The 11 best travel-themed Christmas gifts, handpicked by The Independent’s experts

These are not your nan’s compression socks. Resplendent in bright red or yellow, these stylish accessories are a perfect gift for a frequent flyer. The socks look great, sure, but they also do the job: with cushioned, breathable, moisture-wicking material, they consistently protect against swelling and inflammation. I initially bought them for travelling in, but find myself wearing them every day – not only are they ideal for the plane, they are also perfect for sedentary office days (promoting healthy blood flow and offering a pop of colour). I’m obsessed. - Sophie Dickinson, Deputy Travel Editor

These self-heating eye masks are soothing when you’re trying to sleep on a flight or facing jet lag. There are five individually wrapped masks in the box, so you can easily pop one in your pocket or hand luggage. The mask loops over each ear and starts to heat up as soon as it’s removed from the packaging. The original (and subtle) jasmine scent is also joined by rose, chamomile, and orange and grapefruit options. The masks help to calm a headache, as well as offering a welcome moment to simply shut off from the world and rest. They’re not reusable because of the way they work, but they do offer up to 30 minutes of heat – and you can keep them on for longer, because the warmth lingers. Costing under £20, this is a great stocking filler option, or you could break the box up into five single gifts for friends and family. - Helen Wilson-Beevers, Content Editor

An indulgent SPF buy that adds sun protection and radiance, this is a useful skincare gift for a beauty fan who loves to travel. The slimline 50ml bottle slots easily into a makeup bag and the sunscreen is slightly tinted too – so there’s no residual white cast. It’s lightweight and softening on skin, and contains brightening ingredient niacinamide as well as hydration-promoting hyaluronic acid (perfect if your face is feeling parched after a flight). The product doubles up as a primer underneath makeup and doesn’t cause pilling, and it also acts as a smoothing standalone layer if you prefer to avoid foundation. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and doesn’t make your eyes sting – which is crucial when shopping for sunscreen. While undeniably a bit pricey, the finish feels luxurious, the bottle lasts ages and it would definitely make for a special Christmas treat. - Helen Wilson-Beevers, Content Editor

While this is more of a practical present, any frequent traveller in your life will thank you for the extra piece of mind an Apple AirTag brings. Slipping it into an inside pocket of checked-in luggage will alleviate any missing bag worries, as the location of the bag will appear as soon as they gain signal after touchdown. Or, if they are travelling by train and have to put their luggage in the large bag storage at the ends of the carriages, they can keep a close eye without having to constantly look up from their seat. I found that the Air Tags gave me one less thing to worry about when travelling.

Its small, compact size makes it suitable to slip into anywhere, whether it's coat pockets, handbags, larger suitcases or even pop it onto a key ring and stash it on their keys. The one-year, long-lasting battery life ensures that they can use it multiple times on many different journeys. - Amelia Neath, Travel Writer.

No jetsetter wants to travel in a tangle, and this compact faux leather jewellery box by London-based brand Estella Bartlett is a dream for transporting valuable trinkets while on the move. Currently on offer for less than £20, the light-weight zippered case features a structured burgundy design, contrast coral lining and a playful “rings and things” slogan. Inside, cushioned rows hug rings and stud earrings; a split interior including a deep compartment for your bracelets, bangles and chunkier statement pieces. A slim pouch in the lid can also store necklace chains and hoops if your travel plans are seriously blingy. With 12 colour ways to choose from, fill your friends' stockings and suitcases with this box this Christmas. - Natalie Wilson, Senior Travel Writer

For staycation season, a spacious overnight bag is an essential, and this zippered weekend bag from Danish outerwear brand Rains is one of the coolest to pack in the car. The stylish and spacious duffel has plenty of space for jumpers and jeans, with 17 colours, including blue metallics, greens and neutrals, and three different sizes to choose from. A forewarning that the single main compartment, though roomy, has no internal pockets for storage. The traveller favourite also features two different strap lengths and is fully waterproof against unpredictable winter downpours. - Natalie Wilson, Senior Travel Writer

Its likely that a frequent traveller will have some sort of toiletry or makeup bag in their travel supplies drawer already, so if you are looking to give something a little different, why not let them try something a little different with this bag that opens up into a large mat in seconds. While they can't bring their whole beauty set up on holiday with them, this cosmetics bag is arguably the next best thing. Instead of rummaging through a makeup bag trying to find their concealer and almost busting the zip in the process, this bag allows them to see all their products at once when it is laid out. Inside, there is a zip pocket, eight built-in elastic brush holders, as well as two large exterior pockets. The bag closes with a drawstring and is fastened with velcro for extra security, while the bag comes in a large range of colours, prints and textures to complement a variety of styles. - Amelia Neath, Travel Writer

For the traveller who regularly hops time zones, an eye mask is a must-have for good sleep. I love The Silk Collection’s mulberry offering, which promises to soothe the skin during shut-eye. It lacks the friction of other eye masks, making it ideal for de-puffing post flight. Available in a range of subtle colours (silvery oyster; eclipse black; muted pistachio), it feels like a luxurious addition to a nighttime routine, and comes in an elegant gift box – an easy present for the jetsetter in your life. - Sophie Dickinson, Deputy Travel Editor

This roomy 31cm x 59cm x 31cm waxed holdall with leather trim comes in Barbour’s signature olive shade for a timeless Christmas travel gift that’s versatile too. It features two carry handles which are comfy to hold when walking between destinations, plus a detachable shoulder strap. The bag’s unstructured shape offers flexibility for packing a lot into it, while the waxed finish adds a hard-wearing element. The exterior is sponge-clean only and can attract a little fluff – but it’s nothing a lint roller won’t remove prior to trips. Its soft cotton lining features the classic Barbour tartan and the zips also showcase the brand’s logo. With two inner zipped pockets joining the main compartment, you’ll have space to stash away loose items. I’ve been using this bag on repeat for over a year now, and it’s a useful go-to for both overnight stays and travelling further afield. - Helen Wilson-Beevers, Content Editor

If you know someone who might be planning a European city break or two, this coffee table book is the perfect start to planning a long weekend away. This travel guide compiles 130 itineraries from The New York Times’s popular 36 Hours column, giving a brief overview of the key points to hit in every destination, as well as an example itinerary on how to spend one or two days there, with recommendations on places to eat, drink and visit. Unfortunately, the hardback editions would not be suitable to bring if someone is travelling light, and the 2019 publication date may mean some businesses are no longer open, but it's a great place to start when choosing which European city to tick off next. - Amelia Neath, Travel Writer

Look, it’s not exactly a utility choice, but for something decorative, it’s hard to beat this charming silver suitcase bauble. It’s a cute memento for the traveller’s tree (and will hopefully inspire them when booking next year’s trips.) It’s covered in brightly-coloured stickers – featuring Australia, Hawaii and Japan, among others – and its glittery design makes it suitably seasonal. If your gift receiver is typically found on the slopes, the ski lift option is a fun alternative, too. - Sophie Dickinson, Deputy Travel Editor