50+ Best Gifts for Someone Moving Abroad in 2024

When I moved abroad to Italy from the US, there were so many things that I didn’t realize I needed! From practical to sentimental, my list has the best gifts for someone moving abroad at any budget. Take it from someone who’s been there!

The List: Best Gifts for Someone Moving Abroad

  1. Voltage Converter – Perfect for countries with different voltage standards! This converter will allow them to use their electronic devices without any worries.
  2. Universal Adapter – Along with a voltage converter, a universal adapter will ensure that all electronic devices can be used in any country. This is one of the best gifts for a friend going abroad!
  3. The Ultimate Moving Abroad Planner – I wish I had this planner when I was moving abroad! It contains checklists and planning pages for every category someone needs to remember while planning their moving abroad journey.
  1. Travel-sized Toiletry Bottles – These travel-sized bottles are great option for the first few weeks when your loved one is still settling and may not have access to their full-sized toiletries.
  2. Travel-sized First Aid Kit – Having a small first-aid kit is always a good idea, especially for someone moving abroad to a new country where they may not be familiar with yet with their medical resources.
  3. Portable Charger – Perfect for long travel days or exploring a new city. No one likes having their phone or camera battery run out! Having a portable charger is essential for someone who’s preparing to move abroad.
  1. Safety Wing Travel Insurance – Give the gift of peace of mind with a travel insurance plan from Safety Wing! Their comprehensive coverage includes medical expenses, trip interruption/cancellation, and emergencies, perfect for any unexpected situations while traveling. It’s also incredibly affordable and easy to use!

✈️ Expat’s Choice: Safety Wing Travel Insurance

  1. Reusable Water Bottle w/ a Filter – An eco-friendly and convenient option for staying hydrated on travels, this Brita waterbottle is my absolute favorite to bring with me abroad.
Best gifts for someone moving abroad
My favorite reusable waterbottle for travels!
  1. Lightweight Luggage Set – This is both a practical and useful gift, especially if your loved one is limited to a certain luggage weight allowance for their move!
  2. Pocket-Sized Phrase Book – If your “someone” is moving to a country with a different language, a pocket-sized phrase book can come in handy for everyday interactions! They can also have fun practicing and learning new conversational phrases before they move.
  3. Travel Carbon Monoxide Detector – This is a thoughtful and reassuring gift for anyone moving into a new living space. This is super helpful for safety reasons and puts anxiety at ease!

✈️ Traveler’s Choice: Travel Carbon Monoxide Detector

  1. Easy to Carry Duffel Bag – A versatile travel bag is a must-have for moving abroad. Gift your friend or family member with a multi-purpose bag that can be used as an easy carry-on or daypack.
  1. Portable Travel Steamer – For keeping clothes wrinkle-free during travels or adjusting to different climates! Some of my dresses always wrinkle in my luggage and it drives me crazy. This is a super helpful gift for someone moving abroad!
  2. Adhesive HooksThese can be helpful in temporary living situations, such as an apartment or hotel room, for hanging up small items without causing damage.
  3. Travel-sized Laundry Detergent – A practical and convenient gift for someone who may not have access to laundry facilities right away!
  4. Luggage Locks – Give the gift of security with a set of TSA-approved luggage locks. These small but valuable tools can provide peace of mind and prevent theft or tampering while moving abroad.
  1. Travel-sized Hand Sanitizers – An essential item for staying healthy while on the go. These are great small gifts for travelers, especially to keep in their bag at the airport!
  2. Macbook Pro – If your loved one is a digital nomad or frequently works while traveling, the Macbook Pro with the m3 chip is one of the ultimate gifts for someone moving abroad. This powerful and lightweight laptop will make working on-the-go easier and way more efficient!
  1. Laptop Sleeve – Make their life easier by protecting their laptop with a laptop sleeve! This practical gift will keep their valuable equipment safe while adding a touch of personal style to their travels while moving abroad.
  2. Personalized Luggage Tags – A thoughtful and unique gift to help them identify their luggage easily while traveling abroad.
  3. Insulated Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is important during travels and a reusable insulated water bottle can help keep drinks cold or hot for hours.
  4. Travel Journal – Moving to a new place can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. A travel journal can serve as a way for your loved one to document their journey and reflect on their thoughts and feelings throughout the process.
  1. Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – Perfect for long flights or train rides, these headphones can help block out any unwanted noise and have a more comfortable travel experience. These headphones by Soundcore are my favorite ones!

✈️ Expat Pick: Soundcore Wireless Headphones

  1. Local Guidebooks – Help your loved one fully immerse themselves in their destination with a local guidebook! Guidebooks provide insider tips and recommendations for the best restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems.
  2. Local Phrasebook – Help your loved one immerse themselves in the local culture with a phrasebook. This small but valuable gift will make communication easier and more enjoyable while traveling! I got an Italian phrasebook to peruse before I moved abroad to Italy.
  3. Gift Cards – While not an item specifically for moving abroad, gift cards can be a practical and thoughtful gift for someone moving abroad towards any travel expenses or necessities they may need during their move.
  4. Travel Marker Map – One of my favorite travel gifts are travel marker maps! While not a totally necessary gift for someone moving abroad, they’re adored by travel lovers to mark where they have been.
  1. Travel Themed Photo Album – Give the gift of a travel themed photo album! When I moved abroad to Italy, I took hundreds, okay, thousands of pictures! This is a great gift for someone moving abroad.
Photo via Unsplash
  1. Personalized Keepsakes – Whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a keychain, or a special trinket, a personalized keepsake can provide comfort and remind your loved one of home while they are away.
  2. Sony Travel Camera – My favorite traveling camera! The Sony ZV1 is a high quality compact camera, well-loved by expats and bloggers. This is one of the most perfect gifts for someone moving abroad to capture their new precious memories.

✈️ Expat Pick: Sony ZV-1 Compact Camera

  1. Cozy Blanket – Consider gifting your friend or family member with an item that will make their new space feel more like home, such as a cozy travel blanket. Don’t worry, this one folds up compact!
  2. Family Recipe Book – Compile all of your family’s favorite recipes into a family recipe book for your loved one to take with them! This will not only provide them with a taste of home but also serve as a reminder of family.

✈️ Favorite Sentimental Choice: Family Recipe Book

  1. Handwritten Letters – Take the time to write heartfelt letters to your loved one, expressing your love and support. These handwritten letters will serve as treasured mementos for years to come.
  2. Laundry Bags – Moving to a new place often means limited space! A compact laundry bag set will make doing laundry easier and more organized.
  3. Care Packages – Surprise your loved one with care packages filled with their favorite snacks, small toiletries, and other items they may miss from home. This will make them feel loved and supported, even from a distance.
  4. Tours in Their New Destination – Research tours happening in your loved one’s new location and gift them a tour booking! This will allow them to immerse themselves in the local culture and create memories right away.

✈️ Traveler’s Choice: Viator International Destination Tours

  1. Language Learning Subscription – If your loved one is moving to a country with a different language, consider gifting them with language learning resources such as a language learning subscription to help them prepare and adjust to their new surroundings. This will also make them feel more confident about their adjustment!
  2. Portable Water Flosser – Help your loved one take care of their teeth and have good oral hygiene while on the go with a portable flosser! This small and convenient tool is perfect for those who may not be up for finding floss right away in their new location.

✈️ Moving Abroad Choice: Portable Water Flosser

  1. SmartWatch – If your friend or family member moving abroad doesn’t already have a smartwatch, keep them connected with a smartwatch that can sync to their smartphone. This will make it easier for them to stay in touch with family and friends back home, as well as keep track of important appointments and reminders!
  1. Travel Jewelry Organizer – Help your loved one keep their jewelry safe and tangle-free while traveling with a compact travel jewelry organizer. This gift is perfect for those who want to add some style and sparkle to their new adventure abroad!
  2. Framed Painting or Photo – Give them a framed painting or photo of their hometown to help remind them of their hometown. It’s also a unique talking point for future visitors to their new place while they are living abroad!
  3. Small Compact Umbrella – I wish I had a penny for every time I needed a small umbrella in my travels! Give the gift of a compact umbrella to keep them out of the rain and remind them of you.
Me with my compact travel umbrella petting a dog in the rain in Hong Kong.
  1. Chapstick – Traveling to different climates can often lead to dry and chapped lips! Gift them some fun chapstick flavors to help them stay moisturized and comfortable throughout their journey.
  2. TSA Approved Toiletry Bag – For those who will be moving abroad, a TSA-approved toiletry bag is a must! It’s a convenient bag that will make going through airport security hassle-free.
  3. A Kindle – Give the gift of endless reading options with a Kindle. The Kindle is one of the best gifts for someone moving abroad! They can easily pack multiple books in one small device, which is perfect for long flights or train rides.

✈️ Traveler’s Choice: Kindle for on-the-go eBooks

Best Gifts for Someone moving abroad - Kindle
Photo via Unsplash
  1. Travel Document Organizer – Help them stay organized while traveling with a travel document organizer. This compact case can hold important documents such as passports, itineraries, and tickets. When you’re packing to move abroad, things start going everywhere, and something like this is actually super helpful!
  2. Packing Cubes – Make packing and staying organized easier for the traveler in your life with packing cubes! Packing can be a pain, and these lightweight bags help to maximize space in suitcases. They are helpful to keep clothing and items separated for easier access.
  1. Fold-Up SunglassesThese sunglasses are budget friendly and and perfect for any adventure. They easily fold up into a compact size, making them ideal for travel and outdoor activities!
  2. Money Belt – Keep your loved one’s important documents and cash safe by gifting them a money belt. These allow them to keep their cash close by without drawing attention. Money belts help with peace of mind when traveling abroad!
  3. Let’s Move Abroad: The All-in-One, No Bullsh*t Guidebook – This is another fun option for a moving abroad guidebook! This one covers all the necessary steps to make moving overseas easy and affordable. From finding housing to navigating visas and taxes, this book provides practical tips and relatable stories. This book will inspire and make the traveler in your life laugh and get ready for their big adventure.

Gifts for Someone Moving Abroad – It’s the Thought That Counts!

As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding a gift for someone moving abroad. Whether it’s a practical item or an inspiring book, these gifts show that you care about their journey! I hope this list helped you find the perfect gift for the traveler in your life. Don’t overthink it, it’s the thought that counts!

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