Gifts for travellers in the UK

Plugs first

Most UK travel goes to Europe, and most UK travellers own a drawer of plug adapters. One good adapter is a gift they will use every trip. The Anker Nano suits UK and Europe trips. The Lifeventure adapter covers more countries for someone who goes further. Neither converts voltage, so hair dryers and straighteners stay at home.

Pair an adapter with the UGREEN charger and they carry one plug for laptop, phone and earbuds instead of three.

Check their phone

The AirTag only sets up on an iPhone. The Peak Design tripod and the Anker power bank also need a MagSafe iPhone or a magnetic case. For an Android user, stick to the adapters, the charger, the pouches or the This Works sleep kit, none of which care what phone they carry.

Budgets

At the low end, the This Works sleep kit, a plug adapter or the Lifeventure pouches are small and used every trip. In the middle, the power bank, the AeroPress Go, the waist pack and the Reto film camera all last. The big gifts are the Monos carry-on, the Antler duffel and Bose headphones. A frame suitcase does not expand, so it suits a disciplined packer. The Antler is heavy empty, which matters on budget airlines with tight weight limits.

For a film fan heading to Europe, the Reto camera is a cheap way to come home with prints instead of a phone full of photos. Film and developing cost extra, and it wants daylight. The Arc'teryx waist pack keeps a passport and phone on the body in busy city stations, which is where pickpockets work.

Timing

Give it before the trip, not after. A new case needs a practice pack. An Audible credit goes by email and is the easy last-minute option before a long train or flight. Plug adapters and chargers are easy to find late; specific bag colours sell through first, so order luggage by early December.

Questions people ask

What plug adapter should I buy a UK traveller?

Match it to where they go. For UK and Europe trips, a compact adapter like the Anker Nano is enough. For someone who travels further, the Lifeventure world adapter covers more countries. Neither converts voltage, so they suit phones and laptops, not hair dryers. Both are low-cost gifts that get used on every trip.