Stocking Stuffers for Frequent Travelers

By Nicola Bridges

Speaking as someone who is constantly on the go, with bags packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice, I know for sure that it's the little things that make traveling easier, safer, more efficient and fun. It's why I love getting stocking stuffers that elevate my time on the road, whether globetrotting or going local.

Here are some favorites anyone who travels frequently would be delighted to find in their stocking this holiday season -- including me.

Silk Travel Pillowcase & Insert, Mulberry Park Silks: Having my own soothing little pillow is essential for trying to catch some zzzs on a red-eye or long road trip. This ultra-soft, 100% pure mini silk travel pillowcase and toddler-size pillow insert create the perfect pairing that takes up barely any bag room. Add a light-blocking Silk Sleep Mask and you'll doze off like a baby, reaching your destination fully refreshed.

Protein Shaker Bottle Tumblr Original, ShakeSphere: I like this super lightweight and stylish no-smell, no-clump sports bottle for its rounded profile, for working out or on walk-about at my destination. The curves prevent drink powders from clumping and sticking to the insides for the best blending. Clip it to your belt or jacket and you're good to go to stay hydrated.

Water Purifying Coin, Coin of Harmony: Drinking water from an unknown source unnerves me. So I was thrilled to discover this unique coin that you drop into any cup or water bottle. Made of real silver and copper and designed to last for years, the Coin of Harmony brings harmony to hydration by keeping bacteria at bay and acting as a natural purifier. Safety tested, it's a great way to beat travel tummy troubles and drink safely wherever you are.

The Original Worm, Wormwide Products: This compact, portable full-body massage roller provides much-needed therapeutic relief when travel is a literal pain in the neck, pain in the behind or any muscle in between. With the benefits of both a foam roller and therapy balls, it's light to pack and great for helping you stay limber and fit at destinations near and far.

Eye Mask + Neck Wrap Bundle, Mini Linen Spray & Car Essential Oils Diffuser, Slow North: A comfy, light-as-a-feather eye mask and cozy neck wrap are must-haves for relaxing on red-eyes and sleeping in unfamiliar rooms. I also never leave home without a mini linen spray, and this essential-oils car diffuser tassel with porous lava-rock beads and a cute little clothes peg is perfect for clipping on a car rental air vent for a fresh-smelling ride.

Soocas T04 Electric Toothbrush, Soocas: A travel-size traditional toothbrush doesn't cut it for me. I want to keep my dental hygiene regimen going when I'm away from home, and the little extra heft of this electric brush is worth the weight. Bonus? It's a combo toothbrush and water-pick -- no need to rummage in my suitcase for floss or forgetting to pack it in the first place.

Juice Pack, Mophie: I'm a power-user when it comes to power packs to keep me connected on my travels. I've burned (literally) through many and now never leave home without my Mophie. It not only provides long-lasting power and high connectivity capacity -- especially great in remote places -- this sturdy pack that your phone snugs into also provides protection for klutzes like me who frequently drop their phones.

Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Traveling Mat, Yogo: I'm a namaste nomader whose yoga mat is my constant travel companion, and this is my current favorite. It's made of super light, eco-friendly sustainable material, and its stay-clean folding design, where the top never touches the bottom, means it stays cootie-free. It's designed to go in the shower with you and drip-dry, so it doubles up providing protection from questionable bath and shower basins and comes with a carry strap perfect for snapping onto your carry-on.

BLENDi Lite Portable Blender, BLENDi: Smoothies power my mornings at home and abroad, so this wireless, rechargeable, self-cleaning blender that tucks into the side pouch on a backpack serves me well on the go. It converts into a travel bottle and is great for blending any beverage (cocktail, anyone?).

STEEPED On the Go Kit, STEEPED Coffee: I'm British. Have teabags, will travel. But as a coffee addict, too, I now also pack along these genius java bags. As a coffee snob, I love their destination-inspired brews and blend names. My favorites? Golden Gate Medium Roast; BLK & Bold Limu, Ethiopia; Mighty Light Roast; and 'Rise & Grnd,' to get me going when I'm lazy from jet lag. Perfect for a camper's or jet-setter's holiday stocking, the On-the-Go Kit includes coffee bags and a travel mug that easily goes with you from breakfast to backcountry and beyond.

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WHEN YOU GO

Silk Travel Pillowcase $25; Polyester Filled Pillow Insert $14; Sleep Mask, $44: www.mulberryparksilks.com.

Protein Shaker Bottle, Tumblr Original, $24: www.shakesphere.com.

Water Purifying Coin, $40: www.coinofharmony.

The Original Worm, $27: www.theoriginalworm.com.

Slow North Eye Mask + Neck Wrap Bundle, $89; Diffuser Tassel, $13; Essential Oil, $12.50: www.slownorth.com.

Soocas T04 Electric Toothbrush, $195: www.amazon.com.

Mophie iPhone Series, $100: www.mophie.com.

Yogo Ultralight 4.0 Traveling Mat, $79: www.yogo.net.

BLENDI Lite Portable Blender, $29.99-$79.99: www.blendiblender.com.

Steeped On the Go Kit, $40; eight-bag coffee packs, $14.95: www.steepedcoffee.com.

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Nicola Bridges is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.