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Despite the awe of far off places, sometimes it’s the quotidian things tucked in a suitcase side pocket that elevate the experience.
While your well-traveled loved ones may be expert packers, they’ll surely find a sliver of space for something small and special. Whether an update on the usual suspects like a new cashmere eye mask or an object they would have never have thought to buy like a portable bag hook, our edit of pocket-sized luxuries leave a lasting impression.
Related: The Best Gift Ideas for Travelers Who Always Plan Ahead
To create this list we thought about the moments in between the big adventure—listening to music, resting your eyes, putting on makeup—and selected pieces that bring ease, inspiration, and a little bit of luxury along the way.
David Yurman Starburst Pendant
David Yurman’s striking starburst pendant, inspired by the hope and dreams symbolized by stars in the night sky, will certainly dazzle the stargazer in your life this holiday season.
To buy: $26,000, davidyurman.com (chain); $13,500, davidyurman.com (pendant)
Smythson Panama Leather Pocket Notebook
Jot down ideas, thoughts, recipes, or important reminders in this Smythson notebook that can fit into a pocket or a purse. It’s crafted in the UK from premium grossgrain leather in a vibrant blue shade. Its design was inspired by Frank Smythson’s first Panama diary from 1908.
To buy: $79, saksfifthavenue.com
Monica Rick Kosan Special Edition Rectangular Locket w/ Emerald Cut "Deconstructed Diamonds" & Diamond Bail
This Monica Rick Kosan locket would make for the most precious and thoughtful stocking stuffer. Not only does it look beautiful—it is crafted from the finest 18-karat yellow gold and features stunning emerald-cut diamonds—but it is also one of those jewelry pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation turning it into a wonderful family heirloom.
To buy: $40,000, bergdorfgoodman.com
Alex Mill Ribbed Cashmere Beanie
A warm and cozy beanie is always a good idea for a holiday gift. This one by Alex Mill is knitted from the softest cashmere and dons a wide cuff that can be adjusted for a more fitted or slouchy look. It’s an absolute classic perfect for both men and women.
To buy: $95, mrporter.com
Aerin Lucas Lapis-Top Salt and Pepper Shakers
These gold-tone salt and pepper shakers are sure to up the ante on any tabletop setting. Their classic cylindrical design is complemented by beautiful blue lapis stone tops that add a pop of color. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for that friend or family member who loves throwing elegant parties and having people over.
To buy: $220, matchesfashion.com
Bond No. 9 New York Queens Diamond Swarovski Lipstick
The beauty addict in your life will love this Bond No. 9 lipstick in a gorgeous holiday-inspired burgundy shade. The lipstick case is the absolute showstopper, though—hundreds of Swarovski crystals are set by hand in the bow-inspired gold-tone tube transforming it into a work of art.
To buy: $400, saksfifthavenue.com
Diptyque Floral Majesty Scented Candle
Diptyque’s take on the classic scented holiday candle combines notes of cinnamon and spices with a luxury bouquet of roses. The warm fragrance oozes from a beautiful vessel created by artist Ugo Gattoni who took inspiration for it from certain elements of Parisian architecture.
To buy: $78, saksfifthavenue.com
Asprey Sterling Silver Egg Cup and Spoon Set
Breakfast just got a whole lot more sophisticated. This egg cup is part of British heritage brand Asprey of London’s silver collection that celebrates design and innovation.
A glossy gilt-tipped spoon complements the silver cup.
To buy: $780, mrporter.com
Roberto Cavalli Jewels Snake Wine Opener
Roberto Cavalli’s elevated take on a classic wine opener will add so much class to your next dinner party. It is crafted from gold-tone metal and is set with Swarovski crystals.
To buy: $496, mrporter.com
Jacquemus Le Bambino Petit Leather Tote
Why, yes, Jacquemus’s Le Bambino purse is so tiny it is the perfect stocking stuffer for the fashionista in your life. Sometimes the smallest accessories speak the loudest and this is definitely one of those cases. Le Bambino is made in Italy from white leather and comes with a detachable shoulder strap.
To buy: $420, net-a-porter.com
Jo Malone London Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment Cream
Luxurious and rich hand cream is a must-have in the winter months and even more so this year (hand sanitizer and constant hand washing are the enemies of soft skin). Jo Malone’s cream is formulated with Vitamin E and notes of pomelo and cassis that will leave your hands hydrated and smelling delicious.
To buy: $62, sephora.com
Tiffany & Co. Ampersand Money Clip
A practical accessory such as this silver money clip is a stylish and functional gift that will be in use on a daily basis. And when that gift comes in a Tiffany blue box, then it’s a total winner in our book.
To buy: $250, tiffany.com
Eau d’Italie Jasmine Leather
This new fragrance from the owners of Positano’s iconic Le Sirenuse hotel takes inspiration from a centuries-old Italian craft—scented leather accessories that emerged during the Renaissance in Florence. With notes of jasmine, leather, patchouli, and cedarwood, it is a complex and intriguing fragrance perfect for the colder and darker months.
To buy: $170, beautyhabit.com
Mateo New York 14kt Gold White Diamond Tennis Bracelet
This beautiful tennis bracelet sports a simple and sophisticated design—14-karat yellow gold and brilliant-cut diamonds are a timeless combination. It is a piece that can be worn every day paired with other jewelry pieces or as a standalone bracelet.
To buy: $3,500, mateonewyork.com
Gucci Silver-Plated Crystal Brooch
This gorgeous brooch will immediately add some sparkle and a touch of whimsy to your holiday outfits. It is made in Italy from solid silver-plated brass and is encrusted with over 30 shimmering crystals.
To buy: $450, net-a-porter.com
David Yurman Cable Cigar Band Cufflinks
When it comes to style, the devil is indeed in the details. These elaborately crafted cufflinks in sterling silver and 14-karat yellow gold will add a luxurious touch to any gentleman’s attire.
To buy: $675, saksfifthavenue.com
Guinot Longue Vie Levres Vital Lip Care
Perfect for winter, Guinot’s Longue Vie Lèvres uses powerful ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide for anti-aging and softness. This lip treatment strengthens and protects the delicate skin on the lips, restoring volume and leaving a balmy and smooth result.
To buy: $37, dermstore.com
Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince Classique Ballpoint Pen
With this elegant Montblanc pen, filling out a customs form on the plane or signing a credit card receipt will feel anything but mundane. Inspired by the color of the night sky, the pen is crafted from resin in a deep blue shade. The cap is milled with a fox face pattern and reveals a famous sentence from the book The Little Prince.
To buy: $515, montblanc.com
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather AirPods Case
What can be more stylish than carrying a pair of AirPods in this Bottega Veneta burgundy leather case? It sports the company’s signature Intrecciato pattern and features a black matte lobster clasp that can be attached to a bag or a loop.
To buy: $460, matchesfashion.com
111SKIN Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask
Formulated with 24-karat gold and Damask Rose extract, this luxurious face mask brightens the skin tone, treats redness, and hydrates the skin in just 20 minutes. It is the best post-travel face treatment that delivers spa-worthy results.
To buy: $95/set of 5, net-a-porter.com
Louis Vuitton Horizon Wireless Headphones
These cool headphones are the result of the partnership between Louis Vuitton and the New York-based luxury audio company Master & Dynamic. The design features the French house’s legendary monogram and comes in several bold hues, including this one in neon yellow. The headphones deliver an impeccable, well-balanced audio experience and have noise-canceling and ambient-listening modes.
To buy: $1,190, louisvuitton.com
La Maison du Chocolat Dark Chocolate Truffles
It’s the best time of the year to indulge in some delicious dark chocolate. La Maison du Chocolat’s beautifully packaged truffles are made with rich ganache dipped in dark chocolate, and then finely dusted with cocoa.
To buy: $9, lamaisonduchocolat.us
Hermès Rouge Satin Lipstick
One of the most exciting beauty launches of the year was certainly Hermès’ foray into makeup. The French house’s line of satin-finish lipsticks, Rouge Hermès, consists of 14 bold shades inspired by the brand’s heritage. The Rough H, for example, is a gorgeous dark red with a hint of brown that was created especially for Hermès in 1925.
To buy: $67, hermes.com
Fendi Monster Credit Card Case
Fendi’s playful monster motif makes for a fun accent in this classic credit card case. It is made from saffiano leather in black and red and fits up to six cards.
To buy: $320, saksfifthavenue.com
Cartier Love Bracelet
Cartier’s Love bracelet is such a classic! The beautiful unisex design features the iconic screw motifs and comes in white, pink, and yellow gold.
To buy: from $4,350, cartier.com
Stone & Strand Tiny Zodiac Stud
This tiny stud earring is for the astrology enthusiast in your life. All twelve zodiac signs are made from ethically-sourced solid 14-karat gold and have a silicone back that won’t irritate the skin.
To buy: $70, stoneandstrand.com
SVNR Guayaquil Barrette
All SVNR pieces are one-of-a-kind and are made with found and up-cycled materials. This beautiful barrette is inspired by the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil and features an aquamarine, chrysoprase, and a cultured pearl symbolizing the colors of the land and sea.
To buy: 4150, svnrshop.com
Abas Men's Ostrich Luggage Tags, Set of Two
Any frequent traveler can use this set of two luggage tags crafted from high-quality ostrich leather. To make the gift more personal, take advantage of the complimentary embossing service.
To buy: $300, neimanmarcus.com
Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
This wireless speaker may come in a micro size but it packs quite a punch when it comes to its audio quality. It is the perfect gift for the outdoorsy melomaniac in your life who loves camping, hiking, and biking to the sound of his or her favorite tunes.
The speaker is completely waterproof, scratch-resistant, and only weighs about 10 ounces.
To buy: $99, Nordstrom.com
Apple Watch Hermès - 40mm Fauve Barénia Leather Double Tour
Treat a friend or a family member to a new and very stylish Apple Watch strap by Hermès. The extra-long Double-Tour wraps around the wrist twice—a design that has become emblematic for the French maison. It is handcrafted in France from smooth leather with classic contrast stitching.
To buy: $619, apple.com
Gillette Heated Razor Starter Kit by GilletteLabs
Gilette’s game-changing heated razor will turn an annoying grooming routine into a much pleasurable experience. The warming bar heats up in just a second to soothe the skin while the razor’s five blades deliver a smooth shave with just one move.
To buy: $200, gilette.com
Burberry Trafalgar Check Foldable Umbrella
An umbrella is a practical gift that will please both men and women, especially during the colder months. A Burberry umbrella in a vintage print takes things one step further and becomes a fashion statement. This one has a smooth leather handle and folds into a compact easy-to-carry size.
To buy: $260, bergdorfgoodman.com
Pasha de Cartier Edition Noire Scented Beard Oil
It’s been a challenging year that most of us spent at home so if the number of men with beards on your holiday gift list has grown exponentially, you are probably not alone. But you can rest assured that this luxurious Cartier beard oil will please even the most demanding of them all. It has a smooth texture that moisturizes both the beard and the skin beneath it without leaving that dreaded greasy feeling.
To buy: $57, cartier.com
Relais & Châteaux Gift Boxes
With 20 different options, this iconic travel brand has reminaged their classic experience gift boxes as little pouches of luxury that make for an ideal stocking stuffer. Experiences can be anything from dinner at Eleven Madison Park to an overnight at Blackberry Farm and Mountain in Tennessee. You can even customize the gift as you please, depending on what the recipient loves to do. These chic little pouches are made entirely from recycled water bottles, and can be repurposed as a passport holder or cosmetic bag.
To buy: relaischateaux.com, from $120