Some clichés are clichés for a reason. Being a mom is really hard. But it’s so, so rewarding. Also, travel is the best teacher. For many moms, those three clichés are often true in tandem. Sometimes, the lessons we learn during travel make the invisible load of motherhood a little lighter to bear. Sometimes, the lesson is simply that we have to make time for ourselves to be the best moms we can be. And sometimes, seeing the world through our kids’ eyes is enough to remind us that even when the road is rough, the reward is usually worth it.
So, when it comes to gifts you can give the moms in your life, it’s hard to beat travel gifts... especially when travel already seems to be their favorite form of therapy. While splurging on things as pricey as plane tickets or an all-inclusive resort stay is (understandably) out of reach for many of us, there are tons of items any travel-loving mom would be overjoyed to get. We should know! The Scary Mommy editors are all busy moms who enjoy squeezing getaways and adventures into whatever little pockets of spare time we can find.
Here are some of our favorite travel-forward finds.
A customizable travel pillow
I have the full-size Naturepedic pillow, and I yearn to own the travel-sized one too. I have chronic neck pain and headaches, so I need a soft yet supportive pillow and one that is comfortable when sleeping on my back or my side. I’ve purchased and used so many pillows in my day, and this is finally THE ONE. I love that you can customize how much stuffing you keep inside, and I like to form mine with a little divot for my head to maximize my neck support. The full-size is heavy, though, so I really want to find a travel-sized one under the tree this year to use instead of the down (deeply unsupportive) hotel pillows that leave me hurting. — Katie McPherson, Associate Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment
This dreamy double-duty diaper bag backpack
This is the diaper bag I wish I’d had for every family trip with little ones! It fits a pump, bottles, diapers, a laptop... really, you’d be surprised how much stuff you can stuff in it. I especially love that there’s a quick-grab pocket on the front sized perfectly for wipes. Even though my kids are teens, I carry this as a carry-on backpack because it’s so pretty and functional, and it slips right over your suitcase handle so you have one less thing to juggle at the gate. Thanks to the easy-clean neoprene and chic design, it doesn’t scream “diaper bag.” — Julie Sprankles, Deputy Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment
A carry-on tote that stays put
The Cincha Go-Tote has become my most-reached-for travel bag because it solves the one problem every traveler has: The carry-on that tips over every time you let go of it. The Cincha Go-Tote has a built-in luggage sleeve that slides right over your suitcase handle so everything stays put, and your hands stay free; plus it is water-resistant, has leather accents that make it look way more elevated than a travel bag has any right to look, and fits everything you need for a flight without becoming a black hole. For the traveler on your holiday list who has everything but still somehow does not have this, it is the gift that immediately becomes indispensable! — Katie Garrity, Senior Editor, News & Social
A pillow that actually lets you sleep
I have bought my fair share of travel pillows over the years, and a lot of them just... don't get the job done. I love this one because it stuffs into a small sack and it really does help you nod off on the plane without choking or smothering you. When I travel with this, people always ask me where it's from. — Sarah Aswell, Deputy Editor, News & Social
An heirloom-worthy trunk for big trips
I think my new favorite obsession is traveling with a trunk! For those trips when you need the extra space, this beauty lets you travel in style. It has such a sophisticated vintage-inspired look... it feels like it should be loaded onto the Orient Express. That old-world glamour even extends to a sleek double-latch closure (instead of a zipper) with TSA-approved locks. She’s not just pretty, though; she’s durable too, thanks to a tough polycarbonate shell, reinforced corners, and replaceable wheels. And once you get used to traveling trunk-style with its super-convenient deep side, it’ll be hard to go back! — Julie Sprankles
Color-coded cubes that tame the suitcase black hole
Packing for a trip with kids usually means digging through a black hole for one sock, and these clear, color-coded organizers fix that. The set of four comes in big, medium, and mini sizes with windows so you can see exactly what’s inside, and my favorite part is that each one gets its own job, like clothes, snacks, or tech and first aid. They’re the unglamorous travel upgrade that makes packing and unpacking take minutes instead of hours, and I’m never traveling without them again!— Katie Garrity
A cordless charger you’ll want two of
I don't know how many times I've had a fully charged battery back with me while traveling, but I can't find the right cord to attach it to my phone. This magnetic charger is small, mighty, and charges cordlessly! It has become my number one charging brick, and that says a lot coming from me. This is one of those products where you buy one and then almost immediately buy another one, just to have a spare. I also love getting these as gifts for people! — Sarah Aswell
Joggers that’ll be your new travel uniform
My non-negotiable for travel days is comfort, but I don’t want to look like I rolled right out of bed and onto the plane, either. These Cozy Earth joggers are just the ticket. They’re ridiculously soft, with a slim-but-relaxed fit and an adjustable drawstring that’s perfect for long flights. And the burgundy color is seriously stunning, so I look put-together even though I feel like I’m in my comfiest PJs. — Julie Sprankles
Travel pouches with the perfect vacation aesthetic
Ask anyone who knows me, and they'll tell you my happy place is sitting out in the sun — wherever that may be. As someone who has long loved Gray Malin's art (but not someone who has been able to splurge on it as often as I'd like), these travel pouches make a great happy medium. I love how packable and useful these travel pouches are, but what I love most about them is how "in the mood" they'll get you to travel. As you pack up your stuff, you can practically taste vacation. What's not to love? — Kate Auletta, Editor in Chief
A roomy check-in bag to replace your old one
For the traveler on your list who is still hauling around a beat-up suitcase, this is the upgrade that will make them feel like a seasoned jet-setter, with a slim aluminum frame and polycarbonate shell that look as sleek as they are tough. The 77-liter interior has a built-in compression panel for squeezing in just a little more and about 1.5 inches of extra depth, which is exactly what you need for a 7- to 10-day trip. It also has smooth steel-bearing 360° spinner wheels and two TSA-approved locks, so it’s the gift that makes every airport trip a little less stressful! — Katie Garrity
Shoe inserts for foot pain relief and comfort
Like many people entering their 40s after a lifetime of wear and tear, I deal with a lot of foot issues, especially when I'm walking 20,000 steps a day while traveling. I love these shoe inserts that have gotten me through the most epic travel days, including 12-mile days at Disney World and a 15-mile day hike in Glacier National Park. — Sarah Aswell
A cute and cozy travel blanket set
While experts generally agree that airlines don’t reuse blankets, it’s still comforting just to carry your own on board. As someone who is always cold, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being able to toss this into my carry-on. It comes with a super-soft throw, a matching eye mask, and the coordinating bag to stash them both in. — Julie Sprankles
A luxe, multi-functional backpack
This is the carry-on to match all carry-ons! This backpack opens super wide at the top so you can find anything you need, plus it has a large front zippered pocket for chargers, snacks, or notes from admirers. It fits so much stuff and yet still somehow slides perfectly under an airplane seat like some kind of backpack sorcery. — Katie Garrity
A classic hardshell carry-on
It’s just designed to fit so much more, even though it takes up the same amount of space as other bags. Used with the packing cubes from the same company, I can easily fit a week’s worth of stuff into a bag and not have to check anything. — Sarah Aswell
The coolest, most carry-on-friendly headphones
Marshall is such an iconic brand that I feel a little cooler every time I slip these headphones on. There are lots of reasons they’re great for tossing in your carry-on. The adaptive noise cancellation automatically blocks out plane noises, but one push of a button switches to transparency mode so I can hear flight announcements. The battery lasts up to 50-plus hours with ANC on. And, one of my favorite features, they’re made to fold up small so you can stash them in your bag without a hassle. — Julie Sprankles
A clever little bag organizer
This tote organizer turns any bottomless pit of a bag into an orderly dream. With pockets and pouches for all of your on-the-go essentials, the ToteSavvy makes traveling a breeze. — Katie Garrity
Leak-proof travel bottles that actually deliver
S'well makes my favorite lunch salad bowl container — it never leaks and is super high-quality. So when I saw that the same company came out with a travel bottle set, I knew that I wanted it! All of their products are so well designed and thoughtful; these bottles are made of lightweight material, and they haven't leaked yet. They also come in a super cute lightweight pouch. — Sarah Aswell
A durable carry-on backpack with vacuum compression
My husband travels for work, so he flies multiple times per week. He’s been using the Airback MAX for about a year now, and it has held up remarkably well to his strenuous schedule! But what he really loves is that it lets him skip checking a bag because it has a built-in vacuum system that sucks air out of your clothes. That means you can fit 25+ items in this one carry-on-sized bag. It also converts from a rolling trolley to a backpack in seconds, has dual TSA-approved locks, USB ports, and an expandable compression bag that doubles as a laundry bag. — Julie Sprankles
A screen-free lifesaver for tiny flyers
The scariest part of any flight is wondering how long the entertainment is going to last, and this kit is built to keep toddlers 18 months and up busy from takeoff to landing without a single screen. It comes with a first-flight storybook that helps set expectations before you board, which is a small thing that makes a big difference when a little one has never been on a plane. It’s compact, screen-free, and designed by Lovevery’s play experts, so it’s one more thing I don’t have to worry about in the carry-on! — Katie Garrity
A surprisingly spacious foldable tote
For a bag that barely weighs a pound when unpacked and tucks away neatly into a small zippered square, you’ll be shocked by how much The Foldie actually holds: When fully expanded, it has a 40-liter packing volume. The expandable bottom adds just the right amount of extra space when needed. We love that it’s a great size to use as your carry-on or to tuck into your suitcase for bringing home souvenirs. I’ve been using this bag heavily for almost two years now, and it’s still one of my absolute favorites. Not only does it still look great, but I get asked about it all the time! — Julie Sprankles
A post-flight face fix
I fully admit I got one of these after seeing a social media video of a before-and-after. This thing really does depuff your face... and if you're like me, my face can get pretty puffy while traveling. Carrying this with me and having it after I get off the plane or after a long car ride just makes me feel better. And even besides the de-puffing benefits, it feels really good, too. — Sarah Aswell
A waterproof backpack that’s perfect for beach trips
I love that the Woda is the brainchild of two moms living in Charleston, South Carolina, who needed something hands-free that could be hosed down after days on the coast with their kids. For moms who love to pack up the car and head to the nearest beach as much as possible, you can’t get a better gift than this super-durable yet lightweight waterproof backpack. Made from a non-toxic EVA foam, it’s mold- and mildew-resistant, meaning she won’t have to worry about it getting funky after a day on the water. And it’s seriously roomy with a carrying capacity of up to 30 pounds! — Julie Sprankles
(Pretty) compression socks for long flights
Any itinerant traveler knows long flights cause blood flow in the legs to slow down since you’re seated for extended periods. That, in turn, can increase the risk of health issues like deep vein thrombosis. Compression socks are a simple way to help blood vessels work more efficiently on long flights, reducing the risk of swelling and blood clots. Trust us when we say that Dr. Motion compression socks are out here compressioning! And they come in so many cute patterns, which is so girly to say... but we don’t care. — Katie Garrity
Supersized packing cubes for smarter suitcases
What did I do before packing cubes? I love these by JanSport because they are larger than most and fit perfectly in my suitcase side by side. The smaller "cube" is great for carrying an extra pair of undies and a spare shirt in my carry-on. They also have a see-through mesh front and a carrying handle, which make a huge difference. And never forget that JanSport items all come with an incredibly wonderful lifetime warranty. — Sarah Aswell
A gorgeous jewel-toned medium check-in
I’m a carry-on girlie whenever I can be, but some trips just require more space. And if I’m going to be checking a bag, I want it to fit everything without being too cumbersome. This Monos Medium Check-in is the perfect size because it’s roomy without being obnoxiously big. Plus, the limited-edition Mulberry color is a deep, glossy purple that is beyond dreamy! Add in the fact that it’s durable, has a TSA-accepted lock, and super-glidable wheels, and I genuinely get excited at the mere thought of packing for my next trip. — Julie Sprankles
TSA-friendly face wash
It’s a toss-up when it comes to what’s more vexing: using generic hotel bar soap to wash your face or having to buy new face wash when you get where you’re going because you can’t carry on your fave. That’s why we’re big fans of Olay Cleansing Melts. These portable cleansing squares are TSA-friendly since they’re water-activated, so you can toss ‘em in your purse or carry-on. — Kate Auletta
The passport holder that finds itself
Raise your hand if you’ve ever frantically patted down every pocket in an airport security line, convinced you lost your passport (me, it’s definitely me). So when I needed a new passport holder, I knew I wanted one with a bit of built-in peace of mind. This Spotminders Passport Holder Air works with Apple’s Find My app, meaning I can see exactly where my passport is in about two seconds. It’s ultra-slim but still has room for my license and a few other cards, plus a dedicated flap for boarding passes. Right now there’s a buy-two-get-one-free deal, which makes it a smart pick if you’re looking to upgrade the whole family before a big trip. — Julie Sprankles
A suitcase that weighs itself before the airport does
For anyone who’s ever stood at the airport counter pulling a sweater out of an overstuffed suitcase, the BÉIS Large Check-In Roller is a game changer, thanks to its built-in weight indicator that tells you when you’re hitting 50 pounds before you ever leave the house. It has a durable hard-shell exterior, smooth 360° wheels, a TSA lock, a hidden AirTag pocket, and 2 inches of expansion for the souvenirs you absolutely will bring home, and the glossy mint color means you’ll spot it on the carousel from across the room. It’s the one piece of luggage that makes a two-week family trip feel organized instead of chaotic! — Katie Garrity
Compact noise-canceling earbuds that pop
For trips when I don’t have room for over-ear headphones, these Nothing Ear (3a) earbuds pack a ton of travel-ready power into a punchy, pocket-sized case. They have active noise cancellation and hi-res sound, plus the battery life is up to 41 hours so I don’t have to hunt for an outlet at the gate. They’re also great for using while on calls. I got the yellow colorway, and it just makes me happy every time I pull them out. — Julie Sprankles
source https://www.scarymommy.com/shopping/travel-gifts-for-moms
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