38 Gifts Our Favorite Women Travelers Want for Mother's Day

I put hot sauce on everything. Growing up a good Southern girl, my go-to was Tabasco. Now it’s Shaquanda’s, a line founded by Brooklyn–based drag performer Coco Mulatta (a.k.a. Andre Springer). Never have I loved a hot sauce so much that I will mail order it from halfway across the country, but Shaquanda’s just gets it: flavor first, firebomb second. I love how Springer sneaks in all kinds of interesting ingredients, too. The Original Hot Pepper Sauce plays with horseradish, turmeric, and mustard to magical effect; Spicier Smoke strikes an elusive balance between tongue-lashing habaneros and smoked paprika powder; and banana makes a cameo in Mx. Green Sass, a sauce thrumming with Serranos and jalapeños. But the sauce I crave the most is Oooohmami, a perfect symphony of black garlic, caramelized onions, and blackberry juice. This limited-edition set, which includes a fun tea towel and four of Shaquanda’s five flavors, is the perfect introduction for any aspiring Scovillian. —Ashlea Halpern, contributor 

You probably need no introduction to Diaspora Co. and the incredible work of founder Sana Javeri Kadri. The queer, WOC-owned and -led business is building a radically new and truly equitable spice trade, and the kind of leadership and land stewardship that will build climate resilience and more delicious food systems. Its Full Flavor Makeover is a collection of the best of the best, most well-loved spices—in my humble opinion, the perfect way to refresh your kitchen. —Jing Gao, founder & CEO of Fly by Jing

Whenever I'm craving the life-changing larb I ate in Bangkok 10 years ago or aching for a return trip to the Philippines, I head to Omsom's website. The brand, owned by two sisters, sells spice mixes and sauces that make it easy to whip up delicious Southeast Asian dishes at home. Its new salt-pepper-and-MSG shaker set is a lovely new staple on my table and so many friends compliment it— I know I'll be giving a few as gifts this year. —Megan Spurrell, senior editor

Donabe is Japanese traditional earthen cookware, and I own multiple donabe from Toiro in Los Angeles. My donabe has a semi-permanent spot on my stovetop. You can use them for all sorts of stuff, including stews and steaming fish or just making rice, but I love to use this specifically for making mapo tofu, which just tastes so much better in a Toiro donabe. They are handcrafted by local artisans in Iga, Japan, and each one feels so special. —J.G.

Australian artist Louise Olsen and her husband Stephen Ormandy originally founded their now-iconic brand, Dinosaur Designs, while they were art students. Now, their handmade, tactile resin designs can be recognized throughout Australia and beyond. Through the use of eclectic chunky shapes combined with intense radiant colors, they exude energy and vibrance. —Katalina Mayorga, CEO of El Camino Travel and The Casa Violeta

There are physical vacations and then there are mental vacations. For me, a marathon of Ghibli movies have gotten me through a lot of tough times. I'm partial to Princes Mononke and My Neighbor Totoro, but honestly, most will transport you to another, more whimsical world. After a recent marathon, I started watching fan edits of Ghibli food online to calm myself and immediately bought this donabe after to make rice and stews. It's a beautiful piece to keep on a stovetop and it's an incredible vessel not only for its ability to retain heat but because it looks gorgeous from stovetop to tabletop. —Mi-Anne Chan, senior director of creative development at Teen Vogue, them., and LOVE 

Inspired by women of the Tang Dynasty, these ceramic pieces are created by a young Jingdezhen ceramicist who remains anonymous! I mean, come on, so cool. Wing on Won & Co. is the oldest, continuously operating store in Manhattan’s Chinatown, now primarily offering porcelain and ceramic pieces through the lens of culture and tradition. I adore everything they make and offer. —J.G.

I'm always looking for cute ways to cover up when I'm traveling and who doesn't love a high quality Italian knit? It adds a touch of sophistication and quiet luxury. Super soft, a great knit is the best gift for frequent travelers to combat chilly plane temps and nights exploring a new locale. —Nneya Richards, contributor

I own (and love) a few pairs of the classic closed-heel, loafer-like Sabahs, but my favorites are these leopard print baba mules. I’ve found that having some sort of slip-on shoe is essential for my happiness when I travel, and these are easy to pack, chill enough for the pool deck, special enough for dinner, and they magically go with everything. I once ran into a woman wearing the same ones at a remote lodge in Namibia, which felt like its own sort of endorsement. —Maggie Shipstead, novelist and contributor 

 I've never met a softer pair of leggings. Although they are designed for the outdoorsy person, they are also perfect for travel days and flights. With the deep side pockets, I'm able to store my phone, ID for easy access while going through TSA Pre-Check, and chapstick—and I don't have to worry about fumbling through my backpack when I'm trying to get through the airport. The drawstring waist also helps them stay in place all day. —DeAnna Taylor, contributor

There is a lot to love about Alder Apparel: The sizing is super inclusive, the designs are durable and chic, and the founders frequently ask customers for their input on future pieces. This particular fleece is a perfect balance between actual jacket and throw-on sweater. My favorite part? So many pockets. It's perfect for the hiker in your life. —Erika Owen, contributor 

The ultimate adventure pants. I just retired a pair after seven years of hard living, including two trips to Antarctica, six to the Arctic, and about 300 miles of backcountry trekking—they were here for a good time and a long time. They’re rugged; they look cool; they have excellent pockets. It’s even kind of fun to re-wax the waxed cotton panels. —Maggie Shipstead

I'm loving Violette_FR's new serums. They come in a travel-friendly set but aren't necessarily meant to be a multi-step regime, so you can just bring along the one that targets your current needs, whether that's hydration, irritation, or sun damage. It's a great gift no matter what your skin type is. —Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief at Eater

A gentle re-entry is crucial to maintaining my sanity whenever I return from my expeditions. Juara’s Coconut Illipe Hand and Nail Balm is the perfect pampering for your hard-working hands and nails. Juara, an Indonesian word meaning “champion,” is a women-owned company that blends traditional botanical remedies with Western, 100 percent plant-based science. This award-winning hand balm strengthens and conditions nails and cuticles and instantly replenishes dry skin to improve signs of aging. The paradisaical scent will help you stay grounded and relaxed. —Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, mountaineer and author of In The Shadow of The Mountain

Vintners Daughter Active Botanical Serum is my absolute go-to favorite for keeping my skin hydrated, radiant, and healthy when crossing time zones and changing climates. I never travel without it! I especially love that they give back a portion of proceeds to foundations like Every Mother Counts and other charitable organizations that impact women and the environment. —Molly Berry, founder of Luna Zorro

I am a huge fan of lounge sets and I pack at least one for every trip I take. I run hot, so I lean toward short sets—this one is silky smooth and comes in great color options. It's perfect for vacation nights spent curled on a couch reading or reflecting on the day's adventures. —E.O. 

I never leave home without at least one of these scents in my cosmetic bag. A quick dab here and there gives me an added boost of confidence before heading to dinner or even as I explore through the day. They are easy to pack and travel well, even in a carry-on. I honestly wish there were more options in this size. —D.T.

This is definitely a splurge, but it's a nice little nod to luxury both at home and while traveling. Tack on the beautiful bamboo canister, for an elevated, TSA-friendly bath time caboodle. I like to save this one when traveling to cooler climates to avoid the stone from melting. —Shanika Hillocks, contributor

The escapism of mountain expeditions has given me space for self-reflection and a strong inspiration for journaling. I discovered The Five Minute Journal in 2017 and quickly became a loyal follower. This journal has worked miracles, and I know it will also work its magic on you. —S.V. 

 I keep a tight edit on skincare in my carry-on but I make sure to take this serum everywhere. It's soothing, nourishing, sinks in quickly, and gives my skin an extra boost when it's jet lagged, sleep-deprived, or just every day stressed. I also always have a lip balm by Kosas floating around. —R.P. 

The multiverse from the film Everything Everywhere All At Once is the only multiverse that matters (just kidding, I'm still a Marvel fan). This candle smells amazing and is a direct call back to a certain "trophy" in the film that I won't say more on because I don't want to spoil anything. That movie is a trip, in every sense of the word, so having something in my home to remind me of that mental and emotional journey is a welcome addition. I've already bought one for my sister as a gift. —M.C. 

Oeste offers its candles in travel tins—for someone who loves curating an aromatic experience, traveling with a loved scent is often essential. —M.H. 

I recently stayed at the 1Hotel in Los Angeles for work and when I tell you I walked in and said, "Oh no, this might be too fancy," I'm not kidding. I slept so well there that I texted the receptionist after check out specifically to ask where they get their mattress pads. Turns out, they're by the New York brand, Kassatex! —M.C. 

This duvet and pillow set is the smoothest, silkiest, most dreamy encasement for your bed. There is something so crispy and organized about the vertical thick lines. This duvet cover is the bedding equivalent of walking into a freshly cleaned Airbnb in the Cotswolds and taking in a deep breath knowing there are no dishes to clean, no pillows to fluff, just time to relax and be a bum. —M.C. 

I can say with 100 percent confidence that this is my favorite scent in the whole world. Fischersund is a wonderfully moody family-run shop in Reykjavík and all of the scents are inspired by Icelandic elements—and made with local ingredients. This shop is worth a trip to see in person; a quick smell brings back so many memories of beautiful moments spent in the mountains. —E.O. 

I've taken to traveling with the incense I use at home—it offers a sense of grounding wherever I am. —R.P. 

It’s everything a traveling woman could ever want in a backpack. There are so many compartments for organization: I throw my quick toiletries and sunglasses in the top front compartment, my cords, adaptors, and other accessories in the bottom front pouch, books in the inside sleeve, and my passport and other valuables in the zippered inside pocket. My computer and my water bottle have their own bespoke spots, so they’re out of the way when I’m reaching for larger items in the main compartment. The padded shoulder straps are comfy, and there’s a sturdy strap across the back to attached it to my roller bag. Best of all, it is stylish—my 23-year-old son oohed and aahed at it. I settled on gray so it wouldn’t show smudges, but it’s made of 100 percent recycled textured poly, so it‘s sustainable and cleans up well. It goes with me everywhere! —Betsy Andrews, contributor

As I desperately try to reduce my footprint, I'm a firm believer that we should all be traveling with reusable bags. They're perfect for taking to that farmer's market in Paris or for picking up Modelos on the way to the beach in Oaxaca (and souvenir shopping in all its forms). Junes Everyday totes are super packable, and made by female weavers in Juarez, Mexico, in a flurry of vibrant colors. Gift your friends one they can use again and again—and treat them to the style with bottle pockets inside. —Megan Spurrell

I'd be remiss not to mention the Ries travel bottles. They're Black-woman-owned, sustainable, and come in these opaque colorways with blank or labeled options to keep all your toiletries organized. —S.H. 

I am eyeing this travel bag—everything Cuyana makes is so stylish but also functional. For those who are hardy travelers (i.e., a dainty leather bag just won't do), this will fit the bill perfectly. It just feels incredibly versatile and durable; whether you're a seasoned traveler or a once-in-a-while trip taker, it's the kind of bag you want to be carrying. I imagine that carrying this through LaGuardia Airport would make me look incredibly put together even if I am hightailing it to my gate catch a flight. —Priya Krishna, food writer and author of Indian-Ish 

I’m paler than Nosferatu and equally sun-averse, which has traditionally meant slathering on SPF 100 and dressing like a beach goth anytime I travel somewhere sunny. That changed recently when a friend introduced me to this lightweight mineral sunscreen from Dr. Loretta. It does everything it says it will: moisturizing my parched skin while simultaneously shielding me from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s easy to blend and doesn’t leave behind a chalky residue—just the kind of healthy Hollywood glow that I thought was only possible with Photoshop. The thing I don’t love is the price tag, which is exactly why I’d love someone to gift it to me for future travels. (Husband, are you listening?) —A.H. 

One of the biggest perks of my Global Entry is not having to justify how many 3.4-ounce bottles I have. I travel with a lot of hair products for delicate coils. Davines is one of my favorite all natural beautiful and hair care brands and one of their shampoo bars is the perfect gift for frequent travelers. Honestly, most hotel shampoos are subpar and this bar is not only natural and luxurious, but it doesn't count as one of your liquids! —N.R. 

As an avid reader, it’s difficult to choose just one book from my long list of current and favorite reads. The Uninhabitable Earth—Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells is a terrifying, meticulously documented, white-knuckled narrative of the avalanche of disasters humanity is facing and will continue to face as the climate crises engulfs the planet. It scares me, but also motivates me to act with urgency. —Cristina Mittermeier, conservation photographer and co-founder of SeaLegacy

I started sleeping with a sleep mask 10 years ago, but it took me a while to find this, my sleep mask soulmate. It blocks out all the light, but doesn’t smush your eyelids or catch on your eyelashes or squeeze your head. I use it every night at home but also on planes and even while camping—basically always. —Maggie Shipstead

 A tarot deck is always great to have on hand while traveling. You can pull a card anywhere, and the tarot can be a great anchor whilst in the untethered world of travel. Simply asking your deck, "how can I best care for myself today" or "what can I focus on today" can add a deeper level of meaning to your day-to-day travels. My favorite deck is the Pagan Underworlds Tarot by Uusi. —K.T.

When I first started climbing mountains, my biggest fear was how to adjust my personal needs for those untimely nature calls. I remember ogling an equipment list and saw an “optional” suggestion for Freshette, a female portable plastic urinary device. This “optional” device has become “a must” and possibly the most empowering tool in any of my expeditions to have freedom in the outdoors—a female-owned company at the forefront of Leave No Trace and other environmental projects. —S.V.