Gift giving: 10 gifts that are perfect for hand luggage

You’re a giver. But you’re a giver on space constraints. How can you buy the perfect gift if you only have hand luggage on your flight? Read ahead to find the best hand luggage gifts.

I pack light. Like really light. I journeyed to Vietnam and Thailand for two weeks with nothing but hand luggage – proper backpacker-style. But with this limited space came limits on the amount I could buy and the types of gifts I could bring back for my friends. So how did I decide what to pick up at the shop and what to put back on the shelf? First, before any battle, it’s important to understand what you’re up against.

Hand-luggage Limits

You might decide to travel light to avoid the queues at the airport. After all, hand luggage saves you time and money as you don’t need to check in a large suitcase. Or maybe you’re not going far and a small bag is all you need for your long weekend away. Whatever the case, this decision does put a couple of restrictions on the type of things you can pack. 

First and foremost let’s talk about the liquid rules. Rules vary slightly depending on where in the world you’re flying (but are usually around a total of 1000 ml), but largely it will stop you from bringing back a number of popular gifts. Say goodbye to skincare packages or that drinks hamper. These are big no-nos, especially if you already need to pack your own personal liquids for the trip. 

Next on the forbidden list are sharp objects. Even though that pocket knife might look like a super cute gift for your cousin, it won’t pass security so don’t bother. Or maybe you think that traditional cutlery set would love divine on your aunt’s mantel. Well, the TSA would think not and will confiscate it. So that discounts all sharp, pointy gifts. 

Last of all, you might find the perfect gift while travelling but if it’s too heavy or too big, it’s never making it home. Most airlines will have weight and size restrictions on their hand luggage, with Air China taking one of the top spots by limiting hand luggage to 5 kg for Economy flyers. That rules out a lot of presents, bulky crockery or thick, stuffed animals (unless you saved space for them). So we’re thinking about a dry, blunt, light present. 

So what’s left *eye roll*? Here, let me tell you the 10 best hand-luggage presents:

1. Socks

Now, now, before you start to get sarcastic with me, saying that socks are a cop-out Christmas present, let me explain why they make the perfect cabin luggage gift. Not only are they small and can be bundled up, but they can also be personalised for the country you’re visiting. Imagine a cute pair of socks with little flags embroidered on them, to remind your friend of the trip they missed out on. Cute! Plus there are some pretty cool socks out there – take my friendship socks, for example. You can connect these magnetic socks together (meaning you get a bonus present for yourself) and wear them as a subtle couple item. So, don’t hate on socks!

2. Magnets

There’s one door that I open every single day. My fridge door. And in doing so, I manage to look at that slab of metal quite often. One way to spice up that kitchen appliance is to decorate it with magnets. And where would one get those magnets? A jet-setting friend, of course. Do you see the logic here? Magnets are the perfect small gift that you can slide into your hand luggage. They come in a range of materials for variety (I have a small wooden one which I love) and have a wide display of themes. Pick up a magnet with an iconic landmark on it, or opt for a delicious magnet of the country’s national dish.

3. Stationery

Of course stationery is on this list! Pens, pencils, crayons, notepads, pencil cases, even glue sticks. I wouldn’t recommend sneaking in a box cutter, but aside from that you have a wealth of stationery to choose from. Who doesn’t need stationery after all? Get your loved ones a country-inspired pencil case or maybe a planner with an iconic landmark on it. My favourite stationery gift is a pack of themed erasers. A small pack is relatively cheap and light, and can be a cute reminder of the place you visited. If you can’t decide what stationery to get, bundle it up and give it to your friend as one big gift.

4. Polaroids and Pics

Now this one is a more sentimental gift, for all of you heart-felt people out there. Take a cute Polaroid in an amazing destination. The Eiffel Tower. The Great Pyramid of Giza. Maybe the mountains of Machu Picchu. And write beautiful notes on the back of them, like your own personalised postcards. These pictures will take up no space in your luggage – you could even slip them into your wallet – and they’re light as a feather, making them a brilliant present. If you’re particularly crafty, you could make a scrapbook with these pics. Yes, it could make some of your friends a little jealous, but I know for sure my mum would love to receive a sincere gift like this and would appreciate the extra thought that went into making it. All you need is a disposable camera (which can save you even more space) or a fancy Polaroid contraption, and you’ve got yourself a present. 

5. T-shirt

Note that I didn’t say sweater. A T-shirt is better than a sweater because it is lightweight and can be folded up tight and stuffed in your carry-on luggage. The ideal gift. There is no limit to what a T-shirt can have on it. Get a T-shirt with a different language on it, or maybe a top that comes from the giftshop of a place you visited. During a trip to Busan, my friends and I couldn’t resist buying some very tasteful *ahem* T-shirts which garnered us quite a bit of attention when we walked around town. When I look at that self-gifted T-shirt I still smile. Now I don’t wear it out and about every day, but it makes a great pajama or gym top. Never underestimate the usefulness of a gifted T-shirt in your friend’s wardrobe. 

6. Phone or earphone case

Ring ring. How often do you use your phone? My guess would be pretty often. So how often do you hold your phone? Once again, it’s safe to assume pretty often. So shouldn’t you have a cute phone case to jazz up that block you carry around all the time. Once you’ve covertly confirmed what phone type your loved ones have, a phone case is a cute hand luggage gift that your friends and family are sure to love. There are no limits to what can appear on a phone case and they come in a crazy amount of lightweight materials. Going to Japan, why not bring back a Sushi phone case for your fish-lover friend? Go a step beyond this and consider buying other types of cases. Earphones case, glasses case, laptop bag. All are perfect, customisable presents. 

7. Hair accessories

Have you ever passed someone in the street and been struck by how effortlessly beautiful they are? They seem so put together. Why? Because of the nifty hair accessory they’re using. Headbands and clips make a great present for your fashion-conscious friends. The claw grip has made a resounding comeback and with it comes the comeback of a great gift with loads of variety. You can buy a range of accessories from sleek metal barrettes to fuzzy hair ties. You can also opt for something a little more traditional and buy a headpiece belonging to the country’s national dress. I’ll definitely be bringing a Daenggi home for my sister when I leave South Korea. 

8. Stickers

Are you decorating a journal or sprucing up a calendar, or maybe congratulating yourself for a job well done? Stickers can be used anywhere and are flat enough that they won’t take up any room in your hand luggage. You could even use stickers to decorate postcards for your friends and family, elevating the gift-giving experience entirely. Stickers are a great filler gift too. Maybe try pairing them with the stationary you also bought (look up). Also, think beyond cheap sticker sheets and consider getting your pals a bigger sticker for their door or car. This present has no limitations – just see how many you can stuff into that travel backpack. 

9. Wallet

You always have that one friend who never has a wallet, who is just carrying around loose change in their pocket and stuffing their cards into the back of their phone. Well, stop them. That’s how you lose things. Buy them a wallet on your travels abroad. Maybe a pressed leather wallet for that classy family member or a small hand-sewn wallet for your cottage-core friend. Although I’m sure the recipients of your gifts will love them enough on their own, you can even go a step further and put a small amount of money in the wallet. Say you went to South Africa, whack a 10 Rand note in there. This master plan gets rid of some of your excess currency, is a cute memento for your friend and soothes any superstitious peeps out there too. 

10. Food

Okay, this is my favourite gift on the list. There’s nothing more exciting than taste-testing another country’s snacks for the first time. As long as the food isn’t liquid (say bye-bye to that Canadian maple syrup) you can stuff it in. Be warned with packing this precious cargo though, as you don’t want your chips bag exploding over your clothes in your suitcase. Try packing boxes of candy or tubes of crisps instead. I can’t wait to travel abroad and share some of my favourite snacks with my friends. Yes, you have no choice, you must try my Pokemon bread. This gift also gives you an excuse to sample all the snacks that a country has to offer to find the perfect one to give to the people you care about. And if you don’t know what snacks to try, see my recommendations here.

What’s your favourite gift?

What did you think was the best present on the list? Are you a fan of tasty goodies like me, or the sentimental type who is already preparing a Polaroid postcard? Don’t be shy and pick up every single one of these hand luggage gifts. Something for everyone after all. With these 10 ideas, you never have to be stuck for inspiration when enjoying a trip abroad. And you never have to worry about travelling light again. Remember the money you save on luggage, can now be spent on gifts instead!