49 Helpful Gifts for Friends Moving Abroad, From An Expat

I’ve moved abroad twice, and at each going away party people brought gifts.

Don’t get me wrong – it was SO nice of them to want to send us off with a present. But a gift for someone moving abroad is just adding to their packing stress if it’s not thoughtfully planned.

Here’s a list of practical gifts for someone moving abroad that won’t stress them out, will be super helpful during the move, and will make that goodbye a little more bearable.

Gifts for Friends Moving Abroad: Travel Essentials

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Here are some general travel presents for someone moving abroad that will work no matter who they are and where they’re going.

1. Portable Charger

My all-time favorite present for someone moving abroad – and one of my top gifts in general – is a really good portable charger.

My favorite portable charger is lightweight and has two ports to charge two devices at once. It juices up quickly, lasts for 3 full iPhone charges, has a built-in flashlight, and it’s under $20.

2. Charging Adapters

Moving abroad gifts you can never have too many of? Charging adapters. I recommend getting a few permanent charging adapters for you new home, plus at least 1 universal adapter per person for travel. These are so useful and you can never have enough! Find whatever country combination you need and stock up.

3. Reusable Tote Bags

I’ve had this set of Baggu reusable tote bags for at least 8 years, and they still look like new. They squish down really small, are super lightweight, come in different sizes, and they are so strong. I use them everyday.

4. Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are always a useful essential for travel. If you invest in a good set, they’ll last forever and block out all unwanted noise.

5. Sleep Mask

A good sleep mask should last forever, but too many are really poor quality.

A perfect gift for someone moving abroad is a durable, high-quality sleep mask that will last for years of travel.

6. Charging Cables

The gold-standard of charging cables for iPhones are the Apple cables, but they’re pricey and don’t always last. I like these braided ones that come in a set of different lengths. They’ve been going strong for me and my teens for 2 years!

7. Umbrella

A good quality umbrella should last – and these compact ones from Totes save my hair in London everyday. It’s also lightweight and dries super fast.

8. A Local SIM Card

Order a local SIM card for their destination (I like these from 3 Mobile for the UK), so they can have mobile data the moment they land. It’ll last them until they can get on a new mobile plan. Total lifesaver!

9. Passport Holder

If you’re not a solo traveler, it’s always frustrating determining whose passport is whose at immigration. Get them each a different passport holder and they can see at a glance which one belongs to whom.

10. Luggage Tags

A kind of boring – but really useful present for someone moving abroad – is luggage tags. If you get colorful and recognizable ones, they’ll never worry about losing their bag in the maddness of the airport.

11. Packing Cubes or Space-Saving Bags

The gift of more space in their suitcase is one of the best things you can get friends moving abroad! I actually use these when we’re not traveling, too, to store off-season bed linens and save space in my tiny London house with no storage.

Present for Someone Moving Abroad: Families with Little Kids

Families with little kids moving abroad have it rough enough already. Don’t get them another item they just have to deal with.

Here are some gifts for someone moving abroad who has smaller kids that will actually be helpful for the trip, and they won’t mind packing it at all.

12. A Plane Entertainment Kit for the Kids

Your friends will kiss you for keeping the littles occupied for even 60 seconds.

I love (and my toddler loves) this pre-made travel kit by Mini-Voyager, but you can also put together your own with sticker or activity books and fidget toys.

13. A Snack Stash

Traveling with picky eating toddlers is a nightmare.

Put together a small plane snack kit with foods you know the kids like, so even if they won’t eat the mysterious plane meals served on international flights (I don’t blame them), they’ll eat something.

This is a gift that acts as a bonus of checking a to-do off their list.

Try including:

Small bags of pretzels, crisps/chips, dried fruit or nuts
Squeezy fruit pouches
Crackers or rice cakes
A little treat, like M&Ms, a tiny Snickers bar, or fruit snacks

14. A Photo Book

Put together a photo book of prints of their house, pets, friends, family, and familiar home comforts. It’ll help with the transition, so they can look back at the past and get ready for the future.

15. Kits Toiletry Kits

Put together a mini toiletry kit for the kids. Kids love mimicking mom and dad, so if they have their own (instead of the good old Ziplock bag!), they might feel more included and like a big kid traveling.

16. A Kids Book About Their Destination

Kids books are a great gift for someone moving abroad because they’re light and pack up easily. Get the kiddos a book about their destination or about moving, and they’ll feel a bit more confident about the big adventure.

17. A Handy House Move-in Kit

Go to your local hardware store and put together a small kit including everything the parents need for a smooth transition to the new house on moving day. They’ll thank you when they have everything they need on one of the craziest days of their parenting lives.

Small pack of picture hangers
Wall-safe tape
Small scissors
Furniture felt pads
Small allen wrench & screwdriver
Tiny tube of superglue
Command hooks
Zip ties

Moving Abroad Gifts: Families with Teens or Tweens

graphics of family with teens moving with text: "present for someone moving abroad: families with teens or tweens"

Your friends are moving abroad with tweens? I feel for them. Moving is so, so hard on teens and tweens. Here are some moving abroad gifts for the teen set that will make it just a tad easier on their daunting adventure.

18. A Local SIM Card

So they can text their friends the moment they land, hook them up with a SIM card for their destination. Amazon carries SIMs and E-SIMS from all over the world.

19. Noise Canceling Headphones

Is this one for the teens, or the parents? At any rate, both will be happy if the kids are peacefully sucked into their Netflix for the duration of a long travel day.

Get a good pair that won’t need charging in the middle of the flight.

20. Printed Photos of Their Friend Group

This one’s easy – get photos of them with their friends printed out and a roll of painter’s tape. They can easily pack them, and immediately hang them in their new room to remind them they’re not alone.

21. A Room Decoration Kit

Similarly, you can pick up some picture hangers, mounting tape or painters tape, a string of battery-operated fairy lights or clip string lights, a charging converter, a do-not-dusturb sign and BAM – instant tween move-in kit done.

22. A Great Teen Toiletry Kit

Choose a cute toiletry bag and fill it with teen essentials: pimple patches, face wash, sunscreen and moisturizer, a small shampoo and conditioner, and a travel brush. This is one gift a teen will actually use and be appreciative of!

23. A Bluetooth Speaker

Pick them up a durable bluetooth speaker – like my kids’ favorite JBL – and they can listen to their music in the shower, while unpacking, and everywhere else.

24. Portable Charger & Extra Cables

You know what every teen and tween needs – moving abroad or not? Power. Make sure they’ll never drain their batteries with my favorite portable charger that’s under $20, and don’t forget extra cables (because you can never have enough).

25. A Plane Snack Kit

You can never have enough food for teens. Pick up their favorites to have on the plane!

Moving Abroad Gifts: Students

image of student sitting on moving boxes on laptop with text: "gift for someone moving abroad: students"

Need a gift for a friend studying abroad? Help ease the transition with a super practical present.

26. A Room Decorating Essentials Kit

Students moving abroad will want to decorate their room ASAP, but they might not have the right tools. Put together a small kit for decorating and basic DIY stuff:

Small tools: mini hammer, screwdrivers, and allen/hex wrenches
Painters tape and mounting tape
Picture hangers
Felt furniture pads
Command hooks
Zip ties

27. Hydro Flask Tumbler

Every student needs to stay hydrated, and this tumbler from Hydroflask is our family favorite. It keeps drinks hot or cold, is super durable and easy to clean. Plus, it comes in cute colors.

28. Desk Kit

They’ll have everything they need for their desk, in one cute, colorful kit.

29. Toiletry & Skincare Kit

College is REALLY hard on the skin. Drinking, sun, dehydration – they’re putting their skin through a lot. Get them a great skincare set that they can travel with, and they can take care of their forever face.

30. Homesick Candle

This is one of my favorite all-time candle brands, and when a friend sent me a “Seattle” one the first time we moved to London, I cried at the scent of Evergreen trees. The odor isn’t overpowering and they last a long time. There are options availible for cities, states, and countries, plus familiar scents of home like “grandma’s house.”

31. Fancy Luggage

Away is the gold-standard of fancy luggage, but there are more affordable options that still have all the amenities and are super durable. This bag has been going strong for my teens for years of European travel.

32. Passport Holder & Luggage Tags

So your student won’t ever lose their bag, their passport, or their mind, get personalized luggage tag and passport cover sets, or this cute matching set.

33. A Starbucks or Local Coffee Gift Card

You know what students ALWAYS need? Coffee. Enough said.

Gifts For a Friends Moving Abroad: Couples

graphic of couple moving abroad with text: "gift for someone moving abroad: couples"

Need a gift for someone moving abroad with their spouse or partner? Here’s some practical ideas.

34. Two Charging Adapters: One for Each Side of the Bed

The most annoying thing for couples traveling is not being able to charge their devices at the same time. Get them this set of dedicated charging converters that can live on each side of the bed – and also has extra USB plugs – so they’ll never fight over the charging cable again.

35. Portable Charger with Two Ports & Two Cables

By now you know this is my favorite all-time gift for anyone who travels, or just anyone in general. My favorite portable charger is a workhorse that has two USB ports and is super lightweight. My favorite cables are LONG, so you can always cover the distance.

36. Mini Maintenance Kit

For couples who aren’t super DIY savvy, get them this ready-made tool kit that has everything and more they’ll need for setting up their new house.

37. Airbnb or Hotel Gift Cards

A great gift for someone moving abroad is an accommodation gift card! They can use it to cover part of their temporary housing, or to go away for a weekend break once they’re settled.

38. Bucket List Book

For the adventurous couple moving abroad, get them a bucket list they can fill out themselves. It’ll help them maximize their time abroad and remind them of why they’re embarking on this journey, even when it seems rough.

Present for Someone Moving Abroad: Pet Owners

image of man carrying moving boxes with dog following along with text: "moving abroad gifts for pet owners"

Need the perfect present for someone moving abroad…who has fur? Read on.

39. Collapsible Water Bowls

As a pet parent, making sure your pooch stays hydrated while traveling is nerve-wracking. Make sure water is always at the ready with a collapsible water dish, or a doggie water dispensing bottle.

40. Travel Food Carrier

The last thing you want is dog or cat food in a ziplock bag that will let the rest of your suitcase soak in that odor. This one is water-tight and keeps odors at bay.

41. A Pet Airline Safety Kit

This has everything they’ll need to make sure their pet is safe, secure, and taken care of during the flight.

42. A Cozy Crate Liner or Portable Dog Bed

Everyone knows pups and kitties can never have too many beds! Having an extra for travel is a great idea in case anything gets dirty en route.

43. Pet First Aid Kit

Just in case anything happens mid-air, or before they’ve established care with a new vet, this kit is helpful for small medical issues.

Present for Someone Moving Abroad: Cooks & Food Lovers

graphic of couple cooking with moving boxes in the background with text: "moving abroad gifts for foodies"

44. Spices from Home

If they’re shipping their belongings, they won’t have their favorite spices for months. Put together a mini-pack of essentials (using Ziplock bags is fine!), along with Kosher Salt or whatever their preferred seasoning is, that they can stash in their suitcase.

45. Gourmet Plane Snacks

Go to a bougie grocer and pick up some delicious treats they can eat on the plane, or while waiting in customs lines. It’s the perfect antidote to airport food.

46. A Packable Knife Sharpener

There’s nothing worse than finding your Airbnb knives worn down to nothing, and dull knives are simply dangerous. A great solution is an easily packable (and TSA-approved) knife sharpener, so they can spiff them up in a flash and save their fingers while traveling.

47. Destination Restaurant Cookbook

Order them a cookbook from their (new) local dining scene. In London, some excellent restarant cookbooks are Dishoom, The Palomar, and Honey & Co.

48. A Sous Vide

They can make gourmet meals anywhere, anytime with an easily packable sous vide machine. I love how mouth-watering steaks turn out when they emerge from a water bath and you fire them on the grill.

49. A Cute Apron from Home

Remind them of home every time they cook with a city or country-centric apron, and maybe they’ll even invite you to visit them abroad with this thoughtful gift!