I wanted to compile less obvious but useful gift ideas for those looking for inspiration for New Year's. These gift ideas are not only valid for New Year's but are perfect gifts for anyone who loves to travel, all year round.

1. TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter (with 2 USB C and 2 USB A Ports) (Fast Charge PD 17W)

TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter is perfect for use in Europe, the USA, the UK, and Asia.

If you are tired of carrying too many travel adapters, the TESSAN universal travel adapter is a perfect New Year's gift for you or a friend who loves to travel. You can use this adapter for all types of EU/US/UK plugs and plug it into these types of sockets. The addition of 2 USB and 2 USB-C ports adds versatility. An additional advantage is its compact and lightweight design, making it perfect for carrying while traveling. If there is only one socket at an airport or hotel, you can charge or plug in multiple devices with this adapter. I have had to carry too many adapters in the past, so this universal adapter has truly been a lifesaver and eliminated the need to carry many adapters. The price of the adapter is $20.99 and it has been a great addition to our travel accessories.

2. Trip Chaser Card Game

Trip Chaser is a portable, travel-themed card game created by Dalene and Pete Heck, who travel around the world, that tests players' travel knowledge. Players earn points by visiting destinations, managing money, and navigating real-life travel events. The goal is to collect the most points by reaching more difficult and distant places, making it a fun and strategic game for families and travel enthusiasts aged 10 and up.

Additionally, when someone purchases a Trip Chaser game, Pete and Dalene will plant a tree (and will receive verification through Ecodrive), and so far this holiday season, they have planted 1500 trees. So, if you are looking for a gift for the traveler in your life and want to feel good while doing it, check out the Trip Chaser website.

3. Gluten-Free Travel Cards for Celiacs

Jodi’s gluten-free travel cards are a perfect New Year's gift to help every celiac friend eat safely around the world. The cards were created by Jodi Ettenburg, who travels worldwide with celiac disease. She chose to create her own card set; longer and more detailed, specifically addressing cross-contamination issues. By 2025, Jodi will offer gluten-free travel cards in 21 languages and is currently working on a few other languages (Swedish, Nepali, Indonesian, Sinhala, Tamil, etc.). These cards will help keep your celiac friends and loved ones safer while traveling. They are also available for instant download in PNG and printable PDF file formats.

You can purchase Jodi's gluten-free travel cards from Gumroad.

4. The World's Best Travel Shawl – Speakeasy Travel Supply

This is another favorite travel accessory of mine that has been very useful during my travels. After experiencing the bitter experience of having my phone and passport stolen, I am always worried about where to put my passport or phone while traveling. Pockets – no. Backpack – maybe, but it still has its disadvantages. I don’t like money belts and bag pouches – I find them really bulky and not stylish. This is where the Speakeasy shawl comes into play. This is a clever innovation by my good blogger friends Bethany and Randy at BeersandBeans.com. They have handmade these beautiful shawls with hidden pockets where you can store travel money, a passport, or even a small guidebook, all in patterns that are not visible to the public eye. Super handy and very stylish – this shawl will regularly be part of my future travels. I definitely recommend it. You can buy your Speakeasy shawl for just $54.99.

5. Different Books: Gestalten

If you want to give a creative and inspiring book to a friend, I recommend getting a book or gift voucher from the Berlin-based publisher Gestalten on topics like architecture, visual culture, design and fashion, escape, food and drinks, and of course travel. Reading their books, enriched with stunning visuals and analyses, is a real pleasure. I might be a bit biased since my own book's publisher, 'Luxury Hostels of the World', could also make a great Christmas gift.

This book features 117 'luxury' design hostels, each offering a fantastic experience and opening the door to a great adventure. The services and amenities offered, from open swimming pools to rooftop dining, from co-working spaces to Spanish cooking classes, are extraordinary. You can enjoy them all in the comfort of a private room or, if budgets do not allow, in stylishly designed dormitories. These Grand Hostels offer information beyond just price and location. The featured hostels are perfect for food lovers, nature enthusiasts, and digital nomads, and are ideal for short city getaways. The English edition is currently available for £25, while the German edition can be purchased from the gestalten website for just €9.99.

6. Traingift

If you want to give a perfect travel-themed gift to a friend or loved one, especially if they love train travel, Traingift is the website you are looking for. Traingift works with all major train companies in the UK, including Caledonian Sleeper, and also with European train companies like Deutsche Bahn, Italo, Eurostar, and Eurail. Purchasing gift vouchers is easy, and they can be sent in PDF format, making them perfect for last-minute Christmas gifts.

7. Buy an Interrail pass starting from €159

With all the hidden fees and extra costs, low-cost airlines have made the Interrail pass one of the best value opportunities for travel.

I traveled with a 7-day, 1-month Interrail pass for €286 in June 2024. You can travel in any direction as much as you want on each travel day. These unlimited travel passes offer great value, at just €35 per day for adults or €26 for youths under 28. Also, remember that children under 12 travel free when accompanied by an adult pass holder. This pass offers great flexibility when choosing trains; compared to cheaper non-refundable tickets. I found it very useful, especially considering the rail disruptions we experienced with Deutsche Bahn in Germany this summer. Also, there are no extra fees for luggage, which is a big plus for any rail travel. However, you should be aware that many trains nowadays require reservations, which adds an extra cost and hassle; especially for trains in France, Italy, and Spain.

Additionally, there is currently an extra 25% discount on Interrail passes until December 17; this means the 7-day pass costs only €215, and the 4-day pass costs just €159 - a great opportunity!

8. Perfect Cabin Bag for Ryanair or easyJet

If you're looking for a perfect cabin bag option that fits the dimensions of 40x20x25 cm for a short trip, check out my friend Monica Stott's stylish Travel Hack Stowaway Ladies Cabin Backpack; you can use this bag to travel for free with Ryanair.

Features of the Travel Hack Stowaway Ladies Cabin Backpack:

- A laptop compartment compatible with devices up to 13".

- An easily accessible top pocket for storing your passport, wallet, phone, and essential travel documents.

- A quite decent 20L internal capacity.

Additionally, there is a holder for your water bottle and a strap on the back panel to effortlessly attach it to any wheeled luggage.

Price: The Travel Hack Stowaway Ladies Cabin Backpack is available for €39.99 on Amazon UK.

For more inspiration on cabin backpacks for Ryanair and easyJet, check out this article.