 2021

Do you love a traveler? Do you want to make their lives easier? Of course you do! That’s why I’ve made this DIY travel gift box guide, so you can put together a thoughtful care package so they have everything they need as they start traveling again.

I create travel vlogs, I watch a ton of travel vlogs, and for years I was away from home for 100+ days. I’m also a sucker for a good packing video. For this travel kit, I’ve picked out the items I was always glad to have, what I wish I had, plus some that other travelers swear by.

This gift of must-have travel items is inspired by the laundry basket full of dorm needs I received when I went to college and the baby baskets that I’ve since contributed to. Your gift is for you to put together in whatever way is appropriate for you and your favorite travel lover, it will be so appreciated. I promise you that! I would have loved this when I started out.

If you’re looking to give someone luggage, a backpack, or day bag, I’d encourage you to get a gift-card for that. Backpacks are best if someone finds their own due to their preferences and body type. For luggage, they may want 4 wheels over 2, or one that has a built-in charger.

There are different types of travelers, so take what works for yours and leave the rest.

This post contains affiliate links which means this website may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.  More information in the footer.

Best gifts for a travel gift box

We’re all bound to drip or drop something on ourselves, so the Tide pen is a necessity. You can get the tiny to-go version or the regular size. It’s still not much bigger than a pen, so the regular size is the best bet.

TSA-friendly clear toiletry bag

I’ve had mine for ages and it is from Kiehl’s…which I can’t find anymore. But there are few that look promising on Amazon with great reviews . While they aren’t the prettiest thing in the world, they get through security like a breeze, make for easy clean up if anything spills, and keeps you from bringing too much in the bag.

Water bottle

Depending on where the person is traveling, they may want a simple stainless steel water bottle (this is my go-to, always), or they may need a filtering water bottle . My way of thinking is if I’m in the USA/Canada or most of Europe, I don’t worry about a filter. But anywhere else, I’ll be checking if the water is safe and wishing I had a water bottle that filtered the bad stuff for me. This saves so much money and, most importantly, plastic waste.

Cutlery to go

We love being prepared with some cutlery in our bags. We have the bamboo kind , but if I did it over again, I’d buy the stainless steel kind just because they feel cleaner. I’d also suggest a metal straw and possible chopsticks in the kit.

While anyone can use a plastic bag to store their shoes, it’s nice to have a shoe bag to keep in your bag at all times. My feet are tiny so I can fit 2-3 pairs of shoes in a shoe bag like this. It’s ridiculous that I love it, but when you travel so much, it’s the little things that make life easier and more organized.

Reusable shopping bag

This is a must for anyone, anywhere. Many countries have banned plastic bags anyway, so it’s great to have a reusable bag that fits in your pocket and is ready to go (and that you can wash). Some use one of the many branded tote bags they’ve probably received over the years which is totally fine. But if you’re looking for a gift, check out this kind of bag that fits anywhere.

Waterproof phone holder

For anyone going near water or up to tall heights, this is hugely helpful . You can still use your phone through the plastic but it keeps it safe from water and falls since you carry it around your neck.

Mini first-aid kit

Even the simplest will do in a pinch. The idea is to have what you need so you can go to the pharmacy and get more, or get help. We’re mainly concerned about things that need immediate attention like cuts, so they don’t get infected. Also, keep any medications you take each day, or may need to take (allergy meds) plus painkillers. This first aid kit is one I really like because of the variety of tools.

You can go for a reusable (and more durable one) like this , a thinner one that has limited uses, or a lightweight, packable raincoat . Either way, it’s a must-have item in many parts of the world known for quick, fierce, and out-of-nowhere rainstorms. You could also gift a travel umbrella. They may want to take an umbrella, but as an Amsterdammer, I know that winds are too much for umbrellas most of the time for me, so wearable rain gear is best.

TSA-approved Swiss Army “knife” or real one

Because you never know what kind of needs a person will have, a do-it-all contraption like a Swiss Army Knife is a great addition to anyone’s pack. Just make sure you know if they intend to only carry on their luggage or they prefer to check it with the airline. That will determine what kind you are able to give. The Jetsetter version is more appropriate for carry-on bags. Sadly, Sean accidentally left his in his backpack once, so it got confiscated at security. It was a sad day, but understandable.

Quick-drying microfiber towel

We bought ours before we moved to Amsterdam and it goes with us to most places. These towels are a multi-tasker for sure. You can use them as a towel for the shower or beach, picnic blanket, gym towel, small blanket and even a pillow in a pinch. It’s really small and perfect for a day bag. Here’s a great one made in Tennessee !

Stay healthy pack

Depending on where they are traveling and for how long these items may also be helpful. Because I like to be prepared, I keep some items that might be overkill, but I’ll leave it up to you 😉 •Gin-gins or other pill or ginger chew to help with motion sickness •Pepto-Bismol chewable tabs •Itch stick and bug spray •Sunscreen and after-sun gel •Packets of Theraflu drink powder •Tums •Throat lozenges

Packing cubes

I love the ones that have two sides (one for dirty stuff) and can be cinched down with a zipper and are super lightweight. Not everything needs to be packed in cubes, so I’d suggest a couple small or medium ones.

Travel guides

I’m a big fan of Marco Polo and Rick Steves travel guides. Actual books may not be appropriate, but just in case, I wanted to suggest my favorites!

Power adapter and/or adapter

There is a difference between an adapter (which just switches the plug to the right one) and a converter (converts the voltage so you don’t blow up your device or a fuse). We currently use this older adapter. If the person is techy or photographer, you may want to get a combo multi-plug converter to plug more than one thing in an outlet.

Tech organization

If they have a lot of electronics, they’ll have a lot of cables, so cable ties will make their life so much better. A new favorite addition to my travel bag is the Peak Design tech pouch . I bought it to see if it was worth all the fuss and I can confirm it’s pretty awesome for the bits, bobs and cables. I wouldn’t dream of traveling without it again!

Don’t forget to put your own twist to the gift. Maybe something cute or funny that’s an inside joke. I’m all about practical, but personal is so important to give the warm fuzzies 😉

If you found this helpful or are planning to give travel gifts, connect with us on Instagram because we love to know when we were able to help!

Hi! I’m Jessica, an American who made Amsterdam her home in 2014. I share European gems through food and memorable experiences. Want to know more? Head to my about page or check out my YouTube channel .

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Easy DIY Travel Gifts You Can Make In A Weekend

Because of the current situation, I will certainly be on a budget this year especially when it comes to birthday and Christmas gifts. Is it the same for you?

Given all the free time we have right now, there’s no better time to make some homemade gifts that your friends, family and other halves will love.

We hope you get some inspiration from this list of easy DIY travel gifts you can make in a weekend… you may even want to make some of these gifts for yourself!

Psst! No time to make your own gifts? Check out these travel gifts you can buy that come straight from the heart!

Easy DIY Gifts For Travel Lovers

• London and Paris Cross Stitches
• Paris Cross Stitch
• Wanderlust Collage Cross Stitch
• Adventure Awaits Cross Stitch
• Happy Camper Cross Stitch
• Cute Camp Vibes Cross Stitch
• Love London Cross Stitch

Personalised Scrapbook / Travel Journal

Easy map canvas wall art, super easy map art, self-care basket for travel lovers.

• Filled Photo Album
• Filled Travel Keepsake Box

DIY Globe Clock

• BONUS! DIY Map Wrapping Paper

Travel-Inspired Cross Stitch Pictures

Cross stitch is my all-time favourite DIY gift because the designs don’t have to be complicated to look good and come from the heart. 

Small designs can easily be stitched in a weekend and once you’ve popped them in a cute frame or turned them into keyrings, coasters or magnets, they look so great!

Etsy is a treasure trove for unique and original cross stitch patterns, which you can access as an instant digital download. Plus you’ll be supporting independent sellers and small businesses , which is especially important in these uncertain times!

Here are some travel-inspired cross stitch patterns we love:

• London and Paris Modern Cross Stitch City Patterns by SatsumaStreet
• Paris Cross Stitch City Pattern by Xrestyk
• Wanderlust Collage Cross Stitch Pattern by Stitchonomy
• Adventure Awaits Modern Cross Stitch Pattern by fiddlesticksau
• Happy Camper Cross Stitch Pattern by MODERNCrossStitchArt
• Cute Camp Vibes Cross Stitch Pattern by HomeSewnStitches
• Love London Modern Cross Stitch Pattern by HELENEWORKSHOP

One of our friends lovingly made us a travel scrapbook for our wedding gift last year by personalising the front of a plain journal with illustrations and Scrabble tiles. 

We love it and will treasure it forever! 

If you want to do the same for someone, then any plain book will do and you can gussy it up with various trimmings. 

You could even include some scrapbooking essentials with it to help them get started with their first pages. Things like travel stickers and vintage maps both work well.

We just love how easy map wall art is to make! All you need is some vintage map wrapping paper and a canvas to cover it with. 

These look particularly special if you go for multiple canvases to hang next to each other or even shaped canvases. 

You could even add some extra pizzazz with fairy lights, LED lighting strips or pretty text!

Now that most of us are turning to Google Maps and SatNavs to get around, you’re probably like us and have a bunch of old road atlases stored away somewhere. 

If not, Etsy also has a bunch of vintage maps that will work perfectly for this DIY travel gift!

And it’s as easy as cutting a shape out of one of your maps and framing it! Maybe you know a couple who are celebrating a destination proposal or wedding , or have just bought their first home together? 

Cut a heart around that place or get extra fancy with trickier shapes like houses or planes. Glue your shape to some card and frame it. Simple!

You could also make a set of these for a couple who met, got engaged, got married and bought their first home in different locations. This would make such a cute gallery wall!

Read the full tutorial here >>

RELATED:  15 THOUGHTFUL TRAVEL GIFTS FOR COUPLES THEY’LL LOVE  

Who doesn’t love an evening of self-care and pampering? You can easily make up your own travel-inspired basket with a bunch of goodies like:

• Foodie treats inspired by another country (e.g. French macarons , German Christmas cookies or Belgian chocolate ) … these can either be homemade or store-bought
• Wanderlust candle
• Fun colouring book and pens or pencils
• A novel inspired by travel or a travel coffee table book
• Aromatherapy bath salts and lotions and potions
• Fluffy socks
• Tea or hot chocolate mix in a travel-themed mug  

RELATED:  30+ SUPER CHIC TRAVEL GIFTS FOR WOMEN

Filled Photo Album / Travel Keepsake Box

Another super easy DIY gift idea is to round up all your favourite photos taken together when travelling and simply package them up in a pretty photo album . 

Your recipient will love that you went to the effort of handpicking which photos to use and is something they can keep forever.

You could also do this with a travel keepsake box and fill it with mementoes from your trips together including photos, magnets, souvenirs, ticket stubs and more.

RELATED: Travel Photo Display Ideas – 13 Creative Things To Do With Travel Photos

For our final DIY travel gift idea, you’ll want a globe you don’t mind cutting in half.

While most people use these globes as unique wedding guest book ideas (you may even already have one at home!), we’ve seen a fantastic tutorial online to turn them into clocks using a craft knife and a simple clock mechanism . 

You could even have a globe personalised with your own message and add the clock part to that side for an extra dose of something special.

We have yet to try this one ourselves but it’s on the list!

BONUS! Map Wrapping Paper

Don’t forget to incorporate the travel theme into your gift wrapping too!

You can either use old maps you have lying around or buy pretty map wrapping paper from Etsy . 

And there you have it – easy DIY travel gifts you can make in a weekend! Which one(s) will you try first? Have you got any other ideas? Scott and I are a crafty pair so we’re always on the hunt for new ideas to try!

Do you want more travel gift ideas? Check out our other travel gift guides.

Do you think these DIY travel projects look fun? Pin this list now and make them later!

Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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10+ Clever Travel Basket Gift Ideas

When it comes to showing appreciation or expressing love, gift-giving is a time-honored tradition. And when the person you're shopping for loves to travel , it's important to find the perfect present, one that strikes a balance between meaningful, unique, and useful. 

Sometimes the best gift idea is one that actually combines several things  — like, perhaps,  a travel basket full of goodies and other essentials for those who love traveling often (or even do it out of necessity, like flight attendants ).

Do you need some inspiration for putting together the right travel basket? Consider these thoughtful travel basket gift ideas!

14 Travel Basket Gift Ideas You’ll Love

Show how much you care about your globetrotting loved one with these travel basket gift ideas. 

1. The Wander Club Travel Tokens

One of the joys of traveling is collecting keepsakes, or  souvenirs , from past trips so you can look back and have those memories.

Travel tokens from The Wander Club  are a fun, unique way to keep a record of and display the places someone has traveled to. These collectible tokens are made of high-quality stainless steel and feature the name of different destinations, ranging from national and state parks to countries and landmarks. 

Plus, each token is customizable with an engraving , so you can add a date or initials. Any jet-setting pal will appreciate this, so it's one of the best travel basket gift ideas!

2. The Wander Club Token Holder

Collecting travel tokens is even better when you have a customizable token holder  to hold and display them. After all, what's the point of souvenirs that just sit on a shelf or in a drawer, never being seen?

Choose a unique, handcrafted Wanderchain that you can attach to a keyring to organize and display travel tokens. They come available in various colors and designs, but each is handmade for an extra level of uniqueness.

If, alternatively, you’re looking for a conversation piece, buy a chain necklace so you can wear your “travel history” in style.

Pro gift-giving tip: Split rings can only hold up to 40 tokens, whereas the necklaces can accommodate many more tokens.

3. Packable Blanket

Keep the cold at bay on a road trip or during a long flight with a packable travel blanket. They pack up small, often into a carry case that's smaller than a backpack, but open to a nice large size. Some even roll up into a tube shape to fit conveniently around your neck as a rest. 

4. Compression Packing Cubes

One of our go-to travel basket gift ideas is packing cubes. They k eep your clothes organized while eliminating unnecessary bulk, allowing you to fit way more into your luggage. 

5. Passport Cover

For your pals who love to travel internationally, a passport cover is one of the best travel basket gift ideas. Not only is it small and affordable, it also adds a personal touch to the entire gift, especially if you add the recipient’s name.

6. Luggage Scale

Discovering that a suitcase or bag is too heavy at the airport can be very inconvenient — and very expensive . Avoid that with a handheld luggage scale that features a digital display and can measure up to 110 pounds. Its small size also makes it extremely gift-able, perfect for one of your travel basket gift ideas!

7. Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle should be at the top of your list of travel basket gift ideas. It has many benefits, including being sustainable and eco-friendly and saving money by not having to buy single-use bottles. 

For extra brownie points, add a personal water purifier to the basket!

8. Airplane Necklace

A fun necklace with an airplane-shaped pendant makes a statement simply yet elegantly. Many options come in your choice of gold, rose gold, or silver, so there's a style for everyone.

9. Hanging Toiletry Bag

If you're looking for a super practical gift that will go with its recipient on every trip from here on out, this is it. Hanging toiletry bags are some of the best travel basket gift ideas because they provide a getting-ready station virtually anywhere and organize hygiene items. 

10. Travel Jewelry Organizer

This is one of those travel items you don't realize you need until you've traveled with it. A simple yet wildly helpful jewelry case designed for travel (typically padded and very small) can keep your  earrings, necklaces, rings, and more safe during travel. To make it an even better travel basket gift idea, add a monogram or name for a personal touch.

11. Travel Scrapbook

Often the best vacations are shared experiences between loved ones. Whether you get a DIY kit or a ready-made scrapbook, they're highly customizable and meaningful, making it one of the best travel basket gift ideas. 

12. Keepsake Container

People love collecting things like beach sand, pine cones, seashells, and leaves on their travels, so one of the best travel basket gift ideas is a jar or other container to keep them all organized. 

13. Scratch Map

We love this travel gift idea because of the customization and fun it offers! Who wouldn't enjoy scratching off the different places they've visited, whether that be national parks, countries, or US states? Many also come protectively rolled up in a tube, so they're extra giftable.

14. Soft Cooler Bag

We have a serious appreciation for those who travel on a budget, and a soft cooler is a great way to do that. Investing in a high-quality cooler bag lets you stock up on some basic groceries when you get to a destination, allowing you to skip eating out so often. Plus, soft bag-style coolers are packable!

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31 Really Practical Gifts for Avid Travelers and Vegabonds

By Grace Healy

What travel gifts do you buy for the well-seasoned traveler who seems to have everything? This practical gift list will cover all the bases for the avid jet-setter with high-quality original gifts they may not have but once they’ve received it, they won’t be able to travel without it.

Wacaco Minipresso

Save money with this brilliant portable espresso maker. The Minipresso is the next generation of hot beverage makers. No batteries, no fuss, a simple hand-operated device for making your favourite hot drink is perfect for travel. All you need to do is add hot water, you wont need coffee-shops again. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Electronics Travel Organizer

The only travel storage bag for your electronics you will ever need. Waterproof and durable, this case has individual pockets to separate your adaptors from your chargers. You’ll never lose a cable again and essentials like batteries will be easy to find. Perfect when making trips for business or pleasure.

Knock Knock Pack This! Pad

Never forget anything to do with your travels ever again. With this handy ‘pack this!’ pad from Knock Knock, the itinerary list has been made for you already. It’s simple. The clear, bright lettering and easy to follow listing takes all the stress out of preparing for a trip abroad.

Scratch the World® Scratch Off Wall Map

A brilliantly detailed cartography wall map of the world with a unique twist. You can scratch off the countries you’ve visited. The map has a layer of gold to obscure yet to visit climbs. A great, truly original gift for someone who likes to travel and showcase where they’ve been.

Steamfast Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron

This mini steam-iron, heats within 15 seconds, and with its compact design makes ironing creased or crumpled clothes quick and easy. Complete with travel bag and dual voltage, it means you can plug in your iron in other countries. You’ll never look scruffy on holiday again with this great gadget. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

HoodiePillow Travel Hoodie Pillow

Combining the comfort and warmth of a sweatshirt hoodie with the great support that an inflatable travel pillow provides. This ingenious new combination is a great addition to traveling in comfort. The stylish element of the hoodie pillow means you can use it anywhere, you’ll wonder what you did without.

L&C Traveler Mini Cork Globe

gifts for someone who likes to travel and show where they’ve been.

Cheeky Shoe Bags

Want to pack your favorite pair of glitter-covered heels when you go traveling next but can’t bare the thought of the glitter covering the rest of your clothes. Or an expensive pair you can’t ruin? This tutorial shows you how to make quirky protective bags so you need never worry.

The World Awaits: A Travel Organizer

A great gift for anyone who loves to plan holidays, getaways and fantastic trips. This organizer contains varied wish-lists, prompts and ideas for the enthusiastic traveler. With its colorful illustrations, five handy storage pockets and high-quality hardback design, this handy reference tool is a must have companion when going abroad.

I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded

gifts for the well traveled.

Wanderer Bum Bag Tutorial

Bumbags were seen as something very geeky and unfashionable, thanks to your dad or uncle parading around in them many years ago. But for any serious traveler a Bumbag is a must and this brilliant tutorial will show you how to make one that is both functional and very stylish. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Solight Solarpuff Lantern

With these solar powered portable light boxes you never need be in the dark again. With the power to light up to 100 square feet, the lights can be used when traveling outdoors or used during a power cut. An essential eco friendly piece of lighting with many practical uses.

Diy Cord Wrap

With all the advances in technology, we now carry smartphones, tablets and other devices as a matter of routine. What happens to all the charging cables though? They can go missing so easily. This great tutorial shows you how to make a cord wrap that keeps your cables in one place.

GoPro HERO Session

Ever wanted to record your favorite moments from your travels but don’t want to ruin your smart phone? Well now you can with the easy to use, click and record GoPro HERO6 you can film underwater and in all weather conditions. The next generation of recording equipment in your hand. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Travelon Picture Translator

For the serious traveler that isn’t fluent in other languages? Worry no more with this easy to use, practical visual translator. Everything you need to get by in images you simply point to. Never get caught out again, you will be the envy of your family when you travel next.

Luxebell Digital Luggage Scale

Owning a digital luggage scale would ensure you never pay the price for overpacking again. You will save money by checking the weight of your luggage before you leave for the airport. It’s handy and compact for any last minute redistribution of your personal belongings, a perfect gift for travelers.

Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow

Compact and ergonomic, this is the ultimate travel pillow. This is the only neck pillow or travel accessory that provides full lateral support for the upper body. With easy inflation and instant deflation, it’s handy for quick disembarkation when traveling, it can also be rolled up to minimise packing space.Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Organized Music To My Ears

It can be incredibly frustrating that earphones can become so easily tangled, but this ingenious and beautifully designed earphone container will ensure that you’ll never have to unknot your phones again. With a variety of colours and cute etchings on the front, they make for a pretty gift or accessory. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Vivobarefoot Men's Gobi Shoe

From its round waxed cotton laces to its classic suede, the Gobi men’s lace up shoe is the ultimate barefoot desert boot. Its unlined lining makes for outstanding comfort and style. The shoe allows for an easy walk on hard/flat surfaces. The perfect shoe for the man who loves travel.

ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Backpack

This 20 litre backpack can be folded into a tiny 20 cm pouch, making it one of the most compact foldable backpacks around. It’s Ultra lightweight design means it’s perfect for any trip, especially if you know you may be shopping and come back with more than you leave with. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Maleden Leather Journal

A refillable leather journal with a brilliantly inspired traveling theme. With its embossed compass cover and retro pendants, it makes for a gorgeous gift to display in a home but also to write in. The journal comes is a variety of colours and its compact size is perfect for travel.

Diy Plastic Container

Do you like to be resourceful and not feel guilty for using plastic non-biodegradables, well now you have a chance to recycle those plastic bottles and actually make something long-lasting and useful from them. With this handy tutorial you can turn them into zipper storage containers that look absolutely fantastic!

Diy Makeup Bag

Ever wanted your own make-up bag but didn’t want the tacky, generic and let’s face it, horribly expensive make-up bags that are available to buy from so-called big designer labels. This gorgeous tutorial shows you how to make a chic make-up bag that’s original, classy and totally unique to you.

Mini Travel Game

Do you find your young relatives, whether your nieces, nephews or own children’s electronic gaming a worry, do they spend too much time on them when travelling? This handy tutorial will show you how to make your own tic-tac-toe game for less than a dollar. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Diy Passport Cover

Need a passport cover as soon as possible but don’t want to spend the money on some generic and tacky cover that will probably fall apart quickly anyway? Well, why don’t you follow this DIY easy peasy passport cover tutorial, you’ll have something truly unique to keep your passport in.

Quirky Mesh Tote

A fashionable, quirky travel bag which doesn’t give up its functionality. It has mesh netting to keep your beach stuff in whilst being able to shake out unwanted sand. Its coated canvas repels water, it has zipped pockets for valuables. Its soft straps mean it wont slip off your shoulder. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Diy Make A Mini Jewelry Roll

This simple and straightforward tutorial will show you how to make your own mini jewlry roll. The clear instructions are easy to follow and easier to accomplish with a great professional looking result. A lovely gift or fashionably practical way to keep your necklaces and earrings safe in your bag. Travel gifts don’t come much better.

Diy Toothbrush Case

How many times have you checked into your hotel, exhausted from a long flight, unpacked and realised you’ve forgotten your toothbrush? With this brilliant tutorial you can make your own toothbrush case and you’ll never be caught out again. It’s professional looking finish means it could also be given as a travel gift.

Diy Travel Kit

This DIY travel kit tutorial is a must-read for anyone who is going on holiday or likes to travel regularly. It’s simple, straightforward and clear instructions means anyone could make it. It will leave you with a functional travel kit that will become as indispensable as your passport or tickets.

Diy Travel Dice Game

Do you find your young children’s electronic gaming a worry, do they spend too much time on them when travelling? This handy tutorial will show you how to make your own traveling dice game for less than a dollar. Its original design means it also makes for a great gift.

Shacke Pak Travel Organizers

This high quality set of 4 packing cubes are ideal for travel organization and comes complete with a large laundry bag. You have a choice of colors from aqua teal to warm red, making your stylish set is both waterproof and double-stitched to withstand the wear and tear of traveling.

(You may also like: 43 Life-Changing Gifts for Travelers )

Other Gift Ideas

23 Gifts for Pilots & Aviation Lovers

Pilots are a special breed. They get to do something none of the rest of us do. They get to feel the sensation of flight on a regular basis. Being a pilot is different than being a passenger. From take-off to landing, they’re the boss. This list of gift for pilots includes things they’ll need […]

33 Very Useful Travel Gifts for Women That Will Make Trips Easier

Travel becomes so much more enjoyable when you have the right equipment. Packed with very useful travel gifts for women, this selection will give her the items she never knew she needed, but will never want to travel without again. There are pillows hidden inside scarves, socks with zippered compartments, and even a carry-on kit […]

43 Life-Changing Gifts for Travelers

The soul of a traveler is one that is never happy just sitting idle. But with that traveling comes the nuances of modern day transportation, and the challenge of remaining comfortable while making the journey. Keep them stocked up with everything they’ll need to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and recharged for a new […]

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Travels With Casey

Life and Leisure with Casey Adams

21 Best Ideas for a Travel Gift Basket

Do you have a travel enthusiast in your life and want to help make their next trip extra special? A travel-themed gift basket is a perfect way to help them prepare for their upcoming adventure.

It’s easy to create a fun travel-themed basket. Whether flying across the world or driving across the country, a well-curated gift basket will make a trip more enjoyable. The recipient will surely thank you for the thoughtful gift you have designed to make their travel experience the best yet.

Here are the 21 best ideas for a travel gift basket:

Idea #1: Travel Pillow

Sleeping is never easy on a plane. A travel pillow is a must-have on a long flight. You can get a stuffed one or an inflatable one that can pack up small when not in use. Travel pillows make great additions to any gift baskets Canada .

Idea #2: Compression socks

Idea #3: luggage tags, idea #4: toiletry bag, idea #5: eye mask.

Travelling can be tiring. An eye mask can help people get much-needed shut-eye on a flight by providing a dark environment.

Idea #6: Kindle & Handheld Reader

Lots of people love reading, but books are bulky items to pack. A handheld reader is an ideal way to give the gift of many books in a tiny package.

Idea #7: Collapsible Water bottle

Staying hydrated while travelling is so important. A collapsible water bottle is an ideal gift because you can fill it after going through security.

Idea #8: Wireless Earbuds

The cords on a standard pair of earbuds get in the way and are prone to breaking. Wireless earbuds are sure to make a flight more enjoyable. Bonus points for noise cancelling!

Idea #9: Paper Roadmap

A road trip is often the adventure of a lifetime. Here are some ways to help make it more fun, safe, and clean. As reliable as technology is, there’s always a chance of a dead battery or a place with no cell reception. Help prevent the road trip from taking a wrong turn with a paper map.

Idea #10: Picnic style basket or Cooler

Road trip snacks bought along the way will quickly add up in expense. A basket or cooler will allow the road-tripper to pack ahead of time. You can even fill the rest of your gifts into it.

Idea #11: Quick Dry Travel Towel

Regular towels take up a lot of space. A travel towel made of microfiber will roll up small and dry quickly after use.

Idea #12: Gift Card for Audiobooks

That long road trip is the perfect time to listen to a new audiobook or an old favourite.

Idea #13: Road Assistance Kit

No one expects car trouble, but if it happens, then at least you can make sure the adventurers are prepared.

Idea #14: Travel surge protector

A power bar is an excellent addition to a gift basket if a road trip is long enough to include stops overnight in a hotel or motel. You can even buy one that has USB ports.

Idea #15: Notebook and pens

Help your friend or loved one preserve all the memories they are making on their trip by including a beautiful notebook.

Idea #16: Favourite Snacks

All parents dread the inevitable chorus of “are we there yet?” from the back seat. Here are some ways to help keep the kids busy on a long trip. The parents and kids will both thank you for these. Prepackaged on-the-go snacks so the kids aren’t constantly complaining they are hungry.

Idea #17: Magnetic Drawing board

Draw and erase repeatedly without needing to go through a reem of paper. Also, bonus, it’s mess-free!

Idea #18: Magnetic Travel Board Games

These games are a fun and easy way to pass the time. The magnets ensure that pieces don’t get lost all over the car.

Idea #19: Kids Camera & Disposable Camera

Kids love taking pictures, and their own camera is a perfect way to help keep them occupied.

Idea #20: Puzzle Books

The best thing about a puzzle book is that it will never run out of batteries. There are many kinds to choose from, such as word search, crossword, and sudoku. Pick their favourite or get one of each.

Idea #21: Book of ideas

Remember all the games we played when we were kids on road trips before the age of handheld technology? The alphabet game, eye spy, etc. Write them down with quick instructions to help the kids from being bored.

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25 DIY Gifts for Travel Lovers

By Kim Layton 8 Comments

Looking for cheap and easy gifts for all the travel lovers you know?  Maybe you need a little something for yourself to remember your last vacation?  Well, you will LOVE these DIY gifts that you can make in minutes!

I’ll admit that I could start traveling and never stop…it’s an addiction, but I’m really alright with it.  Maybe you’re like me or you have family members that you never know where there’re at this week.  These are the kind of gifts they will treasure…trust me!  Maps and memories can create fabulous handmade gifts and home decor that money can’t buy.

These easy gift tutorials are perfect for quick afternoon projects.   Don’t miss the fabulous gift tags or string wall art!

• Custom Luggage Tags – My Sister’s Suitcase
• Etched Map Serving Tray – Design Sponge
• Woven Map Notebooks – Ruby Murrays Musings
• Vintage Map Puzzle Magnets – Everything Etsy
• Map Coasters – Martha Stewart
• Map Pendant Necklace – Unfortunately Oh
• DIY Leather Passport Holder – Jepsen Leather Goods
• Vintage Map Lined Serving Tray – Valley and Co.
• State String Wall Art – The Harpster Home
• City Map Souvenir Jewelry – Or So She Says
• Map Decorated Frames – Alyssa B Young
• Corkboard Map – Crate Paper Blog
• DIY Fabric Luggage Tags – Twirling Betty
• Upcycled Globe Home Decor – My Sister’s Suitcase
• Travel Map Correspondence Set – Design Sponge
• Vintage Map Decoupage Letter – Jessica Chronicled
• Scrap Fabric Wall Map – Being Brook
• DIY Map Bracelets – Happy Hour Projects
• Travel Lover Gift Bag – Silver Boxes
• City Map Heart Wall Art – Wedding Bee
• Vintage Chalkboard Globe – Design Sponge
• Map Gift Cards and Envelopes – Travelettes
• Painted Wood United States Sign – Girl in Air
• DIY Map Wreath – Pure Heart
• Stitched Map Art – Martha Stewart

Why spend a ton on gifts when you can make personalized gifts super cheap???

I big puffy heart handmade gifts and these tutorials make it easy to create something special for all the travel lovers on your holiday shopping list.

If you love creative links, please subscribe to Everything Etsy !  New subscribers make my day!

Thanks so much for all your pins, tweets, stumbles, Facebook likes on my previous handmade gift posts !  You are fabulous friends!

Have you made any handmade gifts lately?  Have any planned?   I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Looking for more handmade gift ideas???  Check out these posts… 25 DIY Gifts for Pet Lovers 101 Gifts for Men 101 Gifts for Her 101 Simple Handmade Gifts

Related posts:

• Handmade Gifts Tutorials & Holiday Ideas…Hundreds of Them!
• 101 Simple Handmade Gift Tutorials
• 101 Festive Fall Tutorials
• 7 Handmade Valentine’s Day Ideas

October 30, 2012 at 1:38 pm

As a travel lover myself, I appreciate you gathering up all these ideas. Printing and giving to the family as they never know what to get me. 🙂

October 30, 2012 at 1:48 pm

Peggy – I almost mentioned in the post that it was like a wish list for me. Ha! I so understand!

Hang it on the refrigerator! 🙂

October 30, 2012 at 5:00 pm

All very cute ideas! My sister just got back from Europe and these would be great gifts for her! Thanks! -Jamie

October 31, 2012 at 12:03 am

These ideas are absolutely awesome! I have a sister who is a world traveler (literally) and this has given me great ideas with her in mind. Thanks so much.

October 31, 2012 at 9:41 am

I’m a travel lover my self and I’ve been always wondering how I could satisfy my friends’s expectations without hurming my wallet..Well thsnks a lot for uploading this..The puzzle magnets..amazing!!

August 15, 2018 at 8:29 am

looking good

August 15, 2018 at 8:31 am

October 20, 2021 at 3:17 pm

Thanks! I appreciate you gathering up all these ideas. Printing and giving to the family as they never know what to get me. ❤️

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116 Awesome Homemade Coupon Ideas (& 7 Free DIY Coupon Templates)

I love making homemade coupon books! They’re a fantastic way to give experiences and favors to someone special. You can fill the book with many different coupons, making the fun last all year long. Plus the effort you put into creating these DIY coupon books truly shows your love. (And hey, no one needs to know how easy it was to craft, thanks to my free printable templates ;).

In this post, I’ll take you through each step of making your own coupon book. Either from scratch or with my free printables. Plus I’ll share over 100 unique coupon ideas . Whether it’s for Christmas, Father’s or Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or your friend’s birthday, you’re sure to find the perfect fit!

In This Post:

Save these homemade coupon ideas

Don’t forget to save these homemade coupon ideas on Pinterest so you’ll know where to find your templates for the next gifting occasion!

116 Awesome homemade coupon ideas

Alright, first thing first. What do you put on homemade vouchers?

Honestly, everything.

Seriously, you can write down any type of favor or experience. For your loved one you can go for sexy coupons, for your friends you can think of something funny or crazy, and for your parents, you can think of something practical. Check out my ideas below and feel free to mix and match them to create the perfect coupon book!

General homemade coupon ideas for everyone!

• Coffee at a coffee shop of their choice.
• Take them out food a restaurant of their choice
• A tank full of petrol.
• Course or training on your costs.
• A mystery day out – they only find out as it happens.
• An art and craft day together.
• A day of board games and snacks.
• Homecooked meals
• A guided nature walk or hike.
• A day of gardening help.
• Offer to organize their closet or garage.
• A day of teaching a skill you have.
• A day of compliments and positive affirmations.
• Offer to redecorate a room in their house.
• A themed picnic in the park.
• Pick a museum.
• Pick a must-read book for you.
• Pick a must-see movie for you.
• Concert tickets of their choice.

Mother’s Day coupon ideas

• Prepare a homemade dinner, lunch or brunch, dessert
• Breakfast to bed.
• You pay for a professional massage.
• 1-hour video call.
• Day of compliments.
• A day as her personal chef.
• A tech setup day (setting up gadgets, apps, etc.).
• Organize her closet
• A day with no chores.
• Personalized meditation or mindfulness session.
• Day without whining.
• Customized home decoration day.

SEE ALSO: 74 Hilarious Mother’s Day card messages→

Father’s Day coupon ideas

• Organize his garage
• A tank full of petrol
• Go on a weekend trip together.
• Go on a hike together.
• A personal storytelling evening with old memories.
• Personal shopping assistant for a day.
• A night of stargazing and constellations.
• A day at a theme park.
• A personal mixology session.
• A bike ride to a scenic spot.
• A day of learning a new language together.
• A surprise breakfast in bed.

SEE ALSO: The funniest Father’s Day wishes for dad →

Romantic coupon ideas

• Prepare a homemade dinner for them.
• Bring breakfast to bed.
• Go skinny dipping.
• Dress up the way they want.
• One veto anything.
• One wish granted.
• Ask me anything.
• They’re in control for one day.
• Tech-free day.
• Wear matching outfits for a day.
• Go to a karaoke bar and sing a duet or song for them.
• Free massage from you.
• An evening of dance lessons.
• Pick any activity to do together for a day or afternoon.
• Sex when they want.
• Sex where they want.
• A picnic at a location of their choice.
• A wild fantasy fulfilled.
• Take them to a secluded beach.
• Take them to a romantic sunset.
• Professional photo shoot.
• Pick a tattoo for you or a matching one.
• Dinner under the stars.

SEE ALSO: Funny Valentine’s Day quotes for your partner →

Coupon ideas for friends

• Take them out for food or coffee
• Help to move in or out of a new home.
• A night out at your cost.
• Language course on your costs.
• Another type of class, such as surfing, sowing, photography, etc.
• Do their laundry.
• A night of babysitting.
• Clean their home
• Receive a postcard from you (check out our list with funny postcard messages if you need inspiration on what to write on your cards!)
• A souvenir of their choice.
• Be their designated driver.
• Movie marathon night with their favorite films.
• An art and craft day

Coupon ideas for travel lovers

• Offer to pay for dinner, lunch, breakfast, etc at a fancy restaurant during their trip.
• Accommodation in a fancy hotel.
• Unique travel experience (balloon ride, bungee jump, helicopter rides, kayaking).
• Plane tickets.
• Take care of their pet during their holiday.
• Water their plants during their holiday.
• Mow their lawn (once or during their holiday).
• New travel guide of their choice.
• New backpack of their choice.
• New clothes of their choice.
• New travel items they need.
• Clean their home upon return.
• Take them to the airport/ pick them up from the airport.
• Tickets to a game or theatre show abroad.
• Custom playlist creation for their next trip.
• Window seat.
• Skip the middle seat.
• Wake early for a sunrise.
• Pick the songs for the next road trip.
• Pick the next travel destination
• Carry their bag for a day

How to make a homemade coupon book

Alright, now it’s time to put these ideas into a real homemade coupon book.

What do you need?

• Ribbon, twine, or string
• Hole puncher (though it’s also possible without)
• Free templates printed (see the templates below)

If you don’t have a printer at home or you prefer to make the coupons from scratch, you also need these items:

• Paper (colorful makes the coupons stand out more, but white works too)
• Ruler (if you want to be very precise)
• Colorful pens, stickers, decorated tape, and other decorative items to make your coupons pretty

Step 1: Gather your coupons (3 methods)

The three ways to gather your coupons are by

• Method 1 : Personalize my templates in Canva. This is best for people who don’t mind learning a new free online tool.
• Method 2: Print my free PDFs . This is best for people with pretty handwriting, because you will add the favors and activities by hand.
• Method 3: Make your own coupons from scratch . This is best for people who don’t have a printer at hand, or who are feeling creative.

Method 1 : Personalize my templates in Canva

I’ve designed  seven different printable homemade coupon templates  for different occasions and recipients. You will find a link to the editable template in Canva. It’s a free graphic design tool that allows you to make the most beautiful creations.

Just follow my links below, make a copy of the template, add your selected voucher ideas, download your design from Canva, and print it.

The benefit of doing this in Canva is that it’s all made with the same font style and it looks pretty. Especially if you’re like me and you don’t have fancy handwriting.

Method 2: Use our printable and write by hand

If you don’t want to use Canva, simply print the empty homemade coupon templates and add your ideas by hand. It gives that nice personal touch and saves you from the hassle of learning how to work with Canva.

Method 3: Make coupons from any paper

Lastly, if you don’t have a printer at home, don’t worry!

You can easily make these vouchers yourself from scratch. All you need is paper (colored paper if you have).

Draw rectangles on your paper and cut as many vouchers as you would like to add. Use your colored pens and stickers to give the coupons a beautiful look. I used an old receipt to get the right shape, but you can also use a ruler or any other shape, as long as all coupons are similarly shaped.

Next, I folded the coupons at about 1/4 of the sheet to make it easier to tear them later.

To make it even easier to tear the coupon and add a unique shape, I also cut out a triangle at the fold. You can use a ruler to measure it out, or simply cut one side first and then use that triangle to measure out the other side.

Step 2: Make or cut a cover

Each of my templates comes with a cover that you can customize in Canva or by hand. If you are going for the homemade coupon book without the templates, now it’s time to design your own cover.

You can use my example for inspiration. It’s in Dutch because it was a gift for my parents before I left for a long-term trip. But you get the idea.

I used decorative tape and kept it simple because I am not the most artistic person around the block. However, this where you can get all creative.

Step 3: Punch holes in each coupon

If you have a hole puncher, perfect! Put all coupons in a neat pile and punch two holes at the short end of the fold.

If you don’t have one, no worries. Just grab a pair of scissors and make holes yourself. This is what I did too, it’s slightly less pretty, but it works just fine.

I made the holes before I decorated the coupons, but either way is fine.

Step 4: Thread your ribbon (or twine, or string) through the holes of the coupons

Now it’s time to put the homemade coupon book together. Start with the last coupon and add each new one on top. Once you’ve added the cover, tie the ribbon together and you’re all set!

Free printable homemade coupon templates

Basic printable homemade coupon template.

This is the simplest homemade coupon template that works for any type of receiver. I kept it in black and white for those of you who only have black and white ink. Feel free to add a bit of color and images in Canva by using my free Canva template.

If you just want to print this example and add your personalized coupon ideas by hand, download the PDF versions below and print it.

Basic 2 printable homemade coupons template

The second DIY coupon template is slightly more advanced than the first. Mainly because it requires you to cut a few more curves, but I’m sure you’re more than capable of doing that!

Head over to the Canva template if you want to personalize it online.

Or print the empty DIY coupon PDF and front cover below.

Christmas printable homemade coupon template

If you are looking for a cute Christmas DIY coupon idea, then this Canva Christmas template is perfect for you!

Or go for the PDF version below.

Mother’s Day printable homemade coupon

Are you making a homemade coupon book for your mom?

Then this design for Mother’s Day is exactly what you need! Edit the template in Canva or print the empty vouchers below.

And if you are looking for a cute physical gift to go with the coupons, check out the Mother’s Day travel gift guide.

Father’s Day printable homemade coupon

Even the toughest dads need a favor every once in a while. And with this super sweet homemade coupon book, you allow him to ask for one without feeling guilty!

Check out the Father’s Day Canva template.

And have a look at this Father’s Day travel gift guide if you need more gift ideas.

Valentine’s Day printable homemade coupon

A homemade coupon book for your lover is one of the most fun books to make because you can add activities and favors that you will actually look forward to!

To give an idea of things you can put in a love coupon book check our list above!

And I’m sure you can think of more fun and sexy things you would love to do with your boyfriend or girlfriend. So go ahead and edit the Canva template , or print the PDF versions.

Printable homemade coupon templates for friends

Alright, the last template is great for anyone dear to you, including a friend! Check out the Canva template, or write your voucher ideas by hand on these PDF examples.

FAQs about homemade coupons

How many vouchers do you need in one coupon book.

That’s highly personal and depends on how many favors you are willing to do, or how many activities you can afford. I always advise a minimum of six, so that it feels like a book.

Did you save these homemade coupons on Pinterest yet?

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Desert Chica

Southern Arizona Blogger

Last Minute DIY Travel Gift Ideas

December 21, 2017 · Karen · Leave a Comment

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Finding the perfect gift for everyone can be difficult, sometimes it’s easier to just make something special instead. I’ve partnered with Alamo today to share some great DIY travel gift ideas? These travel gift ideas are also DIY, making them the perfect way to remember a special vacation without breaking the bank!

I’ve rounded a few DIY travel gift ideas from my site and from Alamo’s Scenic Route website below. There’s a wide variety of ideas and all are pretty simple and inexpensive to make!

DIY TRAVEL GIFT IDEAS

My husband just made me a Memory Board Display to hang above my desk at home. I can display lots of pictures and mementos from past trips on it. If you have spare wood and paint in the garage, this project can be almost free to make!

I enjoy making the grandparents a new photo canvas of my boys every year or so. I just pick my favorite image of them and with a few supplies, and I have a custom gift I know they will love.

This idea from Alamo is sweet. Everyone loves buying a fun t-shirt while on vacation, but let’s be honest, how many random t-shirts can you own? And then there are the t-shirts that don’t wash well and end up shrinking. A souvenir t-shirt tote bag is the perfect way to reuse your favorite vacation t-shirts.

Custom magnets are a fun way to reuse ticket stubs, maps, photos and other paper mementos from a trip. You can also make quite a few from one souvenir. They are perfect if you just went on an extended family vacation with lots of relatives and want to give everyone a little gift to remember the trip.

My kids would love a postcard photo album . We actually do something similar for their Disney autograph books , but I love this idea for remembering special places and events from a trip!

For little kids, you can make them a set of travel craft sticks to take on their next vacation. You can even customize them using their favorite colors.

For more travel inspiration, be sure to check out Alamo’s Scenic Route website where they offer travel tips, city guides, recipes and more to help plan your next adventure!

MORE MEMORIES, LESS PLANNING!

Celebrate little moments year round with your kids. Sign up to receive a free guide with 25+ fun activities to do with your kids (a $4.99 value).

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Hi, I’m Karen!

I’m a mom to two boys, Arizona native, and travel lover. Desert Chica is my place to share a peek into our life and the easy and inexpensive costumes, crafts and desserts I like to make. “If I can do it, anyone can!” Learn more about me here

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9 Travel Kits That Will Make a Long Flight Bearable

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window—best view in the house."

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Before you resign yourself to suffering through your next red-eye or long-haul flight, consider packing something that can make the experience better: a comfort travel kit. With multiple travel essentials in each kit, it’s like opening a gift to yourself mid-flight.

The Best Travel Kits for Your Next Long Flight

Here are nine travel kits that will make your next flight more bearable.

Cashmere Travel Set

If you take frequent long-haul flights, consider investing in an ultra-soft cashmere travel set. Jet&Bo’s comes with a blanket, an eye mask, socks, and a carry-all case that doubles as a pillow. Bonus: You can use the blanket as a scarf if you’re headed somewhere cold.  

Pinch Provisions® Tech Kit

Containing eight essential items to ensure you’re bringing everything you’ll need on your next trip, the Pinch Provisions® tech kit is an easy-to-pack bestseller that’s designed to be thrown in your carry-on bag.  From earbuds and charging cables to a phone/tablet stand and microfiber cleaning cloth, being bored and accessory-less for a long flight will be a thing of the past with this compact kit.

Perricone MD The Jet Set Kit

Because a full-on skin-care routine can be quite the burden in the air, the easiest way to keep your beauty regimen in check is to have it all in a single kit. The Jet Set Kit from Perricone MD features a collection of its best-selling and top-rated formulas, so you can make sure your face, neck, and eyes are getting the treatment they need on your flight.

Scentered Aromatherapy Travel Kit

Scentered makes one of the best aromatherapy travel kits for long flights, especially if you get claustrophobic or are prone to headaches. This travel-friendly set includes one of each of its aromatherapy balms that have various uses, ranging from stress alleviation to inducing good moods. They all come in an easy-to-pack tin that you can toss in a carry-on or personal bag.

Pack Simply Customized Travel Kits

Make a DIY travel kit with Pack Simply . Choose from hundreds of products to create the ultimate in-flight kit that suits your particular needs. With everything from toiletries to hair ties to Advil, you’ll love the convenience. Select your products and the company puts together your travel kit and ships directly to you.

Tisserand Essential Survival Kit

Essential oils are a popular natural remedy to fight everything from jet lag to insomnia—which is why roll-on oils can be a frequent flyer’s best friend. I love Tisserand’s Essential Survival Kit ; this vegan oil kit comes with a de-stressing oil, an energizing oil, and a sleep-improving oil.

Snack Packs

Check out Amazon’s snack packs for when those stale peanuts just won’t do. Options include everything from energy bars to gourmet trail mixes.

The Laundress Travel Pack

Designed to combat wardrobe malfunctions on the go, the travel pack from The Laundress has everything you need for fast-acting attention. Containing crease release, stain remover, air freshener, and even a special detergent for delicate fabrics, stains don’t have to be the travel-wardrobe ruiner they used to be.

The Carry-on Cocktail Kit

You’ll get to a different level of comfort with this Carry-on Cocktail Kit . Its tin case is filled with everything you need to make an Old Fashioned: a muddler, bitters, cane sugar, and a recipe card. Order the booze from your flight attendant, mix, then sit back and relax.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 9 DIY Ways to Upgrade Economy Class
• The Ultimate Packing List
• The 5 Rules of Reclining Your Airplane Seat

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The 25 Best Travel Accessories You Need for Summer Vacations

Whether it's a one-hour road trip or a cross-country flight, your trip will be so much easier with these products on hand.

Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

And just how useful are these products, you might ask? I recently embarked on a one-week trip to Europe across two countries with only a personal item and carry-on bag and had most of these items on-hand to make the trip easier. And while that statement would have made my jaw drop in fear just a few months ago, each product on this list made the traveling experience a bit less stressful. I was prepared to sleep on a nine-hour flight, had everything organized in my bags for easy hotel hopping, and overall felt like moving from place to place was almost a breeze (minus navigating foreign train stations and airports) with these items around. Trust me, these products have been put through the test and they all aced it.

For Airline Travel

yorraka 5 Inch Baby Fan

Was bringing a stroller fan on an airplane with me a bit extra? Yes, but when you're landing in a new country at 7 AM after a six hour flight and you can't go take a nap because #jetlag, then sleeping as comfortably as possible is absolutely essential. And, for me at least, having air blowing on my face is a necessity to sleep well. This fan has both a flexi-stick attachment and a tripod base attachment, versatility that was needed since I wasn't sure where exactly I'd be able to put it. For one flight I propped it up on the tray table and for the other I slipped the flexi-stand into the chair pocket.

Using the stroller fan while on a flight.

EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow

This might just be the softest blanket I own, and I own A LOT of blankets. I would highly advise getting this instead of relying on those itchy airline-given blankets on an overnight flight. It has a trolley pocket so it fits right over your suitcase handle but also has a karabiner if you prefer to attach it to your bag. When you're done with it, it easily (no stuffing or zipper yanking required) packs into the carrying case which, plot twist, can double as a pillow.

Sleep Number Travel Pillow

I hesitate to even call this a travel pillow because the comfort level is far more akin to a traditional pillow than any travel pillow I've ever tried. It's firm enough to keep your head supported against something but soft enough that you probably won't be able to tell a difference in this and your regular pillow. And if this one isn't your style, here's another travel pillow option that also comes highly recommended by another editor.

Apple AirTag

Despite hearing all the horror stories of lost luggage in recent months, I thought I could get away with not needing an AirTag to slip into my suitcase if I needed to track it because I wasn't checking any bags—or so I thought. My very first flight ended up being full, so my bag had to be checked and I simply had to cross my fingers and hope it found its way to me three flights later. So here's your word of warning: even if you're not checking a bag, you should still consider slipping one of these bad boys into your suitcase just in case.

Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle

Buying plastic water bottles everywhere is 1. kind of expensive after a while and 2. very far from eco-friendly. I love that these have karabiners that make them easily attachable to backpacks but also serve double duty to make sure the bottle is as tightly and securely wound as possible when not in use.

LKY DIGITAL Sleep Mask

This was the only item I forgot to order and bring, and I was mad the entire trip I had because I couldn't find them at a single airport I was in. These eye masks completely cup your eye, letting absolutely no light in but also not irritating you by rubbing against your lids. They are superior to any eye mask I've ever used, hands down.

Twelve South Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter/Adapter

This handy little device has gotten a lot of buzz lately, so I'd be remiss not to mention it. It plugs into a regular AUX outlet to connect Bluetooth headphones to a non-Bluetooth device, aka the airplane TVs. It was really useful for my husband as he uses headphones that solely connect through Bluetooth, but my aforementioned headphones were able to connect directly to the TV. I'd really only recommend these if you use headphones like AirPods that don't have an AUX connection and you truly hate the airline-given headphones, because any plane that has TVs should give your free earbuds to connect to the TV.

CHARMKING Compression Socks

Compression socks are 0% cute but 100% necessary. Just put your pride aside and get them so you can walk off your flight pain free.

BTOOP Weekend Bag

I love this bag so much that I immediately told my mom (who travels far more than I do) to buy it ASAP. It fits regulation size as a personal item but is a full weekender-style bag with plenty of room. The bottom portion is zippered for shoe storage and it also has a zippered trolley pocket that was perfect for stashing away passports. And the space—don't even get me started. This bag has a small zippered pocket inside and two open pockets with a main bag full of space. We brought home 5 souvenirs and I was able to fit all of them into this bag with everything originally packed inside with ease.

The weekender bag packed as a personal item for airline travel. I have my travel pillow, toiletries/makeup, a book, extra set of clothes, eye mask, passport, wallet, and two pairs of shoes packed.

Bevegekos Tech Organizer Travel Case

I couldn't count on one hand the number of times my husband said on our trip, "This tech organizer was such a good purchase." Say goodbye to the days of digging through your bag on the cramped airplane floor trying not to bump the people in front of you frantically looking for your phone charger. This organizer wrangled two power banks, two phone charger cables, two headphone charger cables, and the stroller fan cables.

The tech organizer packed with the Anker portable charger, three charging cords, wireless earbuds, and a charging block.

DELSEY Paris Chatelet Hardside Luggage

This suitcase is a bit of a splurge, but high-quality luggage is 100% worth the investment if you use them even just a few times a year. It's incredibly durable, with a handle that doesn't budge when you pull and wheels that glide effortlessly over surfaces. My suitcase fell off the luggage rack of a high-speed train, so it didn't come out of the trip unscathed, but dents easily popped out without leaving color damage to the shell. This piece was checked on three different flights and had not a single scratch from that process. If you're looking for a cheaper luggage set, I recommend this suitcase that my husband took. It showed a bit more wear and tear and you can tell the shell is not as durable just by touching it, but I do like that it has reinforced edges to prevent dents on the corners. Plus, it's a bargain.

BAGAIL 4-Piece Compression Packing Cubes

If you haven't gotten on the compression packing cube train, now is the time. Not only do they reduce the size of your clothing by forcing all of the air out of the cube, but they also helped me to stay organized. I used a cube for tops, one for pants, and one for pajamas, so unpacking at three different hotels was honestly a breeze. If you really want to make the most of your space, consider investing in some vacuum travel cubes (though I'm not sure I'd advise these if you're hotel hopping).

Packing cube that is fully stuffed and compressed.

Dual Travel Organizer

I did not have one of these organizers when traveling, but I really wish I had. I used a smaller jewelry case, but it was honestly a bit more cumbersome because 1. it was one more thing to keep up with and 2. I believe it took up more room in my bag than this would have.

RELATED: The Best Travel Jewelry Organizers

Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.

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The Prime Day Deals Our Readers Are Buying in Droves

Time is ticking on the Prime Day clock — and Strategist readers have been busy shopping . Over the past two days, we’ve dug up more than 250 deals in our big list of Prime Day deals , and you’ve shopped your way through them, adding everything from boring basics to worth-it big-ticket items to your carts. Now, as the end of Prime Day draws near, there are 25 clear winners for your most-purchased products.

Beauty products dominated the best-seller leaderboard with CosRX snail mucin and our best-in-class EltaMD sunscreen claiming the top-two spots. You’ll also see that, like many of the writers on staff, Strategist readers are stocking up on heavily discounted household products including trash bags, hand soap, and toilet paper. A particularly popular pair of red kitchen shears and a personal fan made the list, too. So if you’re doing a final sweep as Prime Day comes to a close, here’s your chance to buy what everyone else is buying.

This long-beloved essence was our top seller by far. The record-low price makes restocking a no-brainer — or finally finding out what all the hype is about (fighting breakouts and hyperpigmentation, according to Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton ).

We’re not surprised that our favorite face sunscreen was a top seller — it goes on sale occasionally but is rarely this cheap. Not only does it leave behind zero white cast, it also works well for acne-prone skin.

Emma Wartzman, the Strategist’s kitchen and dining writer, says these small but mighty kitchen scissors are strong enough to cut through fish and chicken-rib bones. Apparently, many of you will soon find out for yourselves.

Moving on to boring basics: Strategist readers bought garbage bags in bulk. With 110 bags, this box might last you over a year.

One of our writers bet that Crest’s 3D Whitestrips would be our top-selling product, and she wasn’t far off. It joins several other dental-hygiene products that you’ll find further down this list.

It turns out that, like Strategist writer Lauren Ro, many of you just want to live mosquito-free .

Your medicine cabinets will soon be amply supplied with toothpaste, based on the amount of Sensodyne that flew off the shelves this Prime Day.

In other boring-basics news, many of you stocked up on Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap …

… And surprisingly delightful scalloped-edge toilet paper.

Decidedly not basic, but a worthy investment. It’s our best overall robot vacuum and the best price it’s ever been. (Four more robot vacuums on sale for Prime Day here .)

The Strategist’s deals editor Sam Daly named this one her three favorite deals out of the thousands available during the event. She’s been covering sales since 2018, so when she says a deal is good, take her lead.

As on Prime Days of yore, our favorite makeup remover was a hit.

Many of you will be staying (extra) hydrated during the heat wave, thanks to these lemon-lime-flavored hydration packets, which count electrolytes, glucose, vitamins, and nutrients on the ingredients list.

This memory-foam sleep mask, which we named our best blackout sleep mask , is going quickly. You’ll find it equally discounted in this deep purple, a classic black , and a navy blue , among others.

Many of you got a head start on fall shopping with our roundup of the best back-to-school deals , including this heavily discounted box of Sharpies.

We’ve been spotting personal fans like this one all over the New York City subway — and after noticing how many of you bought this one, we’re expecting to see several more fans in the wild soon.

Apple products , in general, have been a huge hit these past two days, and AirPods in particular have been going fast. The second-generation AirPods pro are a great deal you can still snag (many of the others have already ended).

An equally popular pair, presumably among our readers who prefer headphones to earphones. They’re the pair tech writer Jordan McMahon says (in his Prime Day tech deals roundup) he uses almost daily — at a discount rarely seen on Apple products.

Been a very headphone-heavy Prime Day! This is the pair deals writer Sam Daly recommends in her mega Prime Day hub . She’s had them for years, and they’re under $200 for the first time.

The Laneige lip mask is ensconced in the Strategist beauty canon for good reason. It’s beloved by celebrities, editors, and, clearly readers, too.

More sunscreen! And even more affordable than the EltaMD.

Olaplex’s shampoo is a top seller this year, which isn’t surprising considering it earned a spot in our guide to the very best shampoos .

And to complete the set, our readers bought our best conditioner for color-treated hair , too.

You might have spotted this fragrance-free, sensitive-skin-friendly detergent in several of our Prime Day posts this year — and that is because the deal was just that good.

Are you all going camping soon? Lots and lots of readers bought this filter, which rids water of bacteria and parasites.

We have never seen Windex for as low as $2 a bottle. It seems that many of you have never seen it that low, either.

Guess we’re all kind of freaking out about air quality these days, huh? (This, luckily, is our best overall air purifier .)

Our deals writer says that she can count on one hand the amount of times that she’s seen this little airplane device on sale. If you haven’t already ordered, don’t miss it.

Also on your back-to-school shopping lists: these highly discounted Bentgo lunchboxes. While this one is made for kids, there’s also this modern-looking one for adults .

And finally, you are still loving these tried-and-true Strategist favorite dishcloths that feel a lot like paper towels.

The Strategist  is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about  here . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Deal of the Day

Micro sales, greatest hits, most viewed stories.

• The 16 Very Best Protein Powders
• The 42 Best Prime Day Deals for the Last Day, According to Our Deals Writer
• The 66 Best Prime Day Deals Still Available, According to Our Writers
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• The 295 Best Prime Day Deals to Shop in the Final Hours

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The 19+ best Lightning Deals to shop right now

Amazon Prime Day is now on its second (and last) day of sales, offering thousands of discounts exclusive to Prime members . You can find deals across categories like tech , vacuums , and beauty and wellness during the last leg of the 48-hour event. Some of the best discounts to shop are Lightning Deals, which only run for a few hours and change throughout the day. Since they don’t last long, if you see a Lightning Deal you’re interested in, don’t wait to buy it.

As a writer for NBC Select, I frequently cover shopping events like Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so I know how to find deals that are actually worth buying . Below, I rounded up the best Prime Day Lightning Deals available right now.  I’ll continue updating this list throughout Prime Day.

Best Prime Day Lightning Deals

Best prime day lightning deals for home.

• 33% off the Nicebay Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
• 30% off the YnM Cooling Weighted Blanket
• 23% off the OlarHike 8-Piece Packing Cube Set
• 37% off the McGor Wireless Under Cabinet Lights
• 25% off Saferst Waterproof Mattress Protector
• 27% off Bedsure Beige King Size Comforter

Best Prime Day Lightning Deals for tech

• 55% off the Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi router 4-Pack
• 50% off Ring Video Doorbell with Ring Stick Up Cam (Plug-In) and Ring Indoor Cam
• 43% off the Lecran Digital Camera
• 50% off the Birdsnap Smart Bird Feeder
• 20% off the Govee Smart Light Bulb

Best Prime Day Lightning Deals for beauty and wellness

• 20% off the Topicals High Roller Ingrown Hair Serum
• 42% off the Wavytalk Professional Ionic Hair Dryer Blow Dryer
• 20% off the Necessaire The Deodorant Gel
• 27% off the Feierdun Adjustable Dumbbells

Best Prime Day Lightning Deals for kitchen

• 46% off the Keouke Vegetable Chopper
• 74% off the Aeitto Cold Press Juicer Machine
• 40% off the Woodenhouse Wooden Cooking Utensil Set
• 25% off the Fretta Slow Juicer
• 38% off the Kerilyn Deep Fryer Pot

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m a writer for NBC Select who has covered deals and sales for three years. To round up the best Prime Day Lightning Deals, I found highly-rated products at their lowest price ever or their lowest price in three months.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Deanna Pai is a freelance writer and editor at NBC Select.

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Democrats Seek Criminal Investigation of Justice Thomas Over Travel and Gifts

The senators said the Supreme Court justice’s failure to disclose lavish gifts and luxury travel showed a “willful pattern of disregard for ethics laws.”

By Maya C. Miller

Reporting from Washington

Two top Democratic senators have asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation of Justice Clarence Thomas for possible violations of federal ethics and tax laws.

Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland last week asking that he appoint a special counsel to investigate Justice Thomas’s failure to disclose lavish gifts , luxury travel , a loan for a recreational vehicle and other perks given to him by wealthy friends.

The request further intensified efforts by Senate Democrats to scrutinize Justice Thomas’s conduct at a time when they are trying to force Supreme Court justices to comply with stricter ethics and financial disclosure rules.

“We do not make this request lightly,” the senators wrote in a joint statement. “Supreme Court justices are properly expected to obey laws designed to prevent conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety and to comply with the federal tax code.”

“No government official should be above the law,” they added.

Specifically, the senators asked that a special counsel investigate whether Justice Thomas violated federal ethics and tax laws by failing to disclose as income the $267,000 he received in forgiven debt for a luxury R.V.

The senators wrote that Justice Thomas had “repeated opportunities” to explain his failure to disclose the gifts to the Senate Finance Committee, of which Mr. Wyden is the chairman, as well as the Judiciary Committee’s panel on federal courts, which Mr. Whitehouse leads.

They also accused Justice Thomas of showing a “willful pattern of disregard for ethics laws,” behavior that they said surpassed that of other government officials who have been investigated by the Justice Department for “similar violations.”

A spokeswoman for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Maya C. Miller covers Congress and is a Times Fellow , a program for journalists early in their careers. She is based in Washington. More about Maya C. Miller

Our Coverage of Congress

Here’s the latest news and analysis from capitol hill..

Biden’s Age Concerns: President Biden has yet to do what many Democrats on Capitol Hill said he must to show he is up to remaining in the race. But so far, they are doing nothing to nudge him aside .

The Aging Senate: Senators have had plenty of practice watching colleagues hold stubbornly onto their positions of power as they grow old. None wants to lead a public call  for  Biden to withdraw.

Merrick Garland: The House defeated a Republican measure that would have imposed a $10,000-a-day fine on the attorney general  for refusing to turn over audio recordings of President Biden’s interview with a special counsel.

Justices Alito and Thomas: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, introduced articles of impeachment  against the two justices , accusing them of improperly failing to disclose gifts from wealthy benefactors and to recuse themselves from certain cases.

​​McCarthy’s Revenge Tour: Kevin McCarthy, the former House speaker, has spent much of his time, energy and money since leaving Congress trying to defeat the Republicans who cost him his gavel .