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10 Gadgets and Gift Ideas for the Traveling Mom

May 11, 2017
7 min read
Mom and daughter selfie
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The launch into parenthood doesn't have to mean the end of travel — for some, it's a lifelong passion and for others, a necessity. Either way, why not give the traveling mom in your life something to help make leaving home a little easier? Here are 10 Mother's Day gift ideas that are perfect for jet-setting moms.

1. The Tile

Moms have enough things to juggle when they're on the go. They shouldn't have to worry about losing their keys, too. Attach this small Tile to your keyring, bag, camera — whatever — and easily track it from your smartphone. Lose it, and you can see where it last connected to your phone via Bluetooth, or if the Tile is nearby, tell it to sound an alarm so you can easily find it. A thinner version is also available that can be used in smaller spaces, like your wallet. From $24.

Tile App
This device is like a homing beacon for your keys, camera and anything else you attach it to. Image courtesy of Tile Inc.

2. Foldable Tote Bag

Imagine your mom is on a trip and collects all kinds of fabulous things — only to run out of space in her bag on the way home. Enter the foldable tote. It's durable, waterproof, can slide onto a rolling suitcase and takes up almost no space when folded up, making it a great stowaway back-up bag. From $12.

Travel Foldable Waterproof Tote
This foldable tote is a great spare bag to bring along on trips. Image courtesy of Betterman Inc.

3. Collapsible Water Bottle

Your mom will never have to overpay for airport water or lug around a clunky Nalgene again. This collapsible bottle comes in two sizes — 21 ounces and 12 ounces — as well as a variety of colors, and is made from food-grade, dishwasher-safe silicone. When collapsed down, it fits in the palm of your hand, in a pocket or attached to your bag with a carabiner. From $19.

Collapsible Water Bottle
This collapsible water bottle flattens to fit inside a pocket. Image courtesy of Hydaway.

4. Pocket Blanket

In addition to being lightweight and easy to pack, this outdoor ground blanket is water resistant, puncture resistant and even has weighted corners — great for Moms who enjoy camping, hiking or picnics on the beach. It comes in three different sizes, ranging from roughly three feet to nearly seven feet long and folds up into a tiny, portable pouch. From $12.

Pocket Blanket
This full-size blanket folds up small enough to fit in your pocket. Image courtesy of OutdoorMaster.

5. Mini Portable Charger

We've all been there. You're in a hurry to catch your flight and forget to charge your phone — only to find all the available outlets and charging stations occupied at the gate. Mini portable chargers like this one from Jackery can help ensure Mom's phone or tablet always has enough power to get her to her destination. From $12.

This portable charger is about the size of a tube of lipstick. Image courtesy of Amazon.

6. Stylish Health Tracker

Traditional health trackers have come a long way from the days of not-so-attractive, plastic pedometers. Now, moms can track their steps wearing something that's both functional and stylish. These Bellabeat trackers, for example, can be worn as a necklace, bracelet or clipped to clothing. The simple, elegant design makes it easier to wear with dressier clothing than standard wristband trackers, yet it can still be worn with casual clothes or while working out. From $119.

Fitness tracker
This fitness tracker adds a little style to your health data. Image courtesy of Bellabeat.

7. Designer Camera Strap

Camera straps are a necessity for any on-the-go photographer, but they don't have to be bland. Designer camera straps like the ones sold by Mimi Green or Eggsnow come in a variety of patterns and styles and provide a much-needed upgrade from the standard-issue straps that typically come with digital cameras. Mimi Green, from $34; Eggsnow, from $11.

Diane Designer DSLR Camera Strap
The only thing more attractive than your mom's photos will be the camera she takes them with. Image courtesy of Amanda Jackson-Miller.

8. Mini Air Purifying Bags

No one wants their nice clothes to smell like their gym shoes, but all too often both need to be crammed into a single suitcase. These air purifying bags are a perfect solution. Mom can use these inside her luggage to capture and contain odors without using smelly perfumes or sprays. Best of all, the bags are reusable for up to two years. Just put them outside in the sun for an hour between uses and they're good to go — no washing machine or refills necessary. From $9.

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Mini Moso Natural Air Purifying Bags
Mom can keep her clothes smelling fresh while traveling with these odor-absorbing bags. Image courtesy of Moso Natural.

9. Inflatable Neck Pillow

Neck pillows are awesome if you have the space to pack them, but they're often awkward and bulky to carry around. That's why inflatable neck pillows are so handy — when not in use, they shrink down into a small pouch that's easy to store and out of the way. Bonus: This pillow from AirComfy inflates with just a push of a button, allowing mom to easily choose how firm or how soft it is. From $23.

AirComfy Inflatable Neck Pillow
Your mom's neck pillow deserves an upgrade. Image courtesy of AirComfy.

10. Keychain Cord Wrap

With this keychain, Mom can keep her headphones or charging cords untangled and within easy reach. The cords wrap snuggly around a small piece of leather and then attach to keys or a bag. The wrap comes in a variety of colors and is handmade from genuine leather, making it both an attractive and useful accessory. From $8.

Who knew cord storage could be so stylish? Image courtesy of Hide & Drink.

What travel-related gifts will you be giving Mom this year? Sound off, below.

Featured image by Getty Images

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Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4.5 / 5
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Rewards Rate

2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase
5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • Intro Offer

    LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles
  • Annual Fee

    $395
  • Recommended Credit

    740-850
    Excellent

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
  • In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
  • Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.

Cons

  • The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
  • Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
  • Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
  • With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month