--- title: "Christmas Gifts for Traveling Parents: 22 Ideas for Mom and Dad" url: https://33travels.com/christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents/ author: "Lena Marchetti" published: 2026-11-10 updated: 2026-11-10 place: "Buying Guides" --- # Christmas Gifts for Traveling Parents: 22 Ideas for Mom and Dad A parent who travels a few times a year runs into the same problems on every trip: a passport that ends up in the wrong pocket, engine noise on the long leg, a checked bag that lands in another city. Christmas gifts for traveling parents earn their place when they fix one of those. The 22 gifts below are split by who you are buying for: a traveling mom, a traveling dad, or both of them on the same flight. Stocking stuffers, experience gifts and the dates to ship by so the box arrives before December 25 follow. [We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page.](https://33travels.com/affiliate-disclosure/) ## Christmas gifts for traveling parents: the short list | Buying for | Gift | What it fixes | | --- | --- | --- | | Mom | [Travelon Metro crossbody](#tpg-travelon-metro-crossbody) | Passport and phone in a bag with locking zippers | | Mom | [Conair folding hair dryer](#tpg-conair-folding-travel-hair-dryer) | Weak or missing hotel dryers, US and 240-volt outlets | | Dad | [Wanderings passport wallet](#tpg-wanderings-leather-passport-wallet) | Passport, boarding pass and cards in one place | | Dad | [Norelco OneBlade 360](#tpg-norelco-oneblade-360) | A trimmer that charges over USB, no plug-in base | | Both | [Bose QuietComfort Ultra](#tpg-bose-quietcomfort-ultra-2nd-gen) | Engine noise on flights over three hours | | Both | [Tile tracker](#tpg-tile-bluetooth-tracker) | A checked bag that went somewhere else; works with iPhone and Android | | Neither wants more stuff | [A park pass or PreCheck help](#experience-gifts-for-parents-who-travel) | Nothing to pack | ## How to pick a travel gift for mom or dad Three questions narrow the list fast: - **How do they travel?** Cruisers need a garment bag and a clothesline more than a tech pouch. Parents who fly to see grandchildren four times a year need comfort on the plane, and our [travel gifts for grandparents](https://33travels.com/travel-gifts-for-grandparents/) cover the visit itself. Road-trippers get the most from a park pass. - **What do they complain about?** A sore neck after the overnight flight, a hotel bathroom with nowhere to put anything, a dryer that blew a fuse in Rome. Buy for the complaint you heard last. - **What phone do they use?** Trackers and chargers depend on it. An AirTag only works with an iPhone, so the tracker and power bank below were picked to work with both iPhone and Android. In [an r/GiftIdeas thread about parents who fly and cruise](https://www.reddit.com/r/GiftIdeas/comments/1gxv0rd/gift_ideas_for_parents_who_love_to_fly_and_go_on/), the replies came back to the same few things: luggage trackers, a portable charger for phones and tablets, and packing cubes, which one poster said his father now uses on every trip. ## Christmas gifts for a traveling mom These travel gifts for mom cover three things hotel rooms and city days get wrong: a bag she can trust in a crowd, a place for her jewelry and a hair dryer that works abroad. ### A crossbody bag for markets and city days [![Travelon Metro Crossbody](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B07MJQZZGD.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MJQZZGD?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Travelon Metro CrossbodyMid-range A slim bag with locking zippers and a slash-resistant strap, so mom keeps her passport and phone close while she walks a busy market. - Locking zippers, slash-resistant strap and RFID-protected card and passport slots - Small 8.5 x 5.25 x 2 inch body weighs just 0.55 lb; strap length adjusts [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MJQZZGD?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The Metro is small: 8.5 by 5.25 inches, enough for a passport, a phone, a card case and lipstick. That size suits a mom who carries a larger tote on the plane and wants something lighter once she is walking a market or a museum. The zipper pulls clip into a latch, which slows down a hand reaching in from behind. Our [anti-theft travel purse guide](https://33travels.com/best-anti-theft-travel-purse/) compares larger bags with the same features. ### A hair dryer that works abroad Many hotel rooms in Europe have a dryer bolted to the bathroom wall with a hose and one weak setting. Rental apartments often have none. [![Conair Travel Hair Dryer](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0012DL8B4.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012DL8B4?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Conair Travel Hair DryerBudget Hotel dryers are weak and sometimes missing. This one folds into a carry-on and runs on both US and 240-volt outlets abroad. - Dual voltage: works at 240 volts abroad with only a plug adapter, no converter needed - Folding handle, 1875 watts and 2 speed and heat settings [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012DL8B4?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The Conair switches between US and 240-volt current, so it works in the UK, continental Europe, Australia and other 220-240 volt countries with only a plug adapter, no voltage converter. Pair it with a plug adapter for the country she is visiting next if she does not own one. ### Jewelry, makeup and a wrap for the cabin - [![Lolalet Jewelry Case](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0F6CS94VY.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6CS94VY?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Lolalet Jewelry CaseBudget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6CS94VY?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![Vera Bradley Hanging Organizer](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0DG9D8LFF.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG9D8LFF?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Vera Bradley Hanging OrganizerMid-range[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG9D8LFF?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![Happyluxe Travel Wrap](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B01DFT92NI.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DFT92NI?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Happyluxe Travel WrapMid-range[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DFT92NI?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The jewelry case keeps chains from knotting in a suitcase and has a mirror for checking earrings before dinner. The Vera Bradley case hangs by its handle from a towel hook, which matters in hotel bathrooms with one shelf. The Happyluxe wrap is jersey, not wool, so it goes in the washing machine and comes out of a handbag without creases. ## Christmas gifts for a traveling dad These travel gifts for dad each replace one tired piece of his kit: the wallet, the wash bag, the cable tangle and the suit that arrives creased. ### A passport wallet for the security line [![Wanderings Passport Wallet](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B07JMW1WQL.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JMW1WQL?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Wanderings Passport WalletBudget Passport, boarding pass and cards in one folding leather wallet, so dad is not patting every pocket in the security line. - Full-grain leather with an RFID-shield coating for cards and passport chip - Room for a passport on each side, plus 4 card slots; 4 x 5.5 inches [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JMW1WQL?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The wallet holds a passport on each side, which suits a dad who carries both passports for the two of them. With the boarding passes and a credit card in the same fold, he checks one pocket at the gate instead of four. ### A wash bag and a trimmer that charges by USB ![Brown leather wash bag open on a narrow marble hotel sink beside a small trimmer and a toothbrush](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents/assets/hotel-sink-kit.webp) *A leather wash bag on a hotel sink, morning light* - [![KomalC Leather Dopp Kit](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B01LK3VAGI.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LK3VAGI?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)KomalC Leather Dopp KitMid-range[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LK3VAGI?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![Norelco OneBlade 360](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0BZQTSBWZ.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZQTSBWZ?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Norelco OneBlade 360Budget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZQTSBWZ?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The KomalC kit is buffalo leather with metal zippers and room for a full shaving setup. The OneBlade replaces a plug-in shaver: it charges from a USB-A port, runs about 45 minutes per charge and is waterproof, so it works in the shower. TSA allows cartridge and disposable razors in a carry-on, but a safety razor with its blade in has to go in a checked bag ([TSA](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/safety-razor-blades-allowed-without-blade)). The trimmer avoids that question. ### Cables, a suit and something to read [![tomtoc Tech Pouch](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B09781ZY7X.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09781ZY7X?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) tomtoc Tech PouchBudget Chargers, cables and earbuds stay in one pouch that lives in his carry-on, instead of tangled at the bottom of the bag. - Two-compartment design for chargers, cables and small gadgets - Water-resistant polyester; about 9.25 x 2.56 x 4.72 inches, 1-liter capacity [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09781ZY7X?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) A dad who carries a phone, a tablet, a watch and a hearing aid charger has four cables and three plugs at the bottom of his bag. The tomtoc pouch has two compartments and holds about a liter, enough for all of them. [![MATEIN Garment Bag](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B07K6DKPTS.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K6DKPTS?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) MATEIN Garment BagMid-range Dad's suit or sport coat rides hung and wrinkle-free to a wedding, reunion or cruise dinner, and the bag stays in the cabin. - Three loop holders hang up to 3 suits, with tie-down straps and a foam-padded middle strap - Interior zip pockets, a shoe pocket and an adjustable shoulder strap [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K6DKPTS?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The garment bag is for the dad flying to a wedding, a reunion or a cruise with formal nights. It hangs up to three suits and folds into a carry-on shape, so the sport coat stays in the cabin and arrives without creases. [![Large Print Puzzle Booklets](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/1450890598.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1450890598?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Large Print Puzzle BookletsBudget Ten large-print booklets of crosswords and word searches for a long flight or a lounge wait. Paper needs no charging and no Wi-Fi. - 10 booklets of crosswords, word searches, anagrams and more - Large print type; 320 pages across the set [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1450890598?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The booklets weigh almost nothing, so he can take two on the outbound flight and leave the finished ones in the hotel. Add a pen: seat pockets rarely have one. ## Gifts for traveling parents to share on long flights These Christmas gifts for parents who travel together suit a couple on the same flight. Buy one of each, or two of the smaller ones. ### Compression socks and a pillow for the overnight flight ![Legs in knee-high navy compression socks and grey walking shoes stretched out at an airport gate at dawn](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents/assets/gate-socks.webp) *Compression socks and walking shoes at the gate before a long flight* The CDC notes that anyone traveling more than four hours can be at risk for blood clots, and risk rises with age over 40, recent surgery and some medications. It suggests an aisle seat, walking every two to three hours and, for some travelers, graduated compression stockings after talking to a doctor ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/travel.html)). On a Lisbon to Toronto flight in January 2025, the man in the aisle seat next to me, in his seventies, pulled on knee socks before the seatbelt sign went off and walked to the rear galley every two hours. - [![CHARMKING Compression Socks](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B075565Z2N.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075565Z2N?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)CHARMKING Compression SocksBudget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075565Z2N?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![BCOZZY Neck Pillow](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B01DODMU9I.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DODMU9I?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)BCOZZY Neck PillowMid-range[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DODMU9I?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The CHARMKING socks come three pairs to a pack at 15-20 mmHg, a common strength for travel, in sizes for women and men. The BCOZZY pillow has two arms that overlap under the chin, so a sleeping head does not drop forward onto the chest, which is the position that leaves a neck stiff the next morning. Our guide to [sleeping on a plane](https://33travels.com/how-to-sleep-on-a-plane/) covers seat choice and timing for the same flight. ### Noise-cancelling headphones [![Bose QuietComfort Ultra](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0FDKR293G.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDKR293G?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Bose QuietComfort UltraPremium Cuts engine drone on a long flight, and Aware Mode lets the wearer hear a gate announcement without taking the headphones off. - Bose noise cancelling with Quiet Mode and Aware Mode to hear surroundings - Up to 30 hours of playtime; protective case and cable included [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDKR293G?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The noise cancelling takes the drone of the engines down to a hum, and Aware Mode lets the wearer hear a boarding call or a flight attendant without pulling them off. Battery life is up to 30 hours, enough for a round trip to Europe. Most seatback screens still take only a wired 3.5 mm plug, so the included audio cable connects them there. ### A tracker for the checked bag [![Tile Bluetooth Tracker](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0D63657GY.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D63657GY?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Tile Bluetooth TrackerBudget Clip it to a carry-on or passport case. It works with both iPhone and Android, so the gift fits whichever phone a parent has. - Works with both iOS and Android in the free Tile app - Ring a lost item from the app, or ring your phone from the Tile [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D63657GY?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The FAA allows Bluetooth trackers such as Tile and AirTag in checked bags as long as the battery is small, which covers coin-cell trackers like these ([FAA](https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/airline-passengers-and-batteries)). If both parents use iPhones, an AirTag can also be shared with more than 50 airlines through Find My, which helps a baggage desk find a lost bag ([Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/121488)). ### A carry-on and a power bank [![Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B07XSBGH1G.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XSBGH1G?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-OnPremium A softside carry-on with eight spinner wheels and outside USB ports, built for parents who fly several times a year. - 21 x 14 x 9 inch case weighs 7.8 lb and is sizer-bin tested for most US airlines - External USB-A and USB-C ports with a power bank pocket (power bank not included) [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XSBGH1G?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The Platinum Elite is softside, weighs 7.8 pounds and has eight spinner wheels, so it rolls upright beside a parent instead of being dragged behind. Travelpro sizes it to fit the carry-on sizers of most US airlines. It has a pocket for a power bank; if the bag gets checked at the gate, the power bank comes out and stays with them. A parent who already owns a good carry-on does not need this one. [![charmast Power Bank](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0H2YVZY2S.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2YVZY2S?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) charmast Power BankBudget No cords to hunt for in the bag: the cables are built in, so a parent can charge a phone or tablet at the gate with one slim brick. - Four built-in cables with USB-C, iPhone and Micro-USB connectors - 10000 mAh capacity, plus extra ports to charge up to 6 devices at once [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2YVZY2S?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) The charmast has its cables built in, which solves the most common power bank problem with parents: the bank is charged, the cable is at home. It holds 10,000 mAh, well under the FAA’s 100 Wh limit, but it must ride in the carry-on and never in a checked bag. Some airlines also limit how many power banks a passenger can bring and when they can be used on board, so tell your parents to check their airline before the flight. ## Travel stocking stuffers for mom and dad - [![Forge TSA Luggage Locks](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B01NAOEBZ0.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAOEBZ0?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Forge TSA Luggage LocksBudget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAOEBZ0?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![Silicone Travel Bottles](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0CT7LDX69.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CT7LDX69?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Silicone Travel BottlesBudget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CT7LDX69?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![Travel Pill Organizer 3-Pack](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B0CPDYVKPX.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPDYVKPX?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Travel Pill Organizer 3-PackBudget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPDYVKPX?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - [![Retractable Travel Clothesline](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B074QKYGTT.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074QKYGTT?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents)Retractable Travel ClotheslineBudget[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074QKYGTT?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) - **TSA luggage locks.** A pack of four covers two suitcases and two carry-ons, and TSA officers can open them with a master key instead of cutting them off. - **Silicone travel bottles.** Each holds 3 oz, under the TSA limit of 3.4 oz per container in the quart-size bag ([TSA](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule)). - **A weekly pill case.** The set has three slim cases, so mom and dad each get one and one stays in the car. - **A travel clothesline.** It lets a parent pack one week of socks and underwear for a two-week trip, washing them in the sink and hanging them over the bathtub. ## Experience gifts for parents who travel For a mom or dad who says they need nothing, these take up no space in the suitcase: - **TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.** PreCheck gives five years of faster security lanes where shoes, belts and liquids stay on and in the bag ([TSA](https://www.tsa.gov/precheck)). Global Entry adds faster customs on the way back into the US and includes PreCheck ([CBP](https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry)). There is no gift card for either. Each parent applies in their own name and visits an enrollment center in person, so the gift is a card saying you will pay the fee and drive them to the appointment. - **A national parks pass.** The America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at national parks and other federal sites for the pass holder and the people in one car. The USGS store sells it as a gift, but online orders can take up to three weeks to arrive ([USGS](https://store.usgs.gov/pass)). Parents 62 or older qualify for the Senior Pass instead, which also comes in a lifetime version, but the National Park Service does not allow it to be bought as a gift because the holder has to prove their age ([NPS](https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm)). For a parent over 62, the gift is a road trip to a park where they can buy it at the gate. - **A trip you plan for them.** A weekend in a city they have talked about, booked and paid, with the confirmation printed and folded into a card. [![Duncan & Stone Travel Journal](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/_products/B09S1C8PF8.webp)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S1C8PF8?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) Duncan & Stone Travel JournalBudget Prompted pages for up to 15 trips: where they stayed, what they ate, who they met. Once full, it is the family record of their travels. - Linen hardcover with prompts; room for up to 15 trips - Lay-flat pages; measures about 9.25 x 7.75 inches [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S1C8PF8?tag=33travels-20&ascsubtag=christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents) For parents who keep a drawer of postcards and receipts from every trip, a travel journal gives those trips one place. It also makes a gift from a grandchild, with the first page filled in about the last trip they took together. ## Shipping and wrapping travel gifts before Christmas USPS lists these send-by dates for delivery by December 25, 2026 within the lower 48 states ([USPS](https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm)): | Service | Send by | | --- | --- | | USPS Ground Advantage | Thursday, December 17 | | Priority Mail | Friday, December 18 | | Priority Mail Express | Saturday, December 19 | Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico have no single date and take longer, so ship to them in the first week of December. A parks pass ordered online needs its three weeks on top of that. ![Red paper gift bag with white tissue paper in a grey security tray on an airport conveyor next to a coat and loafers](https://33travels.com/wp-content/uploads/packing-guides/christmas-gifts-for-traveling-parents/assets/security-gift-bag.webp) *A gift bag in a security tray at the checkpoint in December* If you are flying home for Christmas with the gifts, leave them unwrapped or put them in gift bags. TSA asks travelers not to wrap gifts in a carry-on, because an officer who needs to inspect one will open it ([TSA](https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/12/17/tsa-offers-end-year-holiday-travel-tips-for-passengers-departing)). In December 2014 an officer at Milan Linate peeled the paper off a book I was carrying to friends in London; I rewrapped it with hotel stationery. The power bank goes in your carry-on, and anything with a liquid, a snow globe included, goes in the checked bag. For travel gifts sorted by the problem they solve for parents over 60, see our [travel gifts for parents](https://33travels.com/travel-gifts-for-parents/) guide. For one gift aimed at any traveler, see our [Christmas gifts for travelers](https://33travels.com/christmas-gifts-for-travelers/) guide. For parents and grandparents you will not see this year, see [Christmas gifts for long distance family](https://33travels.com/christmas-gifts-for-long-distance-family/). ## Christmas gifts for traveling parents: FAQ What ID do parents need to fly within the US? Since May 7, 2025, travelers 18 and over need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another accepted ID, such as a passport or passport card, to board a domestic flight. A REAL ID license has a star in the top corner. Without one, TSA offers a paid ConfirmID check with no guarantee of boarding. See [TSA's REAL ID page](https://www.tsa.gov/real-id). Do Tile trackers work on iPhone and Android? Yes. Tile trackers work with the free Tile app on both iPhone and Android, which makes them the safer gift when you do not know which phone a parent will have next year. An AirTag works only with an iPhone or iPad. The Tile app also lets a parent share the tracker with a spouse, so both phones see where the bag is. What carry-on size fits most US airlines? 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles, is the limit on American, Delta and United. Some airlines, such as Spirit and Frontier, charge for a full-size carry-on and allow only a smaller free personal item that fits under the seat. Check the airline your parents fly most before buying a suitcase as a gift. How can you tell if a gadget will work abroad? Read the label on the charger or the device. If it says 100-240V, it works in any country with only a plug adapter. Phone chargers, laptop chargers and most electric toothbrushes and trimmers are built this way. A label that says 120V only, common on hair tools from US stores, means the device needs a voltage converter abroad or a dual-voltage version.