The gift-giving season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to put together a holiday wish list—and who better to tap for ideas than well-traveled Tradewind tastemakers? These lifestyle gurus know what they’re talking about when it comes to products and experiences, and this month, they’re sharing them with Tradewind.
From beauty products to can’t-buy experiences, these are the items at the top of tastemakers’ lists this holiday season.
Lindsay Silberman, founder of Hotel Lobby Candle, beauty and travel expert
A favorite new-to-me product: A friend recently gifted me Christian Dior’s Le Baume hand cream, and now I’m having a hard time remembering how I ever lived without it. For anyone who flies frequently, it’s an absolute must-have.
A travel-related item that should be on everyone’s wish list: A Hotel Lobby Candle. True travel lovers know how intoxicating the scent of a luxury hotel lobby is…and who wouldn’t want to have that same wanderlust-worthy scent in their home? The Aspen candle is perfect for winter, and New York is a favorite year-round.
Reasonably priced must-have: I was influenced to buy this hair scrunchie called the Sleepy Tie (which claims to preserve your blowout) after seeing it on TikTok. I was SHOCKED about how well it worked. I especially love using it to tie my hair into a bun on planes, because it ensures that my blowout will look perfect upon landing.
An experience you’d love to receive: As someone who is constantly online for work, I would love any experience that allowed me to truly disconnect without being tempted by my phone. An iPhone-free trip to Amangiri—with a few spa treatments on the itinerary—sounds like the ultimate experience as far as I’m concerned.
Jillian Dara, freelance journalist and editor
A favorite new-to-me product: Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones. I’ve had the original model for years, and they are by far my favorite travel accessory, but since I use them every trip, they’ve seen better days. I’m hoping for an upgrade this year and in silver so I can attempt to be trendy.
A travel item that should be on everyone’s wish list: The July softside weekender in forest green is the perfect carry-on. It has a useful number of compartments, but not so many where things can get lost; it’s spacious but organized; slides onto roller bags, and is durable to be carried as a weekender. I’ve tried several carry-ons during my travels, but none are as effective as this one (and I’ve been repping it for two-plus years). Plus, I always receive compliments when carrying it from place to place!
Reasonably priced must-have: I’ve got three! The first is an inflatable neck pillow—it’s super compact for travel yet supportive enough when blown up to permit a great night’s sleep. It’s in my carry-on at all times, and has been useful from plane rides to road trips. Lunya’s Silk Sleep Mask is butter-soft for a comforting night’s sleep on the plane. It doesn’t constrict the head in any way and is kind to the skin around the eyes—I’m always surprised at how much less puffy my eyes are after flights when I sleep with it. Quince cashmere scarves are also an obsession of mine. For $50 you get a quality cashmere scarf that you can travel with (I keep it in my carry-on and use it as a blanket on planes), and then pull it out to transform any outfit by using it as a shawl. I have one in multiple colors, so for summer trips, I’m using a tan, and for winter trips, a classic black.
An experience you’d love to receive: During the holidays, I love doing advent calendars—it’s an experience that also offers a tangible daily gift. When I was little, I received advents from my parents and always loved the routine and tradition of it. Nowadays, there are so many fun varieties—create your own with personal items or rely on a specialized product, with everything from 12 days of candles to 25 days of tequila. It’s so fun as you get to share whatever the day’s treat is with those around you. When it comes to travel specifically, any trip that I’m able to take with loved ones is the best type of gift.
Chris Orlikowski, Director of Global Communications, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
A favorite new-to-me product: It may sound obvious, but I purchased Apple AirTags to give me peace of mind when checking my luggage during trips. Top tip—I keep one in my wash bag, so I don’t have to have one in every suitcase I own.
Reasonably priced must-have: I received a microfiber face washcloth from the German cosmetics brand Beyer & Söhne. You just need to soak it in hot water to clean your face. No other products are needed, and it’s absolutely perfect for travel.
A favorite way to give experiences: I think it’s always nice to unwrap something, so even if the gift is an experience, I always try to gift it creatively, so that the receiver can still unwrap.
Should these tastemakers’ holiday wish lists spark wanderlust, we invite you to embark on a journey of luxury and adventure with Tradewind Aviation. Whether it’s experiencing the unparalleled convenience of our private charter flights throughout Florida and the Bahamas, indulging in our VIP Experience for stress-free transfers in San Juan, or seizing the opportunity for a day trip between the enchanting destinations of St Barths and Anguilla (starting at just $99!) – Tradewind offers the crème de la crème of travel experiences. To top it off, our unwavering commitment to top-notch customer service ensures that each and every flight is a seamless and enjoyable affair.
Cheers to a holiday season filled with unforgettable moments and the joy of exploration, courtesy of Tradewind!