6 Essential Travel Items If You're Flying for the Holidays

1 | A quality backpack

When picking a personal item, a backpack reigns supreme in my book. The key is to find an option that's not too big or small, durable but not to bulky, and easy to organize without having too many nooks and crannies. While I've tried several, one stands out as my top choice.

I recently received the Nomatic 14L backpack and used it for the first time while flying to Sedona, Arizona. I was initially hesitant about the size and feared it would be too large for my purposes, but I am happy to say I was wrong. There was a perfect sleeve for my work laptop, as well as different spots to stow my wallet, a change of clothes, and my trusty Kindle (more on that later).

One of my favorite touches was a hardshell sunglasses case with a designated pocket and two magnetic water bottle holders on each side. They're sturdy when holding a bottle, but what's even better is that they flatten when not in use—maintaining the sleek look of the backpack.

That's only citing a few of the positives, and if you need more room, you can trade up for the 20L option, which has even more features and room to stow any holiday gifts you may be bringing home.

Speaking of gifts, this backpack would probably also make a perfect present; my fiancé borrowed mine for a work trip, and he didn't want to give it back!

2 | Kindle

Another travel necessity for me, regardless of the time of year, is my Kindle. I'm an avid reader, so whenever I'm headed to a new destination, I always pack at least two books. For longer trips, I like to pack even more. Enter, the Kindle.

I feel like a traitor to my beloved hardcopy books, but for travel, an e-reader is invaluable. Saving space and bringing as many books as my heart desires? Sign me up.

3 | Mobile charger

It's no secret that airports and public transportation are buzzing during the holiday season. Charging stations are also a common sight, but when crowds are abundant, good luck finding an open spot. Plus, there are security concerns associated with plugging your device into public charging ports.

With this in mind, I also make sure I pack a mobile charger so that I can keep my devices—specifically my phone—up and running. There's nothing worse than your phone being on its last legs while you're trying to get your Uber or Lyft from the airport at Christmas time!

4 | Packing cubes

The only thing that compares to my love of books is my love of clothes, so I find it hard to limit my selections when I'm packing. I struggle even more during the holiday season when I have parties, nights out on the town, and family gatherings to plan ahead for. As such, packing cubes are my best friend.

They keep me organized while saving space, even more so if you get some that compress. I love these cubes from Amazon (take note of the five-star reviews), but I also have several I picked up on a whim at T.J. Maxx for even cheaper. I use both!

5 | Shoe bags

If we're being honest, shoes are always pretty gross after you've worn them, but when winter snow and slush strike, they get even worse. Shoe bags help keep the grime at bay in your suitcase, encasing your shoes so you don't have to worry about your clothes or anything else you may stow in there.

6 | AirTags

Ask any frequent traveler, and they'll likely tell you that Apple AirTags are worth the investment. Airlines lose millions of suitcases each year, and while they say they'll do their due diligence in helping those that are lost, you're not always that lucky. AirTags can help you track your baggage on your own, without having to rely on the airline to communicate about its last known location.

I recently invested in a four-pack of AirTags during Amazon Prime Day ahead of my upcoming honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. At the time of writing, they're still nearly $30 off.