Surprise Gifts Commuters Actually Need

What better gift than peace, concentration, and escape from the distractions of the world? And, all that without wires. These top-of-the-line Bose wireless headphones are the brand’s most powerful noise-cancelling model yet, and they’re optimized to work with common voice assistants to help reduce screen time. With up to 20 hours of battery life, your favorite commuter will stay happy throughout the day.

Bring your favorite commuter up-to-date with wireless earbuds for all of their Apple products. No setup needed: just turn them on, find compatible devices, and connect. One tap gets them going; two taps summon Siri. The lucky recipient will never have to tangle with cords during a podcast-listening session again.

Here’s the gift that can save the day, any day, more than once, on a single charge. If someone doesn’t have a portable charger yet, then this is a great, lightweight option. And, even if they already do have one, they’ll appreciate a state-of-the-art upgrade. The Anker PowerCore Speed 20100 is strong enough to fully power a laptop once, a tablet twice, and a phone several times on a single charge.

For the woman who wants to carry it all and look great doing it, this slim-profile leather backpack fits a tablet, phone, notebooks, and everyday necessities in style. It works well for travel out of town, too, with a smart back-sleeve panel that slides over telescoping luggage handles and sits securely during a glide through the airport. This backpack is available in three colors, including this festive sangria shade, which we vote should become a year-round neutral.

For the guy who has everything to carry and no time to shop, this sleek pack will take him wherever he needs to go, with all he needs. A separate back pocket securely carries a full-size laptop, up to 15 inches, while a series of perfectly-sized exterior and interior pockets hold a phone, keys, wallet, books, and maybe even a change of clothes while looking slim, trim, and on-trend.

For the old-school types, or anyone who could use a little less screen-time (all of us), this is a beautifully analog gift. Not many people usually buy themselves a really great notebook, but everyone loves them, especially commuters. This one has a soft cover, ivory pages with rounded corners, elastic closure, bookmark ribbon, and expandable back pocket, sized to fit perfectly in most bags yet big enough for big ideas.

Most people wouldn’t know that they not only want but also need Doc Martens…until someone wonderful gives them a pair. This year let that someone be you. Raise the bar and redefine the term “work boot” with these Doc Martens, featuring the brand’s signature slip-resistant, air-cushioned sole and extra-cool outsized stitching. Once someone’s commuted a single day in these, they’ll kiss those dowdy commuter sneakers goodbye.

Here’s a gift that will warm your commuter’s heart by warming their hands. If your loved one has to wait for buses or trains outside in the brutal cold, give them a supply of HotHands. These single-use, air-activated heat packs easily fit inside gloves, mittens, or pockets for comfort on the coldest days.

The perfect stocking stuffer for your friend on the go, this compact mirror offers up to 3X magnification in one colorful package that fits easily in any bag (or even a pocket) and won’t disappear in a sea of black.

Help lighten the load of someone’s makeup bag with a two-in-one highlighter and contour wand. Both ends give creamy color and the line comes in a variety of shades. If someone hasn’t discovered this product for themselves (and even if they have), then they’ll thank you for finding it.

Perfect for making up in the morning or touching up at the end of the day, this lightweight, creamy concealer covers up without caking, flaking, or clogging pores. A favorite among makeup pros, this thoughtful stocking stuffer packs a world of fixes in one tiny jar.

If your favorite commuter favors natural cosmetics and personal-care products, then this is the perfect gift for a bit of aromatherapy, or at least an aromatic escape from the scent of fellow travelers. Made from pure essential oils, this mist comes in a lavender or a holiday blend. And the 2-ounce bottle will fit perfectly in a purse.