As far as what satisfies me goes, discovering a product that is as beautiful as it is useful is high on my list. I hate spending money on something I need but doesn’t delight me to look at—sue me! If you know you have to buy a toiletry bag anyway, why not go for one that looks like an heirloom? The same goes for those things I don’t necessarily need to spend money on but definitely improve my life once I have them. Take hotel slippers: The free, flimsy ones provided by rooms are usually terrible, and I hate walking around hotel carpets barefoot. Investing in a beautifully crafted pair of packable leather slippers—ones that feel completely sumptuous on my feet—turns an ordinary room into a treat every single trip.
I spend enough time living out of suitcases to know that the little things can make a big difference. And while I’m all for practicality, I don’t see why it should come at the expense of good design.
Which brings me to Window Seat’s first gift guide of 2026: a highly selective assortment of travel essentials, clever upgrades, and things that are admittedly more indulgent than necessary. All of them are exceptionally good-looking, and all of them have a reason to come along for the ride.
Read on for:
The little upgrades that make flying economy considerably more comfortable, including an alpaca travel set I swear by
Clever skincare and beauty essentials that won’t cause trouble at TSA
Packing accessories that help you fit more into your suitcase without making a mess of it
Beautiful things that make even an ordinary hotel room feel a little more like home