Each year, Oprah sorts through thousands of items to put together her ultimate holiday gift guide, dubbed Oprah’s Favorite Things. It’s a bit of a thing. In the past, many of these items have been so popular they’ve sold out. In 2023, the 112-item list celebrates small businesses and brands founded by women, veterans, and people of color.
It includes everything from truffle hot sauce to a $1,000 pizza oven, but we scoured the list to find the 17 best Oprah-approved travel gifts that will make future adventures cozier and more organized than ever. As always, it’s crucial to shop early so you’re not left scrambling to make last-minute shipping deadlines. So, you know the drill. Run, don’t walk, before these gifts are gone.
1. Take OFF Luggage Personal Item Suitcase 2.0
Buy now: $96 with code “OPRAH” (was $120), takeoffluggage.com; amazon.com
The Personal Item Suitcase 2.0 feels like a true travel hack. At 18 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches deep, it’s a compact roller bag that’s specifically designed to fit under the airplane seat in front of you—which means that, although it fits enough clothes for three to five days, it still counts as a free personal item and not a piece of luggage. Unlike the backpack, purse, or tote bag that you might usually carry as your second item, this bag comes with four spinner wheels that help you maneuver speedily through the airport and can then be easily removed before boarding. Best of all: You won’t have to participate in the Hunger Games–style battle for overhead bin space.
If you use the code “OPRAH” at checkout, you can get a 20 percent discount at takeoffluggage.com. If you purchase through Amazon, the 20 percent off coupon is applied automatically at checkout.
This boot from Rebecca Allen comes in three colors, including this brown with neutral to cool undertones.
Courtesy of Rebecca Allen
2. Rebecca Allen The All Weather Boot
Buy now: $265, rebecca-allen.com; amazon.com
A former banker at Goldman Sachs, Rebecca Allen launched her eponymous shoe brand when she couldn’t find nude pumps to match her skin tone. Her line now includes four different shades designed to match a variety of complexions. In addition to a roster of clogs, strappy sandals, loafers, and more, this Black woman–owned business has released these four-season boots, which come in cream, black, and nude II (brown with neutral to cool undertones), pairing soft flannel lining and rubber lug outsoles. Before you pack them for a winter adventure, note that they’re made of natural, untreated leather, so the company recommends treating the boots with your favorite weather-proofing spray.
It may be sold out everywhere else, but Amazon has this Telfar bag in stock in purple.
Courtesy of Amazon
3. Telfar Medium Shopping Bag
Buy now: $202, amazon.com
Created by Queens native Telfar Clemens and carried by the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Solange, and Selena Gomez, this vegan leather tote is currently sold out on telfar.net but is available via Amazon in a rich shade of purple. It’s also on sale in small and large sizes, but the medium size bag is ideal for fitting a laptop and other daily essentials.
This canvas tote has vegan leather details and room for all your travel essentials.
Courtesy of Amazon
4. Brouk & Co Capri Everyday Stripe Tote
Buy now: $80, broukandco.com; $64, amazon.com
Oprah jokes that this canvas tote is “just right for the person in your life who needs to schlep a lot of stuff.” We think it would make for a particularly excellent under-the-seat personal item when you’re flying. The handsome carry-all gets bonus style points for its pebbled vegan leather accents and striped nylon shoulder strap, but this bag’s strengths lie in its practicality. In addition to a cavernous interior, there’s a snappable external pocket and a zippable internal one, perfect for holding your most valuable items (like passports) so they don’t slip out during turbulence.
The newest Kindle lets readers also create their own travel journals.
Courtesy of Amazon
5. Amazon Kindle Scribe
Buy now: $340, amazon.com
If you’re the kind of person who loves keeping a travel journal, you now have one fewer thing to pack: This is the first Kindle to include a digital notebook and pen, designed for jotting down notes, sketching the gorgeous scenery around you, or perhaps even writing the next Eat Pray Love. The pen—which never needs to be recharged—can function as a pencil, fountain pen, or marker, and the resulting handwritten notes can then be converted into typed text. Best of all, thanks to the glare-free Paperwhite screen, you can journal on even the sunniest of pool decks.
This water bottle carrier has a zip pocket for phones and cards, too.
Courtesy of Amazon
6. WanderFull HydroBag
Buy now: $59, wanderfullbrand.com.com; $47, amazon.com
Staying hydrated on vacation should be a top priorities, especially if you’re traveling internationally and want to fend off jet lag. We know you love cute travel gear, so why not let your water bottle get in on the action? This puffer-coat-inspired quilted carrying case—which comes in colors like ivory, deep violet, and chocolate brown—includes a waterproof pocket, an over-the-shoulder strap, and two zippered pockets designed to fit your cell phone and cards. Oprah likes to take hers on hikes around Maui, but the possibilities are endless. Hint: That pocket can also fit a wine bottle, making it a great bag to take on a romantic European picnic in the park.
7. Mali+Lili Lola Beauty Bag Duo
Buy now: $44, maliandlili.com; $35, amazon.com
Made with vegan leather, this set of bags comes in 10 colors, including dark emerald green and classic tan. The small pouch is the perfect size for makeup or other small items like AirPods and keys. Use the larger drawstring bag as a packing cube for accessories on travel days, then for nights out, clip on the included strap to use it as a crossbody purse. The set is only $35 on Amazon right now, so go ahead and buy them for all of your friends.
Dogs deserve holiday gifts, too!
Courtesy of Springer Pets
8. Springer Classic Dog Travel Bottle
Buy now: $25, springerpets.com; amazon.com
If your favorite travel companion is your pet, you’ll want to invest in this ingenious water bottle, which was featured on Shark Tank. Made from BPA-free plastic, it’s a drip-free way to keep them hydrated without having to pack a separate bowl for your flight or road trip. The 22-ounce bottle has a built-in bowl on top: Squeeze to fill the vessel with water and let your dog drink, then release to allow the water drain back into the bottle section below. The bottle also comes in mini (15 ounce), flip (20 ounce), and growler (44 ounce) sizes, all with attached carabiners for easy carrying.
Five pairs of earrings and a travel case? What a deal!
Courtesy of Amazon
9. Sterling Forever Perfect O-ccasion Earring Case
Buy now: $116 (was $399), sterlingforever.com; $93, amazon.com
Currently on sale for just $93 on Amazon, this jewelry set is a steal. It includes five pairs of earrings—including three pairs of hoops and two sets of studs—plus a faux-leather travel case in a beautiful shade of lavender to keep everything organized. Choose from 14K gold–plated stainless steel or rhodium-plated stainless steel earrings.
This eye mask comes in a variety of colors, including purple seen here.
Courtesy of Asutra
10. Asutra Eye Pillow
Buy now: $20, asutra.com; amazon.com
There may be no travel nightmare worse than booking a red-eye and failing to get a minute of sleep during your flight. Think of this eye pillow as wearable Ambien, with a slew of features designed to help you fall (and stay!) asleep: It’s made with ultra-comfortable silk, it blocks out all light (so it won’t matter if your seatmate insists on reading the whole time), and it’s filled with lavender and flax seeds, giving the effect of a calming weighted blanket for your face.
This hat keeps sun off your face and rain off your hair.
Courtesy of Amazon
11. Hairbrella Waterproof Sun Hat
Buy now: $49, hairbrella.com; $39, amazon.com
After watching other Black women scramble to protect their hair from the elements (using everything from plastic bags to shower caps in a pinch if they forgot an umbrella!), Atlanta native Tracey Pickett founded Hairbrella to provide a stylish solution. Her rain hats have become a vital part of many wardrobes, and her waterproof sun hats are just as innovative: a wide brim for UV protection, a wicking sweatband, an adjustable crown cord to allow for all kind of hairstyles, and a ventilated satin lining that keeps your hair healthy and fresh no matter its texture. It’s the perfect accessory to throw in your bag if you’re heading somewhere sunny.
12. Corkcicle 24-Ounce Cold Cup
Buy now: $40, corkcicle.com; amazon.com
Reusable cups are a must for any road trip in order to cut back on wasteful single-use plastic. These triple-insulated mugs by Corkcicle can keep your beverages cold for up to 12 hours (or hot for five) and come with a straw for easy drinking. They come in 17 fun colors and patterns, but Oprah says she has her eye on the lavender one.
13. Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Multistick
Buy now: $18, amicole.com; amazon.com
Ami Colé is a clean beauty brand that Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye created for people with deeply-melanated skin. Its Desert Date Cream Multistick—named after one of its hydrating ingredients—can be used as a blush or a lip color to save room in your makeup bag. Available in four colors, these usually retail for $22, but they’re currently 20 percent off (discount is applied automatically at checkout on both amicole.com and amazon.com).
Never deal with dry skin again when you travel.
Courtesy of Balaeyon
14. Balaeyon Dew Revive
Buy now: $28, balaeyon.com; $22, amazon.com
This travel-size shea butter stick is the creation of RaeDawn, Gayle King’s makeup artist. Use it on your face and body after long (and dehydrating) flights to revive your skin. In addition to shea butter, it also includes nourishing ingredients like camellia japonica seed oil, which is rich in antioxidants, and tocopherol, a form of vitamin E.
This comfy lounge set is also nice enough to wear on flights.
Courtesy of Amazon
15. Spanx AirEssentials Top and Pants
Buy now: AirEssentials Half Zip, $128, spanx.com; amazon.com; AirEssentials Wide Leg Pant, $138, spanx.com; amazon.com
Did you know that Spanx also makes super cozy clothes that aren’t shapewear? This athleisure suit is polished enough to wear in public, but comfy enough for a red-eye flight. Made of soft and buttery modal, the set is sold as separates and currently available in women’s sizes XS through 3X. Pick from festive colors like Spice and Butterscotch, or travel-friendly neutrals like black or navy.
This part shirt, part jacket is a great deal.
Courtesy of 32 Degrees
16. 32 Degrees Women’s Lightweight Recycled Poly-Fill Shirt Jacket
Buy now: $25, 32degrees.com; $33, amazon.com
Available in sizes XS through 2X, this women’s shacket (a lightweight jacket that fits like a shirt) comes in a variety of colors including navy, black, and dark green. Made with synthetic recycled polyester down for warmth, it folds up easily to bring along just in case it gets cold. And at just $25, it’s a steal.
This beanie and glove set comes in a rainbow of colors, including purple.
Courtesy of Amazon
17. Roq Innovation Headlightz Kids LED Beanie and Glove Set
Buy now: $36, roq-innovation.com; $30, amazon.com
Great for après-ski s’mores by the fire or a post-sunset family snowshoe hike, these beanie-and-glove sets include a rechargeable LED headlamp, which can be adjusted to three different brightness levels (including an emergency blue and red strobe). You may recognize Roq Innovation founder Raquel Graham from her successful stint on Shark Tank, and you can tell she’s a mom from the gear’s design: Her products are made to not be itchy or bulky, and Headlightz series comes in five vibrant colors (purple, orange, blue, green, red) that practically look like candy.
This article was originally published in 2021, and is updated annually. It was most recently updated on November 2, 2023, to include updated information.
