The holidays will be here before you know it. If you aren’t jetting off anywhere, you’re likely buying gifts for family and friends. Here’s my recommendations for what to buy the frequent travellers on your list, plus gifts for someone going travelling.
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Gifts for someone going travelling
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The best travel suitcase
I adore this Travel-Pro Max Lite 5 and not just because it’s an adorable dusty-rose! It comes in a variety of colours, but you know this one isn’t going to be accidentally picked up on the luggage conveyor belt as so many boring black suitcases are. And at just over 7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest suitcases on the market.
Even though it looks pretty, it’s super robust and has gone through all these crazy durability tests I won’t bore you with. I love how the wheels are those 360° spinner wheels, so it rolls with you, instead of you having to pull it. Find it at the Bay and TravelPro.ca.
Airplane cocktail kit
If the airlines won’t enhance their beverage offerings, it’s up to us. Calgary’s own Porter’s Tonic now makes its delicious tonics travel-size – in 100 ml bottles you can bring in your carry-on. Regular tonic – the kind you buy in the grocery store is super high in calories and often sweetened by the devil AKA high fructose corn syrup. Porter’s tonic is made with all natural ingredients and sweetened with agave, not sugar.
The cocktail kit comes with four flavours, but my faves are sumac & pink peppercorn and cardamom orange. Don’t just use it for gin! It’s great in a vodka soda, too. If you don’t win a kit in the draw, you can buy it at Vine Arts, Silk Road Spice merchant, Willow Park Wines & Spirits, Bricks Wine Company and Sierra Springs Liquor in Airdrie.
Travel backpack
As much as I love my Poppy Barley boots, it’s their bags I keep purchasing. Last year it was on my 18 for 2018 list to find and buy the perfect black handbag. I found it at Poppy Barley. Now, I’m salivating over their backpacks. The mini backpack you see below is both a purse and a backpack. The adjustable strap lets you wear it as a backpack, shoulder satchel, or crossbody bag.
It’s got lots of little compartments, including an interior mesh water bottle holder to keep your beverage container in place. I love the exterior slip pockets, allowing me easy access to my phone and wallet. It can fit a tablet and holds up to 9.6L of precious cargo. Score!
As a bonus, all Poppy Barley products (shoes, custom boots, purses, etc…) are made ethically and sustainably of AA grade luxurious leather and nubuck. And they’re an Alberta-based company!
Best rose champagne
When you really don’t know what to buy someone – wine always goes down a treat. And being the holiday season, who wouldn’t want to receive a luxe bottle of fizz? Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé is one of my all time favourite champagnes.
Not only is it a very elegant wine with a delightful pink colour, it’s got a hint of raspberry on the finish. It pairs perfectly with salmon or sushi or can be sipped on it’s own. I drank Billecart-Salmon quite frequently when I lived in London and I’m thrilled to find it in Calgary at Highlander Wines & Spirits, Willow Park Wines & Spirits (which has an amazing Black Friday sale!!), select Calgary Co-op’s, plus wine boutiques like Vine Arts and Bin 905.
Stocking stuffers for frequent travellers
Best energy bar for travel
I always throw a travel bar into our stockings and for the last two years, I’ve been hooked on KIND. Not only is it the only bar my daughter will eat (dear manufacturer, please never stop making Caramel Almond & Sea Salt), but it’s only got 5 g of sugar vs the 20+ grams most granola bars have.
I stockpile KIND Bars for travel, but it’s a good snack to have Christmas morning, after all the sugar consumption. I’m all for guilt-free snacking, especially when your snack is made from healthy whole ingredients you can pronounce. Because KIND bars are so lightweight and gluten-free, I always have a few in my purse or carry-on bag in case I arrive at my hotel too late to call room service.
Gift certificate for an airport hotel
An overnight at an airport hotel is something people really appreciate (especially before those crazy early morning flights), but rarely buy for themselves. The one on my radar is the newly opened Holiday Inn & Suites Calgary Airport North, located at 20 Freeport Place NE, Calgary, Alberta.
It’s the perfect destination for business travellers, and even families and vacationers as it has an indoor swimming pool with a waterslide, heated whirlpool, a fully equipped fitness center, and Keurig® brewers in every room. This Holiday Inn property also sports the only Burger Theory restaurant in Canada, specializing in gourmet burgers and craft beers.
You can leave your car parked at the hotel long term and take advantage of the free shuttle to the airport. Because so many of us have reward points we never use, this is a great way to save money. Simply book a stay for your friend or family member using your points or comment below for your chance to win 30,000 IHG Rewards Club points, equivalent to a one-night stay at any Holiday Inn property across Canada.
Thank you to all these brands: Poppy Barley, Select Wines, TravelPro, KIND, IHG and Porter’s Tonic for generously offering samples for this giveaway. And thank you, dear reader, for supporting the brands that make Travels with Baggage possible.
Hi Jody
Love your posts. So many wonderful holiday give aways – love the rose coloured suitcases & cocktail kit – who wouldnt ! Tough choices – but I would really like to win the stay at the newly opened Holiday Inn at the Calgary Airport ????
Switch for my daughter, Suitcase for me! Thanks for the chance ! ????
Pick me! Pick me! I am in dire need of that TravelPro suitcase. The handle on our little suitcase just broke and it’s time for it to retire.
We’ve had a handle break, too. Fortunately TravelPro suitcases go through crazy durability testing.
Wow!! What an amazing article.. So I want to pack my stuff in the suitcase and that cute backpack on my shoulders, with a bottle of wine in my hand (in a brown bag????) and energy bar in my mouth go travelling with a ticket to stay at Holiday Inn…. I wish I wish.. never had a vacation in a long time but surely can benefit from either of the things… I will love to have the backpack or suitcase…
They’re the perfect items for any trip!
Umm I want to win them all! But especially the cocktail kit and the poppy barley bag- so cute!
And the cocktail kit can fit inside the mini Poppy Barley backpack.
I love your blog and following all you on your travels. Very helpful.
Uhm, all of it!
Haha, but i don’t have any nice luggage, so ….
So you definitely need a new suitcase, girl! TravelPro has some great ones.
The TravelPro Suitcase would be WONDERFUL for my visits to my daughter in Vancouver! I am in need of a new suitcase and this one would be perfect and in my Favorite Color!! Thank You!!
Every gal needs a signature suitcase!
Love the pink suitcase!
Who wouldn’t? It’s so adorable.
Holy Smokes! What an amazing list. I love it all. I have to say I would love the Suitcase and Back pack. I would look chic on my travels for my very first time to France this spring. I am a Gin Girl so the tonics are very cool. I love that you chose Kind Bars! They are my absolute fave snack hands down. I am crazy for nuts so it is the perfect potable snack. Need that protein for energy. Bottom line is I would love any thing from this amazing collection. Thanks for the chance. <3
I know. Such a tough decision!
What a fantastic giveaway! Since I have a 3 week holiday planned for next year, I’ve been looking for a great backpack so I don’t have to bring my purse. This looks like it may be a great one for me.
Poppy Barley has some great ones!
What a tough choice!!! I would like to get everything 🙂 but if I have to pick one I would say the travel back pack! Thank you so much for this amazing contest!!!
i would love the hotel night stay!!!!!
The travel cocktail kit is brilliant!
Isn’t it?
Oh my goodness, what an amazing giveaway. I’d be happy to win any one (or all!) of those.
Amazing giveaway! So many lovely products but I’m all about experiences over things so definitely the hotel stay for me!
Champagne please!!!
OMG, all great items! So hard to choose from that list, my top picks would have to be the beautiful rose suit case or a night at the hotel!
My gear is wearing out from all its airport visits. Would love to win the Travel-Pro suitcase or Poppy Barley backpack. Looks like the are made to last ????
What a great article about such necessities for travel! I think what would work for me the best for travel by vehicle most often, would be the back pack/purse. I love the idea of having the ability to keep my water inside the bag and my keys in a pocket on the outside where they are easy to find!! Thank you for this very helpful article!!
I would love the backpack and syrup kit and bars. Off to Vietnam and Cambodia for Christmas so all of it would come in handy!
I would like the rose champagne
ALL.Can I win it all? That suitcase is gorgeous, but I absolutely love Porter’s tonic. I’ve tried them all and I’ drinking a G&T now so it all feels appropriate.
Wow Jody, this is a fabulous list! I have a lot of frequent travellers on my list to buy for so these are some great ideas. I also travel almost every month! With my honeymoon coming up, I would love to win the Poppy Barley backpack! Thanks and fingers crossed!!
I would love a night away at a Holiday Inn. It would be a nice break from our daily life. All the gift ideas are great for those who travel. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the versatility of the backpack and I love that Poppy Barley is Alberta based company with quality products!
I would love to win…off to UK next May . Thanks Sheila
What amazing gift ideas! Will definitely love this for my daughter that is graduating University this year and is looking forward to some travelling.
I love to travel and explore all the world has to offer. These gifts would make my trips even better!
Ofcourse i would love it all. The travel bag would be great!
The travel pro would be great. My suitcase is on its last legs! Thank you.
I would love that travel backpack! Great find!
It all looks amazing! Would love to have the Poppy Barley backpack!
Would LOVE the suitcase ????
Love the backpack!
I love the girlie suitcase!
The Edmonton-made backpack is spectacular! Loved your segment on Global on Thursday, Jody.
I saw you on the news and I’m glad I did. Great blog! I would love to win!
Ah, the TravelPro case would be sweet. I’ve been traveling “carry-on only” since well before the airlines hit us with baggage fees mostly because I disliked waiting at baggage carousels so much. A new carry-on bag would be awesome.
Love to win the black backpack even though all your ideas looked great. Thank you for these suggestions and the chance to win.
How cool would it be to win the Holiday Inn stay and enjoy the bottle of bubbly whilst unpacking the fancy suitcase and backpack!
The Poppy Barley Travel Backpack is SWEEEEEEETTTTT! I really feel that this would be the ideal item to keep me organized & super stylish while travelling. I would LOVE to win this item!
Plus, there would be room for the Kind bars (which I am a HUGE fan of) and the Porter’s tonic syrup to be tucked in.
So many great ideas in this giveaway. Thanks so much for sharing.
Happy holidays and safe travels to all!
Good morning! The travel backpack looks fabulous!! Thank you!!
The backpack is awesome I am always putting stuff down and forgetting it????
But I’m not gonna lie I LOVE CHAMPAGNE ????????
Love suitcase, Color attractive sure need one
I would love to win the travel suitcase. I travel a lot, and that would be really helpful.
Thanks,
Nasrin
Such awesome giveaway, it’s so hard to pick the best! I would love to win any of it but if forced to pick, I’d say the Holiday Inn stay to make my next early morning flight a bit more comfortable.
Love the poppy barley backpack and the suitcase. Going on vacation in 2019 and would love to win one of these! Thanks for the great info on these products and for the generous giveaway!
I would love to win a one-night stay at any Holiday Inn in Calgary!! We travel from Medicine Hat a lot to stay in Calgary for a night when flying out ! Thanks for doing all these giveaways!
Id love the Poppy Barley bag
Love the weight of that travel pro suitcase—-means I could pack a couple extra pairs of shoes!!
Omg soooo many great gifts… Stocking stuffers! Thank you, for a chance to win. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and all the. Best in the New Year “????”
Hi Jody, I love everything ❤️ But especially the Poppy Barley bag!!
I would. Love to win the night out at the Holiday Inn!!! ! Hubby works out of town and it’s difficult to get away with two little ones on a tight budget.
Wow they are all awesome. I would love the hotel certificate or the travel backpack. Thanks for the giveaway. Have a good day.
It’s a toss up between the suitcase and the backpack as both look amazing!!
I was unaware of the Poppy Barley brand so thanks for the introduction 🙂
I would love the Champagne! Christmas is coming and sharing a a glass of bubbly on a cold winter’s night in front of the fireplace seems perfect!
I would love to win this package of goodies 🙂
I agree with a lot of other comments…all are great! Especially love the backpack…and who wouldn’t enjoy some bubbly at this time of the year!?!
What a great selection ! I would not only use the Poppy Barley bag for travel but it would be great for every day !
My son “borrowed” my travel suitcase, so would love to win the Travel-Pro Max Lite suitcase. Have never had a proper carry-on bag, so the Poppy Barley Back Pack would certainly come in handy. Thanks for the great information!!
Kids these days!
Wow! What a deal and you have advertised so honest and beautifully! Exceptional items! I would love that Poppy and Barley Bag, my boots from their company are a show stopper! How fun that water slide at the hotel would be for a family get away!
Excellent curated list of must-have travel items! I would love them all – perhaps especially the amazing Poppy Barley backpack!
I am really in need of a suitcase for my trip to Portugal this summer and that black bag would come in handy.
Good Morning,
We are travelling to Winnipeg for a”social” for our niece on New Year’s Eve. I could really use a new suitcase and the Travel Pro suitcase would come in handy. The best rose champagne along with the airport cocktail kit could be part of the celebration.
Thank you
I have such an old piece of… Luggage that needs to be replaced. I adore the lovely mauve color of this bag. ! Can you tell me the weight of the back pack, purse. Brilliant idea to be able to connect it to your suitcase handle. Good luck to all.
Good morning, I just finished watching you on the television, you did a really great job and such wonderful products. All of the items are fabulous and would appreciate any one of them. Thank you for a great blog and the chance to win.
Id be grateful for any of your wondrful give-aways! My sister & I are travelling to Scotland first time ever! And I know 3 our 3 grandkids would be so excited with the hotel & water slides!!
Hi Jody,
Great blog site! I will be back again and again now that I have found it! I had shoulder replacement surgery in September and am wondering what kind of backpack/ carryon I can use to eliminate my purse when traveling. I just started traveling again this month and love the poppy barley travel bag would be perfect. Thanks for the great travel tips and take care!
Good morning Jody! I just saw you on Globaland all the amazing giveaways! I would love to win the dusty rose travel case! I have a black suitcase that all my kids borrow and it’s seen better days. It would be lovely to have a new rose coloured one that is just mine! The guys won’t want to borrow this one! Thanks’. Loved your blog!
Saw you on the news. Great travel site! Lots of great gift ideas to choose from but my favourite would be the Poppy Barley backpack! Love it and would be fun to share with whoever in the family takes a vacation and needs the perfect bag. Hard to choose one… all great gifts!
What amazing suggestions for Christmas!! My daughter is graduating this year and is heading to Spain with her class this coming March. Would LOVE to give her either the amazing suitcase, or the adorable backpack. HAPPY TRAVELS????
Would love to show off that gorgeous suitcase as I walk through the airport! My current one has become sad and just a little embarrassing!
I would love to win the Poppy Barley backpack/purse. My daughters and I are going on our first trip overseas together in the spring. The backpack would be perfect to take. Any of the gift ideas would be great for travel. I enjoyed watching you on Global and will continue to read your blog.
Hi Jody, would love to win all these items for our upcoming trip to visit our grand babies! And of course if I win I would love to donate the champagne to you for all your wonderful offerings!
Would love to retire my old red suitcase from the 1970’s. The travel pro suitcase looks awesome!
I would like to win the travel backpack ????
I saw you on Gobal showing the beautiful items you are offering. I would love the Poppy and Barley Bag for travelling and maybe for taking long walks. It would hold lots of goodies to snack on or picnicing. Thank you for sharing.
I was just enjoying your great presentation on Global. My favorite I would love is the TravelPro suitcase. Mine is so old & the opposite of lite.
The next time I go to Vegas with my sister I’m definitely packing the travel cocktail kit. We will be the life of the party! I love!!! the Poppy Barley backpack. It would be nice to have that with me when I go to Maui at Christmas.
The Poppy Barley Backpack would be a welcome travel bag but I wouldn’t mind the Bars for morning snacks.
Wow! Those are all such fantastic ideas! If I had to choose, the backpack or the suitcase would be my top picks ???? how did you come to choose the items? I’m curious to know how much testing etc because I would have no idea where to start for making travel easier!!!! Thanks so much for the contest!!!
Wow what a nice looking backpack/purse! We just got back from St Lucia and The airline distroyed our one suitcase by not just pulling the wheel off but the entire casing the wheel was encased in. Would love to be the lucky person you choose to win the suitcase or the backpack!!
I would love to win the Poppy Barley Travel Pack.
I always take the biggest hand bag I have. Pack the back pack into my suitcase. I could leave both at home and take the Travel Pack.
This is my Christmas wish for our holiday we are going on before Christmas.
Loved the ideas on Global. Thank you!
I would love to win any of these products, the mini poppy backpack would be amazing. I’ve been looking for a stylish and functional backpack for quite some time and this one definitely checks all the boxes.
I would like all of the above for my trip next month!
Exciting! Where are you off to?
I would love to win either of the travel bags❤️
The Poppy Barley bag is a winner for sure.
Oh wow….that Polly Barley backpack would be a dream!!! So perfect for on the road, and being a flight attendant, that’s a LOT! Great items here 🙂
Love the Poppy Barley backpack
I would love that backpack and of course, the cocktail kit! (I put KIND bars on my Costco list but if I win them too, that’s great!) Loved your segment today!
I love the Poppy Barley Backpack!! So useful!
I just watched you with Jordan on Global morning and would I ever love that travel bag from Poppy Barley, Also the TravelPro suitcase something other than black. We always need a hotel stay the nite before our flight the new Holiday Inn is one to try next,
Any of these gifts would be amazing to win. I’ve been in search of a backpack combination purse and the mini Poppy Barley backpack checks all the boxes.
the suitcase would be perfect – and just my colour!!!
I would be grateful to receive any of them. The cocktail kit is especially interesting. Where can I purchase if I don’t win.
Love all the prizes!
Would love the Poppy and Barley Bag! Great for work or travel! Even good for my overnight hospital stays.
Wowzers! Great assortment of gifts….how to pick one?! I love my Poppy Barley boots, so how could I not love the back pack? Hoping that beautiful bag has my name on it! 😉
I would be very grateful with either the suitcase or backpack. As I get older, its getting harder to lug around the old suitcase and carry on that i have now. Very nice segment on global news this morning. Merry Christmas!
OMG , what a great list of gifts, would love them all – however that PINK travel suitcase is lovely , would love to win either the night stay @ Holiday Inn , or the travel backpack 🙂
Great promo and information on the news this morning. Great give idea for my travel partner as well. You have sparked my interest on many items for Christmas this year
The rose suitcase or travel backpack would be awesome I would be very happy to win either of these. Great contest.
I would pick the hotel in Calgary for visiting friends in the city.
The luggage or the rose champagne please! Because pink all the way!
I’m torn between the backpack and the luggage. I love the colour and it would be great to have something other than black but a backpack has multiple purposes throughout the year.
It’s the toughest choice!
All lovely gifts to be sure. Poppy Barley bag would be my favourite from this list (although there are no losers).
I would love to win the Poppy Barley backpack/purse. I would be happy to win any one of the gifts.
I seen you on Gobal today for the first time and signed up to follow your blog. What a wonderful give away for a few lucky people.
The Travel Backpack is fabulous and would be perfect for travelling.
I’d love the rose champagne and the pretty suitcase and really all of it ❤️
Jody, you know how to pick them…. Poppy Barley backpack or suitcase- what a toss up.
We are off on a Christmas cruise soon (!) that travel suitcase would be perfect for our son as his suitcase is wearing out.
The Travel Pro Max Lite Suitcase! We are closing in on retirement and want to start traveling. Going as light as possible!
I would love to win the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé my wife loves a good champagne during the holidays.
Ive had my eye on that backpack for ages! Love a good AB company too 😉
Well obviously beggars can’t be choosers, in my opinion, and I would be grateful to win anything. However, as I am going to Hawaii in December and leaving for the holidays any of these items would be put to use. However, most of all I think j would LOVE the dusty rose suitcase or the poppy barley! Thanks for writing this 😕
Love the Poppy Barley backpack and the suitcase! What a great giveaway!
Hard to pick one, but the Poppy Barley backpack sounds perfect…but so does the dusty rose suitcase!
I would like the backpack purse for my wife. I think she would love this for travel, work, and everyday. It looks practical and classy.
What a thoughtful husband you are!
Would love to win the suitcase! Travelling with my 88 year old Mom next year, and she really Needs a lighter bag!
What a wonderful opportunity – thank you!!! I love love love the travel purse/backpack! What a fantastic idea! Now the Rose suitcase is super stunning as well ????
You had me at champagne! (and lightweight suitcase…and, er, cocktail kit…and, um, pretty much everything else). 🙂
I would love the backpack for travelling with kids. We love kind bars at our house. And a hotel gift certificate would be amazing for our next trip to Calgary! Great giveaway!
Great article- i need a suitcase- hubby has a nice one and makes me share. Ahhh. Mine broke and i am a travel agent trying to go away lots. Love the pink- he would never share – all mine!!!
The whole package looks amazing, but I totally have my heart set on that Poppy Barely backpack. Would be a dream to win that! Love supporting local ladies:)
I would love the suitcase and be able to give it to my 19 yr old daughter who is going to LA the end of December:)
Lovely list! I’ve had the Poppy Barley backpack on my wish list for a long time so that would be my #1 pick!
The travel backpack would be awesome to have!
Ooh tough one! We’re off to Asia for Christmas and I’ve been searching for a good purse/bag to take with me. That travel backpack looks perfect!!
I am so in love with the purse backpack!! But hey champagne is always good too!
That poppy barley bag is giving me all the feels ????????
All AMAZING as usual Jody! I would love Love LOVE the Poppy Barley perfect bag ????
I love the Travel Backpack <3 Poppy
Night away to hide from the kids and maybe the hubby. Hahahaha
I mean the boozy stuff is an obvious choice. I love G&Ts and bubbly. But that suitcase. How’s a girl to choose?
Poppy Barley Bag! Love it!
Too hard to pick just one!
1. Holiday Inn night
2. Suitcase
3. Backpack
Bring on more travel in 2019!
I’ll sure try!
Gosh! It’s hard to decide Jody. I can vouch for the deliciousness of the energy bar. What I’d love to win is that suitcase.
We are not travelling this Holiday season but a staycation will be much appreciated with a one night stay at a Holiday Inn property. Thanks for the chance.????????
That Poppy Barley backpack looks fabulous!! Stylish AND practical!
Traveling a few times this year. All of those things would be great especially the suitcase!
I would love to win the pink suitcase
Can’t decide between the suitcase and backpack. Either one would be most appreciated for my next trip
Hard to choose just one! I love the backpack, and the Holiday Inn night would be fabulous too.
Oh my gosh this is wonderful. I heard your interview on ‘The Informed Traveler’ and immediately looked you up and was so impressed with your information, which was outstanding. I would be thrilled with the Volprive Travel Neck Pillow or the suitcase.