Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series that highlights travel gear and products that our staff really love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are items that make travel fun and make your shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by the editor and if you purchase through the link you will earn a fee only in the state.
We’ve been resting and preparing in 2025, and hope you did the same. The new year will have a new start and a new perspective on what you want to get out of the next 12 months. Of course, we want to travel, but we also want to focus on things that will make a little life easier and slower.
With this in mind, we carefully selected 25 Essential Haves for 2025 Each one achieves these goals in some way. I hope you enjoy this list and find one or two things that will help you make it a memorable year 2025!
There are no bad hair days
Lululemon Skinny Scrunchies
Do you want to keep your hair in place while preventing damage? These are highly praised by our friends Well + good!
Dae Styling Cream and Cane
Prevents frizz and spurts, smooths your hair, and styles it with Dae styling cream. Works with almost all hair types!
Nike Dori Fit Hat
With sweaty fabric, this Nike Dori Fit Club hat will dry your head and hair in any activity.
Prioritize self-care
Antique Candle Co. Soy Candle
I don’t know about you, but I love good candles. Put the refreshing coastal linen scent with clean linen and sea mist, with soothing medleys of water lilies, sea moss and driftwood that have permeated through the air of your home.
Drift Car Air Freshener
It’s not only your home, but your car, which smells nice. Loved by our carefully selected editors, this car’s air freshener has a variety of fresh scents.
Create your own self-care package or gift 1!
I’ve been talking about self-care recently. You can ensure that you create your own self-care set with the following products you can find on Amazon.
- Self-care candle: This well-named candle is perfect for meditation sessions or drawing baths.
- Dr. Teal’s Eucalyptus and Spearmint Foam BathSpeaking of baths, Dr. Teal’s foaming bath contains Epsom salt. I love to relax Dr. Thiel’s products like this.
- Bob and Blood’s Mini Deep Tissue Massage Gun: If you don’t have a massage gun yet, what are you waiting for? Relieve pain and tense muscles with this mini deep tissue massage gun with heat and cold environment.
- Lavender pillow spray: Lavender is known for its calming properties, so spray it on this before going to bed. If your head hits your pillow, it may help to relieve you of a peaceful sleep.
You can also use these products to create self-care packages for your friends and loved ones. Trust me, they will love it!
Essential Gadgets
All-new Kindle Paperwhite
This new Kindle is the fastest ever and your best companion for reading on the go. Also, the battery lasts for a few weeks without charging, so treat yourself to one of these this year.
Portable door lock
Safety is very important when moving, so add an extra layer of protection with these portable door locks. They are easy to install and will make you feel even safer in vacation rentals and hotel rooms. It can also be used at home.
Cordless portable vacuum
Keep your car clean with a cordless portable car vacuum cleaner. I have it, and it certainly cleans up bread crumbs, pet hair and other messes. Additionally, LED lights allow easy cleaning of low light areas.
6 Quart Air Fryer
If you really want to make your life easier, invest in an air fryer. Cooking becomes very fast and easy. Our handpicked editor Andrea uses her every day!
Perfect trip ‘fit
For those who love style on the go, this is the perfect outfit for day trip adventures and flights.
- Spanx Half-zip sweater: Layers are important, this half zip sweater is extremely comfortable and warms up when you’re on a plane or in a car heading to your destination.
- Affordable Chic Striped T-shirt Dress:This dress is perfect for a warm weather holiday. There are also pockets that are absolutely essential when traveling!
- Teva Universal Sandals: Pair your new chic dress with Teva sandals that are comfortable enough for long walks, for any outfit.
- Aloha Crossbody Bag:This cute neutral bag is the ideal optional tote for everyday and travel.
For travel enthusiasts
3-in-1 charging pad
Compatible with Apple devices such as iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, etc., so you can charge three devices at the same time as this 3-in-1 charger.
Picture frame – 10 sets
This set of 10 picture frames will save your most precious travel memories by displaying them on the wall as a gallery.
National Park Annual Pass
How about a year exploring our national parks and sites managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? The annual America The Beautiful National Parks Pass is perfect for any adventurer.
National Park Glass Products
For you, for a national park enthusiast, putting these memorial glasses at home is a great way to remember your trip. Choose from the 15 most popular national parks. Each glass has a number of parks’ founding dates, fun facts, and a timeline in which it was established as a national park. Sold separately, buy one or buy all!
Essentials for extreme adventurers
Take a look at these essentials for your 2025 adventure.
- Underwater/action camera:This 4K Ultra HD action camera can also take photos and is waterproof up to 131 feet. Whether you’re skydiving or scuba diving, an action camera like this is the only way to document your adventure.
- Night Vision Goggles: For nighttime outdoor adventures, these nighttime goggles can be seen in the dark. Not only that, it also allows you to take 4K video footage and 36 MP photos.
- Inflatable kayak: If you don’t have towing capacity for your vehicle or store it at home, an inflatable kayak is the way to go. Easy to transport, this kayak comes with an oar and a pump, allowing you to carry two people up to 400 pounds in total.
- Series 10 Apple Watch: You can make phone calls, send texts, and carry a GPS, so you can feel safe and secure.
Which of these products are you most excited about? Any of them will make your 2025 even better year!
Need great travel products and recommendations for adventure gear that will deliver to your inbox? Sign up every week Only in your state shines with your hands A newsletter to get your first peek at your favorite items (and some great deals)!
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
