Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.

We’ve been resting and gearing up for 2025 and we hope you’ve been able to do the same. With a new year comes a fresh start and a fresh perspective on what you want to get out of the next 12 months. We, of course, hope to travel, but we also want to focus on anything that simplifies and slows life down a bit or just brings joy to our day.

With this in mind, we’ve hand-picked 25 must-haves for 2025 that each accomplish these goals in some way. We hope you enjoy this list and find a thing or two that helps to make it a memorable 2025!

No Bad Hair Days

Lululemon Skinny Scrunchies

Want to keep your hair in place while preventing breakage? These come highly-recommended from our friends at Well+Good !

Dae Styling Cream and Wand

Tame frizz, prevent flyaways, and keep your hair smooth and styled with the Dae Styling Cream. It works with almost every hair type!

Nike Dri-fit Hat

With its sweat-wicking fabric, this Nike Dri-Fit Club Hat will keep your head and hair dry no matter what activity you're doing.

Prioritize Self-Care

Antique Candle Co. Soy Candle

I don't know about you, but I love a good candle especially one that smells as nice as this one. Allow the refreshing Coastal Linen scent with clean linens and ocean mist blended with a soothing medley of water lily, sea moss, and driftwood permeate through the air of your home.

Drift Car Air Freshener

It's not just your home that should smell nice, but also your vehicle. Loved by our Hand-Picked editors, this car air freshener comes in a variety of fresh scents.

Create Your Own Self-Care Package or Gift One!

You can also create a self-care package for a friend or loved one with these products. Believe me, they will love it!

Must-Have Gadgets

All-New Kindle Paperwhite

This new Kindle is the fastest one yet and your best companion for reading on the go. The battery also lasts for weeks without a charge so treat yourself to one of these this year.

Portable Door Lock

Safety is so important when traveling, so add an extra layer of protection with these portable door locks. They are easy to install and will make you feel even safer in your vacation rental or hotel room. You can also use them at home.

Cordless Portable Vacuum

Keep your car clean with a cordless portable car vacuum. I have one and it certainly makes cleaning up crumbs, pet hair, and other messes a breeze. And with its LED light, you can easily clean low-light areas.

6-Quart Air Fryer

If you really want to make your life easier, invest in an air fryer. It makes cooking super fast and easy. Our Hand-Picked editor, Andrea, uses hers daily as well!

The Perfect Travel 'Fit

For The Travel Lovers

3-in-1 Charging Pad

Compatible with Apple devices including the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, you can charge three devices at the same time with this 3-in-1 charger.

Picture Frames - Set of 10

Preserve your most treasured travel memories by displaying them as a gallery on your wall with this set of 10 picture frames.

National Parks Annual Pass

How about a year of exploring our National Parks as well as sites managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service? The annual America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is the perfect gift for any adventurer.

National Park Glassware

For you National Parks lovers out there, having these keepsake glasses at home are a great way to remember your trip. Choose from the 15 most popular National Parks. On each glass is the park's establishment date, a fun fact, and the chronological number it was established as a National Park. Sold separately, buy one or buy them all!

Must-Haves for Extreme Adventurers

Which of these products are you most excited about? Any of them will make your 2025 an even better year!

Want recommendations for great travel products and adventure gear delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly Hand-picked by Only In Your State newsletter to get the first peek at our favorite items (and some great deals)!

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