Mother's Day Travel Gift List

Can you believe it's already halfway through April? That means next month is Mother's Day, and if your mother (or grandmother, sister, daughter, friend) is a traveler, you might want to get them a little something fun for when they get back on the plane, or on the road. I've included some of my favorite items for any budget you may have. 

My mom loves to travel and we take trips together at least once or twice a year, and she also goes on her own trips with friends, so she can always use new travel items. Now, normally I split these sections into price ranges, but I thought this time I'd try splitting them into categories. You can let me know if you like this better or not in the comments.

Handbags

Ladies need something to carry around their things wherever they go and some bags are better than others. Surely, one of these will match your mom's personality and style.

Timbuk2 Mini Spark Bag $69

I have this bag in the micro, which can be worn as a crossbody. It's perfect for everyday and great for just the essentials. The Mini is bigger and has room for all those extras you need, like snacks, battery backups, a camera or your phone accessories. Whatever your mom needs to take along, it will fit in this cool bag.

Travelon Anti-Theft Essentials Convertible Backpack/Tote $94.99 on Amazon | $100 on Travelon (take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%)

I am a lover of Travelon, and I have other bags in the Essentials line. This bag is perfect for the lady who wants to use a bag as a personal item on the plane and then take that same bag with them wherever you go. It goes from tote to backpack, and with the anti-theft clips mean they never have to worry about always keeping an eye on their bag while on the go.

Lewis N Clark Secura Commuter $39

Lewis N Clark makes awesome bags that are chic and full of innovations. They also have anti-theft features. If your mom prefers a smaller bag that is also secure, this little commuter bag is perfect and comes in classic black as well. While I don't have this bag, I have the Convertipack and the Satchel. Both have come on trips with me and I've only had good things to say about them.

Travelon Anti-Theft Boho Clutch $35.60 on Amazon | $55 on Travelon (take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%)

Does your mom like a little more pizzazz when it comes to colors and patterns? The little Boho clutch is quilted, fun, and versatile. It can go from an all-day crossbody to a night-out clutch/wrist bag. It's basically, two bags in one. 

Masks

Keep your mom safe and stylish with some great masks for her travels. Not only will she need them on the plane (and other transportation), but many destinations still require them indoors. If she's gotta wear one, she should at least look cool in it.

MaskC Floral KN95  $36 for 10

When in crowded spaces, like the plane, I always choose a KN95 mask. Their form is not only more breathable, but it's also more comfortable with the extra room in front. You may opt for black or colorful ones, but I also really love these floral masks.

Vida Artist Print-On-Print Reusable Mask $18

Yes, I have a lot of different masks in my house. As much as I think disposable masks have a place for travels, I also love a great reusable mask, because you can wash and reuse them while on a long trip. They enable you to pack a little lighter and show your style a bit more. I have several Vida masks, including the sport masks and the artist prints. The all come with filters and are really comfortable.

The Barrier Method Neckie $35 & Winged Mask $45

I love the Winged Mask, but the Just the Mask and Neckie are more suitable for many destinations. They are lightweight, but still anti-bacterial and have built-in UPF, so you don't get sunburned on your face and neck, especially when sitting in the window seat where the sun's rays can be much worse. There is a mask for everyone. You may recall that I started wearing my Winged Mask before masks were even required. You can see my review here.

Accessories

Oftentimes, accessories can help make your trip a lot more convenient and awesome. I always bring things that are going to allow me to pack lighter, save money, and be healthier. 

Airplane Pockets $24.95

Every flight attendant will tell you how gross the seatback pocket on the plane is. They get cleaned out, but never cleaned, so you're putting your headphones in the same pocket that may have just had a dirty diaper in it a few hours earlier. Airplane Pockets fit over your tray table, making it antibacterial, and give you four pockets - one large one and three smaller ones - to fit everything you need for a flight. After you land, slip it off, fold it up, and toss it in your bag.

Conair travel Flat Iron $18.70

Conair makes some of my favorite hair appliances. I take my travel flat iron with me whenever I travel and it actually works better than other full-size ones I've used and own. It heats up quickly and cools down fast enough for me to use it in the morning, finish packing up, and putting it in my bag before we check-out. 

Battery Backup $26.95

When you're out all day snapping pics, using your GPS to get around, and posting jealousy-inducing photos to social media, your phone battery can drain pretty quickly. Having a decent sized battery backup like this one can make sure you can always charge up your phone. In fact, we carry two similar ones and each allows us to charge up fully at least twice during the day (we play a lot of games as well).

Lewis N Clark Compression Packing Cubes $30.43

Packing light can be a challenge, but strategic packing items can help you get a little more in your bag. Packing cubes are kind of a necessity, and even if your mom has some, if she doesn't have compression cubes, it's time to upgrade her. Get 30% more in your bag, or save that extra room for other necessities, like your toiletry bag and shoes. You pack these like normal, then zip them to compress your clothes just a bit more. 

Pivo Pod Lite $89.99

Several years ago I backed Pivo on kickstarter, because it looked exactly like a thing I could use for taking outfit photos and more. Cut to now where I've been using the original with ease and have just upgraded to the Pivo Lite to get more features and have a funky new color that I can keep in my travel bag. Pivo allows you to use your phone as a whole photo and video studio + you can use it take group pictures without asking a stranger to help.

Aeropress Portable $39.95

The AeroPress Portable is as great as the original, but everything is compact enough to fit inside it's own coffee cup, which is pretty amazing. As a person who travels quite a lot and tends to stay in places that have terrible coffee makers or none at all, being able to get a good cup of coffee is very important to me. If you have a similar coffee lover on your list, this is a must. You can see my review on it here.

Luggage

If you've been following me for a while, you know I love luggage of all kinds. With so many people who haven't traveled for the last couple of years finally getting back out there, they might need new a new carry-on. A new bag can make you even more excited to travel. 

Rollink Thinkspace Collapsible Carry-On $66.74

Does your mom like cruising or live in a home with limited excess space? The Rollink bag packs down flat and then pops open into a full-size carry-on. It does all the work of a regular bag and then can slide under the bed or in the closet  while on your trip or once you've returned home. 

Lojel Voja Small $200

Lojel makes amazing bags. They may be expensive, but they are made very well and will last for decades. I have two other of their roller carry-ons and I swear by them. If your mom likes to jetset to places like Europe, where there's a lot of cobbles that you need to roll over to get to the hotel or Airbnb from the train.

Coolife Light DutyHardside Carry-On $199.99 Amazon

This is a fun little hardside carry-on in cool colors. It's comparable to other, more expensive luggage, with all the same functionality, space, and style.

Travelon Anti-Theft Metro Carryall $85 on Amazon | $95 on Travelon (take 20% off with my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%)

Maybe your mom takes a lot of overnight or weekend trips. If so, then this carryall is ideal for a few outfits, a pair of shoes, and still have some room leftover for small purchases. When she's on longer trips, she can use this as an underseater for all her entertainment and snacks.

Samsonite Underseat Carry-On $105

My mom actually purchased this bag before our last trip and found it had enough room for 4 day's worth of clothing, toiletries, and shoes. It rolls easily down the plane aisle and fits right under the seat, so nobody has to lift it into the overhead. 

I hope you've found something awesome for the mom on your list, or maybe for yourself if you're a mom or just need something fun for no reason. 

What has been your favorite travel gift to give or receive? 

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links that may result in monetary compensation, which helps me to keep running this blog for you. Thanks in advance for anything you buy.

Do You Need a Real ID?

Travel restrictions are easing and disappearing in a lot of places, meaning people are traveling the world again. If you want to be one of them and not sure if you have the correct identification, you're not alone. Many states have already switched over to Real ID, which is going to be necessary to fly domestically soon. If your state hasn't switched and you still want to travel, there are ways to get in compliance with this new rule going into effect. 

Oregon is one of those states that makes you apply for a Real ID, but we both have valid passports and have Global Entry ID cards as well, so we don't have to figure out how to make time to go to the DMV. 

Are you prepared for travel after this new rule goes into effect?

How To Pack For A Cruise

With travel bouncing back and cruising becoming safer than before, you might be planning a cruise trip. While there are lots of ways to save on a cruise, what about packing for a cruise? Just because there are so many different things to do on the ship, it doesn’t mean you need to bring your whole closet. In fact, you can still pack light and have everything you need for your cruise.

Photo by Adam Gonzales on Unsplash

• Bring multi-purpose items, like a top that you can dress up or down depending on the situation. A plain black tank top can work for a formal night when paired with a statement necklace and a light wrap.
• If you want to really dress up for those formal nights, invest in a bag like a Skyroll, that incorporates a garment bag in the design. You can pack all your regular stuff and then the garment bag wraps around it. Both are carry-on size, so you don't have to check them and *hope* they make it to your cruise. Another option is this 2-in-1 garment duffel.  I would still opt for a few pieces that can be reworn in different ways, even if it's just a little black dress or great pair of pants.
• A nice pair of sandals can also be worn for formal nights, so you don’t have to pack a pair of heels that you’ll only wear a few hours the whole time you’re cruising.
• Men can bring a lightweight sport coat and a few ties to dress up any outfit…and not have the same look twice if there’s more than one formal night on your ship.
• Aside from these things, bring what you normally do: 5 tops, 3 bottoms, a pair of really good walking/running shoes, a rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. If you need more help packing light, here’s a post for you.
• Stage, roll and stuff. To avoid overpacking, set up a staging area where you can lay out everything you are packing. Make two piles: one with essentials and one of things you might need. Roll and pack your essentials first, then see how much room you have left for "maybes". Stuff shoes with socks, belts and other small items. Think of your bag like a game of Tetris and fill in all the available space of each layer. This will eliminate shifting and wrinkles as much as possible. You don't have to stuff your bag to the point of having to sit on it to close it though, because remember that you might want to buy some things at your ports of call. 
• Don't forget your passport if you aren't going to a closed-loop U.S. port.
• If you "check" your bag at the port authority, it may be an entire day before you get it delivered to your stateroom, so make sure you either don't check your bags (you can wander the ship with them, which you might find annoying) or have a smaller carry-on or tote bag with necessities like your bathing suit, extra clothing, sunscreen, camera, etc. I always have a packable tote in my bag just in case. This is a great way to use it.
• Take along a pop-up mesh laundry hamper. Not only does this keep your clean and dirty clothes separate, but it gives you something to carry your dirty clothes to the laundry room. You aren't going to be doing something 24 hours a day on your cruise, but having to do a bit of laundry will remind you to slow down and take a breather. Plus, you can always start your load and hit the buffet while you wait.

I think you're ready to head out on the open seas now, with an excellent mix-and-match wardrobe that doesn't weigh you down too much.

What are your favorite cruise tips?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which may compensate me monetarily if you make a purchase through them. Your purchases enable me to run this blog, so thanks in advance.