I’m a Professional Shopper, and These Are the 11 Gifts I’m Telling My Friends to Snag This Year—From $10

Each holiday season, I get texts from my friends begging me to send them my holiday wishlist. As a shopping writer, they want to know what I, a professional, plan to buy for everyone on my list to inspire their own holiday shopping. To spread the wealth, this year I’m sharing my foolproof gift guide beyond just my circle of friends, so Travel + Leisure readers can also get the scoop on these great ideas that everyone on their list will be sure to love, especially frequent fliers.

All of these gifts are from Amazon, so they’ll arrive in time for the holidays, perfect for serial procrastinators. Shop for cozy lounge sets that keep them comfy and cozy on long travel days, an Oprah-loved toiletry bag that will keep belongings organized, and a pack of Apple AirTags to always keep an eye on checked bags. Gifts start at just $10, perfect for when you want to get someone just a little something without breaking your budget.

Best Gift Ideas

Koolaburra by Ugg Koola Ultra Mini

Uggs are a great gift because even though they’re highly desired, many people never actually treat themselves to a pair. They’re a practical gift as well; I keep my pair by my front door to easily slip on when I have to go outside for a quick errand, so I end up wearing them almost every single day. These mini Koolaburra by Ugg boots will keep your feet nice and cozy this winter with their plush faux fur lining. Act quickly and add them to your cart while they’re still 43 percent off!

Bagsmart Puffy Travel Toiletry Bag

This Bagmsart toiletry bag is the perfect gift for the jetsetter in your life. It fits all of the necessities and more, and it’ll protect your suitcase from any unfortunate spills by fitting your makeup, toiletries, medicine, etc. neatly in one place. If you won’t take my word for it, then believe Oprah, who listed this bag as one of her favorite things this year. This bag makes both a thoughtful and useful gift for just about anyone on your list—and it’s currently on sale for $19.

Suuksess Cashmere-blend Oversized V-neck Pullover Sweater

Affordable luxury is the theme of my holiday wishlist this year. Whether I’m treating myself or buying a gift for someone else on my list, I want to shop for something that’s of good quality without breaking the bank. This cashmere-blend sweater is the best of both worlds. For only $34, this soft oversized sweater looks luxurious with its drapey fit and tasteful V-neck collar. Easy to dress up or down, it’s a great versatile layering piece I love to throw into my carry-on to create multiple outfits with it, or wear it on my red-eye flights to stay cozy.

Rothy’s The Casual Clog

I have a confession. For years, my mother recommended Rothy’s shoes to me, and like any child, I ignored her advice. It wasn’t until I borrowed a pair at a friend’s house that I finally realized how amazing these clogs are. As they say, mother knows best, and now I’m sharing her wisdom with our T+L readers. I wear my Rothy’s clogs on almost every flight as they are easy to slip on and off while going through security, and are as comfortable as a slipper, which helps my feet on long travel days. The best part is that these shoes are washable, so even if they become dingy and beat-up looking, a quick rinse cycle and they will look as good as new!

Apple AirTag 4 Pack

I can’t think of a single person on my holiday shopping list who wouldn’t both benefit from and love to receive Apple AirTags as a gift this year. Add one to your keychain so you never have to worry about where your keys are again, or throw it into a checked bag so you can track it down if your airline misplaces it (happens to the best of us). Currently on sale for 24 percent off, I’m tempted to buy a few packs and give one to each person on my list this year as an extra little gift for everybody.

Baggu Cloud Carry-on

If you were to ask me what my favorite bag to travel with it would be this Baggu Cloud Carry-on. I took mine on a 10-day trip to Edinburgh and London, went shopping almost every single day of that 10-day trip, and was easily able to fit all of my loot as well as my other belongings into this bag without issue. Unlike other personal item bags, there is no hard structure that makes the bag unnecessarily heavy and difficult to fit under the seat in front of you on a plane when your bag is full. It features a trolley sleeve as well, so it’s easy to stack onto your carry-on suitcase when walking through the airport. I like this bag so much, I feel like I work for Baggu with the amount of times I recommend it.

Anrabess Lounge Set

A cozy matching set makes me feel like the coolest and most put-together person in the room. This set will upgrade your airport outfit game, keeping you as comfortable as if you were wearing your favorite pair of sweats, while making you look like a fashionable celebrity who is getting paparazzed at baggage claim. This five-star Amazon reviewer loves the “incredibly flattering” fit, adding that the wide-leg pants “give a nice flow without being too big, the top has a relaxed fit that hides problem areas but still looks stylish…[and that] it’s perfect for travel, errands, work-from-home, or dressing up with accessories.”

Kitsch Satin Scrunchies

These satin scrunchies are perfect for when you want to gift someone just a little something to show you’re thinking of them and are thankful to have them in your life. For example, a new coworker you appreciate, or you can pair it with a bottle of wine and gift it to somebody hosting a holiday party you’re attending. The smooth satin protects your hair and won’t tug or rip out strands. They’re even safe for sleeping with your hair in a bun—I’ve tested this on a red-eye flight!

Owala Freesip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

I don’t leave my house with this 24-ounce insulated stainless-steel Owala water bottle. It features Owala’s famous FreeSip spout, which is designed so you may either sip through the built-in straw or tilt your head back and drink through the spout opening. This five-star Amazon reviewer took this water bottle with them to Europe for two weeks and found that it keeps drinks ice-cold all day, doesn’t get damaged, and has a spill-proof top.

Vera Bradley Featherweight Springbrook Sling Crossbody Bag

This featherlight crossbody bag is great for those hectic travel days when you need to be able to easily reach for your phone and passport. It’s available in both bright and neutral shades like cayenne red and black, as well as Vera Bradley’s classic paisley patterns if you’re looking for something a little bit more nostalgic. This five-star Amazon reviewer finds the bag’s size to be “small but not restrictive… [they] manage [to fit] a cosmetic bag, phone, small wallet, keys and other small essentials” in it.

Amazon Essentials Short Waisted Puffer Jacket

Unfortunately, it’s likely going to be a very snowy and cold winter this year for much of the U.S. If you’re like me and end up wearing the same long black puffer coat each day every year, you might want to switch things up with a colorful puffer option like this to stay warm while spicing up your winter wardrobe. This heavyweight quilted coat is fully lined and insulated, and features an internal adjustable bungee cord and toggle at the waist, so you can snatch the coat in for a more form-fitting look or keep it loose for an oversized option.

Amazon Essentials Lace Up Puffer Snow Boots

As I was saying, we have been told to expect a lot of snow this winter, and I don’t know about you, but my snow boots are the same pair I’ve had since high school, so I would say that it’s time for an upgrade. These boots are not only cute, but very functional, and the person receiving this gift will think of you gratefully each time it snows. With a padded, high-quality memory foam insole, they’ll be comfortable even for all-day wear.

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